Ms. Iola Gray, age 92, of Raleigh departed this earthly life on September 19, 2020.A visitation will be held from 4-7PM, Thursday, September 24, 2020 at William Toney's Funeral Home, Zebulon.
Iola was born in Zebulon, NC on June 8, 1928 and graduated from the local high school.
She had several jobs throughout her life. She worked in a doctor’s office, two nursing homes, a school cafeteria and two wood working businesses, she ended her working life at William Cozart Inc. of Raleigh where she made “antiques.”
In March 1954, she married Roland Gray of Hemingway, SC. They moved to McBee, SC where they had two children, Nicholas Gerald Gray and Dorothy (Dottie) Gray. In the 1960s and 1970s, the family lived in NJ, moving for job and educational opportunities. Later in her life she thought of NJ as the place she was happiest.
Iola was a quiet soul who read romance novels, watched soap operas, and enjoyed keeping up with news and current events. She had a vast knowledge of various topics.
She was preceded in death by husband, Roland Gray (2003), brothers, James Ferrell and Joseph Ransom Carpenter, sister Valeria Perry, stepbrother, LaFayette Carpenter and stepsisters, Lashie Lee Wilder.
She is survived by her son, Nicholas Gray, daughter, Dorothy Gray, brothers, Sidney and McThadeus Carpenter and a host of nieces and nephews.
Her most fervent wish is that you vote this and every election season.
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