05/30/2025
Harriette Arlinda Dickerson Gray, age 92, died peacefully and departed for heaven on May, 28, 2025, after suffering a stroke a few days earlier. She resided at Sheltering Arms in Palmer, Tennessee. She was born on November 19, 1932, in Nashville to William Guy Dickerson and Beatrice Graham Dickerson. She attended David Lipscomb High School and David Lipscomb College before her marriage to Dr. Joseph Daniel Gray, Sr. of Old Hickory, TN. They were married on September 2nd, 1951, and were married until his death on December 27, 2015.
She was survived by 3 children: Linda Gray Varnado (Douglas), Joseph Daniel Gray, Jr. (Dawn), and Scott/Nadi Gray; 9 grandchildren: Nicholas Varnado (Jessica), Jody Kimble, Katelin Varnado, Sara Murray (Frank), Leah Powers (Clay), Paul Gray, Landon Gray (Mandy), Christian Gray (Vanessa), and Elliott Gray; 8 great grandchildren, and 3 of her siblings, Barbara Claxton, Richard Dickerson, and Jay Dickerson. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Bea Dickerson, husband, Dr. Joe Gray, daughter, Jane Gray, and brother, Mike Dickerson.
Her childhood was marked by the Great Depression and World War II. When she married Joe, she knew that he had always wanted to preach and advance foreign missions. They began their married life in McMinnville where Joe preached at Bybee’s Branch Church of Christ and were introduced to Grundy County during this time as they held gospel meetings at many nearby churches. Later the Grays moved to Valdosta, Georgia, where Joe ministered many years at the Central Church of Christ and Harriette began a pre-school called Four Way Grow. In 1968 the family moved to Dunedin, New Zealand, and along with two other families, were church planters there and very involved in missions all over the country and the world.
In 1972, the family moved home to Nashville and were very active among local churches and at Lipscomb University. In 1990 Harriette and Joe moved to Moffitt Manor in Altamont, Tennessee. The next 35 years were the happiest time of their lives as they came to love so many in the area and served in many ways including the Altamont Church of Christ. Harriette spent the last few years of her life at Sheltering Arms in Palmer where she was loved well by Jamie Roberts, his family, and staff.
Her passions included teaching and leading women closer to Jesus, a love of nature and working in the soil, southern cooking, and singing the hymns of her beloved faith.
Her Celebration of Life will be at Layne Funeral Home in Altamont, Tennessee on Saturday, May 31st at 1:00 PM with visitation prior from 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to JOHN1512 ministry (www.John1512.org).
