----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Wis.) 05/26/1927

Gray, Sylvia (11 DEC 1856 - 19 May 1927) Died, at her home in this city (Colby, Wis.), Thursday morning, May 19, 1927 at three o'clock, of paralysis, Mrs. Sylvia Gray, beloved wife of Justin E. Gray, age 71 years.

Sylvia Hurlburt was born in ? County, N.Y., Dec. 11, 1856. She came to Wisconsin with the family, settling in Clark County. On Jan. 1, 1873, she was united in marriage to J. E. Gray at Neillsville, Wis.. She came to Colby with her husband the same year and settled on a piece of land about five miles from town. They were among the pioneers of this region and have been closely identified with the growth and history of the community. Three children were born to them: Herbert, who resides on the home farm, Mrs. Richard Zillmann, of this city, and Mary, whod died at the age of eighteen months.

In the death of Mrs. Gray, this city loses one of the old and highly respected citizens. She was well known to everyone and could count her friends by the score. She was of a sweet and retiring disposition. Her creed in living was more in doing Christian acts than by outward show. She was a friendly woman, a dutiful wife and loving mother, who lived and was happy in the sweet consciousness of the love of her husband and children. While her home was first in her thoughts, she never failed in her kindly consideration of friends and neighbors. She was a charter member of the W. R. C. and took a very active interest in the order. She is gone, but her memory of her earthly life will live on to strengthen the lives of those who are left behind. She is survived by her husband, J. E. Gray, two children, Herbert Gray and Mrs. Richard Zillmann, three sisters, Mrs. J. W. Lynch, Colby, Mrs. Salome Gray, Marshfield, Mrs. E. H. Poate, St. Paul, and one brother, Will Hurlburt, Neillsville, four grandchildren, Sylvia and Kathryn Zillmann and Justin and Myrl Gray.

A very large crowd attended the funeral, which was held at the M. E. Church, Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Walter Hanscom. The choir rendered some very appropriate selections. There were a number of very beautiful floral pieces, tokens of love and sympathy. After the services the cortege moved in solemn procession to the Colby Cemetery, where all that was mortal of Mrs. Gray was laid to rest.

Those from out of town to attend the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Rakow, Mr. and Mrs. Ray McDonald and family, Mr. and Mrs. Morris Ross and family and Dill and Elsie Seager, of Neillsville, Mrs. E. H. Poate, St. Paul, and Mrs. Salome Gray, Marshfield.