AnnaBelle Gay

1922 - 2017

AnnaBelle Gay

Aberdeen, MD

AnnaBelle Graham Gay died at home in Aberdeen MD on July 24, 2017. She was born in Anderson SC on June 4, 1922 to Waymon and Maggie Bailey Graham, and was the third of four children. She was christened Annie Belle at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, but preferred AnnaBelle, a name coined by her first-grade teacher. AnnaBelle's beloved husband for 53 years, Herman Paul Gay, died in 1998. A "Celebration of Life" service, conducted by Dr. Robert T. Clipp. Pastor of Grace UMC in Aberdeen, will be held at the sanctuary on Aug. 26th at 1 p.m. A church reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Gay requested that contributions be made to Grace Church or Harford Community College.

AnnaBelle actively volunteered in educational, religious, and civic organizations throughout her life. She was a Trustee of Harford Community College and a member of the Harford County Board of Education. She held various offices in the Aberdeen, Harford County, and Maryland PTA organizations, including president at the local and County Council levels, and was awarded honorary life memberships in the Maryland and National PTAs.

AnnaBelle graduated first in her class from Pendleton High School in South Carolina. She was awarded a scholarship to Winthrop College in Rock Hill SC where she waited tables in the dining room to help pay expenses. In 1942 she graduated summa cum laude, was the class valedictorian, and earned the first Tillman Award for leadership and academic excellence.

WWII changed her plans to be a math teacher. Winthrop College President called Miss Graham into his office and said her teaching job was cancelled. The nation needed mathematicians to be "computers" for the Ballistic Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Ground MD. She went north to help the war effort. At BRL, she met the "love of her life" and they married in January 1945.

In 1952 AnnaBelle joined Aberdeen's Grace United Methodist Church. She made countless visits to the sick and shut-ins, and cared for infants in Sunday's nursery. She enjoyed membership in the United Methodist Women's Ann Kemper Circle, served as Circle and District UMW president, chaired the UMC Christian Social Action group, and was Grace Church's lay leader for 12 years..

AnnaBelle and her husband were active Aberdeen Lions Club Members, and helped raise money for many good causes over the years. She served on the Board of Central Maryland Heart Association, and received several awards for outstanding volunteerism and meritorious service. In 2002, Mrs. Gay was declared a "Harford Living Treasure" by the Harford County Council.

Her older and younger brothers, Max and Reece Graham of Columbia, SC., and Charlotte, NC, died in 1993 and 1984. Her older sister, Ruth G. Sears of SC, died in 1993. Mrs. Gay is survived by four children and their spouses: Paul Gay and wife Caroline of Needham MA; Martha Gay and husband Lee Brunell of Houston TX; Nancy Gay of Berwyn Heights MD; John Gay and wife Patty of Bowie MD.

Mrs. Gay is survived by seven grandchildren: Bradford Gay and wife Katie of Westwood MA; Andrew Gay and wife Hilary of Boston MA; Louisa Gay and husband Peter Neissa of Andover MA; Nathaniel G. Brunell of Houston; Katherine G. and husband Adam Barone of Seattle WA; Robert G. Gullixson of Brooklyn NY; John Charles Gay of Bowie MD. Eight great-grandchildren survive her: Caroline, Emery, and Anna Gay of Westwood; Mason Gay of Boston; Camilla, Louisa, and Sela Neissa of MA; Annabelle Barone of Seattle. Mrs. Gay is survived by many nephews, nieces, cousins, and in-laws in DelMarVa, the Carolinas and Georgia.