Edna Gray Statzer

Edna Earle Gray Statzer, age 71, of Elizabeth City, NC, died at Dozoretz Hospice House of Hampton Roads in Virginia Beach, VA, on Friday, February 6, 2026. Born in Danville, VA, on June 2, 1954, she was the daughter of the late Roy Alexander Gray and Margaret McBride Gray, and the wife of Ronald Walter Statzer.

Edna attended Radford University for a year in 1972 before returning to Danville, where she attended Danville Community College and earned an Associate Degree in Business Management. While in school, she worked for King's Department Store. As her family moved frequently due to Ronald's service, she worked as a bank teller in NJ and DE.

An avid reader, Edna loved the beach and gardening. When her sons were younger and still in school, she volunteered extensively with the local school system, including serving in the PTA, participating with the HOSTS program (Helping One Student To Succeed), teaching local elementary school children to read, and working with a group that was instrumental in convincing the local government to build a new middle school. Later in life, she frequently contributed to the Food Bank of Albemarle.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Ryan Statzer and Matthew Statzer, both of Elizabeth City, NC; a brother, David Gray and wife Nancy of Newport News, VA, and their children David and Michael; a niece, Debbie Gray of Yorktown, VA, who was like a sister to her; a sister-in-law, Buddie Lee Gray and her children, Christopher, Marlo, and Elizabeth; good friends, Judy and Dwayne Harris; and many other nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Gray.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Twiford Memorial Chapel, with Chaplain Kevin Reiver officiating. The family will greet friends at 2:00 p.m. prior to the service.

Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC, is serving the Statzer family. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.