Flossie Carrie Ringwood Gray
1888 - 1967
The following information was compiled by Dana S. Richmond from
Flossie’s autobiography and from a tribute by her daughter, Merelyn Joyce
Gray Millward, and memories from grandson, Robert Charles Richmond.
Flossie was born 28 April 1888 at 845 East 700 South in Salt Lake
City, Utah. Her father, Charles Peachment Ringwood, a convert to the LDS
faith came from England to America. He arrived in Salt Lake City on 24
September 1853. He was 22 years old.
Charles earned enough money to send for his sweetheart, Dinah E. Foster, whom he left in England. She arrived in 1855. They were married in the
Endowment House on 13 November 1855. (Since the Salt Lake Temple was
not completed, several weddings took place in the Endowment House with
the same promises given as in the temple: marriage for time and all eternity).
Dinah died after the birth of her seventh child leaving Charles to care for his
“little” family. (In another account it was stated that Charles had five living
children when his first wife, Dinah, passed away).
Flossie’s mother, Caroline Althea Robbins was born 18 April 1850 in
Leamington, England. Caroline’s mother, Caroline Althea Goldring, died
when Caroline was eight years old. She was the oldest of four. Her father remarried Mary Child in 1859 and two years later the family left England
headed for Salt Lake City. Caroline was eleven years old. They came by
ship and after reaching America they traveled mostly by foot as they continued their journey to the Salt Lake Valley.
Caroline at age 19 was scrubbing the family front porch on her hands
and knees when a tall good-looking man (he was also a policeman) came up
to her and introduced himself. As she got to know him she knew he had a
real challenge raising his family. Charles fibbed to Caroline about the ages
of his children. His oldest was 13 and then 11. She was only 6 years older
than his oldest child. When she found out that he had not told her the truth
she was really upset. She felt it most important to be honest even if it might
scare her away.
She had been a step-child and secretly dreamed of being a step-mother.
She felt she would know how to treat them and love them, besides, she really
loved this handsome policeman. When they married she had the care of a 13
year old girl, 11 year old boy, 5 year old boy, Bill, a 2 year old boy and a 4
month old baby girl. The baby girl died two months after Charles and Caroline married. She gave birth to fifteen children of her own. Seven of those
born, lived, married, and each has been blessed with a family.
Flossie was the 18th child born into this combined family. Two more
children were born after her. The home was already filled with young ones.
This probably accounts for her early love of people. She grew up with fond
memories of family life. Flossie said: “We were a very devoted and happy
family, taught by our parents to be kind and considerate of each other.” Her
parents never let an opportunity pass by without impressing upon their minds
the importance of obeying the will of Heavenly Father. Her parents were
staunch, true Latter-day Saints and endured many hardships as early pioneers.
Flossie said that her mother had the sweetest disposition. She said that
if she could have even half her disposition, she would be happy. Flossie
lived up to that and was always pleasant to be around.
Flossie met her husband, Robert Arthur Gray, at a party; she was about
16 and Bob was 17. They became very good friends, and after a courtship of
5 years married in the Salt Lake Temple on 29 September 1909 with the ceremony performed by President John R. Winder.
Their wedding reception was held at her parents home at, 232 K Street,
Salt Lake City. The home was decorated with beautiful fall flowers. The Hawaiian Troubadour (band) furnished the music for the evening. She said it
was like attending a banquet.
Flossie wrote: “My husband and I spent many happy years together
playing the piano and singing. We studied voice for a short time and enjoyed
singing in several wards on different occasions. I recall singing in a quartet
on a Mutual program in the First Ward with Mark E. Peterson, now an apostle in our church. I sang the solo part.”
“We have a very congenial and happy married life, blessed with five
lovely children, two sons and three daughters. They brought much joy and
sunshine into our lives, all four of our children have been married in the Temple. One son passed away at the age of two years. We have been blessed
with fourteen grandchildren. To us, they are like a bouquet of beautiful flowers, each one so lovely and yet so different. We hope to add many more
beautiful flowers to our bouquet.”
“We feel we have been blessed with riches money cannot buy. We
have lived in many wards and I have rendered service in each. Through service, I have gained a strong testimoney of the truthfulness of our gospel.”
“I hope to render service in God’s Kingdom all my life. I have had the
privilege of hearing and speaking in tongues, also singing in tongues, at a Primary Testimonial meeting held at Barrett Hall during Primary Convention.”
(Flossie served as president of the primary, YWMIA, young women’s, and as
Relief Society President. She put her talents to work).
“I have been privileged to do work for my kindred dead, also for many
friends. I have been baptized in the Salt Lake Temple for over 1500 kindred
dead. On two occasions, I was baptized for 124 each time. My strength was
increased each time, and the joy and satisfaction I received in doing this work
could never be expressed by words. I also enjoyed going to the Logan, Idaho
Falls, Manti and St. George Temples for endowments, and hope to visit more
of these holy temples. I hope and pray I will always be a true Latter-day
Saint.”
She was small in stature, but so big in character. Her grandson Bob
(RCR) recalls spending time with his grandma. “She told me stories of personal experiences and also fairy tales. I felt she enjoyed being with me.”