Billie J. Gray

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31 Billie JoAnn Gray was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on August 14, 1950 to the late Mable Eloise and Charles T. Gray. On Sunday, October 3, 2010 with her sister Sandy at her side Billie left this earthly home on a believer's journey to her heavenly home. She was the 4th child of five siblings. Two siblings preceded her in death, Charles Terry Gray, III and Stephanie D. (Gray) Brown. She was christened and attended the former Mitchell Memorial Methodist Church. She received her education in the Harrisburg City Schools. She participated in various school activities and pursued her passion as a cheerleader in junior and senior high school. She graduated from the former John Harris High School, class of 1969. She attended Harrisburg Area Community College with classes in Art Design, Real Estate Finance Law, and Banking; she was also on the Dean's List. She also furthered her educational skills with courses in Computer Science. She retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue as a Research Analyst II Manger after 20 years of dedicated service. She was previously employed by Bell Telephone, Commonwealth National Bank, Williamsburg Estates, and Roger Splawn Real Estate. Billie had a strong personality that drew you to her. She was honest, forthright and direct; a fiercely devoted Mother, sister, and friend. If she had an opinion about something, she would not waiver her view. She would share those views with you in such a way that you could only agree. She was extremely giving, never forgetting her family and friends birthdays and special occasions. She would sometimes give the younger family members gifts, with "Oh, I saw this and thought you might like it". She and her daughter Diamond were inseparable, she was the ultimate "stage mother" who staunchly supported her daughter's singing talent at various events. Her compassion for friends and family was evident as she was her Mother's caretaker until her death and her Brother's caretaker until her health started to fail. She will be sorely missed by all of those who loved her. Billie was an extremely talented poet and artist; she loved fashion, art, and photography. She had the opportunity to showcase her own art in an exhibit in Strawberry Square as part of the Department of Revenue's Black History Month program; her art work was also visible throughout her home. She composed her own poetry and shared that talent with many of her friends and relatives. In her last months of her life; she was attempting to get her poetry published. She received various awards and recognition including Editor's Choice Award from the international Library of Poetry, Recognition Award from the Business Forms Management Associates, and an Honor Achievement Award from Harrisburg Area Community College. She leaves to cherish her memory son, Trent D. Gray and a daughter Diamond C. Gray; a sister, Saundra Mundy; her brother Barry D. Gray. Her nieces; Monique Gray, Ashley Mundy, Kiesha Totten, and Michelle Elby, nephews; Lorne Mundy, Brian Pendleton, Kasean Gray, and Barquet Totten, beloved grandchildren; Trenisha Gray, Trent Gray, Jr., and Jamir Gray, Tremaine Coorish, and Trey-Quan Alexander and host of relatives and friends. Services will be held at The Camp Curtin Memorial Mitchell United Methodist Church, 2221 N. 6th Street, Harrisburg, on Friday, October 8, 2010 at 11:00 a.m., visitation at 10:00 a.m. Her final resting place will be in William Howard Day Cemetery. Hooper Memorial Home, Inc. is caring for and handling Ms. Gray's arrangements. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."