Libby Cooke Gray

Many people lost a good friend when Libby Gray departed this world for the next one early Sunday morning January 10, 2016. She was born on November 8, 1940 in Surry County to the late Thomas and Lena Cook. Libby is survived by her husband of 52 years J.L. “Buck” Gray, daughter Beth Gray, son Lee Gray, grandsons Wilson and Warren Gray, brothers Carlyle and Barry Cooke (and wife Becky), sister in law Jane Layden, close family friend Ioma Mitchell, and a number of wonderful nephews and nieces.

Libby was heavily invested in her family, work, and in the community. At home she was the one who made everything come together with her planning, cooking, and tireless energy. It was her habit to put the needs of others before her own. This was especially true with her care and devotion to her mentally handicapped daughter Beth. She was also a devoted wife to Buck and mother to Lee.

Libby loved people and made friends everywhere she went. She especially wants to thank the Kerygma Sunday School Class at Providence Baptist Church who provided so much care for the family over the past months. Over the years at Providence Libby served as a deacon, on the bereavement team, as a Sunday School teacher, and in the church library. She was also involved in the Charlotte Kiwanis Club and over the years served as secretary, and president.

In 1962, she graduated from East Carolina Teachers College (now ECU) with a degree in Library Science. After moving to Charlotte she served as a media specialist at McClintock Jr. High for over 20 years (where she was awarded Media Specialist of the Year) and later as the webmaster for the Technology Department of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (where there is now an annual Libby Gray Award for an outstanding webmaster in CMS).

Buck and Libby liked to travel the world together going to such places as China, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, and England. Yet their favorite place to go was to their mountain house where they made many good friends in and around Dugspur, VA.

The family would also like to thank wonderful neighbors George and Juline Walters and nurse Antionette Stanford for all the personal care they provided to the Gray family in Libby’s last days.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 14 at 11:00 am at Providence Baptist with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to Providence Baptist designated to one of the following areas – Special Education Adult Sunday School Class, Bereavement Ministry, or the Capital Campaign.