Linell Rose Chief Sky-Gray, "Tennessee", of Rocky Boy, passed away Monday April 3, 2023, at Northern Montana Hospital. Wake services will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, and will continue until her traditional funeral services which will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday April 6, 2023, all at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in the Johnson Family Cemetery. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Linell was born July 25, 1969, to Mary (Mitchell) Johnson and Alvin Johnson. She was raised by her paternal grandparents Marion and John Johnson Jr. until she was six years old then went to live with her parents Mary and Enos Johnson.

She attended Havre High School for a time and graduated from Rocky Boy High School in May 1987.  After high school, Linell attended Stone Child College, graduating with her Associate's Degree in business.  She worked for tribal housing a couple of years, and then dedicated the next 20+ years to the Rocky Boy Schools.

While in high school, Linell met Duane Standing Rock. They married and had five children. The couple later divorced.   Linell met Reese Gray, the love of her life, in January 2018. They married on September 19, 2019. This happy union created a beautiful blended family. Linell and Reese were committed to accepting each other's children as their own.

Linell was a very kind woman with the gift of making people feel so loved, welcomed, and cared for in her presence. She gave love to anyone in need without judgement or conditions. We will miss her big bear hugs and happy laughter. She loved to laugh and tease. She was most proud of her children and grandchildren. Throughout her life she met numerous people who would later become family. Her children wanted to acknowledge Shylee Broncheau (adopted daughter) and Grant Demaray Baril (adopted son).

Among her favorite things were finding a good buy at the thrift store, singing along to country music, watching her 'babies' in their sports endeavors, and traveling to new places with her husband, Reese. She had a strong belief in the Ojibwe and Cree way of life.

MaMa Nell as she was affectionately called by her nieces and nephews will be greatly missed.

Linell is preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Enos Johnson and Alvin Johnson; grandparents, Paul and Leona Mitchell and Marion (Small) and John Johnson Sr.; sisters, Cecelia Ann Johnson and Melissa Johnson Nagel; brother, John Sinclair; beloved sons, Kyle Standing Rock, Cody Four Colors, and Dakota Gray Boy; daughter, Tristin Gray and an infant daughter; and grandson, Walks with Moon.

She is survived by her husband, Reese Gray; daughters, Caitlin and Rylie Standing Rock and Sammy Gray; sons, Seth and Tristen Standing Rock and RJ and Oscar Gray, Trey and Wyatt Potts, and Paul and Elliott The Boy; grandchildren, Tyrain and Rowan Bell; sisters, Luanne (Jerry) Four Colors, Althea Chief Sky, and Jessica Johnson; brothers, Enos Johnson Jr. and Ryan (Kim) Johnson, all of Rocky Boy; and numerous beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews and other extended family and friends, including the Nepoose, Smallboy, Crier, Bull, and Ermineskin families of Muskwacis, Alberta, Canada.

Love, Mama Nell