Debra "Dee" Baughman Gray
Gray, Debra Gayle "Dee" Baughman, 66, of New Kent, Virginia, joined Heaven's All-Star Orchestra and Choir on September 21, 2022. Her presence will make the music of the spheres a bit brighter and richer. She was predeceased by her parents, Alice T. Baughman and Samuel D. Baughman Sr.; two sisters, Patricia Cecil and Lynn Fuss; a sister-in-law, Patricia Baughman; and a niece, Julie Fuss.
The youngest of four, Debbie enjoyed an idyllic childhood growing up in the Westover Hills neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia, in a home filled with love, laughter, family gatherings, and the joy of music. Her musical gifts were recognized early on and enthusiastically encouraged by her parents, leading her to become an accomplished multi-instrumentalist as well as a talented vocalist, both as a soloist and in a choral setting.
Around the family's kitchen table, Debbie learned from her father the importance of family ties and the value of a dollar earned through hard work. She would recount in later years a favorite saying of his, that "aught plus aught equals aught," a lesson more about the need for initiative and persistence than about simple math.
Debbie's love of music was instilled by her mother, Alice, and their shared bond resulted in a house overflowing with beautiful sounds: Debbie on piano, Alice on the organ, Uncle Blair on guitar, and Uncle Garland singing the night away, as Aunt Eleanor clapped her hands and tapped her feet.
Through the years, Debbie's love of music grew even stronger as she expanded her talents beyond the piano and organ, adding the violin, guitar and French horn to her musical performance toolbox. Her gifts as a singer naturally led her to pursue choral music as well, and she was a proud member of the George Wythe High School choir, which earned All-State honors with her in its ranks.
While still in high school, she served as a violinist with the St. Mary's Hospital Community Orchestra, and also flexed her singing skills in a role at Richmond's famed Dogwood Dell amphitheater, during a summer production of the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta classic, The Pirates of Penzance. Needless to say, she stole the show!
Debbie's spiritual foundation was built early on, as she and her family attended Woodland Heights Baptist Church. She was given many opportunities there to serve and to blossom as a musician and a leader. On Sunday mornings, Woodland Heights allowed her to share her musical gifts on both the piano and pipe organ. Even as a young woman, Debbie viewed her musical gifts as a way to honor and bring glory to God. While attending Woodland Heights, she accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized. Later as a young adult, the church licensed her to the Gospel Ministry.
A turning point in her life came as a young adult, when Debbie attended a music retreat at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center near Lynchburg, VA. A representative from Samford University was telling the group about the university's school of music, located in Birmingham, Alabama. Inspired and impressed, and following considerable time spent in prayer, Debbie surrendered to the journey God planned for her, and packed her bags that pointed south.
Ever adventurous and confident in her faith, Debbie left Richmond. Once she arrived in Birmingham, she became "Dee" Baughman, a nickname that would become her true identity for the legions of friends she made in Alabama. While attending Samford, Dee shared her talents with Norwood Baptist Church as pianist and organist.
Another key turning point arrived while taking a class at Samford. One day, a professor assigned her the task of teaching someone to play the piano. So, she asked one of her church friends, John Gray, to be her guinea pig. This project in music soon became a wonderful lesson in chemistry, and student and teacher evolved into husband and wife, as the couple joined in holy matrimony at Woodland Heights Baptist Church on September 03,1983.
Six months after they were married, Dee and John in early 1984 answered God's call for them to work together in full-time Christian ministry. They would end up serving the Lord side by side in an array of fields, from youth ministry, to music, to drama. Debbie served in music ministry and as a worship leader for 39 years at churches in Alabama and Virginia, retiring in 2019, from Deer Park Baptist Church in Newport News, VA.
When John accepted a call in 2019 to serve as Pastor at Elkhardt Baptist Church, Dee again served as an exceptional pastor's wife, supporting her husband's work and assisting in a variety of ways within the congregation. Their teamwork over the years touched many hearts and changed many lives for the glory of God.
