Charles Samuel "Ironwood" Gray

Charles Samuel “Ironwood” Gray was born on January 3, 1937 to Francis Percy and Elizabeth Mae (Bessie) Gray in Washington, DC and crossed over unexpectedly into the spirit world on March 7, 2016 at his home in Machipongo, Virginia. Charles was raised in Marbury, Maryland amidst a large family community. Throughout his youth, he regularly worked in the family store (Gray’s Store) and continued to well after his graduation from Pomonkey High School in Indian Head, Maryland. As an adult, Charles worked as a part-time butcher in the store and was also a volunteer firefighter with the Marbury Volunteer Fire Department. Professionally, he was a truck driver for many years and later became a courier before retiring. Charles met the love of his life, Elizabeth “Jeanie” (Newman) Gray after being introduced by a friend who would eventually become his sister-in-law’s husband. They were married for fifty seven years and raised four sons. In retirement, Charles proudly worked in his garden and enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labor with many neighbors that had become very close friends. He was always very surprised and pleased when he would unexpected receive an abundance of freshly caught crabs, oysters, fish and clams from the lower Chesapeake Bay at his doorstep in appreciation for the constant supply of vegetables that he provided to everyone during the growing season! Charles was preceded in death by his parents and son, Gregory Glenn. He is survived by his wife, three sons, Francis (Frances), Daniel and Jeffrey; nineteen grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Linkins and a host of many family and friends. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Charles Samuel "Ironwood" Gray please visit our Sympathy Store.