Roberta Lea Gray

Roberta Lea Gray, 81, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2026. Born in the Bronx, New York on September 15, 1945, she was the daughter of the late Isidore and May (nee Modica) Puris.

She proudly served in the United States Navy and later spent 30 years working for the United States Postal Service.

She was a fiercely independent woman with an incredibly generous heart who spent much of her life caring for others. She and her husband opened their home to foster children, and she never hesitated to help anyone in need. She loved music, was always singing, and had a wonderful sense of humor that brought smiles and laughter to those around her. She was also an extraordinary cook, especially known for her chicken parmesan, and never needed a recipe to create something everyone loved.

Above all, she will be remembered for her kindness, her selflessness, and the many ways she showed her love through her actions.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Gray; her daughter, Kristina (Marty) Mantle; her son, Anthony Gray; her brothers, Tony Powers and Marvin Puris; and her grandchildren, Devin, Ava, and Connor Mantle, Brady Guntli, and Jared Guntli.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dementia Society of America at https://www.dementiasociety.org/donate.

Her love was quiet, but it was always there.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the FAMILY CENTER at SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Missouri on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.