Charles W. Gray

Mr. Charles W. (Char-boy) Gray, of 529 Railroad Ave., Wakefield, Va., answered the Master's call on Sunday morning, June 21, 2009, at Southside Regional Medical Center, Petersburg, Va. He was born in Southampton County, Va., on Jan. 31, 1947, to the late Henry and Elsie Gray.

He confessed Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Union Hill United Church of Christ, Sedley, Va., where he was a lifelong member, serving in the Male Chorus.

Charles was a gentle, kind and loving man who always had an open door to his home, helping anyone who was in need. He was a 1968 graduate of Central High School, Sussex, Va. Immediately after graduation, he joined the United States Marine Corps serving his country in Vietnam for three years. He continued to serve his country for an additional 13 years in the reserves. He graduated from Virginia State (College) University in 1978. Charles retired from the Sussex County Sheriff's Department as sergeant with 19 years of service on March 31, 2003. He was a member of the Wakefield Town Council. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Alice Gay, Carrie Brown and Paige Gray. On June 9, 1973, he was joined in holy matrimony to Linda Ellis.

Charles leaves to cherish his loving memory, wife of 56 years, Linda E. Gray; two daughters, Rita Mason and Cecila Holloman (Marcus) of Wakefield, Va.; one son, Charles A. Gray of Wakefield, Va.; six grandchildren, DeAnthony Mason, Ronlesha Jones, DeAndaz Gray, CeAshija Rawlings, Darryl Rawlings Jr. and CaeShaun Gray; godson, Dontae Stith; three sisters, Thelma Bain, Lora Bailey (Herbert) and Dorothy Gay (Fred) of Wakefield, Va.; two brothers, Joe Gray (Eunice) of Petersburg, Va., and Robert Gray (Cassandra) of Stone Mountain, Ga.; one uncle, Sammuel Hilliard of Wakefield, Va.; foster children, Nikkita Sumler and Shannon Johnson; six sisters-in-law, Christine Ricks, Marie Brock, Barbara Hill, Diann Sumler, Evon White (Melvin) of Surry, Va., and devoted Arlene Stith (Windell) of Southampton, Va.; two brothers-in-law, Mervin Ellis (Jeannie) of Wakefield, Va., and Leroy Ellis (Vera) of Queens, N.Y.; many nieces and nephews, among them one devoted nephew, Sterling Gray; and cousins, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday from the Union Hill United Church of Christ, Sedley, the Rev. Roy Stokes officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Relatives and friends will kindly assemble at the above residence at 1:45 p.m. The remains will rest at the church at 1:30 p.m.

Remains rest at the Tuckers Funeral Home, 415 Halifax St., Petersburg. A.A. Tucker, funeral director.