Teresa Clark Gray of Greer, 62, passed away on August 13, 2021, after a 7 ½ year battle with ALS. She was the daughter of the late James Edwin Clark, PhD, and Becky Jo Clark. She is survived by her husband, David Benjamin Gray; her daughter Ashley Teresa Godwin (Alan) of Charlotte, NC and by her son Benjamin Clark Gray, also of Charlotte. She was the proud grandmother of two grandsons, David Holden Godwin and Gray Thompson Godwin. She is also survived by her brother, Dave Edward Clark (Tina) of Anderson and sister Melissa Clark Janse, MD, (Roy) of Greenville.
Teresa attended the University of South Carolina where she received both her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1980 and ultimately her master’s degree from the College of Library and Information Science in 2007. She began her career by working as the Alumni Relations Director at North Greenville College, followed by 13 years in banking at various institutions. Teresa later transitioned to public relations at Goudelock then Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative. However, Teresa finished out her career working the job of her dreams immersed in books and middle school students as the Media Specialist at League Academy where she taught for seven years. She treasured passing on her love of reading to her students.
After first being diagnosed with ALS in 2014, her students at League Academy raised more than $9,200 in Teresa’s honor which they put towards establishing an ALS Center in Greenville at her request. Inspired by this fund raising and wanting to help make the ALS Center a reality, Teresa next directed her energies towards Wade Hampton High School’s Spirit Week, raising over $225,000 dollars with the students. This significant donation allowed the first ALS Center in the state of South Carolina to hire a nurse navigator and open its doors.
Teresa was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church Greenville, where she served as a deacon for several terms, participated on many committees, and was a member of the Rose-Grace class. Teresa Gray lived her life fully with faithfulness, compassion, dignity, and grace. She was a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece, teacher, and friend. She was an inspiration to many and deeply loved.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 21, 2021, at First Baptist Church Greenville in the Sanctuary. Family will receive friends from 1:00 to 1:50 PM in the Narthex prior to the service.
It's required at the church that unvaccinated individuals wear masks at the visitation and funeral.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Prisma Health ALS Clinic to the Direct Patient Care Fund. Donations may be mailed to:
200 Patewood Dr., Suite B 350, Greenville, SC 29615, Attention: Suzy Hobbs
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