Obituary for Roy “Charlene” Gray

Roy Charlene (Wikle, Skaggs, Sanders) Gray

September 29, 1944 – September 10, 2021

On September 10th, 2021 Roy CHARLENE Skaggs Sanders Gray, (nee: Wikle) peacefully returned to her heavenly home and her family is comforted by the knowledge that she is now reunited with her beloved husband, Edward Lewis Skaggs, as well as many other loved ones ready to welcome her into their midst. Charlene has been a resident of Konawa and Ada, Oklahoma for the past 9 years. Just previous to this she was a resident of Ponca City for about 20 years from the early 1990’s until 2012.

Charlene was born born Roy Charlene Wikle in Clovis, New Mexico on September 29, 1944. Her family moved to Casa Grande, Arizona a few years later. She loved helping her father work in his shop from a very young age. While in Arizona she met and married the love of her life and eternal companion, Ed Skaggs. They married in Nevada on February 11, 1966. Together, they raised 3 children, Terri Lynn Skaggs Cronin, Sheila Kay Skaggs Baum and Mikel Lewis Skaggs. Ed attended vocational school to become a circuit board technician and, upon graduation, their young family moved to Dallas, Texas in 1969. They had been married 21 years at the time of Ed’s passing in 1987. Charlene and Ed became faithful, lifetime members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1969 and they returned to Arizona a year later to be sealed together and with their children for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona temple in August 1970.

Charlene spent many years in Dallas working as a bookkeeper for an apartment complex holding company. She was always known for her diligence in working hard to help sustain her family and often took on odd jobs, in addition to her full time work. She had a giving heart and loved to serve others in any possible way needed.

Sometime after Ed’s passing she was visiting family in Ponca City, Oklahoma, where she met Noel Eugene Sanders, a distant cousin of Ed. Noel and Charlene were married in Ponca City, on December 26, 1992. In Ponca City she also enjoyed living close to her son and his wife, Mikel and Tina Skaggs. Charlene had been married to Noel for 19 years at the time of his passing in 2011. She left her professional employment and worked side by side with Noel, growing some of the sweetest and largest watermelons imaginable, in addition to learning booking for farm life, and worked other job positions including but not limited to: Home Health Care Provider, House Keeper, Farmer, Office Assistant, and Youth Care Giver.

She eventually met cattle farmer Jimmy Dwayne (J. D.) Gray of Konawa, Oklahoma. J.D. predeceased her by a few short weeks this past August 14, 2021. She helped work cattle and all the other jobs required on the ranch. She cared for J.D. after his health started to decline, in addition to maintaining the ranch responsibilities. Some of her happiest moments came during their many travels together. Charlene and J. D. took a second honeymoon and drove across North America, visiting 20 states and parts of Canada.

All who have had the honor of knowing Charlene knew she was truly an elect lady. She has been active in the church since her baptism and has always magnified her various callings throughout the years. She loved to have the missionaries over for dinner and was always ready to serve others in many different ways. She has been a loving caretaker and nurse to many individuals. Her family lovingly described her as the “energizer bunny” because she was constantly moving to get things accomplished.

She was loved unconditionally and also found herself gaining more siblings when her father remarried. She happily accepted both step and half siblings, as well as adopted family members as though they were part of her own biological family. This quality left a positive imprint on all who came to know her. She was truly a priceless jewel and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Charlene was preceded in death by her parents Roy & Dovie Wikle; her sister, Billie Gene Wikle Neeley, and husbands: Edward Lewis Skaggs, Noel Eugene Sanders, and Jimmy Dwayne (J.D.) Gray.

Charlene is survived by her 3 children, daughters Terri L. (and husband Jeffery) Cronin, of Edmond Oklahoma, Sheila K. (and husband Craig) Baum, of Boise Idaho, son Mikel L Skaggs and his wife (Honorary daughter) Tina Skaggs, of Ponca City Oklahoma; 2 Brothers: Jeral (Mamie) Berry/Wikle, and Travis Wikle, both of Texas. 3 Sisters: Tina Wikle (Kelly) Geurin, Paulette Wikle (Chris) Reyling, and Amber Wikle (Caleb Gicker); all of Texas. 11 Grandchildren: Bethany Cronin (and husband Eric) Blaha, of Missouri; Danielle Cronin (and husband Nathan) Snelson, Megan Cronin (and husband Caleb) Gentry, Kristen Cronin, & Justin Cronin, of Oklahoma; Jessica Baum, Courtney Baum (and husband Brandon) Morris, Austin (and wife Alyssa) Baum, and Hunter Baum of Idaho; Alex (and wife Alley) Craven of Texas, and S. Elizabeth/Liz Craven Gonzalez, of Oklahoma. 2 Honorary Grand Children: Nic Burt, of Oklahoma & Chris (and wife Megan) Burt of Tennessee; 8 Great Grand Children: Spencer & Oliver, of Oklahoma; Sophia, Emma, Athena, Isaak, & Yani, of Texas; Adeline, and Ayla, of Idaho, and Victoria, of Utah; and 4 Honorary Great Grand Children: Violet, Embrie, Rose, & Penelope of Tennessee; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other honorary family members.

Charlene loved spending time with family whenever possible and was always excited for a grandchild to marry or bless her life with her great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service was held in her honor at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Ada, Oklahoma on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 2:00pm and attended via online streaming by some family and close friends. Additionally a graveside service was later held at Mount Zion Cemetery in Thackerville, Oklahoma on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 2:00 PM. There she was laid to rest next to her beloved husband Edward Lewis Skaggs and close to her parents, Dovie Belle Houston Wikle, Roy Anderson Wikle and close to her Sister, Billie Gene Wikle Neeley.