And God richly blessed their marriage in many ways, most notably with two wonderful sons, Garrison and Austin. Both of the boys share Dee's love of music. When Dee played the piano, young Austin would join her on drums, and the house would come alive with the sounds of praise and worship music. At other times, the house would be filled with the voices of Dee and Garrison, singing praises to God in song.
Dee not only shared her love of God through her voice and musical instruments. She also ministered to many through words and kind deeds. Among her favorite verses to encourage others was one from Psalm 121: 1-2: "I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."
Dee's earthly journey now complete, God has called her home to heaven. She leaves us with a rich trove of memories: of her as a gifted instrumentalist and singer; of her as a loving mother and wife; of her as a devoted friend; and of her as a most worthy example of a life well-lived, a life anchored by her faith, a life that soared through her generous sharing of the gifts that God gave her.
A graduate of George Wythe High School, Dee continued her education at ODU and VCU, ultimately graduating from Richmond Memorial Hospital with a degree as a Medical Laboratory Technician. She later received a bachelor's degree in church music and worship from the Samford University School of Music in Birmingham, AL. Earlier this year, she retired from her medical career at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center after working in the field for 42 years.
She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Reverend John Gray; two sons, Garrison of New Kent, VA, and Austin of Atlanta, GA; one brother, Samuel D. Baughman Jr. of Manakin–Sabot, VA; brothers-in-law, John Cecil Sr. (Jean) of Goochland, VA, Gerald Fuss Sr. of Chesterfield, VA, Andy Gray (Pam) of McCalla, AL, Don Gray (Mona) of Florence, AL, Joe Gray (Pam) of Hope AR, and Richard Gray (Rhonda) of Madison AL; two nieces, Kim Berndt (Chris) of Hanover, VA, and Meagan Southworth (Cameron) of Bowling Green, VA; two nephews, Gerry Fuss Jr. (Miranda) of Midlothian VA, and John Cecil Jr. of Myrtle Beach, SC; an aunt, Eleanor Troutman of Richmond VA; Joshua Sims, a devoted family friend; and a large extended family, friends, neighbors, work colleagues, church family, and many others with whom she shared her love of life.
A Celebration of Life, Faith, and Music will be held on Saturday, October 1st, at 11:00 a. m. at Woodland Heights Baptist Church, 611 West 31st Street, Richmond, Va. 23225, where she began her ministry. The viewing with family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service. Reverend Robert Turner will be officiating.
The interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Pilots Lane, Richmond, VA 23222. Dr. G. C. Harbuck will be officiating. Following the interment service, a reception will be held at Elkhardt Baptist church, 6715 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield, Va. 23224, where she concluded her ministry.
A special thank you is given to Elkhardt Baptist Church, Dee's close and extended family members, and her many friends for the outpouring of prayers, love and kindness during her journey. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.")
The family also expresses its appreciation to the VCU Massey Cancer Center and to Hospice of Virginia for teaming together and providing such wonderful care and loving support for Dee and her family during this journey.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Dee Gray be made to Elkhardt Baptist Church, 6715 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield, Va. 23224; Att'n. Memorial Fund.
Gray, Debra Gayle "Dee" Baughman, 66, of New Kent, Virginia, joined Heaven's All-Star Orchestra and Choir on September 21, 2022. Her presence will make the music of the spheres a bit brighter and richer. She was predeceased by her parents, Alice T. Baughman and Samuel D. Baughman Sr.; two sisters, Patricia Cecil and Lynn Fuss; a sister-in-law, Patricia Baughman; and a niece, Julie Fuss.
The youngest of four, Debbie enjoyed an idyllic childhood growing up in the Westover Hills neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia, in a home filled with love, laughter, family gatherings, and the joy of music. Her musical gifts were recognized early on and enthusiastically encouraged by her parents, leading her to become an accomplished multi-instrumentalist as well as a talented vocalist, both as a soloist and in a choral setting.
Around the family's kitchen table, Debbie learned from her father the importance of family ties and the value of a dollar earned through hard work. She would recount in later years a favorite saying of his, that "aught plus aught equals aught," a lesson more about the need for initiative and persistence than about simple math.
