Mr. Samuel Gray

Samuel Everette Gray, aged 93, of Rocky Mount passed away at home after a brief illness on Friday, January 16, 2026.
**Please note arrangement changes: The funeral service will be held at 1:30 PM, Friday, January 23, 2026 at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC. Burial will follow at Pine View Cemetery. Viewing at the church from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM.
A native of Rocky Mount, NC, Mr. Gray was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Gloria Taylor Gray and his later companion, Gloria Wiggins Hicks. He is survived by his two sons, Vincent of Graham, NC and Dale (Antoinyette) of Manassas, VA; sister, Katye Jenkins of Rocky Mount, NC; brother, Joseph Gray of Nashville, NC; grandchildren, Corey Randall of Tacoma, WA; Capricia Gray of Las Vegas, NV; and Tamara (Marvin) Lee of Wayne, NJ, Vincent Gray, Jr. of Lancaster, CA; 17 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Before graduating from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Mr. Gray served in the U.S. Army. He was a public-school teacher at E.J. Hayes and Darden High Schools in Williamston and Wilson, NC, respectively, before becoming the inaugural Director of Human Relations for the City of Rocky Mount and serving in that capacity for 26 years. He owned and operated For Beautiful People Beauty and Barber Supply for over a decade. He also founded two investment clubs, serving as President and Advisor of First Generation and New Beginnings, respectively. Mr. Gray was devoted to community service, church, and professional organizations throughout his life. In lieu of floral tributes, donations may be made to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 30665 Student Services Center Ln, Princess Anne, MD 21853
Arrangements are being provided by William Toney's Funeral Home, 516 S. Poplar Street, Spring Hope, NC