Leigh Ann Gray

Leigh Ann Gray, age 57. Sunrise October 16, 1963 and Sunset September 6, 2021.

Leigh Ann Gray was a gift to this world. The scriptures teach that “all good and perfect gifts come from the Father of lights,” and those who knew Leigh Ann found that she was both a gift and a light from our Father. Leigh Ann was a person of deep love, compassion, dignity, and strength. She could be both “super-spiritual” and not spiritual at all—an effortless balance of high human quality and supernatural grace. It will not be possible to forget all that she has meant to us. We are who we are today because of the ways she fervently prayed for us, loved on us, and sacrificed for us. These words are written with a heavy heart because we miss her. Leigh Ann was one of those “of whom the world was not worthy” people alongside the many faith heroes throughout history. Our grief is a weight we can only carry to the Lord, to Whom we now entrust her spirit. She lived a worthy life, a passionate commitment to her Savior and Lord, and to her family whom she poured out her heart and soul. She experienced true love, loving her husband with her whole being, a dedicated wife who wouldn’t hesitate to show her affections to the watching world. She loved her children, those born to her and those extended through marriage. She deeply loved all of her “grands” as she would call them—embracing (and even matching) all the chaos and energy they brought to her space simply because it brought her joy. To all those she called friends, she was known as a sweet spirit who wouldn’t hesitate to offer her love in various forms—words of affirmation and acts of service were her love languages.

Leigh Ann Gray was born October 16, 1963 in Columbus, Ohio to James and Leola Wilson. She grew up in a modest home on the south side near Marion Franklin High School, where she graduated high school in 1981. As she often testified, Leigh Ann would come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior at the tender age of 13 years old. She made Greater Emmanuel Apostolic Church of God her church home, later to be known as Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies Inc., under the leadership of her beloved pastor Bishop Sherman S. Watkins. There she would gain many friends and longtime church family, among whom was Billy Newman—who introduced her to a young, newly saved Arthur Gray in 1980. Shortly afterwards, “Buster” would be become her first and only love, and they were married on her birthday October 16, 1982.

Leigh Ann decided to forgo college and become a manager of the home, having children early in marriage and being present as a godly example and nurturer. She determined that her children needed to be taught the Word of God, believing that cultivating this early and often was her greatest ministry. Periodically, she would also work several jobs as needed, working as an agent at Grange Insurance Company, a teacher Brice Christian Academy, and a night auditor at a nearby Holiday Inn Express, amongst many other places. Everywhere she worked she made a significant connection with someone. She was an evangelist, and without any title or associated fanfare she would share the gospel with any person in her path. 

Leigh Ann was also a world renowned soloist, singing as a lead for countless Sunday services, church conventions, and musicals throughout the years. In 1994, she was selected for an opportunity to travel Europe with an international gospel group called The Golden Gospel Singers, which traveled Germany, Sweden, France, Belgium, Austria, England and The Netherlands. She was also featured with other national recording artists for the Woman Thou Art Loosed conference, sharing the stage with Shirley Ceasar, Vicki Winans, Juanita Bynum, and others. In 1999, she would join her husband traveling with his gospel choir High Praise Company, also assisting with various administrative needs. Wherever she went, she left no doubt that she was gifted with an anointed voice. Her favorite songs were “Stand Still Until Your Will Is Clear,” “God Is,” and “He Cares.”

Later she would serve First Lady and chief administrator at High Praise International Fellowship, leading out in various capacities as organizer, elder, and women’s ministry leader. She would often host her beloved “Kingdom Ladies” retreats, where she would gain so much joy interacting with all the women she came to know and love over the years. One of her great passions was to be a mentor and example to young women, to share her story and example as often as possible. At Linden Life Fellowship, she continued in her leadership role to women as well as hosting retreats, but would find a new passion in international missions work. Leigh Ann would serve as an Executive Board member for Eyes Wide Open, a non profit organization through which she traveled to Haiti for 7 years. After her many trips, she would often spend hours talking on WhatsApp to all of the youth who were often captivated by her joy and relatabillity. She would finally become part of Fresh Wind Worship Center, joining with dear friends Pastor Lance and Lady Alette Darden. 

Leigh Ann very much loved her family, cherishing her role as wife, mother, auntie, and “Mimi.” She is preceded in death by her dear mother Leola, as well as her sister Karen (Steve). She is survived by her beloved Buster, whom she loved with her whole heart, and would often say “there is no Leigh Ann without Buster.” She is also survived through her sons Taelor and Christon whom she took great pride in, as well as her beloved daughter Aubrey. She formed and cultivated special relationships with her daughters and son “in love” Cristina, Shana, Cameron, and Liz and will forever live on through her grandchildren Mya, Dionne, Levi, Chloe, Cass, Story, and Simone. She is also survived through her precious father “deacon” James Wilson, her mother and father “in love” Arthur and Carol Gray, as well as her sisters Phyllis (Eric) and Susan (Bill). Her love was extended to a host of other close friends and family, countless neices, nephews, cousins, and other “grands” she happily welcomed into her loving presence. To name everyone precious to her wouldn’t be possible, but to know Leigh Ann was to know that you were loved.

Visitation 5:00pm and Memorial Service 6:00pm Sunday, September 12, 2021 at Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies, 870 St. Clair Ave, Columbus, OH 43201.