Our knowledgeable staff members are passionate about providing families guidance and support during the funeral planning process and well after the funeral. Together, we can honor your loved one’s life while beginning your grief journey.

 

 

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Mary Lou Gray Past President
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Lance Gray President/Funeral Director/Embalmer SC License #2143
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Lee Gray Vice-President/Funeral Director SC License #1622
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Shea Smith Gray Funeral Director/Administrative Assistant SC License #2747
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Larry Strom Funeral Director and Embalmer SC License #1607
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Wayne King Funeral Director SC License #2492
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Rev. Mark Spearman Funeral Director SC License #2163
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Jaime Carter Administrative Assistant (unlicensed as Funeral Director)
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Part-Time Funeral Associates (unlicensed as Funeral Directors)

Mary Lou Gray

Past President
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In Memory

Mary Lou Gray
December 29, 1931 - December 2, 2017

Mary Lou Bellamy Gray served as President of Gray Mortuary for 35 years, longer than any other family member. Prior to becoming President, she worked in various capacities for almost the same amount of time. Her death left a significant void in the funeral home family and community, but her legacy of service before self is maintained today.

A native of Nashville, Tennessee, she met James Lee Gray, Sr. of Pelzer while he was a student at Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science in Nashville. When he proposed marriage, so the story goes, she answered, "As long as I don't have to work in your family business." After his graduation and their subsequent marriage in 1952, they temporarily moved into an apartment with his parents, Sam and Frances Gray, behind where the current funeral home was being constructed. Samuel Lee Gray was President of Gray Mortuary. Within days after a brief honeymoon, Mary Lou and Jim were having lunch with his parents when Sam asked Mary Lou to come to the funeral home after she finished her meal. He needed a deceased woman's hair styled into a bun. Thus began her 60 plus years of service to the funeral home. Upon her husband's death in 1980, she assumed the presidency. With her keen leadership, strong work ethic and genuine care for her community, the number of families served tripled during her presidency. Instead of merely serving in Pelzer and Williamston, the business serves southern Greenville County and northern Anderson County. During her tenure, she oversaw two major building projects, the chapel in 1985 and a visitation wing in 1997. Years before her retirement, she left the funeral home debt-free to her sons, Lance and Lee, who now provide leadership. She's also survived by a daughter, Lori Gray Simpson of Easley, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was a member of Pelzer United Methodist Church and formerly served on the First Citizens Bank Advisory Board.

Lance Gray

President/Funeral Director/Embalmer SC License #2143
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Samuel "Lance" Gray, named for his grandfather, is a third generation funeral director and embalmer who joined the family business full time in 1990. Lance graduated from Clemson University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management. Furthering his education, he graduated from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in 1992. Lance is married to Shea Smith-Gray, and they have one daughter, Meridith Olivia, who attends Anderson University. He is a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Williamston where he formerly served as a deacon and currently serves on the Anderson University Parent Association.

Lee Gray

Vice-President/Funeral Director SC License #1622
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James "Lee" Gray, Jr., named for his father, is a third generation funeral director who joined the family business in 1977. After graduating from Palmetto High School, he earned degrees from Anderson and Lander universities, obtaining a Business Administration degree from Lander in 1976. A licensed funeral director, Lee also uses his creative talents to maintain the landscaping surrounding the funeral home as well as its interior. From 1976 until 2016, he served as organist at Faith Presbyterian Church, formerly Pelzer Presbyterian Church, where he has also served as an elder. He is a former board member of the Palmetto Area Cultural Arts Commission (PACAC) and currently serves on the boards of the Pelzer Historical Association and the Pine Lawn Cemetery Association. He is the father of Brooks and Rosemary Gray and is a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Greenville where he is an acolyte, usher, and a member of The Churchyard Committee.

Shea Smith Gray

Funeral Director/Administrative Assistant SC License #2747
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Shea Smith Gray is a Williamston native and has been employed with Gray Mortuary since 1994. She is a graduate of Anderson University and a licensed funeral director. Shea is married to Lance Gray, and they have one daughter, Meridith Olivia, who is also a graduate of Anderson University and a third grade teacher at Hunt Meadows Elementary School. Shea is a lifelong member of Calvary Baptist Church in Williamston and serves on the Anderson University Alumni Board.

Larry Strom

Funeral Director and Embalmer SC License #1607
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Larry Strom is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and has been employed by Gray Mortuary since 1981. He is a 1977 graduate of the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science and formerly served on the South Carolina State Board of Funeral Service. Larry married Connie Allen Strom in 1977. Upon her death in 2010, they were the proud parents of three grown children, Allen, Aaron and Alyssa. He has been happily married to Carol Abercrombie Strom, who was also widowed, since May 16, 2014. In their blended family, Larry and Carol have ten grandchildren. Larry and Carol are members of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Williamston.

Wayne King

Funeral Director SC License #2492
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Wayne King is a licensed funeral director who retired from Furman University in 2012 after a 30-year career. A Taylors/Greenville native and resident, both of his parents grew up in southern Greenville County where he maintains many family connections. He holds degrees from Mars Hill University and Florida State University. He serves on the FSU board of the Hardee Center for Leadership in Higher Education and on the Dean's Circle Advisory Council. Wayne is also chair of the Fundraising Committee of the Greenville Chorale Board. He is a life-long member of Taylors First Baptist Church where he has served as a deacon and currently serves as Church Clerk.

Rev. Mark Spearman

Funeral Director SC License #2163
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A Westminster native and licensed funeral director since 1993, Mark has served as a minister of various Baptist churches for more than 35 years and currently he is the pastor of Eastview Baptist Church in Pelzer. Mark served as a chaplain of the South Carolina's Funeral Directors Association. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Pastoral Ministry at Tennessee Temple University and has completed work on his Master's Degree. He and his wife, Christine, are parents of Connor and Carson Grace.

Jaime Carter

Administrative Assistant (unlicensed as Funeral Director)
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A native of Fort Mill, Jaime joined the funeral home staff in July of 2014. She is a graduate of Winthrop University and married Tim Carter of Williamston. They are the parents of sons, Dylan and Tyler. Jaime is an active member of Calvary Baptist Church.

Part-Time

Funeral Associates (unlicensed as Funeral Directors)
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Gray Mortuary would be unable to operate smoothly and efficiently without the help of part-time funeral associates who are willing to be called at a moment's notice. They represent a variety of current and former professions from ministers to musicians and more. Most importantly, they are compassionate group who care for the families we serve. The part-time funeral associates are as follows:

 

 

  • Tommy Bennett
  • Steve Candler
  • Jacob Hogg
  • Barry Thompson
  • Troy Thompson
  • Seretha Worley