Kathryn (Kate) Gray  

Submitted by Teddy (Gray) Brock

Kate Gray was born in Jefferson Co., Kansas 18 November 1866 to George W. and Elizabeth (Markwell) Gray, both of whom were natives of Fleming Co., Kentucky. Her birth year has been recorded from 1877 to 1884, depending on the various books which highlight her career as an Artist. The only census records containing her true age are when she lived in her parents’ household. She died 13 January 1931, at age 64.

Kansas City Times
January 14, 1931

MISS KATHRYN GRAY DIES

The Kansas City Painter Served Overseas in the World War.

Miss Kathryn Gray, painter and overseas worker in the World War, died yesterday at her home, 3229 Forest Avenue.

Miss Gray, who came from Kansas, was known as a miniaturist and had exhibited pictures in Paris. She held her first exhibition in Kansas City in 1917. She painted many landscapes, including several local bits, and also several foreign scenes.

In 1918 Miss Gray, who then was an artist of the Van Dyck studios in New York, was one of a group of expert women secretary-stenographers to be sent abroad for service.

Surviving are a sister, Miss Mary E. Gray, of the home, and a brother, E. M. Gray of Brawley, Cal. Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock this Monday at Perry, Kas. Burial will be there.

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Kansas City Post
June 21, 1928
(with picture)

Miss Kathryn Gray, formerly of Kansas City, who has received recognition as an artist in New York and Paris, has an exhibit of paintings in the Women's City Club, 111 Grand Ave.

The exhibit includes flower and fruit studies and several landscapes. Miss Gray is most widely known as a landscape painter. She has exhibited in the Grande salon in Paris, in the National Academy of New York and in other notable galleries.

Miss Gray began her studies here while pursuing a business career. She studied drawing and painting at night. Later she studied in New York and from there went to the Julien Academy in Paris. She spent a year in Rome and returned to France in 1914, where her paintings were exhibited in the Grande salon by the Association des Artistes Francaise.

During the World War Miss Gray reverted to her business career. An expert business woman was needed by General Pershing for the quartermaster's department in France and Miss Gray was given the position. After the war she returned to France to make sketches of the battle regions.

Miss Gray has sold paintings and water color sketches to many eastern collectors, including Mrs. E. H. Harriman, Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt and Ogden L. Mills.

Miss Gray's exhibit will be in the Women's City club about two weeks.