Frank Gray

TUSCALOOSA | Frank Gray, 78, passed into the arms of his Savior, at home with his family by his side on Tuesday, February 15, 2016. He had suffered from the effects of Alzheimer's disease for several years, with much time to share love, affection, and words of encouragement and faith with friends and family. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2016, at the First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa sanctuary, with Vial Fontenot presiding and Heritage Chapel Funeral Home, A Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will begin one hour prior at 10:00 a.m.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Iola Shirley Gray; his father, Truman Smitherman Gray, Sr.; and his brothers, Aubrey O'Neal Gray, Truman Smitherman Gray, Jr., and Shirley Gray, of Northport, Alabama. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Carolyn McLain Gray; sons, Brian McLain Gray, Patrick O'Neal Gray (Donna Dyer Gray); and granddaughter Katherine Hall Gray and grandson John Patrick McLain Gray, of Tuscaloosa; and his brother, Bob Gray (Olga "Toodie"), of Pelham; and sister, Linda Gray Ellison (Edward), of Biloxi. Ms.

Frank loved reminiscing about his high school days at Tuscaloosa County High School. He served as Senior SGA President and was recognized as both "Mr. Tuscohi" and "Best Personality" by his classmates. He graduated from The University of Alabama School of Accounting in 1960, with Honors. Upon graduation, he worked for the accounting firm of Ernst & Ernst in Atlanta, Georgia, as a Certified Public Accountant. He later returned to Tuscaloosa County and started his own private accounting practice, at which he worked for over 40 years until selling his practice to a regional accounting firm. He was involved in numerous and various business ventures over the years and served as a Northport City Councilman from 1984-1988.

Most dear to Frank's heart was his service to others. He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa, where he was a Life Deacon, taught Sunday School, and sang in the choir. He was known for his multiple thousands of visits to those in nursing homes throughout the area. More meaningful than their number, these visits were truly special times of sharing and selfless giving, for which Frank felt blessed and called by God. His prayers added great meaning to those visited. He and his dear friend, Howard Jackson, were a visiting and praying team, called upon many times throughout the forty years of their special friendship and service together. For this and other dutiful service over a decades-long timespan, he was elected Man of the Year by The Tuscaloosa Baptist Association in 1995. Frank was truly a dutiful servant. We are thankful for all those lives he touched, including our own, and we will miss him dearly. We wish to acknowledge with much gratitude the loving care given to Frank during his illness by Cedric Stewart, Valerie Stallworth, and Kevin Davis.

Honorary pallbearers are: Cedric Stewart, Charles Brown, Chap Burroughs, Ike Espy, Mac Hackney, Howard Jackson, George Hodgson, Milton Marcum, Charles "Buck" Smith, and John Moore, along with the Milton Marcum Sunday School Class and the Agape Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gideons International P.O.Box 61 Northport Al.35476, Good Samaritan Clinic 3880 Watermelon Road Suite A Northport AL35473

Condolences may be offered at www.heritagechapeltuscaloosa.com .

Arrangements under the direction of Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.