Deborah Carrol Gray

Our beloved, Deborah Carrol Gray, received her heavenly wings on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Born March 27, 1959, she was the youngest of five children born to James Scott Gray, Sr. and Willie Elizabeth Washington.

Deborah was born and raised in Austin, Texas. At an early age, she joined church and received Jesus Christ as her Savior. Later in her life, she rededicated her life to Christ at East Nineteenth Street Missionary Baptist Church.

As a child, Deborah attended grade school at Maplewood Elementary School, and later attended Lamar Middle School where she participated in cheerleading and track. Recognizing her love for athletics, she continued to cheer and run track at McCallum High School, where she earned her diploma in 1977. During her time at McCallum, Deborah won several track and field awards, and was always very proud of her accomplishments.

In the years following high school, she endured many challenges and obstacles as she struggled with addiction. Deborah (affectionately known as “Debbie” to those who knew and loved her), was never shy to share her story and her testimony about how God saved her and reconnected her with the family she loved so dearly. Despite her struggles, she looked for every opportunity to encourage every person she touched. From her children to her extended family, her church family, her family at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy, and her Capital City Bearcats family, Debbie never missed an opportunity to share the good news of God’s presence in her life.

If you were to ask Debbie what her greatest accomplishment in life was, she would quickly tell you it was her family. She loved and adored her children and her grandchildren, and loved spending time with them as well as her extended family. Debbie was very active in church, especially with the youth and creative arts ministries at Nineteenth Street Baptist Church. She was always ready and available to support young people, and was “Granny” to almost every child she encountered. There was no greater cheerleader than Deborah Gray, and she will truly be missed.

Deborah is preceded in death by her parents. She leaves to celebrate her legacy her daughter, LaTwayna Griffin and her son, Larry Barr; her sister, Buena Gray- Beatty, and three brothers- Charleston Gray, Elbert Gray and James Gray, Jr. Also left to cherish memories of her are her beloved grandchildren, Gavriel Griffin, Jahazniah Griffin, Nehemiah Griffin, Leola Lauderdale, one great-granddaughter, Jayla Bennett, and a host of other family, friends and colleagues who will celebrate her life forever.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 11th, 2015 at the East Nineteenth Street Missionary Baptist Church, 3401 Rogge Lane, Austin, Texas.

Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.