Rev. Francis Gray Obituary (1931 - 2013)

Rev. Francis Oliver Gray was born to Mr. & Mrs. Emory Winfred Gray on August 22, 1931, in the small town of Bluefield, West Virginia. After high school, Francis entered the U.S. Air Force and was a member of the 3919th Air Police where he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the prestigious, Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in April of 1954. Francis had a love for ministry and education and with this in mind, began his successful endeavors to increase his level of knowledge. In 1970, Francis received his Bachelor of Law Degree from Blackstone School of Law. This would pave the way for his business savvy in the years to come. After moving north he became a resident of Port Chester, New York, where he launched one of his first successful business ventures in trucking. After migrating back south, he received his Associate of Arts Degree from Chesapeake College. This was a major milestone; which began his quest for ministry. Most notably, Francis achieved his Bachelor of Science Degree from Liberty University in 1993. As he embarked upon creating a new business in the south, he humbly managed his final project, lovingly named; "The Village Handyman." Francis concentrated on serving God's people in his final years and having received his Ordination, he participated in the Prison Ministry of New Hope in Talbot County; which to date has reached countless women and men who were incarcerated and changed the lives of numerous inmates. His dedicated service to the Union United Methodist Church in St. Michael's yielded the famous, "Family and Friends Day". As a male chorus member and associated minister, he will be sorely missed. One of his final ministry accomplishments was his ordination to the office of (Pastor) Deacon by Bishop Rich Lipka. Left to mourn his departure are, his loving wife, Patricia Naomi Gray; his only son, Mark Gray; a dear sister in-law, Mabel Crump and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, Ministry partners and friends. Services will be held on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 11am at Union United Methodist Church 201 Fremont St St. Michaels, MD with a viewing Wed. evening 6-8pm and one hour prior to service at the church. Interment Fri., Jan. 11, 2012 10 am at Veterans Cemetery Hurlock, MD.