Mary Louvenia (Strudwick) Gray

The Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Gray will be live streamed on the Facebook Page of Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor.

FACE MASKS ARE STRONGLY URGED!!!

A Life of Faith, Love, and Devotion

Mary Louvenia Strudwick Gray was born on June 25, 1931, in Durham, North Carolina. Following the untimely passing of her birth mother during childbirth, Mary was immediately adopted and raised by Duncan Thomas Strudwick and his wife, Amy.

Rooted in faith from an early age, Mary was brought up in St. Joseph’s AME Church in Durham. In adulthood, she made a personal decision to follow Christ, and her life thereafter radiated the fruit of the Spirit.

Education and Lifelong Learning

Mary graduated from Hillside High School and attended North Carolina College at Durham (now North Carolina Central University). In 1994, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Christian Leadership Bible College in New Haven, Connecticut.

A Love Rooted in Christ

Mary was united in holy matrimony to Lee Van Gray with whom she shared a beautiful and enduring marriage for nearly 40 years until his passing in 2007. Their relationship was marked by deep affection, respect, and a Christ-centered bond and Lee Van’s adoration of Mary was legendary. Prior to the marriage, Mary already was the devoted mother of Beverly Strudwick and Carol Hester, daughters from previous relationships whom Lee Van fully embraced.  Together, in 1967, the couple welcomed a son, Jerryl Lee Van Gray, who completed their beautiful family composition.

A Faithful Servant of the Church

Upon settling in Connecticut, Mary and her husband became active members of Community Baptist Church in New Haven where Lee Van became a church Deacon. For more than 30 years, as his Godly helpmate, Mary served faithfully in numerous ministries—including Secretary of the Deaconess Board, Sunday School Superintendent, and choir member in the Mass, Chancel, and Gospel choirs. She served with excellence, grace, and a heart full of worship.

A Legacy of Love

Mary’s greatest legacy is the love she gave so freely—to her family, her church, and her community. Even in her later years, when her health declined, she remained surrounded by love and care—especially from her devoted stepdaughter, Felicia Gray, who was Mary’s primary caregiver until the day of her passing.  Supporting Terry in caring for Mary were Marian Powell and Daniel Roberts whose skillful, compassionate, and dedicated help made it possible for Mary to remain in her home throughout her illness.  Words cannot express the tremendous gratitude the family has toward both of them for loving Mary and always being there when needed.

Her life was a living witness to the words of Jesus in Matthew 22:37–39: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… and love your neighbor as yourself.”

Cherished Family Before and After

Preceding Mary in death were her beloved husband, Lee Van Gray, her adoptive parents, Duncan Thomas and Amy Strudwick, an infant daughter, Marlene Denise Hester; an adult niece, Mirinda Jackson; and all her siblings:  her brother, Clavin Fincher and four sisters, Grace Martin, Pauline Fincher, Christine Rogers, and Josephine Ferguson.  Additionally, with her husband, Lee Van, she suffered the loss of his children: Larry Tucker, Brenda Gray, Phyllis Neil, Juanita Gray, and Michael Gray.

Mary leaves behind a loving legacy that continues through her family: her daughters, Beverly Strudwick Glover of Oklahoma City, OK and Pastor Carol Hester Sherman (Pastor Calvin) of New Haven, CT;  and son, Jerryl Lee Van Gray,  of North Haven, CT; adult children by marriage, Terry Gray, Barbara Clinton, and Wendy Gray of Durham, Lee Van Gray, III (Lillie) and Rainey Green (Calvin) of San Antonio, TX; grandchildren, Jerry Glover, Jr. of Las Vegas, NV, Jared St. John Glover of Oklahoma City, Terrell Sherman (Sidney) of Westport, MA, Erica Sherman of Meriden, CT, and Brianna Gray of Pensacola, FL;  and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Mary’s faith, love, and gentle spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those she touched.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Louvenia (Strudwick) Gray, please visit our floral store.