George Columbus Gray III, 49, died unexpectedly at his home in Mathews County on Jan. 13, 2014.

 

He was a longtime employee of Food Lion and considered it his job to make every customer leave the Mathews store with a smile.

 

He grew up in Kinnakeet, N.C., and attended North Carolina State University. He loved books, the beach, experimenting in the kitchen—although not always successfully—and animals, especially his dog Sydney.

 

He is survived by his wife, Susan Ripley; his mother, Rosalie Littleton, and his brother, Orrin Gray of Tennessee.

 

George was smart, funny and most of all—kind.

 

A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. Dede Parrish on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014, at 1 p.m. at Beulah United Methodist Church, 7505 New Point Comfort Highway, New Point, Va. 23125, followed by a fellowship meal.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society, P.O. Box 385, Gloucester, Va. 23061.

 

Arrangements by Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home and Crematory, Mathews, Va.