Debbie's love of music was instilled by her mother, Alice, and their shared bond resulted in a house overflowing with beautiful sounds: Debbie on piano, Alice on the organ, Uncle Blair on guitar, and Uncle Garland singing the night away, as Aunt Eleanor clapped her hands and tapped her feet.
Through the years, Debbie's love of music grew even stronger as she expanded her talents beyond the piano and organ, adding the violin, guitar and French horn to her musical performance toolbox. Her gifts as a singer naturally led her to pursue choral music as well, and she was a proud member of the George Wythe High School choir, which earned All-State honors with her in its ranks.
While still in high school, she served as a violinist with the St. Mary's Hospital Community Orchestra, and also flexed her singing skills in a role at Richmond's famed Dogwood Dell amphitheater, during a summer production of the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta classic, The Pirates of Penzance. Needless to say, she stole the show!
Debbie's spiritual foundation was built early on, as she and her family attended Woodland Heights Baptist Church. She was given many opportunities there to serve and to blossom as a musician and a leader. On Sunday mornings, Woodland Heights allowed her to share her musical gifts on both the piano and pipe organ. Even as a young woman, Debbie viewed her musical gifts as a way to honor and bring glory to God. While attending Woodland Heights, she accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized. Later as a young adult, the church licensed her to the Gospel Ministry.
A turning point in her life came as a young adult, when Debbie attended a music retreat at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center near Lynchburg, VA. A representative from Samford University was telling the group about the university's school of music, located in Birmingham, Alabama. Inspired and impressed, and following considerable time spent in prayer, Debbie surrendered to the journey God planned for her, and packed her bags that pointed south.
Ever adventurous and confident in her faith, Debbie left Richmond. Once she arrived in Birmingham, she became "Dee" Baughman, a nickname that would become her true identity for the legions of friends she made in Alabama. While attending Samford, Dee shared her talents with Norwood Baptist Church as pianist and organist.
Another key turning point arrived while taking a class at Samford. One day, a professor assigned her the task of teaching someone to play the piano. So, she asked one of her church friends, John Gray, to be her guinea pig. This project in music soon became a wonderful lesson in chemistry, and student and teacher evolved into husband and wife, as the couple joined in holy matrimony at Woodland Heights Baptist Church on September 03,1983.
Six months after they were married, Dee and John in early 1984 answered God's call for them to work together in full-time Christian ministry. They would end up serving the Lord side by side in an array of fields, from youth ministry, to music, to drama. Debbie served in music ministry and as a worship leader for 39 years at churches in Alabama and Virginia, retiring in 2019, from Deer Park Baptist Church in Newport News, VA.
When John accepted a call in 2019 to serve as Pastor at Elkhardt Baptist Church, Dee again served as an exceptional pastor's wife, supporting her husband's work and assisting in a variety of ways within the congregation. Their teamwork over the years touched many hearts and changed many lives for the glory of God.
And God richly blessed their marriage in many ways, most notably with two wonderful sons, Garrison and Austin. Both of the boys share Dee's love of music. When Dee played the piano, young Austin would join her on drums, and the house would come alive with the sounds of praise and worship music. At other times, the house would be filled with the voices of Dee and Garrison, singing praises to God in song.
Dee not only shared her love of God through her voice and musical instruments. She also ministered to many through words and kind deeds. Among her favorite verses to encourage others was one from Psalm 121: 1-2: "I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."
Dee's earthly journey now complete, God has called her home to heaven. She leaves us with a rich trove of memories: of her as a gifted instrumentalist and singer; of her as a loving mother and wife; of her as a devoted friend; and of her as a most worthy example of a life well-lived, a life anchored by her faith, a life that soared through her generous sharing of the gifts that God gave her.
A graduate of George Wythe High School, Dee continued her education at ODU and VCU, ultimately graduating from Richmond Memorial Hospital with a degree as a Medical Laboratory Technician. She later received a bachelor's degree in church music and worship from the Samford University School of Music in Birmingham, AL. Earlier this year, she retired from her medical career at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center after working in the field for 42 years.
