Raymond Leslie Gray

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Mr. Raymond Leslie Gray was born in Iredell County on April 23, 1926, and was the son of the late Jules and Maude Shuford Gray. He peacefully passed away on Saturday, April 8, 2017, at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville following an extended illness.

Son, as he was affectionately called, attended the Iredell County Schools and was employed by United Merchants as a truck driver for many years. He was married to Carrie Bell Moten Gray, who preceded him in death. In addition to his parents and wife, he was was preceded in death by a daughter, Margaret Ann Ford; three sons, John Wayne Gray, Earl Leslie Gray and Ronnie Lee “Duck” Gray; three grandchildren, Leslie “Grunch?” Dewayne Gray, Leslie LaNeil Gray and Chaddrick Bellamy, and eight siblings, Helen Holt, Walter Gray, William Gray, Juel Gray, Connie Howell, James Gray, John Gray and Betty Renwick.

He leaves to cherish the memory of his life, four children, Bonzie (Rev. Clement E.) Morris of Charlotte, Carolyn Gray and Yvonne LaChay (Kenneth) Wilkins, Leslie (Larry) Scott, all of Statesville; two daughters-in-law, Sheila Gray of Statesville and Terry Gray of Charlotte; a sister, Amanda Brown of East Spencer; a brother-in-law, Chester Leazer of Statesville; a host of grandchildren including, Sharon (Larry) King, William (Tonya) Anderson, Dana (Mitchell) Blue, Gregory Morris, and LeTisha Lewis, all of Charlotte, Sandy Donawa, Essence Whitesides, Andrew Donawa, Devon Gray, Jarett (Ebony) Gray, and Brandon Bellamy, all of Statesville, Tim Ford of Raleigh, Camille Black of Cherry Point, Wayne Gray, LaTrance Peebles, and Natasha Gray, all of Salisbury, Vickki (Willie) Allen and Dewoyne Daye, both of Virginia, Franscea Gray of Fayetteville, Lamont Holmes and Ronald Turner, both of Statesville; great grandchildren; great great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, church family, neighbors, and dear friends.

Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Thursday, April 13, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at Clark's Chapel Baptist Church. Rev. Dr. Detrick Danner will officiate and burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. Mr. Gray will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home until taken to the church to lie in state at 12:30 p.m. Members of the family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., but will assemble at the residence at other times.

Visit the Book of Memories for Mr. Gray at www.rutledgeandbigham.com. Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Leslie Gray.