Anita Lavon Scarpinato

Anita Lavon Gray Scarpinato, beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and faithful servant of Christ, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord, after a sudden and brief battle with brain cancer, at the age of 83.

Lavon was born on January 18, 1943, in Stamford, Texas, to Elsie Mae Meadors and Marshall Otis Merryman of the Camp Creek/New Baden area. She grew up in the Franklin community, where her warmth, work ethic, and joyful spirit became evident early in life. While working as a waitress at a local diner in Franklin during high school, she met the love of her life, Theodore Ashborn “Ted” Gray. The two were married on September 5, 1960, and together built a beautiful life centered around faith, family, love of travel and hard work.

Lavon and Ted raised two sons: Theodore Franklin “Frank” Gray and Timothy Ashborn Gray. Together they built numerous successful businesses through the years, including pipeline welding operations, mobile home frame construction, and Gray’s RV Center. Their partnership in life and business continued until Ted’s passing on January 11, 1994, following a courageous 10-year battle with cancer.

In 1995, Lavon was blessed with a second great love when she married Pete Scarpinato on June 17. Together they spent more than 30 wonderful years blending their families and creating cherished memories with their 4 sons, 10 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Lavon was known for her kindness, strength, and unwavering positivity. She loved deeply and fiercely, especially when it came to her family. She possessed a sharp accounting mind and remarkable attention to detail, continuing to work as a dedicated bookkeeper for Cunningham Real Estate until March 26 of this year.

Above all else, Lavon was a devoted Christian and faithful member of First Baptist Church in Hearne. She treasured her Sunday school class, loved attending church, and never missed an opportunity to share her joy for life and her love for Jesus with those around her. She made birthdays, holidays, and ordinary days feel special through her generosity, warmth, and genuine care for others.

Her light, love, and joyful spirit touched countless lives. Though she will be deeply missed, the legacy of faith, love, strength, and family she leaves behind will live on for generations.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Theodore Ashborn Gray and her parents Marshall Otis and Elsie Mae Merryman. She is survived by her husband Pete J. Scarpinato, her sons Frank and wife Karen Gray of Gause. Her son Tim Gray of Hearne, bonus daughter Brenda Myers and Randy of Tucson, AZ, her stepsons Joe David Scarpinato and Carey of Franklin and Scott Scarpinato and Brooke of Hearne. Her sisters Glenda Thompson of Hearne Dean Catalina of Hearne and brother Garry Merryman of Hearne. Grandchildren Jamie Gibbons of Penrose, CO, Lauren Johnson and Travis of Deanville, Lyndsie Willingham and Jacob of Milano, Nate Gray and Brianna of Gause, Nick Scarpinato, Charlie Scarpinato, Will Scarpinato and Aaryelah Scarpinato of Franklin, Abigail Ann and Anna Abigail Scarpinato of Hearne, Great grandchildren Cheyanne Anthony and Michael of Colorado Springs, CO, Alexa Faith and Madeline Grace Johnson, Garrett Charles and RaeLyn Lavon Willingham, Lyla Jo and Theodore Harlin Gray. Great-Great grandchildren Kinsley and Kaiden Anthony. She dearly loved all her nieces, nephews, extended family and friends –

She was “NANA” to everyone.