Obituary for Mary Jean Gray (Daniels)
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31
The Family Tribute
A smile for all, a heart of gold
One of the finest this world could hold
Never selfish, always kind
These are the memories she leaves behind…
Leading Lady Mary Jean Daniels Gray of Charlotte, NC was born in Iredell County on November 16, 1951, to the late Mr. Joe Roy Daniels and Mrs. Eula Mae Hickman Daniels. She passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at her home.
Leading Lady Gray was a graduate of Statesville High, Class of 1970. Before retirement, she worked for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools as the Lead cook at Devonshire Elementary for twenty-six years. Prior to Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, she worked at Flexknit for several years. Although she was the First Lady and Leading Lady of the First Resurrection Church of God, she was a leading lady who served. She enjoyed being active and a part of the different ministries of the church. Leading Lady served as president of the women’s division, the kitchen committee, the youth department, and the choir. Leading Lady truly loved her church and her church family. During her leisure time, she enjoyed spending time with her family, friends, and church family.
Mary Jean was united in marriage to, Bishop Lonnie E. Gray for over fifty-two years. She was truly his biggest fan and cheerleader as Bishop preached the gospel.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Melvin Lamar Daniels, Sr., Ruth Lackey, Bobby Daniels, Louise Daniels, John D. Daniels, James E. Daniels, Thomas L. Daniels, John Curtis “Jimmy” Daniels, Leila Daniels Woods, Eloise Daniels, Clarence “Sneak” Daniels, Joseph Daniels, and a set of twin sisters.
She leaves to cherish the loving memories of her life, her beloved husband, Bishop Lonnie E. Gray of the home; daughters, Rochelle (Robert) Brown, Dedra Gray, and Tiffany Gray (Mark) Lockett; goddaughter, Erica Daniels; one brother, Larry Daniels of Winston Salem, NC; two sisters, Dolleither Daniels and Louise Daniels, both of Statesville; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bishop E. L. and Mother Evelyn Gray of Statesville; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Betty Morrison, Belinda Daniels, Jackie Daniels, Kathie Gray, Evangelist Marilyn (Pastor Michael) Turner, Michael (Willie Mae) Gray, Pastor Carl (Vickie) Gray and Pastor Christopher (Candy) Gray; special friends, Mrs. Penny Sharpe, Pastor Michael Ross and Lady Janet Ross, Bishop Glen Usry and Leading Lady Ruta Usry, and Ms. Wanda Carr; The Class of 1970 of Statesville High School; The First Resurrection Church Family; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, neighbors, numerous church families, and friends.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Proverbs 31:27,28
Celebration of Life Services will be held on Saturday, January, 21, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at The Christian Outreach of The Piedmont, Statesville, N.C.. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 pm. Elder Christopher E. Daniels will officiate and Bishop Glen J. Usry, Pastor will eulogize.
Leading Lady Gray will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home, 603 South Center Street, Statesville, N. C. until taken to the church to lie in state at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Baptist Church Cemetery.
The Gray/Daniels Families will be receiving friends after 4:00 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 and Friday, January 20, 2023 at The Daniels Family Home at 512 Brevard Street, Statesville, N.C. 28677
Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the family of Leading Lady Mary Jean Daniels Gray.
At the request to of the family, please do not take any photographs nor post any photographs on social medit. Thank you so much.
but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31
The Family Tribute
A smile for all, a heart of gold
One of the finest this world could hold
Never selfish, always kind
These are the memories she leaves behind…
Leading Lady Mary Jean Daniels Gray of Charlotte, NC was born in Iredell County on November 16, 1951, to the late Mr. Joe Roy Daniels and Mrs. Eula Mae Hickman Daniels. She passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at her home.
Leading Lady Gray was a graduate of Statesville High, Class of 1970. Before retirement, she worked for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools as the Lead cook at Devonshire Elementary for twenty-six years. Prior to Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, she worked at Flexknit for several years. Although she was the First Lady and Leading Lady of the First Resurrection Church of God, she was a leading lady who served. She enjoyed being active and a part of the different ministries of the church. Leading Lady served as president of the women’s division, the kitchen committee, the youth department, and the choir. Leading Lady truly loved her church and her church family. During her leisure time, she enjoyed spending time with her family, friends, and church family.
Mary Jean was united in marriage to, Bishop Lonnie E. Gray for over fifty-two years. She was truly his biggest fan and cheerleader as Bishop preached the gospel.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Melvin Lamar Daniels, Sr., Ruth Lackey, Bobby Daniels, Louise Daniels, John D. Daniels, James E. Daniels, Thomas L. Daniels, John Curtis “Jimmy” Daniels, Leila Daniels Woods, Eloise Daniels, Clarence “Sneak” Daniels, Joseph Daniels, and a set of twin sisters.
She leaves to cherish the loving memories of her life, her beloved husband, Bishop Lonnie E. Gray of the home; daughters, Rochelle (Robert) Brown, Dedra Gray, and Tiffany Gray (Mark) Lockett; goddaughter, Erica Daniels; one brother, Larry Daniels of Winston Salem, NC; two sisters, Dolleither Daniels and Louise Daniels, both of Statesville; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bishop E. L. and Mother Evelyn Gray of Statesville; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Betty Morrison, Belinda Daniels, Jackie Daniels, Kathie Gray, Evangelist Marilyn (Pastor Michael) Turner, Michael (Willie Mae) Gray, Pastor Carl (Vickie) Gray and Pastor Christopher (Candy) Gray; special friends, Mrs. Penny Sharpe, Pastor Michael Ross and Lady Janet Ross, Bishop Glen Usry and Leading Lady Ruta Usry, and Ms. Wanda Carr; The Class of 1970 of Statesville High School; The First Resurrection Church Family; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, neighbors, numerous church families, and friends.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
Proverbs 31:27,28
Celebration of Life Services will be held on Saturday, January, 21, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at The Christian Outreach of The Piedmont, Statesville, N.C.. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 pm. Elder Christopher E. Daniels will officiate and Bishop Glen J. Usry, Pastor will eulogize.
Leading Lady Gray will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home, 603 South Center Street, Statesville, N. C. until taken to the church to lie in state at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Baptist Church Cemetery.
The Gray/Daniels Families will be receiving friends after 4:00 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 and Friday, January 20, 2023 at The Daniels Family Home at 512 Brevard Street, Statesville, N.C. 28677
Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the family of Leading Lady Mary Jean Daniels Gray.
At the request to of the family, please do not take any photographs nor post any photographs on social medit. Thank you so much.