Homer G. Gray

Homer G. Gray, 93, of Phenix City, AL joined Heavens Choir on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 while at Columbus Hospice House, Columbus, GA surrounded by his family. 

Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM (EST) on Friday, June 2, 2023 at Lakewood Baptist Church with Rev. Andrew Spires, Rev. Charles Keown and Rev. M. R. Hamilton officiating according to Vance Brooks Funeral Home, Phenix City, AL. Interment with U. S. Army honors will be held at 11:00 AM (EST) on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 till 8:00 PM (EST) on Thursday at the funeral home.

Mr. Gray was born January 17, 1930 in Girard, AL son of the late James L. Gray and Eula Dean Gray. He was raised in North Highland and Bibb City both in Columbus, GA. Always looking for opportunities as a young boy, he delivered for Banks Pharmacy and A & P Grocery Store. As a young man, he worked summers in Bibb Mills part-time then full-time after graduating from Jordan High School in 1948 at Sol Loeb Company, a wholesale grocer. Homer later became the President of Sol Loeb Company until 1992, retiring to open Primerica Financial Services Office in Phenix City, AL until 2005. He was also a member of the sales force for American Family Life Insurance Company (AFLAC) from 1972 until just this year. 

Homer was a business and community leader and Army Veteran. His civic duties included being the Past President of the Muscogee Civitan Club, Columbus, GA and the Past Secretary/Treasurer of the South Georgia District of the Civitan International. Homer and his late wife, Lois, were very active members of several local churches throughout the years to include, Beallwood Baptist, Smiths Station Baptist, Benning Baptist and Westside Baptist Church’s (now Lakewood Baptist).   He was a Sunday School Teacher, a Deacon and loved to sing.   Homer was an active member of the Amen Choir for many years. 

Homer came to know Christ at the age of nine while at a Revival at North Highland Assembly of God in Columbus, GA. He was a man who lived out his Christian Faith daily and was the same in public and in private.  The true definition of integrity. This is expressed in the following statement, “I love the Lord Jesus Christ and my desire is to fulfill His purpose for my life, and that all of our children will experience a personal relationship with Jesus and follow Him wholeheartedly all the days of their lives.” 

Homer was preceded in death by his parents, James L. Gray, Sr. and Eula Gray; one brother, James L. Gray, Jr.; his wife, Lois McCall Gray and daughters Gerri Mason and Jeanne L. Clements of Georgia and son Rodney Gray (Cathy) of Florida.

Survivors include his children Gina Fusillo and Mark Gray of Phenix City, AL. There are eleven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren: several nieces, nephews and many cherished friends. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, www.stjude.org.