Ruth Elizabeth Gray Bailey

Ruth Elizabeth Gray Bailey was born July 29, 1929 in North Carolina to the late Melvin Curtis Gray, Sr. and Lucy Carter Gray. Ruth was the fourth of six children born to this union. She grew up surrounded by nature on her family’s 500 acre tobacco farm outside of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

After high school, Ruth enrolled in Winston-Salem State Teachers’ College, presently Winston-Salem State University. She continued her education at Livingstone College, where she immersed herself in arts and language. Ruth majored in English, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in French and English from Livingstone in 1953. She also received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Winston-Salem Teachers’ College.

After college, Ruth pursued her passion for teaching.

She began her career teaching in Sanford, Florida. She then taught French, English and Social Studies in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County school system for more than 30 years.Ruth loved the Lord and while in Winston-Salem, she was a dedicated member of United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. When she moved to Atlanta, she became a faithful member of Elizabeth Baptist Church for more than 20 years.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving daughter, Denise Bailey; and her sister, Ruby Gray Welch. Her four brothers, George Gray, Frank Gray, Clyde Gray Sr. and Curtis Gray, Jr. preceded her in death. She was married for 33 years to the late Eglon Bailey. Her loving nieces and nephews, Vicki, Clyde Jr., Ron, Debra, Steve, Shannon, Hyacinth and Patricia remember her fondly along with her lifelong friends.

There will be no public viewing at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Thursday, November 5, 2026 at Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Gardens of Memory, Walkertown, NC. The family visitation will be held from 10:00am until 11:00am on Thursday at the Church.