The Life and Legacy of Ettis Gray

Ettis Gray was born on August 9, 1925 to the late Ammon Taylor and late Rosetta Payne-Calloway in the small coal-mining town of Mallory, West Virginia. She was the first child of this union. Much of her adolescent years were spent in and around Logan County, where Ettis attended school in Mallory and also lived in Man, West Virginia.

As a young woman, Ettis met, fell in love with a coal miner, William H. Gray, Sr., who also sang bass in a gospel group, The Royal Trumpets. They married in 1945. The following years of this union would be blessed with six children: William, Jr., Jack, Dorothy, Barbara, Alfred, and Penny.

As the family grew, so did Ettis’ call to serve God. In her early twenties, Ettis received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Under the leadership of the late Bishop Wesley Allen Wilson, she was baptized and received the Holy Ghost at The Glorious Church of God in Christ. As her walk in faith deepened, so did her knowledge of God. She answered God’s call, which led to a position to serve as a Sunday School teacher. Dedicated to her new role, raising six children and walking long distances to church, did not stop her from being prompt and ready to teach.

In 1959, the Gray family moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Never far from her faith, Ettis served under the leadership of the late Bishop Otis Lucas at The Glorious Church of God in Christ. Six years later, on March 23, 1965, her beloved husband, William, passed away. For the trying times that lay ahead for her as a single parent, she depended on God for help and guidance. Her love for God, along with strong faith, prayer, and fasting, helped her to make it through.

In 1970, Ettis continued to serve in The Glorious Church of God in Christ under the late Bishop Azel Colston. She was known for her spiritual “golden nuggets” of wisdom and was given the title “Mother” Gray. In time, she became a grandmother and helped her children with their children.

In 1991, Mother Gray became Assistant Pastor at Shekinah Apostolic Deliverance Church. At the age of 74, in 1999, she was ordained as Pastor of Shekinah Apostolic Church of God where she served faithfully until 2019. From 2019 to 2026, Pastor Gray was promoted to Overseer Gray of the church. Even though advanced in age, Overseer Gray never ceased teaching and preaching with the spirit and vigor of the woman she has always been—punctual, persistent, patient, wise, witty, strong, simple, faithful, dedicated, gentle, loving, encouraging, and always upholding the saints in prayer.

Overseer Gray loved the Word of God. She would deliver God’s word with power, love, and simplicity. She was a woman of great godly wisdom, knowledge and never failed to share her life experiences, being 100 years old, she had many. Nothing hindered her from being on time in doing God’s work. As a “true mother in Zion” she lived and showed how to live a holy life to all – young and old.

Ettis had been prepared for years for her earthly departure and was waiting on God’s voice to say, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter in the joy of the Lord.” On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, God called His loyal and faithful servant to her peaceful rest, where she now abides with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ forever.

Preceding Ettis in death: husband, William H. Gray, Sr.; grandson, William H. Gray III; great grandson, Darrell Gray. Parents: Ammon Taylor, Rosetta Payne-Calloway, Maude Taylor, Stepmother, and Emmitt Calloway, Stepfather. Siblings: Edwin Raymond, Leo, Valerian, Dorothy Lee, Nanette, Carrentzel, Janette, Loretta, Emmitt Jr., and Joann.

Family she leaves to cherish her memory and uphold the faith and legacy:

Children: William Jr. (Deltha) Gray, Jack Gray, Dorothy Fly, Barbara Gray, Alfred (Marchielle) Gray, Penny (Keith) McKenney.

Grandchildren: Jack Jr., Damon, Kevin, Taminika, Montoyo, Montero, Tanisha, and Kenyatta; and a host of 15 great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and all who knew and loved her.