The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-06-13

REV. G. N. BRAY DEAD.
Announcement Came in the Nature Of
q Painful Surprise to His Friends.

The announcement Monday after
noon Of the death OF Rev. G. \. BRAY.
was no less surprising than it was
painful TO his friends. 1t was known
that he was not a we'll man but not
many persons knew that y fatal
malady was preying upon a naturally
frail constitution.
Mr.. Bray died about , O'Clock Mon
day afternoon at Chase City. Va.
where he had gone the Tuesday be-
fore in hopes of being benefited by
drinking the water. He had Bright's
disease and previous visit there
some weeks ago had apparently help
ed him very much. But he was
anxious to fill his appointments to
preach at his churches in the country,
some of which he had not been able
to meet Of late on account Of sickness,
and his stay was shortened on this
account. Then too, he was making
ready to come back to Henderson to
live since the close of his school at
Cokes. He had rented house here
and moved his effects in only the day
before he went to Chase City. 1t is
certainties of life.
G. Needham Bray was about 81
years of age. He was born in Camden
county, near Shiloh, and came of
sturdy, honorable ancestry. He was
himself man Of sterling worth and
character and gave promise of a USE
full and bright career. He worked his
way through college going from there
to the Seminary to take a theological
course. A few years ago he came to
Henderson and took the pastorate Of
one or two country churches. Since
then hi. field has enlarged and his
sphere of usefulness increased. Other
fields were added to his work. In
addition to supplying these churches
Mr., Bray has been conducting
fourishing school at Cokes, the
summer term of which had but re-
Gently closed.
About two years ago Mr.. Bray was
elected county superintendent of
public schools. And no county ever
had more faithful, earnest one. He
was Jealous in the cause of education,
always alive to the need. Of the
schools and an active. tireless worker
for their bctterment. Having been
teacher himself he readily brought
himself in close touch with the work.
On the second of last October Mr..
Bray was married to Miss Bette
Whitfield, of Kinston, who survives
him. She was with him when he
died. The body was brought to Hen
derson on the evening train Monday
and the funeral was held from the
Baptist church at 5 O'Clock Tuesday
afternoon. DR.. Hufham conducted
the service, his remarks being most
impressive and appropriate to the oc-
casion. The church was thronged
and many eyes were dimmed with
tears during the solemn service.
MIR. Bray was a Mason and an Odd
Fellow, having been chaplain of the
latter, and was buried with the
honors of both these Orders, they
turning out in body clothed with
the regala of their respective lodges.
The pallbearers were three Masons
Maj w. f. Gary. J. 3. Owen, l.. w.
Barnes. Odd FellOWS-J. A. Kelly,
Andrew Buford, Thad X. Manning.
The ceremonies at the grave were
singularly impressive. First the
Masons took charge, Prof. j. L. Alder
man, Master, and Rev. Nj. II. futile,
chaplain, officiating. Then the Odd
Fellows, Capt. w. b. Shaw (who was
msrshaD, being called on to act in
place of w. X. Sturges, Noble Grand,
who was suddenly called away, and
Rev. j. S. Williams, chaplain, official
ing. These ceremonies at an end the
grave WAS filled, the floral offerings
placed on the new made mound and
the body of our deceased brother was
left reposing in the earth from whence
it came, his soul in the presence of
the God who made it,