Rickie R. Gray
1957 - 2011
Rickie R. Gray
1957 - 2011
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1957
DIED
2011
Rickie Gray Obituary
He was born on Aug. 29, 1957, in Fulton, Miss., and made Niceville his home since 1990. Rickie was an active member of First Baptist Church Niceville where he served as a Deacon, a Trustee, a Sunday school teacher, and was active in the Men's Ministry. He was an active Gideon in the Niceville Gideon camp. He worked as a realtor with ERA American Realty of Northwest Florida.
Rickie was a devoted husband and loving father and grandfather. Rickie's love and concern for people made him a friend to everyone he met. He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and laughter, enjoyable life stories, and endearing Mississippi accent.
Rickie was preceded in death by his first wife, Sheila Little Gray; his daughter, Kristen Gray; and his father, Elvie David Gray. He is survived by his wife, Claudia Gray; daughters, Callie Gray Bobbitt and husband Maurice, Kaitlin Gray and Caroline Gray; stepson, Michael Johns and wife Natalie; grandsons, Tyler Bobbitt, Aiden Johns and Landon Johns; mother, Annell Gray of Fulton; brother, Gaylord Gray of Satillo, Miss.; and sisters, Diane Wood of Fulton, Gaither Bell and husband Bubba of Cleveland, Miss., and Kay Andros and husband Rick of Ocean Springs, Miss.
A celebration of Rickie's life will be held on Thursday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church Niceville, immediately followed by a graveside service at Heritage Gardens Cemetery. Visitation with the family will begin at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary of the church.
The family ask, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Gideon's Ministry or to the Gray Prayer Chapel at First Baptist Church Niceville.
You may go online to offer condolences to the family and sign the guestbook at www.heritagegardensfuneralhome.com. Heritage Gardens Funeral Home of Niceville is entrusted with the arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Greg Harden
February 14, 2011
Rickie was a special childhood friend of mine as a neighbor back in Fulton, MS. We had a blast exploring the woods of Mississippi. My heart is broken for his family as Rickie was indeed a special person. God bless you!
Lee Anne Privette
February 3, 2011
Mr. Rickie practically adopted me as a teenager. Ever teenager needs another family to fall in love with them (even if their own family is great) His family always provided a safe place for our local teens. Thanks for everything.
Barbara Truett
February 2, 2011
While visiting one Sunday we were in Rickie's sunday school class and enjoyed it thoroughly. He had such a sweet spirit about him. Our prayers are with his family and church family.
February 2, 2011
We so loved Rickie's country boy Mississippi humor! He was always a bright light and source of laughter. He and Al once went to a Florida Football game - I think Al had more fun with going with Rickie than he did with me! I will never forget going shopping with Rickie and Linda Hayes just for something to do. It was a great day. Our love goes out to Claudia, the girls and the rest of the Gray family.
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Mr. Rob
February 2, 2011
I love Ricky and always had a great time with him, as our humourous sides always played well off of each other. When I first decide to be a sunday school teacher he told me in his Mississippi drawl"Rob if you're gonna work with younguns, you gotta smile and be calm and in control. Now I'm telling you, if they smell fear, they'll eat you alive!" The world was a better place with him in it! Claudia, Callie,Kaitlin and Caroline, I love you ladies and will be praying for you.
February 2, 2011
Rickie was such a blessing to me, he always smiled, even through such adversity. I'll always remember him coming to my house one day to help me load a moving truck as I left for my first "real" job in SC. It meant so much to me. He and Sheila were a real blessing to me as I was growing up. Will keep Claudia and you two girls in my prayers.
Jennifer Maupin (formerly Nechetsky
February 2, 2011
Our deepest sympathy to the family, Rickie will surely be missed by those who knew this wonderful person.
Bayside Cleaners
February 2, 2011
I will remember Rickie's sense of humor and that great Southern accent....being from Alabama myself it was nice for someone else to be the brunt of the southernnnnnnn accent jokes. I also remember his great heart. My love and sympathy go out to Claudia and Rick's children....it is hard to understand why they are experiencing the loss of both their mother and their father, but I know Claudia will continue to be the mother the children so desperately need and will nuture them throughout their lifetimes....May God bless her and the girls.. LOVE,(Shelia Dudley)
Lisa Blackman
February 2, 2011
What a blessing Rickie has always been to our family. I first met Rickie in Winn-Dixie. I had just married & moved to Niceville. I was absolutely shocked by how much he looked & sounded like my Dad! I was honored to get to know him better at FBCN. I was amazed as I offered what help I could to him & Caroline after the accident. His faith & true, Christ-filled joy during such a tragic time spoke great volumes to me and will not be soon forgotten. His generosity, love, laughter & service to his God, family, church & others will live on! I take great joy in knowing he is pain free in the presence of our Lord! Praying for the family. Wish we could be there to celebrate his life w/you. What a GODLY man! :)
Jeanae Jensen
February 2, 2011
I remember working in the nursery at FBCN with Rickie and Sheila. When ever we had certain fussy kids they would latch on to Rickie. He was so calm and sweet with them. Then later when we had nursery, Jensen francis always clung to Rick. He was such a sweet, funny, wonderful man. He raised beautiful daughters and will be missed.
missy smith
February 2, 2011
i knew brother rickie from church he was a great person always had a smile on his face.my families thoughts and prayers are with your family.rest in peace your no longer hurting. the smith family missy,brittay boothe(acteens)and shirley smith
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