SEPTEMBER 11 – On Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 11:30 a.m., our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and relative Barbara Jean West Gray, was called from her earthly labors to eternal reward by God. She died at Southside Community Hospital after a brief battle with cancer.

On December 2, 1932, Barbara was born in Rice, the eldest child of the late Dorothy West Pearson and Robert Foster. She was raised by her grandparents, the late Willie and Mary West.

Barbara was educated at Robert Russa Moton High School in Farmville, where she graduated in 1952. She retired from Deluxe Cleaners in Farmville after 30 years of service.

She joined the 2nd Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Green Bay at an early age. Later, she moved her membership to the Race Street Baptist Church, where she was an active member be-fore her illness. She served as Trustee of the Adult Usher Board and she loved her church family very dearly.

She loved traveling, cooking, listening to uplifting music, and spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Gladys Gray Reid; her grandsons, James Faggins Jr. and Javonte Scott; her parents, Dorothy West Pearson and Robert Foster, and other family members.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories: her devoted husband of 56 years, Aaron Gray Sr.; seven children, Aaron Gray Jr., Sandra Scott of Farmville, Dorothy (Edward) Thorton of Richmond, Ronald Gray, Larry Gray, Calvin Gray, and Sylvia Gray all of Farmville; sister, Freda (Ralph) House of Chesapeake; aunt, Elsie West of Hampden-Sydney; 15 grand-children, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law; five sisters-in-law; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.

Special thanks are rendered to Hospice of Hills and her doctors.

Funeral services were held Sunday, August 31, at the Race Street Baptist Church, Farmville, with the Rev. Dr. James H. Taylor III, pastor, officiating.

Bland-Reid Funeral Home, Farmville, was in charge of arrangements.