Mr. Charles Claxton “Chico” Gray

Mr. Charles Claxton Gray of Clayton, NC passed away with his family by his side on Monday, August 23, 2021 after a brief struggle with cancer.

A private memorial will honor him on Friday, August 27, 2021.  A public memorial service will be held at St. Matthew AME Church, Raleigh, when COVID restrictions have been lifted. 

Mr. Gray was born to Mable Brazier Gray and Charles E Gray on Dec 9th, 1935. A native of New Haven, CT, Mr. Gray earned his diploma from James Hillhouse High School and a BA and an MA in Education from Southern Connecticut State University. A standout football player, Mr. Gray set numerous rushing records at both Hillhouse and SCSU. A devoted educator, Mr. Gray served as Connecticut’s Deputy Commissioner of Special Education, among other positions. Mr. Gray demonstrated his deep and abiding faith through his membership in several churches throughout his life, including Bethel AME in New Haven and most recently St. Matthews AME in Raleigh. He was a proud brother of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,

Mr. Gray is survived by his loving wife Shirley Ann Lumpkin Gray; his children Deidre Cuffee-Gray, Cynthia Sinclair, Dawn Dixon, Tina Woods, Jonathan Gray, Michael Sinclair & John Sinclair; eleven grandchildren and one great-grand daughter. He is predeceased by his first wife Shirley Cuffee Gray; Mildred Cuffee Gray and many other relatives and dear friends.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Johnston Health Foundation Hospice fund at https://www.johnstonhealth.org/donate/ways-to-give/hospice-fund/.

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