2026 -- S 2065

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LC003722

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF JOHN EARL GRAY

     Introduced By: Senators Murray, and Thompson

     Date Introduced: January 12, 2026

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of John

Early Gray of Woonsocket. He was the beloved husband of the late Bessie Gray; and

     WHEREAS, John Gray was born in Newberry, South Carolina, the son of the late

Thomas and Mary Eva Gray. Mr. Gray was a United States Army veteran who served our nation

with honor and distinction during the Korean War; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Gray was a former employee of the Woonsocket School Department

where he worked in the Maintenance Department and later as a painter for a combined total of

fifteen years. Mr. Gray was also a former member of the St. James Baptist Church where he was

ordained into the Deacons Ministry; and

     WHEREAS, On December 30, 1984, Mr. Gray had the high honor of being elected to

serve as the President of the NAACP Branch of Woonsocket. He was re-elected to a second term

in 1986, and during his term in office he made a positive difference in the lives of countless

people in Woonsocket and across the State; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Gray joined the Masonic Order in 1968, later becoming a Master

Mason. In March of 1969, Mr. Gray was elevated to the 32nd Degree in Mount Sinai Consistory

#12. In 1987, he joined the Order of the Eastern Star (PHA); and

     WHEREAS, John Gray is survived by his children, Eugene Dandy, Thomas Gray and his

wife, Onelia, Christopher Gray and his wife, Carla, Pamela Williams and her husband, Lee,

Allison Gray, Wendy Gray Burke, and her husband, Willie, and Vanessa Ward and her husband,

Eddie. He also leaves his niece, whom he raised as a daughter, Dawn Mecca Dandy-Jones. Mr.

Gray leaves behind his brother, Raymond Gray, and his wife, Carolyn, Ten grandchildren, Cara,

Lania, Desmond, Nakya, Jordan, Raven, Kiara, Tyheem, Brooklyn, and Isaaih, and seven great-

grandchildren, Zariah, Khari, Kalel, D’Mari, Pharoah, Aziel, and Zyiel. Mr. Gray was

predeceased by his grandchildren, Tiffany and Markeith; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its

condolences on the passing of John Earl Gray; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Gray Family.

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