Sharon, 
Love and prayers for you and your family during this time. I know the upcoming holidays will be difficult and I pray you will be filled with happy memories whenever those waves of sadness approach. 
Tracey Jenkins

Sharon and Family, 

I’m so glad I had an opportunity to meet Charlie! My condolences to the family.  You are all in my thoughts and prayers! 

Sharon, I am so sorry for your loss andpray your grief and pain will be eased with your chrished memories of happy times. May you be comforted as you and your family rests in God's hands. 

Barbara, Debbie & Family,
So very sorry to learn of the passing of your brother.  Please accept our sincere condolences.  Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. 
                                     Montie & Connie Bigelow

Charlie was a very special person, he became a member of our family when he married my sister and he fit in perfectly.   He was great at all his responsibilities, as a husband, son, father, grandad, son in law and uncle, and he was not only my brother in law but my friend.  We shared a lot of the same beliefs, America is the greatest country in the world,  our Flag is sacred, and we honor our military, our police force and our first responders.  In the last several years while dealing with his illness, I believe the things he saw happening to our Country caused him more pain than his illness actually did.   He never complained and always had something to say that would make me smile.  I will miss him dearly, but its comforting to know he is in a better place!  

Sharon,
 My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family,  Please accept my condolences and may my prayers help comfort you.                 
Janice H Cosel

I met Charlie when I worked at Norfolk Sheriff’s Office   He answered the many questions I had regarding work related issues. He was always patient and kind and made me laugh a lot. He got me through some tough times. It wasn’t until that I retired that I met Sharon and I have been blessed with her friendship.  She and Charlie truly had an amazing love for each other that you could see and feel when you were in their presence.  My heart goes out to the family and I will forever miss my friend.     God bless you. Mary Payton

Sharon I want to offer my sincere condolences. 

I remember the day Sharon came into my office with her outstretched hand, we’re engaged. She was floating on air. 

My first memory of Sharon and Charlie was in Defensive Tactics, at Charlie’s Basic Academy.  Sharon was one of the instructors and this may have been the beginning of a loving relationship .

I also remember the times when I was teaching in VB and I was invited out for dinner and playing with Kathryn, and little Charlie well past their bedtimes.

Bob Cruikshank


Sharon, Katheryne, Charlie & Family - I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for your family! I remember when Sharon and Charlie first started dating and what a beautiful love story it became. I loved being part of their wedding and having them be a part of mine.  Sending my love!

Sharon, Katheryne, Charlie & Family...I am so very sorry and send my sincere sympathy.  Chuck was a special Husband, Father, Grandfather and in my case an awesome friend.  During times when  his own pain was unbearable he would shove it aside to make sure I was alright! I loved listening to him talk about his grandchildren; rowdy political issues, & days gone by when he was young and healthy.  His calls, the 2 a.m. texts and emails will be missed.  He leaves such a void to all who loved him.  Sometimes, he would sent a joke, sometimes it would be all about the family he loved...Sharon, he idolized you and never took for granted your love & the care you provided! May he rest in peace. 

Dear Sharon,
Deepest condolences on the loss of your husband. 
Love, Janice Kay 

I was one of the lucky ones to have Sgt. Gray as one of my Supervisors. He was the peacemaker, the one that saw BOTH sides to every story. And he knew exactly how to temper whatever situation that arose. Knowledgeable and always fair as a Supervisor.
After I left VBSO, I continued to communicate with Sgt. Gray via Messenger. He always had a kind and uplifting word to say. And, like Dorothy Simmons wrote, it was always late night! I've been working Evening shift almost the entire time since coming to VBPD and sometimes at 2AM I'd get a quick message from "Sarge". And even though I had heard and realized he was in pain, he NEVER mentioned it. 
He was a great man and will be missed by many. My sincere  condolences to the entire family.

One of my first sergeants.  Wonderful  mentor.   Prayers up for families and friends as well. 

Very lucky to have known Charlie, Sharon and the entire Gray Family
Mark Ammerman

Charlie valued family and friends. I am lucky to have had him as a friend. Charlie worked at the Va. Beach Sheriff's Office which is where I met him, and he was very well respected. He was a firm but caring supervisor in the position of Sergeant. Many employees wanted to work under him because of his reputation as a supervisor. He was often sought out for advice because of his knowledge of laws relating to corrections. I am often up at 2-3 am many days. Because of the pain Charlie was in, he often was up at that time as well. We had many conversations via Messenger where he admitted he was in a lot of pain. This was the first time Charlie had been honest with me about his pain because he never wanted others to worry about him so when you asked him how he was feeling, he would say he was fine. Charlie was diagnosed with Bechet's disease in the prime of his life and career with the department. As a result he had to retire early. Bechet's is an awful disease. Please read up on it and consider donating to research for a cure.

I was lucky to attend the wedding of Sharon Workman and Charlie Gray. I could see from the beginning how much love was between them. They were dedicated to each other, through good and bad. My heart aches for Sharon for this great loss. She was totally devoted to taking care of Charlie and the love they shared is rare. 

I will miss Charlie and our early morning or late night conversations. Even in the end, he was more concerned with others than himself.  Before passing, Charlie called relatives he hadn't spoke to in a long time, to check on them and it was his way of saying goodbye. He knew it was time and he was ready.

Dorothy Simmons, Retired Lieutenant, Va. Beach Sheriff's Office



American Behcet’s Disease Association (ABDA)

Charity United Methodist Church  

Graveside Service

Sharon Gray

Kathryne King (Daniel)

Charlie Gray, IV (Thressa)

Emmi, Raelynn

Charlie, V

Aubree

Charlie Gray Jr. and Evelyn VanNostrand Gray

Charlie is also survived by siblings, Debbie Ashton (Skip), Barbara Hall, Rick Workman (Deb), Lynda Dean (Jeff) and Jeff Workman (Donna); and numerous nieces and nephews.

OBITUARY

Charlie Edeth Gray, III

July 31, 1960 – November 3, 2021

Smith & Williams Funeral Home/Kempsville

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