Clare Gray

Clare Gray, of Charlotte, left this world and joined her Maker on August 23, 2018. Born in Coward, South Carolina, on January 28, 1925, she attended Winthrop University at the age of 17. She became a secretary for the FBI in Charlotte, which is what brought her to the city where she met her first husband, Charles “Charlie” Alexander York. They were married on April 21, 1951, and had two sons before he preceded her in death. She remarried Hugh Allen Gray in January of 2002. They delivered friendship trays and enjoyed listening to music, time with their grandchildren, sitting on the back porch, and most of all, growing old together until his death in November of 2017. Clare enjoyed many things in life. From gardening to sewing, crocheting to playing scrabble with her grandchildren and playing bridge, she cherished the time spent with family and friends. Most of all, she was blessed to be a homemaker and raise her family, and she loved each and every moment with them and with all of her friends. She is survived by her son Stephen York of Yorktown, VA, and his two children Brandais York of Melbourne, Australia, and Elliott York (Ashley) of Newport News, VA; and her other son Gregory York (Cheryl) of Matthews, NC, and their children Adam York of Charlotte, NC, Meredith York of Fort Mill, SC, and Halie Kawell (Jesse) of Birmingham, AL. Clare is further survived by three nephews: Michael Gray (Sharon), Kevin Gray (Sarah), and Tim Gray; two soon to be great grandchildren; her church family at Albermarle Road Presbyterian and her more recent church family at First Baptist Church in Graham, NC, as well as numerous other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents. A gathering of friends and family will be held on Sunday, August 26, from 4 to 6 pm in the Fireside Room at St Stephen United Methodist Church, 6800 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270. Graveside services will be held at 1 pm on Monday, August 27, in the mausoleum chapel at Sharon Memorial Park, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC 28212. Interment to immediately follow. In honor of Clare and in lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in her name be made to any of the following: Oak Tree Ministries online at www.oaktreeministries.org ; Albermarle Road Presbyterian Church online at www.arpres.org ; or First Baptist Church of Graham, NC, www.fbcgraham.org

Clare Gray

January 28, 1925 - August 23, 2018