November 15, 1969 to March 22, 1999
Born at Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, on November 15, 1969, Edward Conway Gray Jr., the first born child of Charlotte White-Gray and the late Edward Conway Gray Sr. brought much happiness to this couple. He grew up in Washington, DC and Forestville, Maryland, graduating from Forestville High School in 1988. Ten years later Junior, as he was fondly known, would be joined by his adored sister Sherita.
Junior had a smile that would light up a room and made many young women hearts leap for joy. As a result he fathered four beautiful children, Chelsi, Ed, Quandria and Jade. He was full of life and always reaching out to help others in any manner he could. After graduating high school, Junior worked briefly for the Federal government. He held a number of positions with local, public and private firms, including Prince George’s County Library System, Pohanka Oldsmobile, St. Paul Church/Community Development Corporation, Adventure World, Maryland National Park and Planning and MCI. He also volunteered with the District Heights Fire Department as a fire fighter and medical specialist. At the time of his death he was employed in Patient Services at Washington Hospital Center. Junior’s favorite meal was fried chicken wings and greens, no matter what kind.
Junior grew up in St. Paul Baptist Church in Capitol Heights, Maryland, where at the age of 14 he was baptized on February 1, 1984. This was a very special day as it was his parent’s 15th wedding anniversary. There he was befriended by Carl Williams, the Pastor’s son, and they remained best of friends until the very end. He was an active Usher and member of the Mass Choir during his youth. Although, as most young people do, he would venture out of the Church as he grew into a young man, he always found his way back home and the night before his death he was in the Church he loved worshipping with the saints.
Junior was blessed with many friends as evidenced by the outpouring of people at his home going services. Those left to continue to love him include his father Edward Sr. (deceased in 2004), mother Charlotte , his baby sister who he protected and guarded until his death, Sherita; two other sisters, Angela Harris Werts and Jacqueline Harris; four children named above, grandmother Mrs. Mable White, aunts, uncles, a cousin who was like a brother Ronald (Tony) Brown, special friends Carl Williams, Andre Johnson, Wayne Johnson, Latrice Worthy, LaJuan Dyson Allen, India Allen and Rhonda Washington; great aunts, nieces, nephews, a host of cousins and many friends that loved him dearly.
Junior’s memory will always be cherished by family and friends and we shall never forget the love and joy he brought into our lives. To God be the glory for loving him so much that He welcomed him home with opened arms and for giving us the wisdom to accept the things that we can not change.
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE MURDER
Edward Conway Gray Jr. was shot on Monday, March 22, 1999 at 8:43 PM while driving his green 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe in the 4800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE, Washington DC. He was pronounced dead at 9:30 pm at Howard University Hospital. Edward died of a single gunshot wound to the head that penetrated his brain. He was 29 years, 4 months and 7 days old.The Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, DC, believe Edward’s death was a case of mistaken identity. The case has never been solved although it happened in a neighborhood when many people were on the streets, some standing with the gunmen that opened fire on him, yet none will come forward. Edward was not known in the neighborhood and only went there to take a woman to pick up her daughter. Although the woman was supposedly in the truck when the shooting occurred she was not harmed. As they drove into the area two or three gunmen stepped out and began shooting. The truck was hit over twenty times from both sides. These cowards were supposedly gambling on the street with a group of people when Edward drove in. They made no attempt to discover who they were shooting at and they did not care. The gunmen are believed to live in the neighborhood and the people are afraid to speak out for fear of their lives so more families are being victimized by these cowards. |