Cobbs

Rev. Eugene David Gray
Pastor
First Church of Deliverance
National Director of Junior Churches
Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, Inc.
April 11, 1923 August 3, 1994
71 Years 3 Months 23 Days

Birthplace:	Jacksonville, Illinois
Resided In:	Chicago, Illinois
Transition:	Chicago, Illinois
ServiceTime:	Tuesday August 9, 1994 11:00 a.m. First Church of Deliverance 4315 S. Wabash Ave. Chicago, Illinois
Cemetery:	Oak Woods Cemetery 1035 E. 67th St. Chicago, Illinois

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

At the tender age of twelve (12) a boy in Jacksonville, Illinois felt his life had no value prepared to end it, when God spoke to him saving "You will be a blessing to your people." It was from that day to August 3, 1994, Eugene D. Gray was "Sealed Til The Day of Redemption."

It was a warm summer afternoon in August, in the year 1939, Eugene David Gray arrived in Chicago, Illinois armed with ambition and desire. Eugene was ever mindful of his Christian mother Ida's advice, when leaving home to "find a church home."

On one Sunday evening Eugene sat listening to a radio broadcast. It was the radio services of First Church of Deliverance. Sometime during the broadcast, a discussion ensued with Eugene asking ... "do you know where that church is located?" Upon receiving a resounding YES, he said, "take me there next Sunday."

Anxiously he waited for the time to come when he could enter the door of the Spiritual haven that had, through the air waves, whetted his appetite. Entering the church, his mind momentarily flashed back to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he had been converted. It was during the month of August in the year 1933, upon entering his church for the Noon Day Prayer Service, the vision of five persons dressed in black robes with wide white collars standing on a pulpit proclaiming the Spiritual Faith in the form of teaching.

Proceeding into First Church of Deliverance he saw Reverend Mattie B. Thornton standing at the lectern speaking. There he saw in real life form, the vision that he had seen during his Spiritual conversion and he received the answer to his prayer - "Father, wherever in your vineyard you want me to work, let the man of God speak to me." Our Founder, Reverend Clarence H. Cobbs, called to him as he walked to his seat and said "Young man, the Lord wants you in this church. He has a job for you to do."

Eugene was placed in the Semper Fidelis Group. In 1948, he auditioned for the choir and was accepted. Two years later Reverend Cobbs appointed him Choir President, and one year later in 1951, he was consecrated for the ministry. In 1956, Reverend Gray was ordained during the National Congress of the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, Inc.

Reverend Gray was mandated in 1956 to organize the Children's Church of which he was named pastor by Reverend Cobbs. His charge was to bring the Junior Groups and Boards into the main church body mode of worship. This was performed with diligence and dedication. The results are visible today as evidenced in the structure south of the main sanctuary - the Children's Church.

In 1966, Reverend Gray was appointed the National Director of Junior Churches working with the youth of the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, Inc., Congress Workshop, a position he served until his home going.

When in Spain in 1973, Reverend Cobbs, purchased a special gift for Reverend Gray. It was to be presented on a very special occasion and it was a gift of exquisiteness, a hand woven stole. On January 9, 1981, the evening of Reverend Gray's installation as Minister of First Church of Deliverance, the precious gift from "Preacher", was placed around the humble shoulders of Reverend Eugene D. Gray.

To the day of his transition, Reverend Eugene D. Gray faithfully and lovingly attended to his pastoral care.

Reverend Gray was also a Cosmetology Graduate and an accomplished Beautician for many years. He was also a successful business man at Beverly Bank.

Reverend Gray was a Universal Spiritual Man not limited to any church or denomination. His love for God and people has touched so many lives, the number is too great to count.

Reverend Gray was a great teacher and demonstrator - for he lived the life that he taught.

Family members who will perpetuate and preserve the heritage of his accomplishments and rejoice in his memory and his living: nieces ~ Mary Evelyn Bush (Wayne) and Mary Elizabeth Gray; cousins ~ Leonard Cochran and Dorothy Carter; uncle ~ Lawrence Carter; great niece ~ Kimberly Bush; great nephew ~ Timothy Bush; Lifetime and devoted friends ~ Mr. and Mrs. Ovid Mady, Carter Evans, George Jackson and the First Church of Deliverance family