Ellen Crickett Gray

It was truly a lovely day on Monday, August 22, 1960, when Ellen Crickett Gray was born to the late Walter Wickes, Jr. and Brenda Wickes in Chestertown (Kent County), Maryland. She departed this life into eternity on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
Ellen, known as Crickett to those closest to her, was the oldest of five children. She attended Kent County Schools in Maryland and in 1978 graduated from DeLaWarr High School in Newcastle, Delaware. In high school, she was a captain of the cheerleading squad as well as a debutante. During this time, she also began dating Samuel L. Gray, Jr.
On December 4, 1978, Ellen and Samuel married, and to this union, two children, Corey and Juanita, were born. The family traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe as Samuel's military service took them to California, New Jersey, Germany, Virginia, Alaska, and finally to South Carolina. During their travels, Ellen worked for several mortgage companies and when the family settled in South Carolina, she worked for Wachovia/Wells Fargo for 15 years.
Ellen was a loving, caring, funny, and generous person. Ellen loved music, especially R&B and she was especially good at her Tina Turner "Proud Mary (Rollin' on the River)" impersonation. Her family and friends loved and cherished her. She was a devoted mother and always provided her children with unconditional love and support. She adored her grands and always kept a protective, watchful eye over them.
She was preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents, her father, Walter Wickes, Jr., and her grandson, Malik Gray.
Ellen leaves to cherish fond memories: her mother, Brenda Wickes; her husband, Samuel L. Gray, Jr.; her children, Corey Gray and Juanita Gray; her grandchildren, Jawan, Jalen, and Janiya Williams, (their dad, Shamahne), Keondra Gray, and Jayla Brown; her great-granddaughter, A'ryah Gray; her siblings, Stephen (Novia) Wickes, Robin Wickes, Darren (Kristie) Wickes, and Kelly Wickes; a special aunt, Mary "Aunt Sissy" Jones; her goddaughter, Shalontay Fews; and three special young ladies-who were like daughters, Shelia Williams, Keisha McCarrell, and VaShanta Bennett. She was beloved by her family and friends, who are grateful Ellen crossed their path and will miss her dearly.
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