She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Reverend John Gray; two sons, Garrison of New Kent, VA, and Austin of Atlanta, GA; one brother, Samuel D. Baughman Jr. of Manakin–Sabot, VA; brothers-in-law, John Cecil Sr. (Jean) of Goochland, VA, Gerald Fuss Sr. of Chesterfield, VA, Andy Gray (Pam) of McCalla, AL, Don Gray (Mona) of Florence, AL, Joe Gray (Pam) of Hope AR, and Richard Gray (Rhonda) of Madison AL; two nieces, Kim Berndt (Chris) of Hanover, VA, and Meagan Southworth (Cameron) of Bowling Green, VA; two nephews, Gerry Fuss Jr. (Miranda) of Midlothian VA, and John Cecil Jr. of Myrtle Beach, SC; an aunt, Eleanor Troutman of Richmond VA; Joshua Sims, a devoted family friend; and a large extended family, friends, neighbors, work colleagues, church family, and many others with whom she shared her love of life.
A Celebration of Life, Faith, and Music will be held on Saturday, October 1st, at 11:00 a. m. at Woodland Heights Baptist Church, 611 West 31st Street, Richmond, Va. 23225, where she began her ministry. The viewing with family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service. Reverend Robert Turner will be officiating.
The interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Pilots Lane, Richmond, VA 23222. Dr. G. C. Harbuck will be officiating. Following the interment service, a reception will be held at Elkhardt Baptist church, 6715 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield, Va. 23224, where she concluded her ministry.
A special thank you is given to Elkhardt Baptist Church, Dee's close and extended family members, and her many friends for the outpouring of prayers, love and kindness during her journey. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.")
The family also expresses its appreciation to the VCU Massey Cancer Center and to Hospice of Virginia for teaming together and providing such wonderful care and loving support for Dee and her family during this journey.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Dee Gray be made to Elkhardt Baptist Church, 6715 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield, Va. 23224; Att'n. Memorial Fund.
Debra "Dee" Baughman Gray
Gray, Debra Gayle "Dee" Baughman, 66, of New Kent, Virginia, joined Heaven's All-Star Orchestra and Choir on September 21, 2022. Her presence will make the music of the spheres a bit brighter and richer. She was predeceased by her parents, Alice T. Baughman and Samuel D. Baughman Sr.; two sisters, Patricia Cecil and Lynn Fuss; a sister-in-law, Patricia Baughman; and a niece, Julie Fuss.
The youngest of four, Debbie enjoyed an idyllic childhood growing up in the Westover Hills neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia, in a home filled with love, laughter, family gatherings, and the joy of music. Her musical gifts were recognized early on and enthusiastically encouraged by her parents, leading her to become an accomplished multi-instrumentalist as well as a talented vocalist, both as a soloist and in a choral setting.
Around the family's kitchen table, Debbie learned from her father the importance of family ties and the value of a dollar earned through hard work. She would recount in later years a favorite saying of his, that "aught plus aught equals aught," a lesson more about the need for initiative and persistence than about simple math.
Debbie's love of music was instilled by her mother, Alice, and their shared bond resulted in a house overflowing with beautiful sounds: Debbie on piano, Alice on the organ, Uncle Blair on guitar, and Uncle Garland singing the night away, as Aunt Eleanor clapped her hands and tapped her feet.
Through the years, Debbie's love of music grew even stronger as she expanded her talents beyond the piano and organ, adding the violin, guitar and French horn to her musical performance toolbox. Her gifts as a singer naturally led her to pursue choral music as well, and she was a proud member of the George Wythe High School choir, which earned All-State honors with her in its ranks.
While still in high school, she served as a violinist with the St. Mary's Hospital Community Orchestra, and also flexed her singing skills in a role at Richmond's famed Dogwood Dell amphitheater, during a summer production of the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta classic, The Pirates of Penzance. Needless to say, she stole the show!
