Learie Gray

With full hearts and deep gratitude, we celebrate the life of Learie Gray—affectionately known as Vincent—a gentle soul, a devoted husband, a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a man whose quiet presence spoke louder than words ever could.

Vincent was born on April 6, 1933, in Kensington, Saint James, Jamaica, to his loving parents, Winifred Gray and Pastor Jeanetta Henderson. He began his education at Springfield All age School, in St. James, Jamaica, but chose to finish early, stepping into the responsibility of assisting his father for caring for the family. With steady hands and a humble heart, he worked the family lands. He was the second oldest of five siblings, and the last surviving child of his family, a tender reminder of the rich and humble legacy from which he came.

In the 1960s, seeking greater opportunity, Vincent journeyed to the United Kingdom, where he worked diligently and later brought his wife to join him. For more than 68 years, Vincent was united in an enduring, steadfast love with his beloved wife, Josephine. Their marriage was a living testimony of commitment, faith, patience, and devotion. Together, they raised three children: Neville, Roy—who preceded him in death—and Debra Joy. Their home was one built of extravagance, but of warmth, faith, laughter, and unwavering support.

Though he was a man of few words, he spoke volumes through his actions. He followed the word of God, and in 1960 he surrendered to the will of God, he was baptized by Bishop S. A. Dunn and became a member of Bethel United Church at No. 2 Gibson where he later became a Deacon Serving under the ministry of the late Presiding Bishop Dunn. In 1981, Vincent and Debra joined his wife for his final migration and settled in Florida, where he continued to work and provide, always with humility and purpose. He remained deeply rooted in faith, family, and the land, carrying Jamaica in his voice, his hands, and his heart. No matter where life took him, he never lost who he was, he lived in two countries, but when he opened his mouth, his accent indicated he was a proud Jamaican. He was, truly, the real McKoy!

His hands told his story: skilled, strong, steady, always ready to fix, build, plant, or help. A craftsman and machinist by trade, he worked diligently both in the United Kingdom and later in the United States for American V. Mueller. Yet his greatest work was always in the soil. Farming was not a hobby—it was his heart. Those who knew him well called him “Farmer” From his boyhood tending family lands in St. James to coaxing English roses and Jamaican herbs to bloom in Florida’s sun, Vincent could grow anything. Pineapples, guava, avocados, Soursop, bananas, Jack Fruit, tomatoes, yams, mango, sugarcane grew not just crops, but nourishment, tradition, and joy. Neighbors often stopped just to admire his garden, sometimes leaving with a cut or a story.

He was quiet—but when he laughed, the whole room felt it. A laugh that rose up from deep inside, warm and full, the kind that made others smile before they even knew why. He didn’t need many words to make people feel loved. His presence was enough. As stated, he was a man of few words, one would never say he spread gossip, or sow seeds of discord among his brethren, that’s impossible because when church was dismissed, he greeted those around him, and he was gone. His infamous sayings were “if you do good, people talk, and if you do bad, people talk just do what you do, but do right.”

Vincent leaves behind his beloved wife, Josephine; his children, Neville and Joy; daughter-in-law, Sharon; six granddaughters—Sabrina, Elizabeth, Danielle, Rachel, Rebecca, and Sarah—and one great-grandson, Josiah; along with extended family, church family, neighbors, and friends who will forever cherish him.

He leaves us with lessons of simplicity, resilience, loyalty, and love. He showed us how to work hard without complaint, to love without boasting, to live without needing to be seen, and to trust God quietly and completely.

Though he has journeyed home, his roots remain with using every memory shared, every seed planted, every burst of laughter that echoes his own.

May his soul rest in eternal peace and rise in glory. We will carry his love with us, always.