Robert Lee Gray, Sr. of Crawford, MS went to be with the Lord on October 15, 2014 at Starkville Manor Nursing Home. A lifelong resident of Oktibbeha County Mr. Gray attended Crawford Elementary school and graduated from Artesia High School, he was also a lifelong member of Bethesda Baptist Church. He attended Hinds Community College on a football scholarship. Mr. Gray returned to Crawford where he became the fourth generation of his family to own and operate Gray Farms, which continues its operation by the fifth generation of the Gray-Edwards family.

Born June 22, 1929, Mr. Gray was the son of Thomas Carroll (Bud) Gray and Judy Dell Edwards Gray of Crawford. He was pre-deased also by his loving wife of 52 years Martha Deana Blankenship Gray. As one of ten children he was predeased by siblings William Guy (Bud) Gray of Hattiesburg, Thomas Carroll (T.C.) Gray, Jr, John Franklin (Bully) Gray, and Sam Fitzgerald Gray all of Starkville and Howard Fredrick Gray of Crawford; and granddaughter, Rachel Joy Kilpatrick.

He is survived by his children, Mary "DeLynn" Willard (Brian) of Nesbit, MS, and Robert Lee "Bubba" Gray, Jr. (Shirley) of Crawford, MS; grandchildren, Jessica Lynn K. Bridgewater of Atlanta, GA, Justin Lee Gray of New York, N.Y., and Merri Gray Kilpatrick of Crawford, MS; great granddaughter, Elisabeth Anne Bridgewater of Atlanta, GA; sisters, Julia Ann Gray Self of Starkville, and Francesca Dell Gray Laufer of Annandale, VA; brothers, James Moore (Jimmy) Gray of West Point and Stanley Randolph Gray of Brooksville, MS.

Uncle Robert Lee was much loved by his many nieces and nephews. He will be remembered for his love of life, the laughter, wonderful sense of humor and always offering a helping hand to anyone.

Pall bearers will be Dr. William C. (Billy) Gray, Randy Gray, David Gray, Marvin Gray and Mark Peterson, Ernie Lawrimore. Honarary pall Bearers will be Jimmy Don Kilpatrick, Charles (Mickey) Gentry, Bill Hayden.

Visitation will be held at Welch Funeral Home on Friday, October 17, 2014 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Services will be held at Bethesda Baptist Church on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. with burial immediately following at the church cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Bethesda Church Cemetery.