Craig Gerard Gregory I

Reverend Craig Gerard Gregory I
March 27, 1967 - February 7, 2025
With faith in the resurrection and the sure promises of Christ, we commend to the Triune God the soul of Rev. Craig Gerard Gregory I, who was called to his eternal rest on Friday, February 7th, 2025.
Reverend Gregory was born to Joe L Gregory and the late Ezola Gregory Broussard on March 27, 1967, in New Iberia, Louisiana.
A devoted husband, father, grandfather, community/public servant, and servant of the Lord, he was married to his beloved wife, Senetra Guidry-Gregory, for 11 years. Together, they built a home centered on faith in Christ, a sure and certain hope in the promises of the Scripture, a bold witness of the Gospel, and generosity and love for the neighbor.
Reverend Gregory was the loving father of Mitze Babineaux, Craig Gregory II (Meredith), Trent Broussard, Bryce Frederick, Dravin Gregory Broussard, Dillon Gregory, Donovan Gregory, Dorian Gregory, Shantirra Ceasar, and Kadin Guidry; the cherished grandfather of Kassie, Sage, Malaya, Maddison, Craig III, Karsen, Kainen, Kamren, Ashtynn, and Myla Rose.
His memories will be forever etched in the hearts of his parents Joe L. and Dorothy Gregory; siblings Cassandra Ebow (Eldridge), Jonathan Gregory (Sharon), Damian Gregory (Javonna), Joe Gregory II (Comalita), Darlfecus Gregory (Alicia), Brandon Gregory (Ashley), Shawn Polk, Devanda Lopez (Chad), Tashannon White (Alonzo), LA; Mother-n-Law Mary Guidry, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, godchildren, extended family members, and friends.
Immediately after graduating from Breaux Bridge Senior High School in 1986, Reverend Gregory served his country in the United States Navy for a period of four years. He received several awards for meritorious achievement, including the USS Emory S. Land (AS-39) Sailor of the Quarter Award.
For 27 years, Rev. Craig Gregory faithfully proclaimed Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins, serving as pastor of Rock Zion Baptist Church in Sorrell, LA, St. Mark Baptist Church in Jeanerette, LA, Star Pilgrim Baptist Church in New Iberia, LA, Bethlehem Baptist Church in Breaux Bridge, LA, and Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Branch, LA where he pastored for 25 years until his heavenly transition. Early mornings, Pastor Gregory could be found immersed in Scripture and prayer. Afternoons and evenings were spent calling, texting, and caring for family and friends. Reverend Gregory and his longtime friends Robert "Biggie" Ledet and Bryan K. Simpson were avid fishermen and, on most days, could be found on the levee, Price Lake Road, or at the Toledo Bend Reservoir. Reverend Gregory preferred active rather than passive forms of entertainment and his hobbies were cooking for family, catering, and decorating for public and private venues. He attended Life Christian University and University of Louisiana, Lafayette. Throughout his life, he was graced with a bold and unwavering faith in God, compelling him to bring the Gospel to his congregants and all those who surrounded him.
As a Pastor, Reverend Gregory was a committee member of the National Baptist Convention USA Inc, Vice President of Greater Louisiana Baptist State Convention, Treasurer of Seventh District Baptist Association, Director of the Rural Church Development Commission for Louisiana Home and Foreign Mission Baptist Convention, Moderator of the Acadia Parish Ministerial Alliance, and Moderator of Crossroads Missionary Baptist Association.
Reverend Gregory was a community and public servant. He served as St. Martin Parish's District Seven Parish Councilman for a four-year term. As a Parish Councilman, Reverend Gregory served as a member of the Police Jury Association of Louisiana, Police Jury of Louisiana's Black Caucus Executive Board Member, National Association of County Officials (NACO), Executive Board of the National Association of Black County Officials (NABCO), and as NABCO's Chaplain.
He worked tirelessly as a member of former President Barack Obama's Rural Childhood Poverty Commission. He implemented youth summer programs geared towards promoting literacy and healthy eating habits. He recognized the importance of honesty, loyalty, and volunteerism. He has coined the phrase "In order to be a Man, you have to see a Man." He availed himself to that motto and offered his knowledge and experience in youth-oriented venues and fatherhood initiatives across the country.
In the year of 2024, Reverend Gregory was crowned King Toussaint L' Ouverture LXVI and served as the 66th King of the Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Association along with Ms. Kelsie Sonnier as Queen Suzanne Simone LXVI. Reverend Gregory has also reigned as Crawfish Festival King of the Creole Crawfish Festival Association.
Reverend Craig Gregory was the recipient of numerous social, religious, and political affiliation awards of recognition. Most notably, he received the National Association of Black County Officials' Leadership Award, National Association of University Women, Lafayette Chapter's Excellence Award, National Head Start Association's Leadership and Excellence Award, Black Heritage Association's Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award, USS Emory S. Land (AS-39) Sailor of the Quarter, Region VI Head Start Association's Father of the Year Award, and 100 Black Men of Greater Lafayette Father of the Year Award.
Reverend Craig Gregory I was a true man of God, steadfast in his calling, and he now rests from his labors in the eternal presence of the Lord he was so graced to serve.
Reverend Gregory was preceded in death by his mother Ezola Gregory Broussard stepfather Gaston Paul Broussard, sister Jonee Gregory Ledet, and brother Ronnie Castillo Jr.; paternal grandparents Beatrice LeMay, Williams Scott, Beatrice Gregory Scott, Jenkins Russum, and Mary Jenkins; maternal grandparents Earl C. Green Sr., and Ezola Anderson Green; uncles John "Uncle Bud" Brooks, Earl Clifton Green Jr., Karl B. Green Sr., Reverend Samuel Scott, Albert Scott, Tom Scott, John Scott; aunts Naomi Vallier, Beulah Pruitt, Sherry Nelson, Rosie Holbrook, Hattie Ezell and Janie Johnson; adored cousins Dudley Stevens Jr., Lear Carter Stevens, and Lesha V. Brown.
The Family will receive friends at the Wake Service on Friday, February 14, 2025, from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 1481 J. E. Pelton Highway, Branch, LA. 70520.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, February 15th between the hours of 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM with the funeral service to begin at 10:00 am at Good Hope Baptist Church, 1501 East Willow Street, Lafayette, LA. 70501.
Following the service, Reverend Gregory, will be laid to rest at the Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery, 150 East Brant Street, Breaux Bridge, LA. 70517.
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7
Kinchen Funeral Home Inc., 1011 North Saint Antoine Street, Lafayette LA 70501 is in charge of arrangements. Additionally, condolences to the family can be expressed on our website at www.kinchenfuneralhome.com.