Barbara Ann Gray, 59, went to be with the Lord on May 21, 2023 after an arduous battle with cancer. Barbara was born in Belhaven, NC and spent the majority of her life in Stumpy Point. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carolyn Gray and Billy Gray, both of Stumpy Point.
She attended Manteo High School and graduated in 1982. She went on to obtain her Certified Nursing Assistant and worked at Britthaven Nursing home in Nags Head. She met her estranged husband, Donnie Harris, after attending a baseball game and after a whirlwind romance, married three months later in Sept of ‘83. They had three children together and lived in Stumpy Point for mostly 15 years. She loved being a stay at home mom where she could be with her children all the time. After her divorce, she stayed in Stumpy Point and became a single parent working mom. While working for the North Carolina Aquarium, she met John Berry. While she never married again, they were together up until her death. She began her career at Farrell Gas Company and then moved to Suburban Propane. Through that company, she began lifelong friendships with her co-workers. It also allowed her to move to Richmond VA, where she discovered city life wasn’t much for her and thus moved back home to be closer to her children and grandchildren.
Barbara was a beautiful person inside and out. Her laugh was a gift as much as it was contagious. She had a stunning smile that would brighten any room she was in. She cared deeply for the people around her and made an impact on many lives. She was a strong woman who fought hard for everything she had in life. She fought hard for relationships and friendships because they were so dear to her. Her independence made her seem like she was the most stubborn person ever, but it was something she cherished and passed that teaching to her children.
She is survived by her children; Ryan Harris, LeAnne Harris, and Suzanne Harris, four grandchildren; Calaeb Harris, Tabitha Harris, Alaina Harris, and Cole Harris, her siblings, Bonnie Humphrey and Lammar Gray, her niece, Lola Gray, and a host of amazing aunts, uncles and cousins. She will also be immensely missed and cherished by John Berry, friends, and family.
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Shiloh United Methodist Church in Stumpy Point. Please share condolences with the family at gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.