A  Story of 100 Years of Sunrises Deaconess Carrie Lee Dobie Delk Gray

God did it! I never set out to be 100 years and 47 days old!  I just lived the word of God, obeyed His commandments, and loved others as He said to do. I have been so surprised by turning a century old. You see, I, Deaconess Carrie Lee Dobie Delk Gray, was the baby! I was the youngest of seven children born to the late Helen and Willie Dobie. My siblings preceded me in their heavenly homegoing leaving me, "the baby," to become the matriarch of the family.

I was a lifelong resident of Sussex County.  After marriage to the late Felix Delk, I remained in the County. I loved visiting other places and enjoyed other adventures, but Sussex County was home. Felix (deceased) and I bore one child - a daughter, Patricia Delk Howell. Later in life, my daughter, Patricia married the late Clarence Howell and gave me my only grandchild a grandson, Jauron Delk. Jauron and his wife, Raquel Brown Delk, blessed me with two great-grandchildren, Charity Delk, and Jordan Delk.

Well, my family story didn't stop with one daughter and one grandchild.  I added to my family count when I married the late Edward E. Gray, a widower with six grown children. Three of the children are my survivors:  Laverne Gray Thornton, Joyce Gray Feaster, and Dr. Thelma Gray Smith. My original family grew as I count grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren from this union with Edward (deceased). I know that Gray girl (Thelma) and Elnora Hamlin, will be there to support Patricia.

I want to name the sons and daughters of my siblings, but I am 100 years old.  I may forget some names, but I want to acknowledge Phillip Dobie  Catherine Allison, Gladys Lee Bailey Washington Lyons, Oscar Bailey, Goldie Bailey, Samuel Dobie, Josiah Dobie, Beverly Dobie Jones, Dr. Floristine Dobie Gray, and Susie Dobie Hill, Willie Mae Dobie, and William Nick Lee, and many more nieces, nephews and other relatives. Thank you for your prayers.

Now I have never been talkative but let me tell you a few things I did during this century.  First, I grew up in Piney Grove A. M. E. Zion Church.  I was a Deaconess, Church Clerk, Usher, and Missionary. I diligently worked on any other position needed by our small congregation. I lived to see many of my friends and relatives go to glory before me and because of the size of our congregation, we were combined with New Covenant A. M. E. Zion Church. I was the Mother of the Church both Churches. That's what happens when you are the oldest person in two places.  I rather enjoyed the title.  I didn't have to lift a finger.  They waited on me and made sure my needs were met. I would just watch the younger group learn how to praise God and carry out the works in His name.

Second, I grew up during a time when you had to learn to work with all people.  I was respected because I gave respect. Be sure to read the letter from Piney Grove Church that tells you about the historical events during my 100 years.  Strong work ethics and dependability were expected by my parents, church, and community.  These ethics were reflected while being educated in Sussex County Public Schools, as a member of the Order of Eastern Star Pride of Wakefield #37, and in the jobs I held. I was a diligent employee as a domestic worker in private homes, and cook at Cowling's Bar-Be-Que. I was later employed at Virginia State University from which I retired.

Third, I could cook! I lived 100 years because I knew how to grow my food and prepare it so you would come back for more.  I was famous for my sweet potato and coconut pies! And I did not burn chicken either!

I love flowers! I could re-root any plant and get it to grow. I hope the flowers you see today will remind you of a life well-lived.

A few years ago, my health started to decline. The doctors could never give any name to my illness, so I guess it was just old age.  Patricia became my primary caregiver and called me "The Trooper" because I was determined and kept on going and going. She was assisted in my care by my grandson Jauron and his wife, Raquel. The activities involved in my care never ceased even when Patricia was provided with respite care. Without hesitation, caregiver support was given by Mrs. Deborah Spratley Taylor, my cousin, and Ms. Kia Porter, a friend. Diane Delk, I appreciate you for standing by Patricia. I remain forever grateful for the blessings shown by your love.

I am going to use the verses from 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NKJV) to close: "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."  I wore my crowns to Church my hats! Now I shall wear a crown given by God. May the work I've done speak for me.

Public Viewing will be 10:00am - 5:00pm Sunday, April 7, 2024, at Peace Funeral Home, 237 Railroad Avenue, Waverly, Virginia.

A Celebration of Life will be at Noon on Monday, April 8, 2024, at Piney Grove Church, 34312 Chinquapin Road,  Waverly, Virginia, Rev. Cheryl James, Pastor, and Officiating, Rev. Betty Bradley, Eulogist. Interment will follow immediately at Hillcrest/Pocahontas Cemetery, Wakefield, Virginia.

Please keep the Family of Mrs. Carrie Lee Dobie Delk Gray uplifted in prayer.

Children, Grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews of Deaconess Carrie L. Gray.

Patricia Delk and Family, Jauron Delk, Raquel Brown Delk, Jordan Delk, and CharityDelk; Laverne Gray Thornto n and Family, Angie Colbert Hall Baylor, Rick Baylor, Quinton Baylor, Grant Harvey, Thornton C. Hall, Shayna Hall, Miles Hall, Mason Hall, Nikki Thornton Williams, Hollis Williams, Jadon Williams, and Caleb Williams; J oyce Gray Feaster and Family, Tianna Feaster Clark, Teddy Clark, Tallen Feaster, and Christopher Feaster; and Dr. Thelma Gray Smith and Family, Damien T. Smith, Deesha Pritchett Smith, Damiya T. Smith, Grayson T. Smith, Latasha Aikens Smith, Gavin T. Smith, Logan A. Smith; Elnora Hamlin and Family, Tikiera Hamlin, DaeVionna Hamlin, Majestic Hamlin, Karisma Hamlin, Joseph Hamlin, Jaquan Hamlin, Jitia Hamlin, Jacoby Hamlin, Cristy Hamlin, Tiffany Bland, Bernard Hamlin, Bernard Johnson, Jamal Johnson, Darryl Johnson, Calvin Hamlin, and Markia Love Hamlin; Karl A. Gra y and Family, Barbara Gray, Cierra Gray, Everett Gray, Aaron Gray, Eric Gray, Edward "Eddie" Gray, Sonda Gray, Kenya Gray, Sydney Gray, Dion Gray, and Dion Gray, Jr.; Rodney Claiborne and Family, Kim Claiborne, Taisje Claiborne, Marques Claiborne, Michael Claiborne, Jr., Sevin Claiborne, ShaDonna Claiborne, Aneese Claiborne, Shanee Claiborne, Jalen Claiborne, Michaela Claiborne, Mila Claiborne, Cory Claiborne, Malaysia Claiborne, Aysia Claiborne, Shantel Claiborne; Phillip Dobie and Family, Keisha Dobie, Catherine Allison, Gladys Lee Bailey Washington Lyons, Nina Washington, Joyce Washington, Michael Washington, Clarence Bailey, Speedy Bailey, Patrice Bailey, Oscar Bailey, Goldie Bailey, Dr. Diandrea Bailey, Tim Bailey, Issaiah Bailey, Shannon Bailey, Josiah Dobie, Samuel Dobie, Samuel Dobie, Jr., Sharon Dobie Bullock, Susie Dobie Hill, Thomas Hill, Jr., Beverly Dobie Jones, Dr. Floristine Dobie Gray, Irvin Gray, Jr., Willie Mae Dobie, and William Nick Lee.