Obituary for Michelle Pernie Gray
Michelle Pernie (James) Gray, lovingly known as “Chelle” was born on September 5, 1963 in Charleston, South Carolina to Robert James and the late Pernie Mae Jenkins James. Michelle was called home April 7, 2019.
Michelle was raised in Brooklyn, New York, where she attended Clara Barton High School in Brooklyn, New York. She attended Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, where she met her husband, the late Edward W. Gray. They married, and from that union two sons were born; Edward Alexander (Alex) Gray and Miles Xavier Gray.
Michelle resided in Bloomfield, New Jersey, where she raised her two sons. For over two decades, she was employed at Samuel L. Klein & Company accounting firm in Newark, New Jersey, where she was a valued member of the management team. In addition to a full-time career, Michelle pursued further education at Essex County College where she received an associate's degree in Business Administration with highest honors. At the time of her passing, Michelle was enrolled at Penn State University studying human resource management. Michelle was highly regarded for her academic achievement as she maintained a perfect 4.0 and was even inducted into the New Jersey Collegiate Business Administration Association Honor Society in 2016.
Michelle enjoyed life to the fullest. Her love of travel took her and her two sons on cruises throughout the Caribbean. Her warm smile and compassionate spirit won her friends from all over. Her loving nature and personality led many to gravitate to her in times of need. Michelle is known for her strength, and courage; unwavering faith in God. It was those attributes that enabled her to endure her illness. She is admired for the grace and care she exhibited to family and friends during the most difficult days of her illness. Her faith in Christ, even in the midst of trials has been an encouragement to both her friends and family as Michelle confidently inherited eternity. It is her courage, strength and love of family that will live on in all who knew and loved her. A life well-lived in a brief period of time.
Left to celebrate her life and to keep her memory alive are her beloved sons, Edward Alexander Gray and Miles Xavier Gray; two sisters, Trica (James) Jean-Baptiste and Toni James; brothers-in-law, Ed Jean-Baptiste, Alphonso and Joseph Gray; sisters-in-law, Dulcina, Cheryl-Anne Gray-Ball, Yolanda Theresa Gray-Thomas, Delores R., Katherine and Julienne Gray, and Candy Blanks; nephews; aunts, uncles and cousins, friends and colleagues.
Michelle was raised in Brooklyn, New York, where she attended Clara Barton High School in Brooklyn, New York. She attended Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, where she met her husband, the late Edward W. Gray. They married, and from that union two sons were born; Edward Alexander (Alex) Gray and Miles Xavier Gray.
Michelle resided in Bloomfield, New Jersey, where she raised her two sons. For over two decades, she was employed at Samuel L. Klein & Company accounting firm in Newark, New Jersey, where she was a valued member of the management team. In addition to a full-time career, Michelle pursued further education at Essex County College where she received an associate's degree in Business Administration with highest honors. At the time of her passing, Michelle was enrolled at Penn State University studying human resource management. Michelle was highly regarded for her academic achievement as she maintained a perfect 4.0 and was even inducted into the New Jersey Collegiate Business Administration Association Honor Society in 2016.
Michelle enjoyed life to the fullest. Her love of travel took her and her two sons on cruises throughout the Caribbean. Her warm smile and compassionate spirit won her friends from all over. Her loving nature and personality led many to gravitate to her in times of need. Michelle is known for her strength, and courage; unwavering faith in God. It was those attributes that enabled her to endure her illness. She is admired for the grace and care she exhibited to family and friends during the most difficult days of her illness. Her faith in Christ, even in the midst of trials has been an encouragement to both her friends and family as Michelle confidently inherited eternity. It is her courage, strength and love of family that will live on in all who knew and loved her. A life well-lived in a brief period of time.
Left to celebrate her life and to keep her memory alive are her beloved sons, Edward Alexander Gray and Miles Xavier Gray; two sisters, Trica (James) Jean-Baptiste and Toni James; brothers-in-law, Ed Jean-Baptiste, Alphonso and Joseph Gray; sisters-in-law, Dulcina, Cheryl-Anne Gray-Ball, Yolanda Theresa Gray-Thomas, Delores R., Katherine and Julienne Gray, and Candy Blanks; nephews; aunts, uncles and cousins, friends and colleagues.