Elder Sammy Gray

Sammy Carol Gray was born to the late John Riley and Hattie Daniels Gray on October 17, 1956. He departed this life on August 1, 2026 at ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital. He attended North Everetts School where he was valedictorian of his class. Sammy attended Robersonville High School and played running back for the Golden Eagles under coach Nolan Respess. Because of his success on the football field, he received an opportunity to attend Elizabeth City State University. He studied diligently and made the deans list his freshman year. Upon returning home, he worked at several manufacturing companies. His longest tenure was at Weyerhaeuser Paper Company. He retired from Weyerhaeuser in 2016 after 27 years of service. Sammy gave his life to the Lord on the 2nd Sunday in May 1977. He joined Holy Mission COGIC, later Lloyd’s Chapel, under the leadership of the late Elder James Lloyd. He served faithfully in the church and was later ordained as a deacon. In 1994 he answered the call to preach the gospel. Minister Gray loved God and His people and continued to serve in various capacities while at Lloyd’s Chapel. In 2005 God called Minister Gray out from his home church on to the evangelistic field. Many doors to minister the gospel were opened unto him across denominational lines. After 4 years of evangelizing the Lord commissioned Evangelist Gray to form Evangelist Ministries, Inc. The ministry was incorporated January 15, 2009. Again, God spoke to Evangelist Gray and instructed him to begin a congregation. On the fourth Sunday in April 2016, the first church service was held at The W.C. Chance East End Cultural Center. Through his ministry many people have been saved, healed, and delivered. Pastor Gray faithfully served Evangelistic Ministries until his health declined. On June 12, 1982 Sammy married Judy Carol Purvis. From this union four children were born; Chelsey, Kenton, Antony, and Vincent. Sammy loved his family and made sure they were well taken care of. Just as he preached to the congregation in church, he preached to his family at home. He was an example of everything he taught. He shared his love for sports, especially football, and often took many fishing trips. These trips not only included his immediate family, but his nephews and close friends. Sammy was preceded in death by his parents, John Gray and Hattie Daniels Gray; two brothers, Larry Gray and Jarvis Gray; One sister-in-law, Lind Gray; his father-in-law, Arlander Purvis. Sammy leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 44 years Judy Purvis Gray; four children, Chelsey Gray of the home, Kenton Gray (Jennifer) of Angier, NC, Antony Gray (Lori) of Winterville, NC, and Vincent Gray (Candace) of Clayton, NC; five grandchildren, Kaycee Gray, Joseph Gray, Harmoni Thompson, Carson Moore, and Karlee Gray; two sisters, Angelette Rodgers of Robersonville, NC and Barbara Woolard of Williamston, NC; mother-in-law, Juanita Purvis; one sister-in-law, Angelene Stokes (Jarvis) of Garner, NC; one brother-in-law, Michael Purvis, Sr. (Demetrice) of Easton, PA; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Elder Sammy Gray

October 17, 1956 - August 1, 2026