Herman L. Gray entered eternity on June 14, 2013. Born July 29, 1932 near Jacinto to John Elton and Lois Quay Hollandsworth Gray, he attended Mississippi State University and earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting in 1954 graduating with highest honors. He began his career as a Certified Public Accountant with the firm of Arthur Anderson in Houston, Texas and then Peat, Marwick, and Mitchell (now KPMG) in Memphis, Tennessee. He and his bride, Janet Davis Gray, moved to Corinth in 1958. Mr. Gray founded the accounting firm of Chism, Jones and Gray, and later became partner at the firm Minor and Moore, which subsequently transitioned to Moore and Gray. Gray helped organized the Northeast Mississippi Chapter of the Mississippi Society of CPAs, serving as its president and going on to serve as President of the state society and as Mississippi delegate to the American Institute of CPAs. Both groups honored him with Public Service Awards.
He lived a life of faith, serving God through his loyalty to the Church and through his service to others. A man of integrity, Herman managed his life and his affairs in the belief that all he had belonged to God. Gratitude was his attitude, and generosity was his practice.
As a long-time member of the Yocona Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, he helped create the Yocona Area Foundation, received the Silver Beaver award in 2000, and was named a lifetime sustaining member in 2012. He particularly enjoyed going to Camp Yocona for the annual meetings.
As a Master Gardener, he conceived the idea of teaching urban children how to garden. He initiated and organized the Corinthian Garden at the Lighthouse, based on the scripture: Paul planted, Apollo watered, but God gave the increase. I Corinthians 3:6
He served as treasurer for the Habitat for Humanity, seeing that the organization was on firm financial ground, and enjoyed doing carpentry on the various houses.
Gray served as President of the Corinth Chamber of Commerce (now the Alliance) and spearheaded plans to build a facility for the organization. He served actively on the United Way Board for many years, receiving numerous awards for his service. The longest-term member of the local Kiwanis Club, since 1959, Gray served in numerous offices and had exemplary attendance because he scheduled his activities around the weekly Kiwanis meeting. Mr. Gray was named the Outstanding Citizen in 2000 by Junior Auxiliary of Corinth.
His particular passion in his profession was estate-planning and money management. He experienced great satisfaction in assisting clients achieve long-term goals through various financial strategies. Many new widows turned to him for counsel and support, and he patiently mentored each through the financial stress.
Gray regularly attended local cultural events, particularly supporting his wife’s musical endeavors.
In retirement he was tapped by the Magnolia Hospital Board to serve on the Finance Committee and he took great pleasure in their successful management of financial resources.
Mr. Gray is preceded in death by his siblings, Reuben, Reba, Floyd, and Lloyd, and by his son, Glenn Davis Gray. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janet Davis Gray; children, Linda (Richard) Wofford, Mary Ellen (Mark) Donaldson, and David (Ana Maria) Gray. His 8 grandchildren survive him as well: Scott, Kate, and Julie Wofford; Rachel, Claire, and Mary Grace Donaldson; Jackson and Caroline Gray.
The celebration service of the life of Herman Lafayette Gray will be on Monday, June 17, 2013 at First United Methodist Church in Corinth at 4:00 pm. Visitation with the family will be at Memorial Funeral Home on Sunday, June 16 from 5-7:00 pm and immediately prior to the service from 3-3:45pm on Monday, June 17.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Capital Improvements Fund (901 Fillmore Street, Corinth, MS 38834) or the Glenn Davis Gray Memorial Scholarship (PO Box 2625, Corinth, MS 38835).
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18