Debbie's spiritual foundation was built early on, as she and her family attended Woodland Heights Baptist Church. She was given many opportunities there to serve and to blossom as a musician and a leader. On Sunday mornings, Woodland Heights allowed her to share her musical gifts on both the piano and pipe organ. Even as a young woman, Debbie viewed her musical gifts as a way to honor and bring glory to God. While attending Woodland Heights, she accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized. Later as a young adult, the church licensed her to the Gospel Ministry.
A turning point in her life came as a young adult, when Debbie attended a music retreat at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center near Lynchburg, VA. A representative from Samford University was telling the group about the university's school of music, located in Birmingham, Alabama. Inspired and impressed, and following considerable time spent in prayer, Debbie surrendered to the journey God planned for her, and packed her bags that pointed south.
Ever adventurous and confident in her faith, Debbie left Richmond. Once she arrived in Birmingham, she became "Dee" Baughman, a nickname that would become her true identity for the legions of friends she made in Alabama. While attending Samford, Dee shared her talents with Norwood Baptist Church as pianist and organist.
Another key turning point arrived while taking a class at Samford. One day, a professor assigned her the task of teaching someone to play the piano. So, she asked one of her church friends, John Gray, to be her guinea pig. This project in music soon became a wonderful lesson in chemistry, and student and teacher evolved into husband and wife, as the couple joined in holy matrimony at Woodland Heights Baptist Church on September 03,1983.
Six months after they were married, Dee and John in early 1984 answered God's call for them to work together in full-time Christian ministry. They would end up serving the Lord side by side in an array of fields, from youth ministry, to music, to drama. Debbie served in music ministry and as a worship leader for 39 years at churches in Alabama and Virginia, retiring in 2019, from Deer Park Baptist Church in Newport News, VA.
When John accepted a call in 2019 to serve as Pastor at Elkhardt Baptist Church, Dee again served as an exceptional pastor's wife, supporting her husband's work and assisting in a variety of ways within the congregation. Their teamwork over the years touched many hearts and changed many lives for the glory of God.
And God richly blessed their marriage in many ways, most notably with two wonderful sons, Garrison and Austin. Both of the boys share Dee's love of music. When Dee played the piano, young Austin would join her on drums, and the house would come alive with the sounds of praise and worship music. At other times, the house would be filled with the voices of Dee and Garrison, singing praises to God in song.
Dee not only shared her love of God through her voice and musical instruments. She also ministered to many through words and kind deeds. Among her favorite verses to encourage others was one from Psalm 121: 1-2: "I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."
Dee's earthly journey now complete, God has called her home to heaven. She leaves us with a rich trove of memories: of her as a gifted instrumentalist and singer; of her as a loving mother and wife; of her as a devoted friend; and of her as a most worthy example of a life well-lived, a life anchored by her faith, a life that soared through her generous sharing of the gifts that God gave her.
A graduate of George Wythe High School, Dee continued her education at ODU and VCU, ultimately graduating from Richmond Memorial Hospital with a degree as a Medical Laboratory Technician. She later received a bachelor's degree in church music and worship from the Samford University School of Music in Birmingham, AL. Earlier this year, she retired from her medical career at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center after working in the field for 42 years.
She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Reverend John Gray; two sons, Garrison of New Kent, VA, and Austin of Atlanta, GA; one brother, Samuel D. Baughman Jr. of Manakin–Sabot, VA; brothers-in-law, John Cecil Sr. (Jean) of Goochland, VA, Gerald Fuss Sr. of Chesterfield, VA, Andy Gray (Pam) of McCalla, AL, Don Gray (Mona) of Florence, AL, Joe Gray (Pam) of Hope AR, and Richard Gray (Rhonda) of Madison AL; two nieces, Kim Berndt (Chris) of Hanover, VA, and Meagan Southworth (Cameron) of Bowling Green, VA; two nephews, Gerry Fuss Jr. (Miranda) of Midlothian VA, and John Cecil Jr. of Myrtle Beach, SC; an aunt, Eleanor Troutman of Richmond VA; Joshua Sims, a devoted family friend; and a large extended family, friends, neighbors, work colleagues, church family, and many others with whom she shared her love of life.
