Sarah Gray

January 4, 1919 - August 20, 2017

Mrs. Sarah Gray, 98, was devoted to her family and had a firm belief in God who supported her in this valiant battle with Dementia.  She entered into the ultimate healing when she returned to her heavenly home on Sunday, August 20, 2017 at 9:20 A.M.Mrs. Sarah Gray, 98, was devoted to her family and had a firm belief in God who supported her in this valiant battle with Dementia.  She entered into the ultimate healing when she returned to her heavenly home on Sunday, August 20, 2017 at 9:20 A.M. Sarah was born to the late John Banks and Martha Banks (Rollins) in Havana, Alabama on January 4, 1919.  Sarah was blessed with a large and loving family.   She was preceded in death by her husband; Joseph Gray, daughter; Josephine Gray, still-born son; Jessie Gray and daughter-in-law; Katie Jackson.  Her other siblings; Emma Adams, Willie Banks, Lillie Adams, Mark Banks, Beatrice Banks, Mary Jackson and Annie Adams all preceded her in death.   Her firstborn son was Alfred Jackson, Jr.  Later she married Joseph Gray, on August 4, 1948 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  To this union eight children were born.  Sarah moved to Detroit in 1969.  She raised her children with patience, discipline and humility.  She encouraged them to work hard and to seek God.  To help support her family, she was a homemaker, field worker and an employed housekeeper.  She confessed Christ as her Lord and Savior at Taylor Grove Church of God, in Greensboro, Alabama.  She loved fellowshipping with the saints and was a long time member of the Church of God of Detroit.  She was always kind, soft-spoken, and wore a big smile.  Sarah baked pies, and sang and danced in her kitchen as she cooked.  She loved to care for others and allowed her home to be a gathering place for children waiting on the school bus. She will be dearly missed by her loved ones who celebrate the fact that she is at peace with her Creator.   She is survived by her daughters; Mary Crankfield, Sarah Mae Gray, and Dorothy Rutledge, sons; Alfred Jackson, Willie (Norma) Gray, Joseph Gray and Paul Gray, all of Detroit, Michigan, her sister; Maybelle Battle (Chicago, Illinois),her grandchildren; Tracey, Elemuel (Shanita),  Candyce, William, Priscilla, Loria, Emmanuel, Joelonda, Latoya, Charles Canty, Charles Gray, Cleophus, Enjolic, David and Benjamin, and a host of great grands and loving nieces, nephews, family and friends.