Johnny Grey

Johnny Monroe Grey passed away on August 12, 2025 in Amelia, Virginia. He was born in Amelia on May 8, 1938 and spent much of his life there because he loved his hometown. He was reared by his grandparents on a farm near the Veterans Cemetery, served in the Navy, helped his father build houses throughout Virginia, and was a maintenance engineer for hotels and apartment complexes. He loved car races and animals, especially his rescue horses and cats. He is best remembered, though, for his music--writing, singing, playing, and producing. He began performing on mandolin in his early teens in a bluegrass band, would later add keyboards and guitar, and played rock and roll for the troops over a seven-year period while in the service. He appeared at the Grand Old Opry, won the Country Music News Award in Norfolk in 1964, won the Virginia State Champion Vocalist Award in 1969 in Crewe, won the Best Band Award several times at the Azalea Festival, was Grand Marhsall at that festival in 1986, and performed at state and county fairs as well as assisted living, rehab and correctional facilities throughout his life. He opened for Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, Marty Robbins, Hank Williams, Jr., Mickey Gilley, and Don Gibson, amongst others, and released several singles and albums, including Red Hot & Workin' On It. He was also a radio DJ in Tappahannock and at WXGI in Richmond. Johnny knew Christ as his Savior and loved him. He was preceded in death by his mother Francelia Babcock Grey, his father Clifford Grey, and his brothers Wayne Grey and Ron Grey. He is survived by several children and his companion Denice Hall. The burial service will be at Dale Memorial Park, 10201 Newbys Bridge Rd. in Chesterfield on Monday, August 18 at noon.