Mary Ethel Gray

Mary E. Crawford – Gray was born on June 15, 1953 in Weatherford, TX to the union of Jesse and Chrystell Crawford. She was the youngest of four children including older brother, John Craig and two older sisters, Jessevette Roberson and Roberta Crawford.

Mary attended the historic Mt. Pleasant School and graduated from Weatherford High School in 1972. In 1973, Mary married James Gray in Stamford, CT. To this union three children were born, Anthony, James, and Kimberly. Mary moved back to Weatherford and continued her education at Weatherford College where she graduated from the Nursing program. Shortly after, she reconnected with an old friend, Walter Schultz, and in 1992 Walter Schultz IV was born. Together they resided in Weatherford and raised all four children. Inspired by her children, Mary decided to further her educational endeavors and she received a certificate in cake decorating and a Certified Pharmacy Technician. Mary worked at Campbell Health System in Weatherford and Fort Worth Heart for over 40 years. After retiring from a career in healthcare, Mary decided to attend Tarrant County College and received her Associates Degree in Culinary Arts in 2015.

Mary accepted Christ at an early age and grew up attending the historic Prince Memorial CME Church and was a founding member of Maranatha Bible Fellowship. She participated in many different capacities such as the church choir, usher board, served as the secretary of mission, organized Pastor’s appreciation day, and was a member of the hospitality committee. In June of 2010, Mary joined Ambassador’s Today, now known as Relevant Worship Center. She was a member of the praise team, assisted in the kitchen, part of the Sizzling Seniors, and a member of the Leadership Committee. She was also a devoted volunteer at the Spellmon Fine Arts Academy.

Mary was a mother of many talents. She braided and styled hair, made cakes, edible fruit baskets, catered dinners, was a caregiver for the elderly, all the while working her full-time jobs and taking care of her family. Mary was an avid traveler and enjoyed seeing the world with her family. She loved cruising and recently spent Thanksgiving in Walt Disney World with her family. Mary was a very giving person and was well known for her delicious pies, once baking 192 pies one Thanksgiving.

Mary will be remembered as a good listener who would cry with you, yet a very joyful and generous woman. Always compassionate, she loved you, her family, and her community.

She was preceded in death by her mother, father, James Gray, and Walter Schultz.

Left to carry on her legacy are her children, Anthony Crawford (Jamie), James Gray (Rosalva), Kimberly Gray, and Walter Schultz IV; fourteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends who loved and adored her.