GRAY/BLAKEMORE FAMILY REUNION 2018

“Back to Our Roots” was the theme of the 2018 Blakemore-Gray Family Reunion, which took place in Dallas from June 7-10. Fifty-four family members of Wilmer Oscar Gray and Ocie Blakemore Gray, including children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, gathered at the Embassy Suites Dallas Love Field. Attendees traveled from The Netherlands, Virginia, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, El Paso, San Antonio, Palestine and Dallas, Texas. The youngest member was their four-month-old great-great-great-nephew from Kansas City, Missouri.

As part of the celebration, Mr. Edward Gray, the fourth child of W.O. and Ocie Gray, conducted a tour of the family’s Dallas roots along with Dallas history, including West Dallas, South Dallas, Fair Park, and Oak Cliff.

Dr. James H. Gray, the eighth child of W.O. and Ocie Gray, arranged a tour of the W.O. Gray Elementary School in Balch Springs, Texas. W.O. Gray Elementary School honors “Professor Gray” and Ocie B. Gray, who both dedicated their lives to education. W.O. Gray began his teaching career in 1930 and was an educator in Mesquite from 1946 to 1970. He actively advocated for African-American education, both within the community and as a liaison with the Mesquite Independent School District.

A family reunion is not complete without a Prayer Breakfast, and this was no exception. Chaplain Maceo Gray, the seventh child of W.O. and Ocie Gray, closed out the reunion with a service featuring stories about the Underground Railroad and the sermon “A Family Reunion You Don’t Want to Miss”.