Rev. James Jefferson GRAY
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: May 21, 1860 - Henderson County, North Carolina
Christening:
Death: Jul 19, 1932 - Henderson County, North Carolina
Burial: in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Henderson Co, NC
Cause of Death:
Spouses and Children
1. *Sarah Eldine "Salley" SHIPMAN (Nov 27, 1881 - Sep 26, 1965)
Marriage: Nov 19, 1916
Status:
Children:
1. James Edward GRAY (1918-1918)
2. Emma Sue GRAY (1920- )
3. Dorthy Gail GRAY (1922- )
Notes
Marriage Notes (Sarah Eldine "Salley" SHIPMAN)
[Eugenia Lindsey Osteen.FTW]
Sarah spent much of her time in the home of her parents at Holly Springs. She cared for her parents until their death. Edward, who died of cancer of the throat, and with Ophelia who was blind were nursed by Sarah. The youngest of the family, she inherited the "home place", also each of her brothers and sisters was given a parcel of land.
Both Sarah's father and grandfather, Colonel Joseph Hamilton, fought in the Civil War on the side of the Union. The year 1916 had great significance for Sarah. She and her mother were very lonely during the 1916 flood; it was on 1 July that Edward Shipman had died. It must have been a difficult time for all residents, but especially for a bereaved family. The year ended on a happy note for Sarah became the bride of The Reverend James Jefferson Gray on 19 November 1916.
In her youth, Sarah wished to study nursing, but her parents and others of that period looked upon nursing as a less than honorable profession. She chose to be a teacher instead, and she was a good one. Before coming home to care for her parents, Sarah taught school having received her training at Fruitland Institute and Brevard Institute. Sarah was a happy person who loved life, loved people, enjoyed music, was a fine seamstress and homemaker. James was twenty-one years her senior, and he, like her, spent much time in training their children. When James Edward died shortly after birth, Sarah wrote a beautiful poem giving praise to god for His mercies, but in grief, for the loss of the little life whom she loved. It was not until World War II that she understood, when she saw mothers giving sons to die in the war. Those young men were the age her son would have been.
The two little Gray girls were always well dressed in clothing made by their mother. She ordered samples of materials form Bon Marche' of Asheville from which she selected cloth for making their clothes. Their shoes were always polished to a high shine. Emma Sue, much to the consternation of her mother, exchanged shoes with a girl at school for wearing overnight. They were high-top tennis shoes of the non-stink proof type. The child liked the looks of the tennis shoes much better that the leather ones she was wearing.
Sarah did not like her nickname "Sally," but she was better known by that name. In fact, she preferred to be called "Aunt Salley" by the step-children and grandchildren. Sarah always called James "Mr. Gray," perhaps out off respect because he was a minister. The difference in their ages did not seem to be a hindrance. They were a very congenial couple.
Sarah was a widow thirty-three years living at Etowah, Brevard, Tryon and Hendersonville. The Grays were living at Etowah at the time of James' death.
For many years, Sarah had beautiful, thick waist-length white hair which she wore bloused around her face in a becoming manner with a tidy braid circling the back of her head. In her last years, she wore her hair short with a curl.
Sarah excelled in cooking, preserving and canning. She proudly made gingerbread by her favorite recipe until near the end of her life. She collected and exchanged recipes with her friends.
An unassuming person, Sarah Gray sacrificed more than anyone will ever know to give her daughters an education. Having studied at Fruitland Institute, she was anxious for her children to come under the influence of Miss Martha Sullinger, the Laddy Principal. Sarah was proud of her housekeeping medal she won at Fruitland, and was made happy when Emma Sue, as a result of her mother's training, won the same medal. Emma Sue graduated form Fruitland in 1936, and Dorthy was a freshman that year. the last year the school was in operation.
With a deep faith in God, this dedicated woman, like her husband, James, lived a full life of ministry to her family and fellow human beings. Sarah read the Bible daily and remembered her loved ones in prayer. She had a Worldwide vision. Even with poor eyesight, she kept up with current events, and mission needs around the world. She did not take prayer lightly, and when she had a definite, legitimate need, she told the Lord about it, believing the need would be met. She outlived all her stepchildren, but one. She loved them with a lasting love. The prayer list found in her Bible following her death gave one of the secrets for her effective, long and useful life; the love for her Creator, her family, and for the world around her.
*** Taken from the article in the Henderson County Heritage Vol I; Article 147 as submitted by Sue Gray Nicholson