Hersia Wray Obituary

Mr. Hersia Wray a resident of Foster City, CA, born in Tallahassee County, Mississippi on February 27, 1911, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 9, 2010. He was the patriarch of the Wray Family we loved him and we will be remembered in our everyday life. He is survived by his family, friends and love ones. Friends are invited to visit on Tuesday, September 14 at 6pm 8pm at Jones Mortuary, Inc., 660 Donohue Street, E. Palo Alto, CA 94303. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at the Mt. Olive Original Holy Church of God, 605 Hamilton Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025. JONES MORTUARY 650-323-2481

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Published by Inside Bay Area on Sep. 14, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Hersia Wray

9 Entries

September 26, 2010

To my friend Ernestine and the entire Wray Family, I offer my condolences on the passing of your father. Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. When we all get to heaven, what a wonderful time it will be, when we all see JESUS, we will sing and SHOUT! the victory. All praise and thanks be to God for lending Mr. Hersia to the family for as long as He did.

Warmly,
Your Best Girlfriend
Maudine Williams

EVADNE WILLIAMS

September 19, 2010

I like going to Oakland to his apartment and hanging out with him.
It was great to meet and known him.

paulette Douglas

September 16, 2010

What a privileged and an honor to have known Mr. Hersia Wray, lovingly known as Papa Wray to me. I still think about him often. One thing stands out tonight in my thoughts more than others is that “he loved life and it loved him right back”. Many thoughts come to me as I try to compose my condolences. Words cannot express my feelings at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of profound loss. I send my deepest condolences to his friends, family, extended family, and most respectfully, to his daughters with whom we share a small measure of enveloping joy in his memory. Among the many gifts left in his wake, his daughters are one of his finest achievements. He was an insightful and inspiring story teller and his warmth and genuine interest in the challenges of life was encouraging and brilliant. I so admired how he always focused on the positive, and how he calmly approached every challenge in his declining body. What struck me most besides his high standards; visionary attitude, broad perspective, clear and articulate voice and personal integrity were his personal warmth, fun sense of humor and humanity that he shared. He was intelligent, friendly, respectful and clearly devoted to his family. I was impressed by his engaging personality, his quick wit, his good humor and his inclusiveness. Our paths crossed occasionally through visits over the ensuing years. I am pleased that we were in contact much more frequently through his daughters. We shared a passion for his stories from his many experiences.

Despite lapses between my opportunities to see him, whenever I had a chance to visit, there was always a moment to connect. I had the privilege of participating in several of his good days. It was always a pleasure to visit Papa Wray, his enthusiasm, energy, and compassion were infectious, he made my day so much better. He had incredible faith in God and was always so encouraging. As I quote Papa Wray, “God has a plan and man only has ideas about the plan, the ideas may change but the plan remains the same”. He was truly a warm, loving, brilliant and creative man. He was an amazing informal mentor of mine during his last years of his life. I was fortunate to be blessed by Mr. Hersia Wray.

Papa Wray will be missed tremendously. I hope that for those of us blessed enough to know him; our memories of happier times with him will be a source of comfort as well as a confirmation of what a remarkable man he was and how our lives were enriched by his. I believe that everyone who knew him in any capacity will mourn his loss personally, but may his gifts of joy and generosity of spirit be always with all of us. Let there be good memories, found recollections of special occasions and everyday things. Let your heart start on its journey to healing by feeling the comfort remembering brings. Let there be, pictures, mementos, a voice that we had heard, through advocating issues, and favorite stories both funny and sad. Let our/your mind wander the paths of remembrance, reliving the joys and the good times you've/we've had with Papa Wray. Let there be signs that our loved ones remain near in spirit long after he’s gone ... tender, surprising, heart-warming, and welcome, sweet proof of the promise that love will live on. May the warm memories surround his families, friends, loved ones, and may it bring you/us comfort. With Deepest Sympathy I regret that the world didn’t have the chance to know and hear the wisdom of such a great, exceptional and extraordinary man. I pray that we can reflect on his spirit of passion to invest in his family and friends to bring some peace. It is with grace, integrity and with dignity that Papa Wray will be remembered. I pray peace and comfort for the years ahead. Ninety Nine and a half had to do. So thought God and Papa Wray.

Teresa Beasley

September 15, 2010

It was great to see that Mr. Hersia Wray was a loving and wonderful father & grand-father, please treasure all of the memories & time spend with him!!! I pray that God will continue to comfort and protect the Wray family.... Love you all, ~TereSa Beasley~~~~

September 15, 2010

I often express to others that everything I have accomplished and all my experiences in the outdoors started from the day Uncle Hersia took me fishing when I was about 8 years old. From fishing trips to guiding mountain trips in Alaska, Nepal, and Africa. It is all owed to that one experience that this man gave me 40 years ago. He was truly GREAT AND INSPIRING. - Philip

September 14, 2010

I love going to Oakland and knowing you may run into him walking the streets to run his morning erands at 7am....I am so inspired by his strong will.....I love you Grand-Father.....Judy

Elizabeth

September 14, 2010

I have so many fond memories with my grandfather. How I loved weekend visits to the fish market as pa bought loads of fish to be later prepared at his home in Oakland. And leaving Oakland with a pocket FULL of pennies and coins. To this day, I keep loose coins for the joy of telling my grands, "you can have all you can.carry".

September 14, 2010

Sis Williams, we are praying for you and your family during this time; and thankful you had your father as long as you have. God Bless You, John & Jeanette Lewis