Melvin Vernon Gray, 82, passed away March 30, 2018 in Tifton. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Saturday April 7, 2018 with Masonic Rites and Military Honors in Wright Funeral Home in Franklin, Virginia with the Rev. Lou Ventura officiating. Mr. Gray will be laid to rest at Southampton Memorial Park in Franklin, Virginia. A reception will follow the services in the fellowship hall of Franklin Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Virginia. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 6, 2018, at Wright Funeral Home in Franklin, Virginia.
Born November 26, 1935 in Newsoms, Virginia, Mr. Gray was the son of the late James Clyde Gray and Cozy Drake Gray. He was also predeceased by his son, Melvin Gray Jr.; and two brothers, Reginald Gray and James Carlton Gray. He was a member of Franklin Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Virginia and was a retired transportation clerk with International Paper Company. He was a veteran of the United States Army and a member of Masonic Lodge 151 AF & AM and a Shriner. He enjoyed his family, friends, church, and his service with the Masons and Shriners. He was kind-hearted, loving, always smiling, and a true gentleman. One of his favorite hobbies was ballroom dancing with his beloved wife, Barbara. To see them float across the dance floor together was a true gift and brought them years of joy.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Barbara Carr Cutchins Gray of Tifton; a daughter, Kim Gray Gaddy of Fairhope, Alabama; two step-daughters, Kim Cutchins and Craig Kvien of Tifton and Debbie Cutchins and Jerry Staley of Round Hill, Virginia; a step-son and his wife, M. Edward Jr. and Shinae Cutchins of Sandy Hook, Virginia; and eight grandchildren, Gracen Gaddy of Los Angeles, California, Gabe and Sam Staley of Round Hill, Virginia, Daisy and Joe Cutchins of Sandy Hook, Virginia, Zachary Rosenfield of Tifton, Amy Kvien-Davis and husband, Mark of Richmond, Virginia and Allison Kvien of Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Memorial gifts may be made to Franklin Presbyterian Church, 405 Lee Street, Franklin, VA 23851; the Franklin Masonic Lodge 151 AF & AM, 309 North Main Street, Franklin, VA 23851; or the Franklin Shrine Club, 645 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23320.