Mrs. Johnnie Mae Gray

My Story: I was born on November 19, 1940, in Chattanooga, Tennessee to loving parents James and Edna Geneva Hood who both have gone on to Glory. I was the third out of the five of us: Essie Branch, Pinella (Pat) Hatch, Wilbert Hood and Carol June Swift. My big sister Essie and little brother Wilbert have also gone on to Glory. I gave my life to Christ at age 8 at Carter Street Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN under Rev. William A Banks. My family and I moved up north where I was destined to join New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in 1957. I was a member for over 60 beautiful years in which I joyfully served under the exceptional leaderships of Rev Charles B. Heath, Reverend Dr. S. Leon Whitney, Reverend Dr. Keith L. Whitney, Reverend Randolph F. Henlon and Reverend Dr. Wilma R. Johnson. I attended Northern High School in Detroit, MI and as time went on, I fell in love and married Alfred Charles Gray on April 7, 1957 which resulted in the blessing of “my five babies” Waylon Dwayne, Sharon (“Baby Sister”), Alfreda (“Thumbelina”), Curtis (“Plumpy”) and Cheryl (“Suga-Bear”). I loved these lil nicknames Al gave to the kids. My Lord! We had some good times! A lot of singing and dancing in that house. I was also blessed to have an extended family with New Prospect. It was always, simply put, just home to me. Throughout the years, I think I sang in just about almost every choir we had, the Celesstial, Junior, Excelsior Choir, Choir #2, Senior Choir and Combined Choir, I was Assistant Choir Director, soloist for funeral services and sang at numerous churches throughout the Metro Detroit area…and I loved EVERY second of it. My greatest joy was singing. You see, singing for me enabled me to confess my brokenness, and fears that I carried. It enabled me to listen for God’s voice and praise Him. Singing reminded me of how much God loves us all. For me, singing permeates all God’s creation and embraces humanity. How we sing together and what we sing together is a reflection our faith, our church, our union with God and our thoughts and feelings about one another. Worship for me IS singing. It will continue on in my NEW home with my two grandbabies Christopher Gray and Crystal Gray and laughing with my niece Kathy Hatch. We’re all forming a new choir now! I went on to Glory on April 3, 2015…GOOD FRIDAY! Yes I did! Therefore, do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die! God Bless You All!

Mrs. Johnnie Mae Gray

November 19, 1940 - April 3, 2015