Born September 18, 1937 to the late Marvin and Alpha Hammond, Dovie Eleanor Gregory surpassed societal standards for her time. Eleanor was the first in her family to graduate high school, attending Wayne County. In 1958, she traveled by train with her two young children to meet her husband, Robert, in Arizona upon his discharge from the Army. They settled in Superior, AZ for six years; Robert working at Magma Copper Mines and Eleanor pursuing a degree at Arizona State University in Tempe. The family returned to Kentucky in 1964 after Eleanor completed her degree in Education. Eleanor began working at Wayne County Schools as a one-room schoolteacher. She later taught math, then became a guidance counselor and ended her career as Director of Special Education, retiring June 30, 2002. A firm believer in education, Eleanor continued her studies at Western Kentucky University where she received a Master's degree in Education and Rank I certification. Eleanor, or Nanny to her grandchildren, loved playing solitaire on her computer and was never without freshly painted nails.

She departed this life on December 23, 2020 at Norton Hospital in Louisville, KY due to COVID-19. She is survived by her daughter Patty Gregory Guinn (and Dennis) and son Robert Gregory; her siblings Faye Silvers, Kaye Stringer, Sue Carol Smith, Shirley Simpson, Nancy Brown, Gloria Mardis, and Marvin Hammond; her grandchildren, Spencer and Carly Guinn, Kimber Guinn and Connor Newton, and Dylana Gregory; and her great grandchildren Ella and Kayla Guinn and Aidan Goatee. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Robert Gregory, who died June 1, 2019, as well as three siblings Alma Smith, Charles Hammond, and James Hammond.

Family visitation will be held Tuesday, December 29 ^th at 10 am at Hickey Funeral Home. Public visitation will be from 11 am – time of funeral service.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitation attendance is capped at 50. Masks are required and must be worn over your nose. Burial will be at Grant Roberts Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please take COVID-19 seriously. Wearing a mask and socially distancing is the easiest way to protect yourself and those you love.