Mr. Samuel Lee Bray's Obituary
On February 17, 1932 in Bullock County, Alabama, Katie Bray and Wiley Evans were blessed with a guardian angel and named him Samuel Lee Bray. At an early age, Samuel was raised by aunt Mollie McCloud and grandfather Charles Bray after the death of his mother. On Monday, February 23, 2015, God saw fit for another one of his angels to enter into his kingdom; therefore, God took Samuel by his wings and gave him eternal life. Samuel accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age. Following his move to Meridian, MS, he joined Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church Shucktown. He was a faithful and dedicated deacon who loved and supported his church. Samuel "Fat" Bray was educated in the Bullock County School System and furthered his education in trade school where he studied brick masonry. A proud U.S. Army Veteran who served in the Korean War, he received an honorable discharge in 1955. While in the military, he was a light-vehicle truck driver in the Quartermaster Corps. His primary duties were to provide general supplies, food service, petroleum and water to the troops. After serving his country, Samuel dedicated his life to being a brick mason, working jobs all over, including St. Louis, Chicago, New York City, Washington D.C. and New Orleans. He built college dorms, government building, houses, apartments, churches and even shopping centers. In Meridian, he married Dorothy Pearl Mc Williams and she gave birth to their daughter Ferleisi Bray in 1964. They lived a happy and loving life together for more than 40 years. Samuel and "Dot" operated many businesses including a gas station, restaurant, club, cab stand, rental property and his construction company. Samuel touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity. Over the years, he was responsible for employing hundreds of people because he was always community-minded. "Bray" was a giving and humble man always ready to help his family and friends. He will be remembered as a loyal and supportive husband and father. During his lifetime, he was elected to join the fraternity of Masonry. He was a part of a group of men who had virtues of honor and integrity and who made things better in the world. He was affiliated with the East End Temple Masonic Lodge 476 in Meridian. He was also a member of the Bricklayer Union of St. Louis, MO Local 121 and Frank Foster / VFW Post 3996. Samuel was preceded in death by his mother Katie Bray, his father Wiley Evans, his wife Dorothy Bray, his daughter Queenie May Bray-Sparks, his stepson Jerry Lee Mc Williams, his sister Frances Riley Williams, his brother Willie Parker and his aunt Queen Williams. He leaves to cherish his memories four daughters: Augusta Hill of Smyrna, GA, Aletha "Pat" Carter of Cleveland, OH, Ferleisi Bray of Meridian, MS, and Latrecia Gamble of Meridian; three sons: Stephon (Myra) Williams of Alabaster, AL, Samuel D. Bray and Lepoleon Bray both of Meridian; one special grandson Dwayne Bray of Bloomfield, CT. He will be greatly missed by a hpst of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends from his n¢ighborhood and across the country.
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