November 10, 1936 – April 21, 2025
WANCHESE — Jane Sessoms Gray, a long-time resident of Wanchese, NC, passed away Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. She was surrounded by family at the time of her passing. She fought the good fight to the very end.
Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Donald P. Gray, her parents, William O. and Mary E. Sessoms, a brother, William Sessoms; two sisters, Mary Watson and Emma Davis; and a stepson, Winfield “Windy” Gray.
She is survived by one brother, Donald Sessoms of Missoula, MT, a stepson, Christopher “Chris” Gray of Madeira Beach, FL; her four children, Eric Gray and wife Julie of Wake Forest, NC; Neil Gray and girlfriend Kerstin Klug of Wanchese, NC; Carla Gray of Wanchese, NC; and Mitzi Tyndall of Greenville, NC. She is also survived by four grandchildren; Jeffrey Sanderlin and wife Tina of Roper, NC; Steven and Joshua Gray of Wake Forest, NC; Ethan Tyndall of Greenville, NC; three great-grandchildren, Gavin and Nathan Sanderlin of Roper, NC and Andrew Sanderlin of Manns Harbor and many cousins, nephews, and nieces. It is noteworthy to mention that both Julie and Kerstin loved Jane like a mother and were loved, in return, like daughters.
Jane was a 1956 graduate of Nashville High School in Nashville, NC. She moved to Manteo soon after graduation and worked as a bank teller at the Bank of Manteo. She married Donald P. Gray, whom she met as a bank customer, on March 28, 1959, in Elizabeth City, NC, while continuing at the Bank of Manteo. She began her long homemaker career in 1962 with the birth of their first son, raising two boys and two girls. Around 1981, once the youngest was more mature, she returned to work as a food preparer for Queen Anne’s Revenge Restaurant, where she worked for nearly 30 years. Initially working only during the youngest’s school hours, she later transitioned to more extended hours, having made her home and children the priority.
Jane was very active in Bethany Church of Wanchese, being a regular member, teaching Sunday School, and helping prepare breakfast for many years. Scores of children learned of Jesus under the guidance of “Miss Jane.” She was strong in her faith and showed the love of Christ in the kind way she had with people. Jane did not want to be the center of attention and was happy to be working in the background or lending a hand where she could, without fanfare. She was a true Proverbs 31 woman.
There will be a graveside only service to honor the life of Jane Gray at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Cudworth Cemetery, Wanchese, NC, across the street and just south of Bethany Church of Wanchese.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks, is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
