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Obituary for VERA WYONNA GRAY
Vera Wyonna Gray was born on November 15, 1933 to the late Herbert and Verna Johnson. She received her angel wings on the morning of July 27, 2017. Vera was kind-hearted and fun-loving; affectionately known by most as "Sis." Her amazing smile always lit up a room. Sis saw only the good in others, she endearingly referred to everyone she met as ''Sugar."
Sis's number one love was her family. She loved each child the same, as each has a tale of whippings she gave. After many hours at work, Sis not once neglected cooking a square meal and helping the children with their studies. She and Jimmy never missed a weekend driving to Morgan State to visit Debbie with groceries in hand. Even though she struggled finding her way there, after the city cut down her landmark (the tree on the corner). Sis made room in her heart for everyone's kids. Her car became the "late bus" to many Northern High students. She never said no to a child in need, traveling from Chaneyville to North Beach to drop them off after practice or a game. Sis was truly an inspiration to her children. She proved her commitment to education by returning to school 40 years later to complete her GED. Sis also took correspondent courses in Nursing as well. Sis doted over all her grand and great-grandchildren; showering each with love and affection.
Working at Calvert Memorial Hospital was almost a pastime for Sis. She reluctantly retired after 52 years of joyful service. Her work ethic was beyond reproach. Her children recalled many mornings she’d walk miles in dreadful weather just to make it to work. Displaying not only her dedication to the job, but also her love and commitment to the welfare of her children.
The younger employees at the hospital claimed they couldn't keep jobs there, because Sis out worked them. She stayed way beyond her eight hours and always volunteered for the night shift! On several occasions, Sis was awarded Employee of the Year.
While Sis worked hard, she played even harder. She was an avid reader. She loved trying her luck at Scratch-Offs, completing crossword puzzles, playing Spades on her tablet and Dominoes with family. It's been said that she was known to cheat too. (Quiet as it's kept) Her crochet and knitting skills created some of the most beautiful blankets and rugs that she gave as gifts to many. Sis loved to travel. Jamaica and Las Vegas were her favorite destinations. She was even awarded a Las Vegas trip for her 50 years of service by the Calvert Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. A family cruise from Puerto Rico to the Caribbean Islands was her next top location. She loved “Have and Have Nots" or any show Tyler Perry produced. She often said, “I love Perry Tyler movies!" Also, Sis loved to snap pictures with her Polaroid camera. She never lost her ability to cut a rug. She could do “The Bird" better than Morris Day. Sis loved to cook. She baked the most delicious homemade rolls and & holiday cakes. You could find golden fried chicken every Sunday on her dinner table. Sis absolutely adored President Barack Obama. A little-known fact about Sis, she was an undercover Political Commentator for CNN. She voiced her opinion every morning while watching the latest news broadcast.
Sis was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Thomas, Amos, Herbert and Archie Sr.; sisters, Susie Porch and Joyce Patterson and life partner: James “Jimmy" Thomas. She leaves to cherish her memory: children: Vera “Pinkie" Lyles (Otho), Ellsworth “Johnny” Johnson, Everett “Irvin" Johnson, Ralph “Nippy" Gray (Velma), Robert “June bug" Gray (Gale) and Deborah “Lil Mama" “Dollbaby" Gray; grandchildren: John “J.J." Gaines, Lauren “Nikki" Gaines, Tiara Johnson, Ricardo “Ricky" Gray (Jackie), Ralph "Boo" Gray, Jr., Lynnae Batts (Marcus), Raven Robinson (Kelvin), Shannon Gray, Michael Johnson, Courtney and Jordan Gray; great grandchildren: Jayla and Zaliyah Gaines, James Brooks, Amauri Gonzalez, Nahla Johnson, Ryan Batts, Adonis, Aiyanna and Ava Gray; siblings: Louis ''Buck" Johnson (Juanetta), Gerald Johnson and Gregory "Jackie" Johnson (Sheila); sisters-in-law: Amanda Johnson and Regina Johnson, Corrine Reed and Sandra Gray; brothers-in-law: Leon Patterson, C. Vernon Gray; aunts: Collette Turner, Eliza Foote, Ruth Foote and Teresa Foote; special friends: Connie Hamilton and Michelle Patton; and a host of other loving relatives and friends, including special "children", Carolyn and Hazel Watkins, Eunice Griffin, Jennifer Long, Veda Lovelace and Johnetta Brown.
