Debbie Gray

Debra “Debbie” Jean Brittingham Gray, 61 years young, passed away suddenly at the home of her mother on August 14, 2017. Heaven gained an angel that day but the world lost the sweetest, kindest and most loving soul that ever walked the face of this earth. Born in Yakima, Washington on August 9, 1956 to Curtis and Jeanne Brittingham, Debbie spent her early years growing up amidst the orchards of Holtzinger Ranch in Wiley City, Washington. There her love of the country lifestyle and animals, especially dogs, was apparent to all who knew her. Debbie had a special bond with dogs that no one could explain, they loved her as much as she loved them. Debbie attended Ahtanum Valley Elementary where many lifelong friends were made. Her giggle and laugh were legendary and unforgettable and made people happy whenever they heard her. She graduated with the Class of 1974 from West Valley High School and in 2014 attended their 40th reunion, getting reacquainted with her fellow classmates. After graduation Debbie attended Mr. Lee’s Beauty School, getting her cosmetology license in 1976, but her love of dogs was so strong she changed careers and became a dog groomer, which she excelled at. Debbie learned her craft from her mother-in-law, Clara Gray, at West Valley Boarding Kennels and worked side by side with her sister-in-law Terry Himrod, until she eventually started her grooming business, “Debbie’s Pampered Pooch.” Having her very own grooming business and being able to work from home was her dream and she was so happy when it became a reality. She enjoyed decorating her shop for every holiday and proudly displayed the many tiny dog figurines that she had collected over the years. On December 23, 1976, Debbie and Don Gray were married at Wiley Heights Covenant Church and their love produced two beautiful daughters, Sarah and Julie. Debbie was very proud of her children and her seven grandchildren and talked about their accomplishments often. Her cell phone contained hundreds of photos of all of them which she happily showed off with pride. Debbie’s love of dogs wasn’t her only passion, she also enjoyed finding beautiful rocks which she constantly searched for wherever she happened to be at the time. Over the years she had amassed an extensive collection which she proudly displayed in pretty glass bowls and shrine-like arrangements. Everyone who met her loved her and she will always be remembered for her kind heart because Debbie was beautiful, both inside and out. She was preceded in death by her father, Curtis Brittingham, her grandparents, Ruby and Arden Brittingham and Floyd and Ella Smith, and numerous aunts and uncles. She is survived by her daughters, Sarah and husband Jeff Scott, Julie and husband Nathan Sears, the girls’ father, Don Gray, seven grandchildren, Logan (17), Hunter (16), Graydon (15), Devlyn (13), Annabelle (12), Mason (5), and Jasen (3), her mother Jeanne Brittingham, brother Danny Brittingham, sister Karen Stevenson, aunt Carla Brittingham, uncle William and wife Sharon Brittingham, companion Paul Briscoe, best friend Phyllis Mills-Irvine, and many nieces, nephews and friends. A celebration of Debbie’s life will be held Friday, August 25, 2017 at 1:00 PM at Wiley Heights Covenant Church with a luncheon following. The family requests that in lieu of flowers please send a donation to your local no-kill animal shelter. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Debbie Gray, please visit our flower store.