A Celebration of Life, Faith, and Music will be held on Saturday, October 1st, at 11:00 a. m. at Woodland Heights Baptist Church, 611 West 31st Street, Richmond, Va. 23225, where she began her ministry. The viewing with family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service. Reverend Robert Turner will be officiating.
The interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Pilots Lane, Richmond, VA 23222. Dr. G. C. Harbuck will be officiating. Following the interment service, a reception will be held at Elkhardt Baptist church, 6715 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield, Va. 23224, where she concluded her ministry.
A special thank you is given to Elkhardt Baptist Church, Dee's close and extended family members, and her many friends for the outpouring of prayers, love and kindness during her journey. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.")
The family also expresses its appreciation to the VCU Massey Cancer Center and to Hospice of Virginia for teaming together and providing such wonderful care and loving support for Dee and her family during this journey.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Dee Gray be made to Elkhardt Baptist Church, 6715 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield, Va. 23224; Att'n. Memorial Fund.
Gray, Debra Gayle "Dee" Baughman, 66, of New Kent, Virginia, joined Heaven's All-Star Orchestra and Choir on September 21, 2022. Her presence will make the music of the spheres a bit brighter and richer. She was predeceased by her parents, Alice T. Baughman and Samuel D. Baughman Sr.; two sisters, Patricia Cecil and Lynn Fuss; a sister-in-law, Patricia Baughman; and a niece, Julie Fuss.
The youngest of four, Debbie enjoyed an idyllic childhood growing up in the Westover Hills neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia, in a home filled with love, laughter, family gatherings, and the joy of music. Her musical gifts were recognized early on and enthusiastically encouraged by her parents, leading her to become an accomplished multi-instrumentalist as well as a talented vocalist, both as a soloist and in a choral setting.
Around the family's kitchen table, Debbie learned from her father the importance of family ties and the value of a dollar earned through hard work. She would recount in later years a favorite saying of his, that "aught plus aught equals aught," a lesson more about the need for initiative and persistence than about simple math.
Debbie's love of music was instilled by her mother, Alice, and their shared bond resulted in a house overflowing with beautiful sounds: Debbie on piano, Alice on the organ, Uncle Blair on guitar, and Uncle Garland singing the night away, as Aunt Eleanor clapped her hands and tapped her feet.
Through the years, Debbie's love of music grew even stronger as she expanded her talents beyond the piano and organ, adding the violin, guitar and French horn to her musical performance toolbox. Her gifts as a singer naturally led her to pursue choral music as well, and she was a proud member of the George Wythe High School choir, which earned All-State honors with her in its ranks.
While still in high school, she served as a violinist with the St. Mary's Hospital Community Orchestra, and also flexed her singing skills in a role at Richmond's famed Dogwood Dell amphitheater, during a summer production of the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta classic, The Pirates of Penzance. Needless to say, she stole the show!
Debbie's spiritual foundation was built early on, as she and her family attended Woodland Heights Baptist Church. She was given many opportunities there to serve and to blossom as a musician and a leader. On Sunday mornings, Woodland Heights allowed her to share her musical gifts on both the piano and pipe organ. Even as a young woman, Debbie viewed her musical gifts as a way to honor and bring glory to God. While attending Woodland Heights, she accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized. Later as a young adult, the church licensed her to the Gospel Ministry.
A turning point in her life came as a young adult, when Debbie attended a music retreat at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center near Lynchburg, VA. A representative from Samford University was telling the group about the university's school of music, located in Birmingham, Alabama. Inspired and impressed, and following considerable time spent in prayer, Debbie surrendered to the journey God planned for her, and packed her bags that pointed south.
Ever adventurous and confident in her faith, Debbie left Richmond. Once she arrived in Birmingham, she became "Dee" Baughman, a nickname that would become her true identity for the legions of friends she made in Alabama. While attending Samford, Dee shared her talents with Norwood Baptist Church as pianist and organist.
