Joyce Gray Obituary

Joyce Whisenant Gray, 66, a beloved daughter, wife, mother and "Granny" joined heaven surrounded by her loving family on January 12, 2025
A celebration of her life will be held Friday, January 17 at 7:00 PM at Riverview Baptist Church, 6228 Clarks Neck Road Washington, NC. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 6:00PM until the funeral hour.
Joyce was born to Shirley and Jason Whisenant on May 4, 1958, in Washington, NC. She was raised in the Clarks Neck community along with her brothers Michael and Walter Whisenant. She attended and was a member of Riverview Baptist Church. She graduated from North Pitt High School in 1976. She enjoyed working in a variety of occupations including EMT, bookkeeper, receptionist and CSIR Insurance agent for Morris Insurance Agency and Southern Insurance.
Joyce loved her family and had a servant's heart. She had a passion for spreading the love of Jesus which she incorporated into her daily way of life. She never met a stranger, greeted everyone with a smile, and went out of her way to put others before herself. She was a dedicated wife to Henry Gray for many years. Together, they pastored churches in several locations of North Carolina, served as chaplains to Kerr Lake Campground and found joy in sharing Jesus through their clown ministry. Over the years, she enjoyed hosting backyard bible clubs, aerobic groups, First Place groups, and working on mission trips. She gave of herself by baking bread, handing out bottled water on the beach, singing in church, visiting shut ins and she enjoyed a hard day's work on mission construction projects as well.
Joyce also had an adventurous spirit. She enjoyed traveling and new experiences. Some of her favorite areas she traveled were France, Canada, and Costa Rico. She enjoyed adventures like snorkeling in the Caribbean, skydiving, hiking to waterfalls, white water rafting, road trips with her mother and playing with her grandkids. She made adventures with the grandchildren fun and exciting, no matter where they visited.
She was preceded in death by her father, Walter Jason Whisenant, her son, Baby Boy Dixon, and her granddaughter Cheyenne Dixon-Mayo.
She leaves behind a loving and dedicated family who will miss her dearly: husband Henry Gray; daughters Nicole Lewis and husband Jason, Stacey Burbage and husband Michael Wayne, Bethany Thomas and husband Chris; mother Shirley Whisenant; brothers Michael Whisenant, Walter Whisenant and wife Marie; and cherished grandchildren Alyssa Lewis, Carter Thomas, Jace Everett, Mason Burbage and Michael Burbage.
In this time of loss, Joyce's family would like to request donations be made in her honor in lieu of flowers to;
Lottie Moon Missions Offering directly to IMB 3806 Monument Ave. Richmond, VA 23230 or by clicking here
Heal Our Patriots Fund (Samaritan's Purse) directly at Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or by clicking here in an effort to continue support for these charities she valued so deeply.
Joseph B. Paul Jr. Funeral Service/ Washington Funeral & Cremation is honored to be assisting the Gray family. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joyce, please visit our floral store.