FRANKLIN — Melvin Vernon Gray, 82, passed away on March 30, 2018, in Tifton, Georgia.

Mr. Gray was a native of Newsoms, and was a son of the late James Clyde Gray and Cozy Drake Gray. He was also predeceased by his son, Melvin Gray Jr.; and two brothers, Reginald Gray and James Carlton Gray.

Mr. Gray was a member of Franklin Presbyterian Church, and was a retired transportation clerk with International Paper.

He was an Army veteran, a member of Masonic Lodge 151 A.F. & A.M. and a Shriner.

Melvin enjoyed his family, friends, church and his service with the Masons and Shriners. He was kind-hearted, loving, always smiling and a true gentleman. One of his favorite hobbies was ballroom dancing with his beloved wife, Barbara. To see them float across the dance floor together was a true gift and brought them years of joy.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Barbara Carr Cutchins Gray; a daughter, Kim Gray Gaddy of Fairhope, Alabama; two stepdaughters, Kim Cutchins (Craig Kvien) of Tifton; and Debbie Cutchins (Jerry Staley) of Round Hill, Virginia; a stepson, M. Edward Cutchins Jr. (Shinae) of Sandy Hook, Virginia; and eight grandchildren, Gracen Gaddy of Los Angeles, California; Gabe and Sam Staley of Round Hill; Daisy and Joe Cutchins of Sandy Hook; Zachary Rosenfield of Tifton; Amy Kvien-Davis (Mark) of Richmond; and Allison Kvien of Cheyenne, Wyoming.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 7, with Masonic rites and military honors in Wright Funeral Home with the Rev. Lou Ventura officiating. Burial will follow at Southampton Memorial Park. The reception will follow the services in the fellowship hall of Franklin Presbyterian Church.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday in the funeral home, and suggests that memorial donations be made to Franklin Presbyterian Church, Franklin Masonic Lodge 151 A.F. & A.M. or the Franklin Shrine Club.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org.