Another key turning point arrived while taking a class at Samford. One day, a professor assigned her the task of teaching someone to play the piano. So, she asked one of her church friends, John Gray, to be her guinea pig. This project in music soon became a wonderful lesson in chemistry, and student and teacher evolved into husband and wife, as the couple joined in holy matrimony at Woodland Heights Baptist Church on September 03,1983.
Six months after they were married, Dee and John in early 1984 answered God's call for them to work together in full-time Christian ministry. They would end up serving the Lord side by side in an array of fields, from youth ministry, to music, to drama. Debbie served in music ministry and as a worship leader for 39 years at churches in Alabama and Virginia, retiring in 2019, from Deer Park Baptist Church in Newport News, VA.
When John accepted a call in 2019 to serve as Pastor at Elkhardt Baptist Church, Dee again served as an exceptional pastor's wife, supporting her husband's work and assisting in a variety of ways within the congregation. Their teamwork over the years touched many hearts and changed many lives for the glory of God.
And God richly blessed their marriage in many ways, most notably with two wonderful sons, Garrison and Austin. Both of the boys share Dee's love of music. When Dee played the piano, young Austin would join her on drums, and the house would come alive with the sounds of praise and worship music. At other times, the house would be filled with the voices of Dee and Garrison, singing praises to God in song.
Dee not only shared her love of God through her voice and musical instruments. She also ministered to many through words and kind deeds. Among her favorite verses to encourage others was one from Psalm 121: 1-2: "I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."
Dee's earthly journey now complete, God has called her home to heaven. She leaves us with a rich trove of memories: of her as a gifted instrumentalist and singer; of her as a loving mother and wife; of her as a devoted friend; and of her as a most worthy example of a life well-lived, a life anchored by her faith, a life that soared through her generous sharing of the gifts that God gave her.
A graduate of George Wythe High School, Dee continued her education at ODU and VCU, ultimately graduating from Richmond Memorial Hospital with a degree as a Medical Laboratory Technician. She later received a bachelor's degree in church music and worship from the Samford University School of Music in Birmingham, AL. Earlier this year, she retired from her medical career at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center after working in the field for 42 years.
She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Reverend John Gray; two sons, Garrison of New Kent, VA, and Austin of Atlanta, GA; one brother, Samuel D. Baughman Jr. of Manakin–Sabot, VA; brothers-in-law, John Cecil Sr. (Jean) of Goochland, VA, Gerald Fuss Sr. of Chesterfield, VA, Andy Gray (Pam) of McCalla, AL, Don Gray (Mona) of Florence, AL, Joe Gray (Pam) of Hope AR, and Richard Gray (Rhonda) of Madison AL; two nieces, Kim Berndt (Chris) of Hanover, VA, and Meagan Southworth (Cameron) of Bowling Green, VA; two nephews, Gerry Fuss Jr. (Miranda) of Midlothian VA, and John Cecil Jr. of Myrtle Beach, SC; an aunt, Eleanor Troutman of Richmond VA; Joshua Sims, a devoted family friend; and a large extended family, friends, neighbors, work colleagues, church family, and many others with whom she shared her love of life.
A Celebration of Life, Faith, and Music will be held on Saturday, October 1st, at 11:00 a. m. at Woodland Heights Baptist Church, 611 West 31st Street, Richmond, Va. 23225, where she began her ministry. The viewing with family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service. Reverend Robert Turner will be officiating.
The interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 4000 Pilots Lane, Richmond, VA 23222. Dr. G. C. Harbuck will be officiating. Following the interment service, a reception will be held at Elkhardt Baptist church, 6715 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield, Va. 23224, where she concluded her ministry.
A special thank you is given to Elkhardt Baptist Church, Dee's close and extended family members, and her many friends for the outpouring of prayers, love and kindness during her journey. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.")
The family also expresses its appreciation to the VCU Massey Cancer Center and to Hospice of Virginia for teaming together and providing such wonderful care and loving support for Dee and her family during this journey.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Dee Gray be made to Elkhardt Baptist Church, 6715 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield, Va. 23224; Att'n. Memorial Fund.
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