Sadie Frances Gray's Obituary
Mrs. Sadie F Matthews Gray, 81, passed away suddenly on Monday August 1, 2016. Mrs Gray was preceded in death by her husband Ray B. Gray; sisters Laura Marshall and Ann Olds; and brothers Edgar Matthews Jr., Robert Matthews, and Thomas Matthews. She leaves behind children Tony Gray of New York, New York; Laura Gray of Del Mar, California; Philip Gray of Amarillo, Texas; and Bridgid Mathurin of San Francisco, California; grandchildren Ashley Hagerty of San Diego, CA; Courtney Gray and Jarrid Gray of Amarillo, TX; Marguerite Mathurin and Alexandre Mathurin of San Francisco, CA; her sisters Shelman C. Porter of Walnut Creek, and Theresa Brooks of Evans, Georgia; her sisters-in-law Helen Matthews of Martinez, GA, Vel Matthews of Davis, CA and Vera Matthews of Auburn, CA, as well as a host of nieces and nephews and their children. Born and raised in Augusta, Georgia, she was daughter to parents Edgar L. Matthews and Sarah (Sadie) Crump Matthews. Her parents were very active in the Catholic Church and as a child, she was a member of the church choir. Mrs. Gray was a Girl Scout, a member of the girl’s basketball team and a graduate of Immaculate Conception (ICA) Academy, Class of 1951. She was a graduate of Southwestern Community College in Bonita, CA, Class of 1976. As an adult in Augusta, at ICA she volunteered for the PTA, coached the girl’s basketball team, and also worked on President Kennedy’s Council on Physical Fitness. She was a member of the Augusta chapter of the National Council of Negro Women. Mrs Gray had an unwavering faith in God and was a devoted and active member of St. Rita’s Church since arriving in California in 1966. At St Rita’s, she volunteered with The Inquirers to orient new Catholic converts, taught catechism (C.C.D.) and volunteered for the S.H.A.R.E. Program and at Rachel’s Women’s Center for homeless women. Mrs Gray was a member of the San Diego Diocesan Gospel Choir the National Office of Black Catholics. She was a member of the Gold Star Wives of America. Funeral Mass will be Tuesday August 16 at 10:00am at St Rita’s Catholic Church 5124 Churchward St, San Diego, CA. Final resting place will be at Cedar Grove Cemetery, 120 Watkins St, Augusta GA.
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