OCEAN RIDGE — Lanie “Adaline” Hall Gray of Ocean Ridge and formerly of Kinston, North Carolina, died May 7. She was 91.
Born to Frank and Lanie Hall on Sept. 7, 1928, in Lenoir County, North Carolina, the young Ms. Hall attended Contentnea School and Dover High School, graduating valedictorian of her class. She worked at Marston’s Drug Store before starting her career as a telephone operator at the Carolina Telephone Co., where she worked for 33 years.
Family was the joy of Mrs. Gray’s life and she treasured the time spent with her children, their spouses, her seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was thrilled as well to spend time with her beloved sisters and their families.
Mrs. Gray was a longtime and devoted member of First Free Will Baptist Church and Westside Free Will Baptist Church until moving to Florida in 1999, where she attended Bibletown Church, Lakeview Baptist and most recently, First Baptist Church of Hypoluxo. Mrs. Gray dedicated her life to the Lord’s work, whether it was teaching Sunday school, directing church plays, visiting her beloved Cragmont Camp or speaking in churches about her love of missions, including her trips to Mexico and the Philippines.
Always a witness through word and deed, Mrs. Gray led many to find the Lord through her lifelong example of Christ’s selfless love. Her home and heart were always open to everyone and she was loved by all who knew her.
Mrs. Gray is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, George Edward “Pete” Gray, her brother Elwood Hall and her sister Jean Phillips.
Mrs. Gray is survived by her sisters, Helen (Leland) Potter, Alice (Bruce) Sloan and Kay (Carl) Hinz. Additional survivors are her son George Edward “Eddie” Gray Jr. and his wife, Debbie Gray, of Kinston, North Carolina; her daughter Marsha Gray Hill and her husband, Gregg Hill, of Ocean Ridge; grandchildren Gregg (Stephanie) Hill of Winter Park; Lauren (Chip) Kelso of Atlanta; Brittany (Neil) Carter of Atlanta; Gray (Courtney) Hill of Maitland: Drew (Jenny) Hill of Winter Park; Dara (John) English of Greenville, North Carolina; and George Edward “Trey”Gray III (Gwen Lapas, fiancée) of Kinston. Her great-grandchildren are Hill Kelso, Sawyer Kelso, Louden Hill, Lanie Kelso, Meta Hill, Britt Kelso, Holden Hill, Charlotte Hill, Penn Carter, Hewitt Hill, Jack English, Betsy Hill, Gray Carter, Anna Gray Hill and Wells Carter. She also leaves behind many dear friends and relatives.
The family is eternally grateful for “Adaline’s angels,” Maria, Regina and Hilda, and the amazing love and care they provided.
Final arrangements are pending, with details to be provided at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cragmont Assembly in Adaline Gray’s name, Cragmont Assembly, 1233 N. Fork Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711.
Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations of Kinston. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.
— Submitted by the family
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