Dwight O`Neal Gray

Mr. Dwight O’Neal Gray was born on Monday, July 12, 1954 to the late Deacon Tyne Gray, Sr. and Mrs. Ella C. Watson Gray of the Historic Lake Providence Community. He peacefully departed this life on Sunday, January 1, 2017.

At an early age, Dwight professed his love for the Lord and was baptized at Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church under the late Reverend C. L. Dowdy. In recent years, he fellowshipped with his brother, Robert at The Dominion Christian Center under the watch of Pastor Emmanuel Barnes.

Dwight, lovingly known to friends as “Babyface” or by his initials “D.O.G”, was educated in the Metro Nashville Public School system; graduating from John Overton High School. After graduating high school, Dwight began a life-long career in construction – with his hands lending to the erection of numerous buildings around Nashville, throughout Tennessee and its surrounding states. Both Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and the Nashville International Airport are two of several projects he proudly took part in. Dwight was loved by those he worked for and with; reliably capable of operating any piece of heavy machinery he was assigned to. He continued to work in the construction industry until his health rendered him unable to do so.

Dwight was loved for his presence and known for his witty personality. During his younger years, his love of motorcycles lead him to accept memberships with The Roadrunners and The Unknown Riders Motorcycle Clubs. He inherited his green thumb from both his parents and his ability to cook a host of southern comfort foods from his mother. His affection for family and friends was undeniably one of his strongest characteristics. His family loved him too – Christmas 2016, he was celebrated by his family at a dinner hosted by cousins, Sharon and Jimmy Dobson. His love of sports, particularly the Dallas Cowboys, was often one of the topics he enjoyed laughing, joking and having conversations about.

He was preceded in death by three of his brothers, Tyne Gray, Jr., Edward Gray, Sr. and James Gray.

Leaving to cherish his memory are his daughter, Jerrica Jackson and grandchildren, Ja'Tauje, Journii, Jahvonni, and JeVian, that he adored, all off Virginia Beach, VA.; Siblings, Christine Delores (Herbert) Byars, Theresa Gray, Robert (Donna) Gray, Anzio (Jacqueline) Gray of Macon, GA and Linda Robinson; uncle, Deacon James Watson; aunt, Easter Gray; God-daughter/Niece, La’Kisha Gray; A host of nieces, nephews and extended family members; devoted friends, The Burns Family, Terry Jackson, Jerisha Jackson, Theresia Brown, Oneal Morton, Jonathan Brooks and Reggie Johnson.