MERLIN GRAY, SR

Merlin Gray, Sr., affectionally known as “Snow”, entered peacefully into eternal rest on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at the age of 83. He was a native and resident of Gretna, LA. He was employed with Hunt Wesson Company for many years, and he also owned a shoeshine shop, that served customers from all over the metro area. He was an active member of Providence Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of his son Rev. Lawrence St. Cyre, Sr. He servered faithfully and was known to his church family as Grandpa. Merlin will be remembered for his love of watching and talking about sports (especially baseball), drinking coffee, and watching old westerns. Beloved husband of 50 years to the late Geraldine Watkins Gray. Loving father of Andrew (Gail) Pointer, Rev. Leonard (Carol), Rev. Lawrence, Sr. (Diane), Rodney (Gail), and Rusty St. Cyre, Cynthia (Robert) Ridgeway, Johnnie Mae Gabriel, Luvenia Paige, Frankie Mae Davis, and the late Merlin Gray, Jr.  Son of the late Earl and Eldora Baptiste. Adopted son of the late Emile and Lilly Willis Gray. Brother of the late Amanda Willis, Almeda Gray, Lilly Rose Videau, Freddie Baptiste, John Willis, and Earl Gray, Jr.; 4 sisters-in-law and 4 brothers-in-law also preceded him in death. Merlin also leaves to cherish his memories 44 grandchildren, 81 great grandchildren, 8 great great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. Relatives and friends of the family, also pastors, officers, and members of Providence Missionary Baptist Church, St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church and all neighboring churches are invited to attend the Homegoing Celebration at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church, 1738 L. B. Landry Avenue New Orleans, LA on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at 10:00a.m. Pastor Norman Francis, host pastor; Pastor Lawrence St. Cyre, Sr., officiating.  Visitation will begin at 8:30a.m. until service time. Interment: New Hope Cemetery-Gretna, LA  Arrangements by Davis Mortuary Service 230 Monroe St. Gretna, LA  To view and sign the guestbook, please go to www.davismortuaryservie.com.

DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC ATTENDANCE WILL BE LIMITED. IT IS MANDATORY EVERYONE ATTENDING WEAR A FACE MASK OR SOME TYPE OF FACE COVERING.