[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 147 (Monday, October 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2096]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING DEACON WALTER GRAY

                                 ______
                                 

                   HON. CHARLES W. ``CHIP'' PICKERING

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 20, 2003

  Mr. PICKERING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Deacon 
Walter Gray, affectionately known as Walter, a constituent of mine from 
the Norris-High Hill community in Scott County, Mississippi, who died 
on September 13, 2003. Walter was 81 years of age, and a World War 11 
veteran.
  Walter was born and raised in Scott County, and before adulthood was 
an active leader in his community. God, Family, and Friends, in that 
order, were his priorities. He instilled these priorities in his family 
and community. He was a trustee and the treasurer of the Green Grove 
United Methodist Church, and was thoroughly respected by church members 
and parishioners. He set a peerless example in the way he conducted his 
own life.
  Aside from his church, and being an employee of Forest County, Walter 
loved basketball and particularly enjoyed cheering his grandson, Greg 
Carter, playing for the Forest High School Bearcats and the Mississippi 
State Bulldogs. When either of these two teams were playing during 
Greg's time as a player, you could always count on Walter's presence. 
One of the highlights of his life was seeing Greg attain a basketball 
scholarship at Mississippi State University, graduating and being named 
to the All SEC Team. Because he loved to talk about his church, his 
grandchildren, basketball, and Mississippi State University, anyone 
could always generate a good conversation with Walter.
  In his funeral eulogy his pastor found it difficult to find enough 
adjectives to describe the high esteem the community held for Walter, 
and how sorely he was going to be missed by his family, friends, his 
county, and Mississippi. He stood, as a stout oak, as mentor and role 
model for his children Lenal, James, Bobbye Carter, Lois Briskey and 
eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, a host of nieces 
and nephews, and countless other young people of his church family. 
What a legacy for Mississippi!
  Perhaps, the most soulful words of all voiced about Deacon Walter 
Gray were those written by Nancy, his wife and helpmate of 64 years:

     A golden heart stopped beating,
     Hard-working hands at rest,
     God broke our hearts to prove to us,
     He only takes the best.

  Mr. Speaker, Deacon Walter Gray truly represents the best of 
Mississippi. I ask Congress join me in remembering him and recognizing 
his life now that he has gone on to be with his Heavenly Father.




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