A Letter from Ms. Carolyn Elaine Gray

Family, friends, colleagues:

The gospel according to Matthew 11:28 says: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

If you are here, reading these words, it means on June 24, 2025, surrounded by love, I finished my race and have been peacefully ushered into eternal rest. I was born on July 16, 1950, in Iredell County, N.C., the proud daughter of Leslie Raymond Gray and Carrie Bell Moton Gray. I grew up surrounded by love, faith, and the kind of strength that only God can give.

I received my education in the Statesville Public School System, and early in life I learned the value of hard work, community, and honoring God in all things. My faith was always the anchor of my soul. As a founding member of Free Will Family Worship Center, I was blessed to serve in many ways, including as a trustee, as part of the Kitchen Committee, Rainbow Tea Committee, and Black History Committee. Serving the Lord and His people was not just what I did; it was who I was.

I dedicated nearly five decades of my life to Mitchell Community College, where I served as Executive Administrative Assistant to the Vice President. I took great pride in my work and in supporting the mission of education and excellence. But beyond my job title, I was committed to building community. I stood with the poor, the overlooked, and the underserved. Whether through my work as a board member with the Statesville Housing Authority, I-CARE, or the Statesville Police Department’s Weed and Seed Committee, I always tried to speak up and show up for those in need.

Family meant everything to me. I now rest in the presence of my parents, Leslie and Carrie Bell, and my dear siblings, Margaret Ann (Tim) Ford, John Wayne Gray, Earl Leslie (Terri) Gray, Ronnie (Sheila) Gray, and First Lady Bonzie A. (Rev. Clement) Morris. I also join my beloved son Leslie Dewayne “Grunch?” Gray, my sweet grandson Julian Edmond Donawa, and my precious granddaughter Taylor Nicole Vandall Ammons. What a day of rejoicing it is to be with them again! Hallelujah!

To those I leave behind, please know how deeply I love you and how proud I am of you. My sister Yvonne Lashay (Kenny) Wilkins, thank you for always standing with me. To my children, Sandra Denise Donawa and George Devon Gray, you are my heart and my greatest joy.

To my grandsons, Donovan O’Neal Gray, Dr. Dewoyne Dominique (Jon) Daye, Dontae Rashawn Gray, Rev. Andrew Gray Donawa, and Quaderra Kyleif Parks, continue to walk in the way of the Lord. To my beautiful granddaughters, Jazmine Lakayla Craig, Cynthia Vandall Ammons, Summer Vandall Ammons, and Ma’leyah Shakavon Gray, walk in grace and boldness. To my great grandsons, Ja’Tay Dewayne Ramseur and Ja’Kari Keshawn Ramseur, MeeMaw is watching over you with joy and pride. You are all my legacy, and I love you all. And to my grandpup Zoey Gray, thank you for being my quiet companion and faithful friend.

Family, I leave you with one final thought: Grieve if you must, but do not grieve like those who have no hope. I am not far from you. I am simply resting until the day of the trumpet call of God. I will see you all in the morning. 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17

With all my love,
Carolyn, Momma, MeeMaw