CLAYTON, NY — Sally J. Gray, 75, Clayton, passed away Thursday, March 21, 2019, at her home surrounded by her family.
Calling hours will be held 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 25, at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton. The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Marcy 26, at River Community Church with Rev. Bob Bausum presiding. Burial will be at the convenience of her family in Clayton Cemetery in the spring.
Born May 11, 1943, in Watertown, a daughter of Earl A. “Runt” and Melba Rees Churchill, she graduated from Clayton High School and attended SUNY Fredonia and School of Cosmetology, Watertown.
On August 4, 1962 she married Francis R. Gray at Clayton First Baptist Church with Rev. Laurence Wheaton officiating.
She had a beauty shop in her home for fifteen years and then joined the family’s business, Gray’s Wholesale, Inc., starting in 1984. She retired as secretary and treasurer in 2015. Sally was a member of the First Baptist Church of Clayton for most of her life and enjoyed singing in the choir. Most recently, she has been an active member of the Alexandria Bay Baptist Church. She participated in the Clayton bowling league for many years and golfed in the Ladies Golf League for over fifty years.
She very much enjoyed caring for her family, church, and friends. Her gift was hospitality and serving the Lord.
Along with her husband, Francis, Sally is survived by her three children, Ross “Ty” Gray and wife, Linda, Plainfield, IL, Reisha Rieder and husband, Michael, Saratoga Springs, and Michael Gray and Amy Cantwell, Clayton; six grandchildren, Taylor, Aaron, and Connor Gray, Scotlynne and Grayson Rieder, and Rees Gray; sister, Beth Marshall and husband, Gerald “Sonny”, Clayton; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was predeceased by her parents, her step father, Frederick F. Dartnell, nephew, Scott Marshall, and a sister who died in infancy, Sue Merrilee Churchill.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sally’s name may be made to either the Alexandria Bay Baptist Church, 41 Bolton Ave., Alexandria Bay, NY 13607 or Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601.
Online condolences to her family may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com
