Lanella Spinks Gray

Lanella Spinks Gray, B.A. ’54, of Houston, was a beloved alumna and unofficial Independence, Texas, historian. Gray passed on April 6 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. 

Gray grew up in Kilgore, Texas, before attending Baylor. Her unique blend of charm, presence and commitment to detail captivated her audiences, from her earliest days as a Kilgore College Rangerette to her time as a Baylor University theatre student.

During her time at Baylor, Gray met her husband, Tom Gray, B.B.A. ’54. They married after graduating, moving to Dallas where he worked as a certified public accountant while she worked for Paul Baker during the earliest years of the Dallas Theatre Center. The Grays then moved to Houston, where they raised their three sons: James Cary Gray, B.B.A. ’79, B.Acc. ’80, J.D. ’83, Milton Gray and Walter Gray. Gray served in many volunteer roles as a PTA president, directing school plays at Rummel Creek Elementary School in Houston and serving on civic and charitable organizations while supporting Act III Arabians, the family’s Arabian Horse operation.

During their 43-year marriage, the Grays continued to support Baylor, giving generously to establish scholarships at the University and supporting Baylor Student Foundation, Baylor Athletics, Baylor Libraries and other areas. In the early 1990s, Lanella and Tom moved to Independence, where they became active in the community, serving within their church. Gray also served as president of the Independence Historical Society.

After Tom’s death in 1998, Gray continued to serve her community through volunteer roles, as a court-appointed special advocate for children in Washington County and through the Board of the Scott & White Hospital Foundation in Brenham. She also was an active member for many years at her church, First United Methodist Church in Brenham. In 2013, she was named “Woman of the Year” by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. Gray remained in Independence until 2019, when her illness led her to move closer to family.

Gray dedicated significant time and resources to another passion: Baylor history. She was instrumental in developing the programming surrounding Baylor Line Camp, which hosted its inaugural sessions in 2001. Gray’s involvement in the student orientation program became so frequent that she became known as “Miss Baylor” and the unofficial mayor of Independence, Texas, the original home of Baylor University from 1845 to 1886, when the campus was moved to Waco.

In 2009, Baylor University recognized Gray with the W.R. White Meritorious Service Award. In 2011, the Baylor Board of Regents established the Lanella Spinks Gray Baylor at Independence Endowed Fund in honor of her commitment to both Baylor and Independence and to support the University’s efforts to preserve Baylor’s rich heritage.