Mary Gray Obituary

Gray, Mary Catherine Bailey

Mary Catherine Bailey Gray died peacefully in her home on Thursday, June 16, 2022.

Mary was born in Greensboro on February 16, 1949 to the late William David Bailey and Gladys Smith Bailey of Gastonia. Mary graduated Ashley High School, then went on to attend Greensboro College where she majored in biology as well as a minor in chemistry. Mary also completed the School of Medical Technology at Forsyth Memorial Hospital where she not only found her passion for the medical field but also her husband, Dr. John Henry Gray III. The couple were happily married for 37 years before John's passing in 2011. During the early years of their marriage, they traveled the world. In 1982 Mary gave birth to their first daughter Amy, and then in 1985 Emily was born. Mary's role as a mother was perhaps her most important. The family loved to travel; some of her most cherished places were her home on Yellow Mountain, and the Nine Quarter Circle Ranch in Montana. Mary was a regular attendee at Penland School of Craft, where she found a passion in metal smithing. She also took great pride and enjoyment in her home of 50 years, and was an avid gardener. Her most recent years were shared with her partner Ronald Morgan, also of Winston-Salem. They enjoyed traveling and companionship, as well as the blending of each other's families. She will always be remembered by those who knew and loved her as thoughtful, devoted, passionate, independent, and a true Southern Lady.

Mary is survived by her beloved daughters Amy Elizabeth Gray and son-in-law Steven David Brook of the Gold Coast, QLD Australia; Emily Anne Gray and son-in-law Nicholas Paul Zanowski of Todd, NC; her lovely granddaughters Perry Catherine and Ellie Elizabeth Brook; wonderful sister Anne Bailey Murr of Greensboro, NC; niece Carole Murr Penta of San Francisco, CA, and Robert David Murr of Matthews, NC.

A funeral service will be held at Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem at 11 a.m., Friday, July 1. A private graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Oakwood Cemetery in Statesville.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her honor to Penland School of Craft, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, and Alzheimer's Foundation of America.