Earnestene Gray

Earnestene Gray age 96, of Blountsville, passed away Tuesday Aug. 12, 2025, at Hanceville Health and Rehab.  She was born March 21, 1929, in Blountsville. 

Earnestene was a poultry grower for Tyson for many years and won Blount County Grower of the Year once.  She retired after driving a van for Blount County Transportation for many years. She was a faithful member of Mountain Grove Missionary Baptist Church for many years and loved the Lord and her Church with all of her heart.  

She is survived by her daughter Sheila Gray; special friend and chosen daughter Kathy Smith (Larry); and a host of family and friends.  She is preceded in death by her father Hoyt Davis and mother Emma Mae McKleroy; a child that died soon after birth; her son James Elbert “Jimmy” Gray, Jr.; siblings Imogene Mead, Christene Osborn, Evelene Ayers, Audrey Carlisle, Aubrey Davis, and M.C. Davis.

Funeral Service was Friday Aug. 15, 2025, at 11 a,m. at Mountain Grove Missionary Baptist Church with Jerry Hackney and Greg Stone officiating.  Burial was in South Cemetery with Blountsville Funeral Home directing.  Pallbearers were Jerry Price, Rusty Wood, Josh Wood, Norman Fleming, Boyce Foust, and Brandon Forster.  Honorary pallbearers were Victor Davis and children of Mountain Grove Baptist Church.