Our dear mother, Ellen Mae Chryst Gray, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2025 in Cedar City, Utah, having lived a full 100 years. She was born in Silver City, Utah on February 2, 1925 to Jewel Evelyn Bone and Floyd Arthur Chryst. She grew up in Salt Lake City, Murray, and Moroni, Utah, where she graduated from Moroni High School.
During WWII, Ellen worked in an aircraft factory in San Diego, California. She married Volma Heaton in the St. George, Utah temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They welcomed nine children and settled in Kearns, Utah, to raise their family. Ellen worked at a wide variety of jobs from manufacturing, to serving, to working as a key punch operator and clerk in the translation department at the LDS Church Office Building. After Ellen and Volma divorced, she married Elting Gray. Ellen was an accomplished, self-taught pianist and organist, and learned to play the strummed dolcimer. Ellen and her husband Elting, who played the harmonica, performed to the delight of many different audiences and even cut a CD. Ellen also enjoyed the crafts and enjoyed knitting, sewing and quilting.
Ellen was a faithful, lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She served in Relief Society presidencies, and as a teacher, chorister, and organist. Ellen is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Marion, her brother Art, her husbands Volma and Elting, and three of her sons: Jerris Volma Heaton, Joel Chryst Heaton and Glen Chryst Heaton; two grandsons, Aaron Seth Anderson and Aaron Glen Heaton. She is survived by sons Jonathan Gregory Heaton (Connie), David Von Heaton (Brynne) and Mark Shane Heaton, and her three daughters: Kristin Heaton, Janettte Fleming (Sam) and Janeal Guertler (David). At the time of her passing, Ellen left a large posterity of 28 grandchildren, and 80 great-grandchildren and great- great-grandchildren. Ellen’s family would like to express our sincere appreciation to Ethan Bunker and his team at Mission Healthcare for the loving and tender care they gave Ellen. Thank you!
A simple graveside service is scheduled for Monday, September 15 at 1 P.M. In the West Jordan cemetery, 7960 S 1300 W., West Jordan, Utah