Barbara Virginia Gray's Obituary
Barbara Virginia “Bobbi” Gray of Mechanicsville, Maryland, peacefully passed away on December 12, 2020, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Washington, D.C., on May 23,1938, and is preceded in death by her father, Clarence Lyle Muire, beloved stepfather Edward Madison “Happy” Nace, beloved mother, Genevieve Posey, and her late husband, Everett “Eddie” Charles Gray.
Bobbie was the kindest person you could ever meet. She was gentle and sentimental. She saved every card anyone gave her. She helped others in need, without interest in glory. She was thoughtful with her words, and she had a way of encouraging you and teaching you with the most loving touch.
Bobbi spoke with reverence about growing up during the great depression when she and her sisters received an apple and one doll for Christmas—an experience that made her cherish the little things. She spoke fondly of her time with her mother and stepfather nicknamed “Happy,” when her husband Eddie carried her over the 14th street bridge in DC on one of their dates, and her time as a dedicated and celebrated pharmacy technician at Doctor’s Hospital in Lanham, MD.
After going without during the great depression, Bobbi loved giving little gifts to her loved ones that she picked out just for you. She added touches of tinsel or glitter to make everyday things sparkle. She woke up early to have “coffee with the birds,” loved flowers, and was an avid gardener. She liked to bake, craft, sew, and in her younger years, she loved decorating for Christmas. She also liked licorice, dancing around the house to good music, and to collect seashells on the beach.
She was a loving “Nana” and an inspiration to everyone that she met. She inspired friends to start a family, cared for her mother when her health declined, loved and supported her husband and children unconditionally, and spent time teaching her grandchildren lessons that shaped their lives.
Bobbi loved birds and watching the Wizard of Oz with her grandchildren. When you are having a tough day and you see a bird, it might just be Nana letting you know she is looking over you and sending you some comfort from over the rainbow.
Bobbi was a beloved mother. She leaves behind three children: Michael Gray of Hollywood, MD, Kimberly DeFilippo, of Mechanicsville, MD, and Susan Hunt of Mechanicsville, MD, and two sons-in-law: Nick DeFilippo and Warren “Bobby” Hunt. She was the blessed “Nana” of four grandchildren: Christina Peterson of Washington, DC, Nicholas DeFilippo (Maegan), of Mechanicsville, MD, Jennifer Stone (Jonathan) of Mechanicsville, MD, and Joseph DeFilippo, of Mechanicsville, MD; and three great-grandchildren: Miley Stone, Mason Stone, and Deaken DeFilippo. She is also survived by her siblings survived by her siblings, Edward Nace (Jolyn) of Wake Forest, NC, Betty Powell (Buddy) of Virginia Beach, VA, and Juanita Sylvis (Roderick “Butch”) of Wake Forest, NC. and many other loving family members and friends. Bobbi is preceded in death by her sister, Lois (Norman) Grey and grandson, Robert Warren Ellis Hunt, Jr (“Baby Robert”).
Family will receive friends on Saturday, January 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., for Bobbi’s Life Celebration, a Funeral Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Brinsfield Funeral Home, 30195 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. Interment will follow immediately at Trinity Memorial Gardens in 3221 Mattawoman Beantown Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20601.
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why, then, oh, why can’t I?
If happy little bluebird fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh, why can’t I?
What’s your fondest memory of Barbara?
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Share a story where Barbara's kindness touched your heart.
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