Francis Gray

Canton – Francis Morgan (F. M.) Gray, 93, passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at Silver Bluff Nursing Home.

F. M. was a native of Clay County and a son of the late Ralph and Glesta Duvall Gray.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Christine Penland Gray, who died in 1996.  He was a United States World War II Navy veteran having served in the South Pacific. F. M. was a member and deacon of West Canton Baptist Church and a member of Gideons International.  He also retired from Champion International with 40 years of service.

He is survived by his wife, of 22 years, Ethel Louise Sainsbury Childers Gray; one daughter, Beth Gray; two sons, Carl Randal Gray (Tina) and Morgan Edward Gray (Audrea); three step-children, Linda Childers Costner, Denny and Steve Childers; five sisters, Margaret Jarrell, Virginia Connor, Carolyn Hill, Judy Banks and Phyllis Searcy; two brothers, Burton Pressley and Roger Pressley; and two grandchildren, Nicholas and Brianna Gray.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at The Horizon at Crawford/Ray Memorial Gardens with the Reverend Jonathan Blaylock officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideons International – Haywood East Camp, P.O. Box 1204, Canton, NC  28716.

The care of  Mr. Gray has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com