Wilbur Gray Sr.

Wilbur Gray, Sr. was born in Norfolk County on July 21, 1943 to Andrew H. Gray, Sr. and Catherine Benson-Gray. At 5 years of age the family moved to Queen City, Virginia Beach, Virginia, an area that would remain a lifetime love for Wilbur. Another almost lifetime love for Wilbur was his love for his soul-mate, Deloris Gregory-Gray. Wilbur and Deloris knew each other for most of their lives and were united in marriage just a couple of months short of 53 years. Wilbur was a graduate of Crestwood High School. He was certified as a security officer and for several years worked in security for Tidewater Community College. Wilbur retired from the City of Chesapeake in 2004. Wilbur's confession of faith was made in his youth at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Virginia Beach, Virginia. In 1976 Wilbur united with New Hope Baptist Church, Chesapeake, Virginia. In 1990, Wilbur was ordained as a deacon at New Hope. At New Hope Wilbur proudly served as an armor bearer for the late Pastor Foster. Wilbur loved to serve the church through the kitchen committee, choirs, Feed My Sheep Ministry, Generation Praise, security, great supporter for all youth activities, telephone communicator with the home-bound and grieving and wholeheartedly served on the search committee for the selection of Pastor Sammie Logan III. Wilbur was truly a family man. Not only did he rear his children, but many of his in-laws and family members and at least thirty children who at some time lived in his home. So many were clothed, fed and loved by Wilbur and his wife. There was never a fee and everyone was treated the same including the long lectures that everyone dreaded from Wilbur when the rules were broken. To so many Wilbur was "Dad", "Dad Gray", "Old Man", "Uncle", "Stick Man", "Dea", and "Cosby". The annual Gray family reunions were a joy of Wilbur's life and anyone who wanted to travel was welcome and officially became an adopted member of the Gray family. Wilbur was the little league coach most often for the team that seemed to have the least potential, but often he and his team surprised the competition. Wilbur's support for the underdog often seemed to extend to his favorite team, the Washington Redskins, but win or lose Wilbur was loyal with his support of the REDSKINS. Wilbur was blessed to have been the birth father of four children: Wilbur, Jr. (deceased) . (Chinell), Tracey, Tonia and Tiffany (deceased); grandchildren: Eugene, Chynell, and Wilma; great grandchildren: Noah, Tiffany, Kayden, Trinity, and Tori; brothers: Andrew H. Gray (Dorothy), William T. Gray, Marvin A. Gray, and Alvin Gray; sister: Nelda Gray-Sims; brothers in- law: Sylvester Gregory, Floyd Gregory, Wayne Gregory, Donald Gregory(Lori), Timothy Gregory; sisters in-law: Vivian Dixon, Joyce Hood and Debra Lewis; host of nieces, nephews, cousins, adopted children, friends and god-children: Jonathan, Cydney Joyce, Christina and Christian.

Wilbur Gray Sr.

July 21, 1943 - June 13, 2016