Obituaries

Jacqueline Denise Gray, also known as J-Jizzle, Jackie, Jack Mack, Jay (yes, she was known and named by many) was born on January 24, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois to Mary Frances Gray and Roger Lee Craig Sr. She was the oldest of seven children. Apart from being the oldest, Jackie was the CORE of her family. She was ALWAYS there when needed. Even when she wasn’t needed, she was still there. No question, hands down, she was the LIGHT of every room she entered. She was also the world’s BEST prankster. She loved to laugh and make people laugh. She had the biggest sense of humor and liked to be around others who matched her energy. If the room was quiet, she would be there to break the ice. Jay had the biggest heart of gold, filled with love, and covered in steel. She was tough, tender hearted, and most of all, STRONG.

To know her is to love her and if you knew her, you KNEW not to mess with her children. She loved her children and grandchildren with her WHOLE heart. Her family meant everything to her. If selfless was a person, it would be Jackie. She would always say “I’m fighting for y’all.” She was resilient up to her last moment, she was surrounded by loved ones who genuinely cared for her. Cancer was no match for Ms. Gray. She fought a long battle for nine and a half years and she won on the day Jesus decided to bring her home to her final resting place.

She confessed a hope in Christ at an early age at the old Galilee Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend P. L. Perkins. She sang in the Number 2 Choir. (And yes, she had a beautiful voice.) She later moved to Batesville, Arkansas in 2005 and joined New Testament House of Prayer under the leadership of the late Reverend Roy Ford and his loving wife, Pastor Sarah Ford. Jackie was a caring, devoted, and faithful servant to her pastor and church family who she so deeply loved.

Jackie attended Helena Crossing, Eliza Miller Junior High, and Central High School in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas and went on to further her education at Phillips County Community College.

One thing about Jackie, she was always employed. While living in Helena, she worked at Mid Delta Transportation, Pizza Hut, Ryan’s, and Sam’s Town. That’s just naming a few. She later moved to Batesville, where she was employed at Sonic, Batesville Community School, Dollar General, and the Post Office. She was the true definition of a “Go Getter.” You better believe, if she had it, you had it too.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents; Louis and Mary Gray, her brothers; Danny Gray, Roger Craig, Jr., brother-in-law; Ronald Carmichael, aunts; Odessia Spearman, Dorothy Blakely, Queen Ester Gray, Ruth Miller, Jessie Mae Miller, Ollie Wheaton, uncles; Louis Gardner, Louis “Lucky” Gray, L. T. Gray, and Bobby Gray.

Jackie leaves a beautiful legacy to cherish, starting with her loving parents; Roger and Mary Craig of Helena-West Helena Arkansas. Her three beautiful children that she loved endlessly; Tiffany (Rico) Kones, Christopher Gray, Sr. both of Sherwood AR, and Alexius Gray of Batesville AR. Her sisters; Theresa Carmichael of Little Rock AR, Shanta Craig and Debra Murphy both of Helena AR, Mary (Jessie) Smith of East St. Louis IL, Kimberly Bobo of Fort Worth TX, Carolyn Murphy, Tawanda Murphy, Sherry Murphy, Marlena Murphy, Felisha Murphy-Bethel, Teresa Murphy, Marilyn Murphy, Delrice Murphy, Jacqueline Armstead, Jennifer Armstead, and Kimberly Simmons all of Chicago IL. Her brothers; Rickey Hairl and Andrew “Chuckey” Murphy both of Chicago IL. Her Grandchildren that she loved and would do anything for; Jakobi Kones, Rico Kones, Jr., Kiersten Kones, Paris Gray, Landyn Cartwright, Princeton Cartwright, Valerie Cartwright, Zion Gray, Christian Gray, Christopher Gray, Jr., and her bonus grands; Toria, Aiden, and Ryan Burgess.

She also leaves to cherish her best friend, her DAWG for over thirty-three years, Cheryl “Sherry” Evans, her Pastor that she loved and adored; Pastor Sarah Ford and two God Daughters that she loved as her own; Dana Graham and Bessie Burgess. Last but not least her fur baby, Duke. She also had a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors and loved ones that she cared deeply for.