Curtis L Gray

Elder Curtis L. Gray was born in Benton County, MS on May 4, 1948 to the late Bro. Buzel Gray, Sr. and the late Sis. Idusta Strickland Gray.  He departed this life on February 2, 2024 at Baptist Memorial Union County Intensive Care Unit.  Curtis attended school at Line Consolidated School in Ripley, MS.  He was a former employee at Masterbilt Refrigeration Company in New Albany, MS.

In 1968 he was introduced to the love of his life, Annette Caldwell, by a cousin, the late Sis. Stella Strickland Johnson. They were married on May 17, 1970 and to this union 5 sons were born.   Their love grew stronger with each passing year and remained faithful to each other for 53 years 8 months and 16 days.  He would often refer to her as his flower. He would say when she smiled she was blooming, Their love was strong and endured many sicknesses and difficult times, but God was with them. 

In 1974, Curtis received the Gift of the Holy Ghost and became a member of Flatwood Grove Church of the Living God under the leadership of the late great Bishop H.L. Coleman, Sr. Soon afterwards he was called to preach the word of God.  The subject of his first sermon was “Go the way God sends you”.  He later served as the local Youth Congress President. During his presidency he, along with others, won the State Youth Congress King and Queen Drive with Michelle Carroll as Queen. He also served as President of the Transportation Department. He had a love for preaching and reading the bible.  He read the entire bible numerous times.  Curtis was a strict disciplinarian.  He wanted his sons to grow up to be outstanding citizens with a deep love and commitment to the Lord.  He was also a loving and dedicated husband.

Curtis was one of a kind with a deep capacity to love and to forgive. He didn’t hold grudges.  He loved unconditionally.  He was preceded in death by his parents: Buzel Gray, Sr. and Idusta Strickland Gray King; 2 brothers: Frank Allen Gray and John Joseph Gray; 3 brothers-in-law: Reuben Caldwell, Thomas Caldwell and Jimmy Caldwell, Sr.

He leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife, Annette Caldwell Gray; 5 sons: Curtis O’Neal (Yunekia) Gray of Olive Branch, MS, Timothy Dwayne (Felicia) Gray of Stone Mountain, GA, John Patrick (Mistique) Gray of Brandon, MS, Stephen Gray of Blue Mountain, MS and Christopher Lee (his friend, Gianna Druet) of Ripley, MS; 6 brothers: Columbus (Tonnie) Gray of New Albany, MS, Nelson (Lorraine) Gray and Morris (Dorothy) Gray all of Aurora, IL, Buzel (Betty) Gray, Jr. Edward (Jessie) Gray all of Blue Mountain, MS, James (Kathy) Gray of New Albany, MS; 4 Sisters: Annie (James) Tompkins  of Tupelo, MS, Mandie (Curtis) Frazier, Josephine (Michael) Estes all of Blue Mountain, MS and Betty Gray of Tupelo, MS; 1 Uncle: Daniel (Betty) Gray of Blue Mountain, MS; 1 Aunt: Louise Releford of Aurora, IL;  6 granddaughters: Endiyah Gray of Stone Mountain, GA, Yunekia Gray of the Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, Destiny Gray, Layla Gray and Maegan Gray of Brandon, MS and Astrid Gray of Olive Branch, MS; 3 grandsons: Quentavious Gray of Travis  Air Force  in Fairfield, CA, Elijah Gray of Blue Mountain, MS and Zion Gray of Stone Mountain, GA and a host of other relatives and friends. Curtis’ smile and friendly ways will be greatly missed, but his memories will live on in our hearts forever.

Visitation will be Friday, February 9, 2024 at Foster & Son Funeral Home, Ripley, MS from 12p-8p with the family present from 6p-8p. Funeral service will be Saturday, February 10, 2024, 2p at Flatwood Grove Church of the Living God, Blue Mountain, MS. The body will lie in state one hour prior to service at the church. Interment will follow at Gray’s Cemetery, Blue Mountain , MS.

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