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Gray Arlington Murray Payne was born on February 20, 1941 in Barbados, Saint Michael’s Parrish, formerly part of the British West Indies. He was the fourth child born to the union of Dr. Philip Manning and Mrs. Florence (Blackett) Payne.
The Payne family moved to Brooklyn, NY in the US after World War II, to live with relatives. Then they moved to Queens.
He continued his education in the Queens Public School System. Later, Gray went on to attend Virginia Union University, during which time he joined the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc and took part in the sit-ins during the civil rights movement. After attend- ing college, Gray joined his parents and youngest brother in Saint Vincent, BWI. From there he travelled to England where he met and married Esmée (Pennyfeather), and had two children, Sean and Joanne. During this time, he also enjoyed a musical and theatri- cal career. The family returned to America in 1971, where they settled in Queens, NY.
He was christened as a child in the Anglican Church in Barbados and was later confirmed in an Episcopal Church in NY. As an adult, he dedicated his life to Christ, was a devoted member of Cornerstone Christian Church of Long Island, and served God and “his brother” any way he could.–
Gray loved God, nature, hunting, music, and his family. He also enjoyed telling a good joke. Gray enjoyed each day of his life. He was a good and well-respected man, who will surely be missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard; and late wife, Eleanor (Amzakhan).
Gray and his loving wife, Marcia, recently moved to Kissimmee, FL. He passed away suddenly there on April 15, 2020.
Gray is survived by his wife, Marcia; son, Sean Philip; daughter, Joanne Marie; grand- children, Jasmine, Alexandria, Marcus, and Jonathan; great-grandchildren, Emmanuel and Ysabella; brother, Philip Payne; sisters, Barbara DeVeaux and Iva Hazlewood; former wife, Esmée; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
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