Clara Joan Gray was welcomed into her heavenly home by Jesus and reunited with her loving husband of 65 years and her family on the afternoon of Tuesday (January 1, 2019). She was 87. Joan was born on December 6, 1931 to the late Glenn & Louise (Barnes) Hamilton in Johnson City, TN. James and Joan were united in marriage on August 19, 1953.
Joan retired from First Tennessee Bank after many years of dedicated service. She was a member of Temple Baptist Church. Joan was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend; she will be greatly missed.
In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by her husband, James Leonard Gray; and two sisters, June Hamilton Hartsock and Frances Hamilton.
Left to cherish her memories are her daughter, Kathryn Gray Holsclaw & husband Robert; son, Steven Gray & wife Rita; three grandsons, Brandon Gray (Gina Hubbard), Ryan Gray & wife Kristen, and Chad Gray; one special granddaughter, Katie Gray Owens & husband Daniel; one very special great-grandson, Jace Gray; special niece, Ann Hartsock; two special great-nephews, John Sinibaldi and Sam Sinibaldi; and a host of friends.
The family will receive friends and honor Joan’s life and legacy on Saturday (January 5, 2019) from noon to 2 pm at Monte Vista Funeral Home (1900 E. Oakland Ave Johnson City, TN 37601). Funeral services will follow in the chapel at 2 pm.
Joan will be laid to rest on Saturday (January 5, 2019) at 3 pm in the Garden of the Cross at Monte Vista Memorial Park. Serving as pallbearers will be Brandon Gray, Chad Gray, George L. Gray, Landon Gray, Ryan Gray, Daniel Owens, John Sinibaldi, and Sam Sinibaldi. Honorary pallbearers will be Leon Cox, Allen Ferguson, Bernie L. Gray, Kenneth Hamilton, Robert Holsclaw, Don Hughes, Gene McNew, Ralph Martin, Jimmy Joe Mitchell, Byrd Quillen, Dennis Robbins, Joe Robbins, Wayne Robbins, Dan Shipley, and Harmony Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142 Memphis, TN 38148-0142) ([email protected]) (1-800-873-6983).
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Leslie Hohl, whose devotion to Joan made her a special part of the Gray family; Gina Hubbard for all of the kind and compassionate care both given and shown to Joan; Dr. Christopher Hemphill and the entire staff of SOFHA; Dr. Gasso and Karing Hearts; and to Ballad Home Health especially Travis and Terry.
Online condolences may be made to the Gray family at www.montevistafunerals.com. Monte Vista Funeral Home and Memorial Park has the honor of serving the Gray family.
