Mildred Ann Gray

Mildred Ann Wilson Gray, 92, loving widow of Henry R. Gray, mother to David R. Gray (Kilsun), Marcia L. Gray, and devoted grandmother of Christine Turner (Brandon) and Elizabeth Mekkes (Ryan) passed peacefully at home on July 18, 2021. Born in Greenwood, South Carolina to James Mildred Wilson and Antoinette Wilson, she lived up and down the east coast, daughter of a top Heinz salesman. She graduated from Queens College (NC) with a BA in art education in 1950. She met the love of her life, Henry, in Norfolk, Virginia and married him in 1950. They were married for 52 years raising a family in Hampton, Virginia. She helped Henry create advertisements, logos and displays in their early years of marriage. She taught Night School, Sunday School, was coordinator of Vacation Bible School and the nursery, den mother, room mother, activities coordinator, cheering squad, and “Commander In Chief to the Gray household”, and ran a loving, well-organized tight ship. To many she was a second mother, grandmother, loyal friend, and counselor. She loved her family, babies, puppies, aerobic dance, gardening and traveling. With her green thumb, her gardens thrilled neighbors and people passing by. Cruising was her favorite travel mode (Alaska, Hawaii, Caribbean, Panama Canal) as well as visiting US wonders, National Parks (Everglades, Las Vegas, Amish Country, cross country road trip, Mt. Rushmore/Crazy Horse/Devil’s Tower, San Francisco, Redwood Forest, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Sedona, and her favorite, Yellowstone) a two week visit to South Korea, and a bus tour of Ireland. As an art major she was thrilled to see the statue of David, Sistine Chapel, Pompeii, Ephesus, The Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Roman Coliseum, and Venice. This kind, loving soul, on her final journey, was reunited with loved ones when God had her garden view room ready and called her home. A special thanks to Sharon Preddy, Kara Crammer, and Freda H. Gordon Hospice and Palliative Care for their kindness, attention, and support. In lieu of flowers, please honor Mildred’s giving spirt, and love for dogs, by donating to Guiding eyes for the blind. Donate.guidingeyes.org A Celebration of Life will be held at 11am Saturday in Loving Funeral Home with visitation to follow. Due to family health issues, if you plan on attending the service, masks will be required.