Idella "Madea" Gray

Our beloved Idella “Madea” Gray peacefully passed away at home on Thursday, November 28, 2019. She was born on August 27, 1918 in Greenville, Mississippi to Curtis and Ozella Johnson. Living to the age of 101 years, she will be counted among those who have the distinguished title of Centenarian, a person who lived to be at least 100 years of age. Madea was the last of four siblings. Idella attended Vicksburg Pubic Schools in Vicksburg, Mississippi. She met and married Rubin (Big Apple) Gray in 1945. They moved to Saginaw, Michigan in 1951. She was a homemaker and enjoyed cooking, cleaning and doing word search puzzles. She loved to watch soap operas and wrestling. She was a longtime member of New Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church where she organized The Pastor’s Aide Committee and spear headed many Pastor’s Anniversaries, she took pride in serving her pastor. "Madea" leaves to cherish many memories, two daughters, Mary Stokes, Saginaw, MI and Idella Thomas, Fort Wayne, IN; one son, Donnell Thomas, Fort Wayne, IN; seven grandchildren, Shirley Smith, Saginaw, MI, Tonnie Triplet, Indianapolis, IN, Curtis Wilson, Indianapolis, IN, Constance (Ricky) Webb, Dallas, TX, Cass (Sandy) Wilson, and Chana (Don) Evans both of Saginaw, MI and Anthony Phillips, Mansfield, OH; eighteen great-grandchildren, including a special great-granddaughter, LeTeia Smith; twenty-nine great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends including special niece, Betty Packard. Idella was preceded in death by her husband, Rubin (Big Apple) Gray; parents, Curtis and Ozella Johnson; grandparents, Arnold and Mattie Sparks; brothers, Curtis and David Johnson; sisters Ruth Ferguson and Ozella Higgins; stepdaughter, Katie Stone and a special niece, Janie Gray. The family wishes to express thanks and appreciation to loved ones, friends, and well-wishers for the many expressions of love and support during this time of bereavement. Special thanks to her caregiver, granddaughter, Shirley Smith, Primary Home Care and Covenant Hospice Nurses. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at New Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 3610 Russell St., Saginaw, MI 48601, Pastor Alfred Harris, Jr., host pastor. Pastor R.E. Donald will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 S. Washington Ave, Saginaw, MI 48601. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw, MI 48607 on Friday, from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Idella "Madea" Gray

August 27, 1918 - November 28, 2019