Dolly Gray-Crews, affectionately known as “Ms. Dolly”, was called home to be with her heavenly father on Monday, July 4, 2022, in Norfolk, Virginia. She was born on February 11, 1951, daughter of the late Hermon H. and Thelma Holmes Gray.
Ms. Dolly was educated in the Williamsburg-James City County Public School system. She was one of the first African Americans to graduate from James Blair High School in the class of 1968. Soon after graduating, she obtained her nursing degree from Lafayette School of Nursing. She later moved to Virginia Beach, and her final stop was in Norfolk, Virginia. She retired from the Virginia Beach School System’s Bayside High school as the school nurse.
Ms. Dolly was a loving, caring, and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and daughter. She loved to dress to impress and was known for her high fashion and 3-inch heels. She was also an advocate for higher learning and special education.
Ms. Dolly is preceded in death by her lifelong friend, Stewart “Bobby” Carlton Crews Sr., and son, Stewart Carlton Crews Jr. She leaves to cherish fond memories with her daughter, Nakita Crews of Williamsburg, Virginia; son, Bryant Gray Sr. of Florida; grandchildren, Isaiah and Hezakiyah Crews, Kanique Gray, Bryant Gray Jr., Kristopher Patton, and Tyrell Robinson; five great-grandchildren, Kyland Davies, Omari Patton, Ava Gray, Aaliyah and Lyric Robinson; sister, Jeane Wallace, Thelma Amos (John), Wanda Long (Donald), Cassavetes Henderson (Alphe), Audrey Gray, and Hope Gray; brothers, Tony Gray (Michelle), Randy Gray (Trisha), Larry Gray (Tracy), Ron Gray, and Terry Gray; lifelong friend, Maria Tabb- Norman; and a host of loving nieces, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.
A service to celebrate Ms. Dolly’s life will be held at noon. Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Livestream will be available at the beginning of the service. Interment to follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery. Ms. Dolly Gray-Crews may be viewed from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of her service on Wednesday in the church.
Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting’s Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com
