In Memory
GENERAL GRAY
Sept. 9, 1931 - July 23, 2012
SOUTH BEND - Mr. General Gray, Jr., 81, affectionately known as "June," entered into eternal rest at 3:15 P.M. on Monday, July 23, 2012 at his home in South Bend, Indiana following an extended illness. He was born September 9, 1931 in Sunflower, Mississippi to the union of Reverend General Gray, Sr. and Hattie (Thomas) Gray; they both preceded him in death.
Mr. Gray attended Nuner Elementary School and Washington High School. In 1948 he enlisted in the United States Army and received an Honorable Discharge in December 1950.
On July 13, 1971, in South Bend, he was united in Holy Matrimony to Mary Esther (Bowie) Gray, who preceded him in death on October 29, 1989. To this union one son, Gary Gene Gray, of South Bend, was born; he survives. Also left to cherish his many fond and loving memories are two daughters, Vickki Bringier of Carson, California and Sheila Gregory of South Bend; two stepsons, Derrick Bowie of Kalamazoo, Michigan and Dewitt Bowie of South Bend; one stepdaughter, Cynthia Bowie-Stokes, also of South Bend; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Melvin Gray of Flint, Michigan and Randy (Queene) Gray of Miami, Florida; two sisters, Frances Hamilton of South Bend and Mary "Kathy" Mitchell, also of Flint, along with a host of nieces and nephews, who will greatly miss him, and other relatives and friends.
Mr. Gray worked at the South Bend Range for 20 years and retired from South Bend TRANSPO after 18 years of employment and then went on to work at the University of Notre Dame for 10 years. He was a faithful and dedicated member of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church where he served on the Deacon Board, the Usher Board, and was a member of the Men's Choir. He attended services regularly until his health no longer permitted his presence. Along with his parents and loving wife, he was also preceded in death by three brothers, Preston, Benjamin, and Lincoln Gray; five sisters, Sylvia Null, Bertha "Bootsie" Jenkins, Dorothy Jamison, Mildred Clay and Bobby Jean Gray; one stepson, Gregory Bowie and one stepdaughter, Sherry Bowie.
Mr. Gray was a fun and loving husband, father and family man. His love and devotion for his wife continued long after her passing as he visited her graveside weekly to clean her headstone and place fresh flowers until his health no longer permitted him to do so. He enjoyed yard work, housework and baking; he kept a very well-manicured lawn, a spotless home and baked a mean pineapple upside down cake. He had a reputation as a sharply-dressed man who drove sharp vehicles; he took extra special care of his Cadillac and Corvette by keeping them exceptionally clean and polished.
The family would like to extend special thanks to caregivers, his son Gary, his sister Frances, his niece Shirley and his great-nephews, Marcus and Devonte.
Funeral Services for Mr. Gray will be held on Monday, July 30, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, 1232 E. Bronson Street, South Bend, Indiana. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday, July 29, from 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M., at the Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home, 2702 Lincolnway West, South Bend. Visit www.clarkoneal.com to sign his guest book. The Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.
Published by South Bend Tribune on Jul. 27, 2012.
04/16/2023 EJS
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