Mary Jo Doney

Our family is heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Mother “Mary Jo Doney”, who passed peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on October 16, 2025. Mary was born on December 7, 1956 to Virgil and Nellie Carrywater Doney.

Mickey Jo was the heart of our family, a source of endless love and strength. She loved spending time with her family and grandkids. Her loyalty to being a mom, she was great at that, it was her passion. She rewrote her story the way she wanted to tell it, and her belief in a successful family was being there every single day good or bad.

Mary Jo went to Mission School then went to Hays Lodge Pole High School and graduated. Mary’s work history started when her first born Daleyn Doney started headstart. She followed her everyday and helped with all the kids. She also worked for Father Retzel throughout her life. After raising her 5 children Buddy, Michael, Jena, Lance, and Lenny, whom she loved so much. She went to work as a security guard, then was a cook at Hays Lodge Pole School. She was also a cook at Mission Grade School, then she retired and helped raise her grandkids Madison, Lalia, and LJ.

She loved all her grandchildren and helped care for every single one of them. She had an unwavering ability to calm and comfort anyone. Mary Jo also helped with her other grandchildren Cassie, Damon, Brandon Castillo, and Wyatt, Hailee, Heidi, William, Aspen Hughes. Mary Jo loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren so dearly, each and every one of them held a special place in her heart. Whenever we were having trouble, we’d call her and she’d pray for us. Her faith in God was so strong. Mary’s prayers were always heard.

Mary Jo is survived by her spouse Mike Gray Jr.; daughters Dalelyn Doney, Jena Gray “Willie”; sons Michael Gray III; sisters Anna Doney (Bill Main), Bonnie Miller; brothers Bobby Doney, Granddaughters, Cassie Castillo, Hailee Gray, Heidi Hughes, Madison Gray, Lalia Gray; grandsons Damon and Brandon Castillo, Wyatt and William Hughes, LJ and Ryder Gray; aunts Caroline Ellioff, Valmarie Carrywater; greatgrandchildren Jakobe and Layne Hughes, Marvin Morin, Xaiver J Early,  Dalton and Cora Castillo, Tyler and Kayleah Young; mother and father in law Mike and Dorothy Gray.

Mary Jo is preceded in death by her sons Marvin “Buddy”, Lenny, and Lance; parents Virgil and Nellie Carrywater Doney; siblings Dennis, Dale, Billy, and her twin Marvin, and Donald Doney; sister Beverly; and her beloved grandmother Ernestine.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Jo Doney, please visit our floral store.