McSwain-Evans Funeral Home

Lt. Col. Leland M. “Jackie” Gray, Jr., SC State Guard, 63, of Newberry, died Friday, July 16, 2010, at his residence.

Born on April 2, 1947, in McCormick, he was a son of the late Leland M. Gray, Sr. and Louise Hartsell Gray. He was retired from the South Carolina National Guard. Mr. Gray was a member of the Hopewell Congregational Holiness Church of Saluda, an active member who was recently promoted to Lieutenant Colonel with the South Carolina State Guard and was a volunteer for many years with the American Red Cross.

Surviving are is wife, Virginia Wicker Gray; a sister, Suzanne G. Richardson and her fiancé, Stanley Sheely of Irmo; brothers, Walter Gray and his wife, Dawn, of Pomaria, Fred “Freddie” Gray and his wife, Sonja, of Clinton and Joey Gray and his wife, Marilyn, of Pomaria; nephews, Quinton (Sheryl) Gray, Christopher (April) Gray and Dale Colson; three great nephews and two great nieces. Jackie and Virginia were foster parents for many children over the years.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 19, 2010, at Newberry Memorial Gardens by the Rev. Larry Roland. Visitation will be Sunday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Hopewell Congregational Holiness Church, 785 Old Chapel Ferry Road, Saluda, SC 29138.

Active pallbearers will be members of the South Carolina State Guard.

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