Pastor Van Gray, Jr.

My Hero

From the time that I was small, I looked up to you.

And now that I’ve grown up, you are the one hero I never outgrew.

Growing up was often hard, but Dad, you guided me along the way.

You took my hand and led me down life’s path, I felt so special and protected that’s all I can say.

I appreciated the things you did and I love you so, I thank you for all the years we had.

You were then and you will always be my hero You are for sure my favorite person and thanks for being my dad!

LTributes oving

Your Youngest Daughter Lisa

Grandad

We’ll always remember your special smile, your special touch your caring heart and that warm embrace you always gave us. You have always been there for us no matter what and we will always remember you Granddad. No one can ever replace you in our hearts and the love we have for you will last forever more. Today, we celebrate your life!

Your Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren

A Dad is A Daughter’s First Love

Daddy, words cannot express the lost feeling, indescribable pain, or the horrific loneliness that I am going through right now, knowing that on this Earth your smiling face I will never see again, or hear you say, “Marie, daddy love you gal”, or “You show take care of your Daddy”, and us fussing.

Daddy, you were my first love. When I walked into your hospital room on Tuesday morning and your heart had stopped, my heart broke in two, knowing that there will never be another one like you. You will be Loved, Missed, and Remembered in our hearts forever. Enjoy your “WINGS” Daddy and Rest in Peace. I know Mom is smiling now.

She has her Jr. FOREVER AND ALWAYS, Your Oldest Daughter

Evelyn “Marie”

Missing You

Daddy the day you answered God’s call, left an empty space, My world came crashing down and tears ran down my face.

I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t talk I felt so numb, I couldn’t walk.

It was so hard to believe that you are gone.

You were the man I always looked up to Who once was so very strong.

Now its time for me to let you go Its hardest thing I ever had to do We welcomed you into our home and took care of you as best we could But the memories we had I will keep in my heart forever We laughed, we talked, we cried, we fussed And know that I will miss you, I have two angels now, you and mom!

Your daughter Joyce I wasn’t the baby, but you always called me “Your Baby Girl”

~Acknowledgement ~

The family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation for the kind expressions of love and sympathy shown during our time of bereavement. Your prayers, visits, flowers, calls and encouraging words have given us renewed courage and strength to endure. May God bless you all for being there for our family. We also give special thanks to everyone that assisted in Van Gray Jr’s special care throughout his time of need and until he made his final transition.

~The Gray Family

~Honorary Pallbearers ~

Melvin Gray Willie Gray Kenneth Gray Jacob Gray David Wofford Jr. Michael Gray Jr.

Andre Gray Delvin Gray George White

Michael Gray Sr.

Naquin Gray Pierre Gray

Nicholas Gray

Marquis Wofford

Clyde Pruitt

~Active Pallbearers ~

Napoleon Dodson

Julius White

Kenneth Gray Wardlaw

~Interment ~

Saturday, October 7, 2017 Mt. Pisgah Cemetery 3278 Jernigan Dr. Somverville, Tennessee 38068

~Repast ~

Greater Beulah Land Missionary Baptist Church 686 Provine Memphis, Tennessee 38126

Distinctive Services by View Funeral Programs Through Your Mobile Device

3320 Millbranch Rd. Memphis, Tennessee 38116 901-452-7331 www.harrisonsfuneralhomeinc.com “There’s No Comparison To HARRISON” ~Since 1923~ 901.351.0753 www.mysticalprinting.com info@mysticalprinting.com

COelebration S

RReflections L eflections of

ife

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Van Gray Jr. was born on November 27, 1927 in Somerville, Tennessee to

ervice

Processional Scripture:

Old Testament Scripture............................................Rev. Queen Hart

Vance Gray Sr. and Lucy Gray who preceded him in death. He peacefully departed this life at Baptist East Hospital on Tuesday morning, September 26, 2017.

Greater Beulah Land

Van Gray, Jr. received his secular education from Fayette Ware Training School. Later he

received his high school diploma from Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis,

New Testament Scripture............................................Rev. David Hart

Greater Beulah Land

Tennessee. He also was a Graduate of Tennessee Baptist School of Religion. He had a strong work ethic that he exhibited over 30 years with Memphis City Schools as a Building

Prayer............................................................................Bro. Demetrius White

Engineer until he retired in 1984. He was a member of the Aid Benevolent Association,

Selection........................................................................Greater Beulah Land

Pentecostal Association, National Baptist Convention Association and The Fellowship

Expressions:

Organization.

(3 minutes please)

Van Gray Jr. ministered to congregations over 47 years and pastored Greater Beulah Land

Rev. Charles Tutton, Moderator

Baptist Church for 41 years and during that time he also pastored First Baptist in Earle,

Aid Benevolent Association

Arkansas for 5 years in which he alternated Sundays.

Rev. James Morganfield Sr., Moderator National Baptist Convention Association

He and Ruth Marie Gray were married on December 27, 1947 and celebrated 55 blissful years before she preceded him in death in 2002.

Van Gray Jr. leaves to cherish in his precious memories: Four sons: Willie Gray, Melvin Gray, Kenneth Gray of Memphis, TN and Michael Gray of Baton Rouge, LA; One Godson Demetrius White of Memphis, TN. Three daughters: Evelyn Wyatt, Joyce Wofford (David), and Lisa Boyle all of Memphis, Tennessee. Two sons: David Gray and George Gray who preceded him in death. One brother: Rev. Richard Gray (Jessie) of Gary, Indiana. One sister: Evelyn Dodson of Memphis, Tennessee. He also leaves a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

He also was preceded in death by his siblings: 4 brothers - Alfred Gray, James Gray, Joe Gray, Robert Gray and 4 sisters - Alice Gray, Martha Gray, Katie Hart, and Irene Draper.

A Fallen Limb

A limb has fallen from the family tree I keep hearing a voice that says, “Grieve not for me.”

Remember the best ties, the laughter, the song.

The good life I lived while I was strong Continue my heritage, I’m counting on you Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest Remembering all, how I truly was blessed Continue traditions, no matter how small Go on with your life, don’t worry about falls I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin Until the day come we’re together again.

Author Unknown

C

herished Memories

Rev. Darrell Smith

First Baptist – Earle, Arkansas

Rev. Albert Davis, Pastor New Neptune Baptist Church

Selection........................................................................Greater Beulah Land Resolutions.......................................................................Sis. Florence White Acknowledgments.................................................................Sis. Bessie Baker

Silent Reading of Obituary

Solo.................................................................................Dr. Mildred Pearson Eulogy..................................................................................Rev. Wylie Harris Recessional ~Remains will not be viewed after Eulogy~

Dad’s Legacy

Dad you have taken your final journey And you are now resting in God’s hands.

We have watched you achieve much success, Laughed often and loved much.

Gained the trust and respect of women, men and children You have been an inspiration to us all Spreading and preaching God’s word, teaching, and guiding others Taught us how to be men and we are glad you are our dad Our heart ache with sadness and tears continue to flow We really hate to lose you; we really hate to see you go!

Now that you have answered God’s call We bid you farewell, you will forever be remembered by us and by all!

From Your Sons: Willie, Melvin, Kenneth, Michael