Grissom-Clark Funeral Home | Atlanta, GA

Obituary For Mr. Leon Gray

Mr. Leon Gray passed. Celebration of Life will be held Friday, January 18, 2019 11:00am at Saint Philip AME Church 240 Candler Road SE Atlanta, GA 30317

The loveable, passionate Leon Gray trans itioned to be with the Lord on January 10, 2019 in Stone Mountain, Georgia. He was born to the late Clyde Gray an d Bernice Miller Gray on August 4, 1957 in Louisville, Alabama. He was the youngest of five children and grew to be a leader at work, home, and in his local ch urch. His passions centered around faith, family, finan ces, and farming. Leon's parent s instilled the importance of faith in him, and he accepted Christ at an early age at his home church, Zion Chapel Baptist Church in Louisville, Alabama. Faith would become a theme that shaped the direction of his life and the lives of many others he would encounter over the years. Growing up on the fam ily farm taught Leon the value of sacrifice and hard work. It also gave him an appreciation for farming, which was one of his passions unti l his health declined. Leon was a proud alumnu s of Tuskegee Institute, "the mothership ", as he fondly referred to it. He would happily give anyone who would listen a not-so-quick lesson on the history and heritage of his beloved alma mater. After graduating on Mother's Day in 1979 with his bachelor's degree in accounting, he went to work the very n ext day as a staff accountant for a telecommunication s company in Atlanta, Georgia, now known as Nokia. There he served in various capacities until he retired in November of 2018, six months shy of 40 years of service. During his tenure, he formed friendships and bond s with coworkers that would last a lifetime.

In his search for a church home in Atlanta, he became enamored with the loving fellowship at Saint Philip AME Church, where he served faithfully from 1981 until his passing. The spiritual foundation laid in his youth propelled him into a life of dedication to serve in several ministries at Saint Philip. He was a proud member of Choir #1, which is where he met his devoted wife Terri in 1988. They served in various ministries together from 1990 until the Lord called him home.

His love for the Word of God led him to take a prominent role in Church School where he served a term as assistant superintendent and taught th e Richard Allen and Louise Flournoy Sunday School Classes at different tim es over a period of25 years. It was com m on for him to spend many week nights preparing for his Sunday School lesson whether he was teaching or not. In 2004, Leon's passion for faith and finan ces was merged together when he was introduced to Crown Finan cial Ministries, a ministry founded on teaching people how to h andle finances accord i ng to God's principles. He and Terri became Crown facilitators and led classes for over 12 years.

His passion for faith and finances also helped launch a non -profit he co-founded with friends in 2015 called Uplift To Financial Freedom, In c. Th e vision for this non-profit was to educate and train those in econ om ically challenged communities how to better manage financial resources u sing various financial principles.

In Leon's words, "we (Uplift) are committed to spread ing our message, since we are convinced that financial bondage is one of the great strongholds that plague far too many in our society." Since its inception, he has been an active contributor and advocate, serving as Vice Chair, Treasurer, and on the Board of Directors.

Those who knew Leon best would describe him as a benevolent, intentional, and caring man that loved God and his family dearly. He was preceded in death by hi s father C lyde, father -in-l aw and mother-in-law, Donald and Carole, and nephew, Brett. He is survived by his loving wife, Terri Gray; five children , Shasta McGriff (Rashid, Sr.), Jarvis Gray (Brittany), Jeremy Gray, Iris Gray, and Jonathan Gray; two grandchi ldren, Rashid McGriff, Jr. and Jordan McGriff; mother, Bernice Gray; three sisters, Robbie Dancy, Helen Crossley (Thomas), and Gwen Green (Calvin , Jr.); brother, Jam es Gray (Helen); and a host of aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends

Guest Book

I just learned that Leon passed away and was quite surprised to hear the news. I wish to express my deepest sympathy to Terri and the family. Our children grew up together at St. Philip and I am deeply saddened for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sincerely, Fawn Gordon and family

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Praying for the family. We worked together at Lucent technologies and we were good friends. RIP Pilar Turk

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Praying for the family of Leon, we worked together at Lucent technologies and we were good friends. RIP Leon

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Terri and family: I extend my sincerest condolences and love to you. Brother Leon was a kind and honorable man. The times we shared in Division 3 Church School are among my fondest memories of Saint Philip AME. May you find comfort & peace in the precious memories. God Bless You, Clotee Lang

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Terri, I am so sorry to hear about your husband. You and your family are in my prayers. Love You, Rhonda Eason (SBC).

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We would like to offer our deepest condolences to your family. Thank you for sharing Mr. Gray with us. He will truly be missed. May The Lord bless and keep you all during this time. Marcus and Tabetha Turner and family

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Your gentle smile and beautiful spirit will be sorely missed. Gods richest blessings on your family. Alberta Faush

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Our condolences and comfort to Mrs. Terri Gray and family. May God be with you at this time and we will always keep you and the family in our prayers. Love, Dorothy Callaway and Family

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Terri, may the Holy Comforter wrap your family in his arms and give you peace during this difficult time. Your sister, Angela Ash (SBC)

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I want to offer my sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Leon Gray. Mr. Gray and Family were my neighbors for twenty-five years. I remember him as being gentle kind and respectful. May Almighty God keep his arms of protection wrapped the family. Always remember that He Is Able. A Neighbor, Inez Alexander

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Terri, I was so sorry to hear of the loss of Leon. May God's grace and peace comfort you and your children during this difficult period. Love, E. JoAnn Bacon

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We offer our condolences to the Gray family. May God grant you refuge and peace during this most difficult time of need. With deep sympathy, The Thompkins family, Louisville, AL.

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Terri, Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. May our Lord countenance shine on you and your family. Your Sister, Dorothy P. Roberson (SBC)

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Condolences and Prayers. God Bless!! Jo Kinard Saint AME Church

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I would like to offer my condolences to the Gray family and may God be a refuge and strength in your time of sorrow.(Psalms 46:1)

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I want to offer my condolences to the Gray family and friends. Our Almighty Heavenly Father knows the pain you feel from the loss of your love one. He did not purpose his human family to die but to live and enjoy life forever. This is still his purpose (Psalms 37:11, 29). He calls death an enemy that will be removed forever along with all pain and suffering__ 1 Corinthians 15:26; Revelation 21:4 “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” Notice his promise to awaken all those in the memorial tombs from asleep in death¬__ Hosea 13:14 “From the power of the Grave I will redeem them; from death I will recover them.” He will then “satisfy the desire of every living thing” (Psalms 145:16. Allow these words to keep comforting all of you.

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The two years I worked for you (1998-2000) were the best. You taught me so much and I will never forget yur kind and gentle spirit. Rest In Peace my dear friend. You are now with the Angels. Sue Morris

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My first cousin you will truly be missed. Love Shirley Gray-Jason

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