Elsie Irene (Bray) Gaither, age 86, of Bismarck , passed from this life on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at Arkansas Hospice in Hot Springs .  She was born May 12, 1932 in Bismarck, the daughter of the late Roy James and Mary Gladys Herrin Bray, Sr.  Irene was a homemaker and a devoted mother and grandmother.  She devoted her faith to Bismarck Missionary Baptist Church .

Irene's favorite past times included yard sales, playing bingo and watching Gunsmoke.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Roy Neal Gaither, her granddaughter, Cheryl Eason, brothers, Hershel Bray, Roy Bray Jr. and son in law, Jamie Stevens.

Survivors are two daughters, Jo Ann Stevens of Hot Springs, Janet Moore (Kenney) of Traskwood, three sons, Tracey Gaither (Stenna), Ronnie Eason (Connie) and Terry Eason (Patsy) all of Bismarck, three step sons, Alan Gaither, Gary Gaither and Randy Gaither, one sister, Pat Launius, two brothers, Kenneth Bray (Elaine) and Charles Bray (Barbara), thirteen grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and one great great grandchild, and her four legged companion, Sugar.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at Bismarck Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Kenneth Bray officiating.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Monday at Welch Funeral Home.

Interment will be in DeRoche Cemetery .

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to DeRoche Cemetery Fund.

Pallbearers are grandsons, Matthew Morgan, Cameron Woods, Greg Rettig, Nicky Rettig, Joshua Eason, Dustin Moore, Eric Gaither, Toby Eason and Elijah Crump.

Honorary pallbearers are her nephews.

Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home.  Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the guest book.