MAMMA*LOUISE*GRANDMA*GRAM *SISTER MARY*
The sun rose and shined brightly on March 29, 1927 in Sallis, Mississippi and a beautiful flower was born in the person of Mary Louise the 4th child of Elijah and Nannie B Jones. Mary spent her early years growing up with her siblings and attending school in Durant. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized at the Macedonia Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. H.O. Rayford, serving as an usher and Sunday school secretary.
Mary met and married Willie L Gray, moving to Mattson, Mississippi 8 children were born to this union.
In 1960, Mary made a very brave move, bringing the entire family by greyhound bus to relocate in Williams, AZ, joining her siblings Elnora, Ruby, Mack and their families. Williams would be home for Mary for the next 40+ years. She joined the Galilee Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Luther Clayton, she was a faithful member serving in the Mission Circle, singing in the choir and when her health allowed used her green thumb by planting flowers to keep the Church grounds beautiful. Mary was known in the community for her beautiful garden of flowers and vegetables. Mary spent many hours in her garden which brought her much joy she would have an infectious smile on her face as she shared this beauty with her family, neighbors, and friends. She loved spending time and participating in activities with her many friends at the Senior Center, sitting on her front patio relaxing, enjoying her neighbors and her garden. She spent countless hours caring for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, although she was impaired in her speech she was full of wisdom, very in tune and you could not fool her, each generation very quickly learned how to communicate with her and knew just what she was saying. September of 2007, Mary made her last earthly move to Phoenix, AZ, to reside with her son Ben, and to be close to the rest of the Gray clan. She became ill in February of 2008, and for the next 11 months fought a very brave & dignified battle, always managing a smile in the midst of the pain, ( even making faces and laughing behind the docs and nurses back) and showing all those who came in contact with her just what a powerful woman of God she was. On January 9, 2009 Mary transitioned from this earthly world, to her heavenly home surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Mary's life and legacy will live on in the hearts of her 2 sisters Lula B Harrington of Waterloo, Iowa & Elnora Simmons of Williams, AZ, 8 children Annie Pearl Easter of Phoenix, AZ Ortha B (Janis) of Harker Heights, TX Benjamin of Phoenix, AZ Rosie L Gray Brown of Flagstaff, AZ Dock E (Jacque) of Mesa, AZ Manuel (Teri) of Mesa, AZ Michael (Becky) of Queen Creek, AZ and Van Cunningham (Willie) of Casa Grande, AZ 21 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives, the Galilee Baptist church family, her St. Agnes & Senior Center friends, and the entire community of Williams and other Northern AZ communities.

Visitation will be Friday January 16, 2009 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Canyon Chapel. Funeral Service is Saturday, 11 am also at the Canyon Chapel in Williams. Interment will conclude the services at Mountain View Williams Cemetery.