Mabel Gray

Mabel Fincher Gray, 95, departed this life on Friday, July 8, 2011 after an extended illness at The Ohio State University Hospital East. Mabel was the oldest of eleven children born to Willie Mae Reeves Fincher and Robert Fincher, Sr. in Hogansville, Georgia. At an early age, Mabel moved from Hogansville to Columbus, Ohio, where she grew up in the Flytown section of the city and graduated from Central High School. She accepted Christ at an early age and became an active disciple of Refuge Missionary Baptist Church in 1936, under the leadership of the late Rev. R.F. Hairston, Sr. She served as church clerk and was a member of the Deaconess Board and the gospel choir, with which she held positions as vice president, secretary, and recording secretary. Also, Mabel was a member of the Mary Wyatt Circle and the Shining Star Bible Class. While living in the community of Shepard, she a member of the Shepard Civic Association and prior to retirement, was a longtime employee of Star and Nelson Furniture stores. Mabel was a loving and devoted wife to Ernest Dick Gray for 63 years prior to his death. In addition to her husband, Mabel is predeceased by her parents, six brothers, William, John, Thomas, Robert Jr., Charles, and James, and three sisters, Betty, Shirley, and Margaret. She leaves to cherish memories of her life, her beloved son Frederick Freddie (Maxie) Gray of Moreno Valley, CA; grandchildren Treva Gray of Moreno Valley, CA and Brandynn Gray of Gardena, CA; great grandchild Laurynn Gray-Hall of Moreno Valley, CA; sister Imogene (Albert) Richards; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Homegoing Celebration 10 a.m., Saturday, July 16, 2011 at Refuge Missionary Baptist Church, 400 N. 20th Street, with family receiving friends from 9 a.m. until the start of service. Pastor Kaiser W. Jones, Jr., officiating. Interment Evergreen Cemetery.