Funeral services for Ellen Ann Holland Gray will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, with Reverend Todd Strain officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens, under the direction of Hixson Brothers, Alexandria.

Pallbearers will be Dan Dodson, David Carroll, Jim Ford, Cody Carroll, Marc Dinnat, and Joel Dinnat. The honorary pallbearer will be Bill Holland.

The family requests that visitation be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at Calvary Baptist Church from 10:00 a.m. until service time.

Ellen, 89, of Alexandria, passed from this life on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at her residence.

Ellen was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where she taught Choir, Missions, Sunday School, and New Believer’s Class to preschoolers, children, and youth for many years. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, and dining out, but most especially spending time with family.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, William Morris and Donie Delores Duckworth Holland; sister-in-law, Mary Holland; and brother-in-law, Doody Dinnat.

Those left to cherish a lifetime of memories include her husband of 68 years, Ben Gray; daughters, Sharon Dodson and husband, Dan; Karyn Carroll and husband, David; Laura Gray and husband, Jim Ford; sister Janice Dinnat; and brother, William “Bill” Holland, III and wife, Katherine Pittman Holland. Ellen was beloved “Nanny” to six grandchildren: Sarah Dodson Fortenberry and husband Jeremy; Hailey Dodson Singletary and husband Kevin, Kaitlyn Carroll, Cody Carroll and wife Reagan, Jacob Ford, Em Ford, and eight great-grandchildren.

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