Mary Louise Cratch Gray

Mary Louise Cratch Gray passed away on May 23rd, 2025, after a brief battle with congestive heart failure.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bobby” Gray, and her brothers, Shelton McNair and Lloyd McNair.

She is survived by her sister, Beulah Koulouris and husband Dean, her three sons Robert Gray and wife Karen Caudill, Cleveland Gray and wife Fran, and Neil Gray and wife Gayle, as well as her eight grandchildren Simon, Frank, Noah, Charlie, Sam, Abigail, Ashley, and Isabel.

She met her husband Bobby while they were both students at Atlantic Christian College.

She was a lifelong educator with Wilson County Schools. She taught at Elm City, Darden and Hunt High School before completing her Master’s degree in Library Science at East Carolina. Her final years as an educator were as a librarian and media coordinator at Springfield Middle School.

She was a member of First Christian Church for over 60 years where she served in numerous leadership roles and sang in the choir.

Mary Louise loved to travel and was a longtime member of the Friendship Force and visited over 40 countries and 49 states. She really enjoyed hosting other travelers and the many global exchanges.

The family would like to express gratitude to Dr. Bynum and staff, Dr. Chand, as well as the many wonderful caregivers and teams at Wilson Medical Center, Parkwood Village, and Gentiva Hospice.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to First Christian Church in her memory. (First Christian Church, P.O. Box 2702, Wilson, NC, 27894)

The Celebration of Life service is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 3pm at First Christian Church, 207 Tarboro Street, Wilson, NC, 27894, with visitation to follow.