Chaney Merricks Gray

Chaney Merricks Gray, 92, of Danville, VA, “went home to live with Jesus” on August 22, 2015 after being in declining health for the past two weeks. Mrs. Gray was born in Callands, VA on February 1, 1923 a daughter of the late Roy Thomas Merricks and the late Ethel Riddle Merricks. She lived most of her life in Danville, VA, where she worked for Dan River Mills. She was a member of the Woodlawn Baptist Church. On March 8, 1945, Mrs. Gray married Lenard Averette Gray who passed away on March 22, 2006. Mrs. Gray is survived by three daughters, Linda Gray Hardy, of Auburn, AL., Sandra Gray Finney and husband Darrell, of Aiken, SC., and Kathy G. Blalock and husband Dennis, of Danville, VA.; five grandchildren, Sue Ellen Wilson, Jason Finney, Jon Finney, Emily B. Finney, and Brandon Blalock; twelve great grandchildren, Callie Wilson, Anne Hardy Wilson, Elias Finney, Aliyah Finney, Jackson Finney, Luke Finney, Harper Finney, Ben Finney, Carson Finney, Madison Blalock, Hailey Grace Blalock, and Lillian Blalock; and a sister, Evelyn Davis, of Cleveland, TN. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Gray was predeceased by a son-in law, Dr. Bill Hardy; a granddaughter, Julie Lee Finney; two brothers, Coleman Merricks, and Billy Merricks; and five sisters, Mozelle McKinsey, Bernice Clayton, Mildred Shelton, Betty Stokes, and Coraleen Hancock. The family would like to thank her loving caregivers, Donna Dean, Susan Jones, Patricia Owens, Betty Simpson, Betty Krantz, and Jay Richardson. Gramdma will always be remembered because she loved everybody and always asked sweetly for dessert. A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted on Monday, August 24, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. from the Woodlawn Baptist Church by the Reverend Kenneth Gray. Interment will follow in Danville Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the church from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. and at other times they will be at the residence of her daughter Kathy Blalock, 2418 Westover Dr., Danville, VA 24541. The family requests that memorial donations be made to Woodlawn Baptist Church, 2500 Westover Dr., Danville, Va., 24541. Wrenn-Yeatts Westover Chapel is respectfully serving the Gray family. Online condolences may be made at www.wrenn-yeatts.com.

Chaney Merricks Gray

February 1, 1923 - August 22, 2015