MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Fillingane, Barnett, Caughman, Clarke, Dawkins, Dearing, Frazier, Horhn, Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Norwood, Parker, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Watson, Witherspoon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE PASSING OF DECORATED WORLD WAR II VETERAN, RESPECTED CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND PRENTISS, MISSISSIPPI, CIVIC LEADER AND BUSINESSMAN WARDELL GRAY, AND EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE LEGISLATURE TO HIS SURVIVING FAMILY.
WHEREAS, it is with profound sorrow that we note the passing of decorated World War II Veteran, respected Civil Rights Activist and Prentiss, Mississippi, Civic Leader and Businessman Wardell Gray on January 13, 2018. He was the first African-American man to run for office in Jefferson Davis County in 1959 and was one of the largest landowners in the South; and
WHEREAS, Wardell Gray was born June 30, 1917, as the eldest son and first of two sons of Mr. Will Gray and Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Otis Gray in Carson, Mississippi. The year he was born, his father was a Foreman with the Illinois Central Railroad, and they lived for a number of years in Sumrall, Mississippi, where his parents operated a boarding house for the other men who worked under his father. Gray was exposed to hard work in the area of farming and business at an early age. Upon their return to Jefferson Davis County, his mother was the Teacher in a one-room schoolhouse on the grounds of the Holisday Creek Missionary Baptist Church. Due to the fact that there was no school for blacks, he completed his eighth-grade education there and continued his high school education at Prentiss Institute Junior College. He was a good student and an awesome athlete as a Baseball Pitcher with one of the Old Negro Leagues. His father, Will Gray, passed away at the age of 110 years of age and his mother, Mary, at age 97; and
WHEREAS, Wardell was drafted into the United States Army on November 19, 1941, and fought in World War II in the following battles and campaigns: Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He received the American Defense Service Medal, ATO Medal, Good Condition Medal, Meritorious Unit Award
and the World War II Victory Medal. He returned back to his home from the Army on October 31, 1945; and
WHEREAS, while away at war, his parents were acquiring land. Upon his return, his dream was to do the same and continue his love for farming. In completing this vision, he met and married the love of his life, Quillie Ross Gray. She was a graduate of Jackson State University and continued out of state at Indiana University to obtain a Master's degree. He was one of the few African-Americans to open a dairy during the late 1940s. His uncle, Dr. J.R. Otis, was President of Alcorn College. With this relationship to the college, students who were agriculture majors would travel to Gray Farms to intern; and
WHEREAS, as a Civil Rights Activist, Wardell Gray was involved in fighting for voter registration, and an avid and ardent supporter of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. In 1959, he was the only African-American candidate to run for any type of public office, Constable for his district, Beat 2. He later ran for Election Commissioner. He became President of the Jefferson Davis County Chapter of NAACP in 1959 and remained through 1974. He picketed local stores and other national franchises regarding employment discrimination practices. Gray worked tirelessly with other Civil Rights giants such as Medgar and Charles Evers; Fannie Lou Hamer; Reverend Darby; Dr. Aaron Henry, his cousin; Charles Young; and many others known and unknown; and
WHEREAS, as a member of Blackmon Temple CME Church, Mr. Gray brought his love of God, education, and children together, for it was during the Civil Rights Movement that meetings of the NAACP, Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, and Mississippi Action for Progress (MAP) were held at churches throughout the state. He, along with Mr. N.J. Booth, was instrumental in acquiring the land for the first African-American school in Jefferson Davis County, Carver High. Wardell Gray and his family suffered many attacks in his life, but it did not stop him from fighting for Civil Rights. He partnered with the Lawrence County Branch of the NAACP to ensure the hiring of African-Americans at St. Regis Paper Company (now Georgia Pacific); and
WHEREAS, his wife was fired from the school system briefly due to Reverend Darby and Gray filing the lawsuit against poll tax for the right to vote. Gray formed biracial committees to tackle the troubles in the county such as separate colored and white waiting rooms at medical clinics. When the NAACP was sued for millions of dollars, he was in the forefront of fundraising to assist the National Branch in meeting their need. He was the first African-American to be appointed under President Jimmy Carter to serve on the ASC Committee; and
WHEREAS, the loves of his life were his two children, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a mentor to many children in the community and beyond. Gray leaves to cherish his memory his children: Dr. Pene' Gray Woods (Curtis) of Cordova, Tennessee, and Joseph Willie (Sheryl) Gray of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; grandchildren: Christopher (Lynsi), Dominic, Joseph, Jr., Jayla, Kyle Meyers, Joseph and Ashley Smith; and great-grandchildren: Caitlyn, Chris II, Dominic II. Volumes could be written about the number of people Gray counseled, inspired, encouraged and helped along in their lives. Gray will be remembered as a gentleman, friend, and servant; lover of his family, community and his God; and we pay tribute and cherish fondly his memory:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the passing of decorated World War II Veteran, Respected Activist and Prentiss, Mississippi, Civic Leader and Businessman Mr. Wardell Gray, and extend the condolences of the Legislature to his surviving family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Ward Gray and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.