Geneva Exziner (Wiggins) Gray

A Celebration of Life Service for the Reverend Mother Geneva Exziner Wiggins Gray, 92 of Decatur, Alabama will be noon Saturday, April 19, 2025 at United Pentecostal Jubilee House of Prayer with Bishop John Gray officiating and Bishop Thomas D. Strong host pastor. Inhumation will follow in Bell Church Cemetery. Mother Gray will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral service.  Public viewing will be Friday from 1:00 PM till 6:00 PM at the funeral home.

Mother Geneva Exziner Gray, beloved mother and esteemed community leader and minister departed this life on April 11, 2025, at Decatur General Hospital in Decatur, Alabama. She was born on April 16, 1932, in Morgan County, Alabama, to the late Allen Wiggins, Sr., and the late Lille Mae Fennell Wiggins.

Geneva's early education was obtained at the Morgan County Training School in Hartselle, Alabama. She embarked on a diverse career, initially as a sharecropper before becoming a successful insurance agent and tax consultant. She worked the voting polls for many years as well as started Gray's Printing Service. Later in life, she embraced her passion for homemaking, creating beautiful art pieces that reflected her creativity becoming known as "Mother Make-A-Millionaire." 

Throughout her life, she was known for her strong faith, having accepted Christ and been baptized at Springhill Missionary Baptist Church, which is now known as El Shaddai Church Ministry where she remained a faithful member all of her life.

A devoted member of her church, Geneva was a gifted Sunday School teacher and instrumental in establishing the Sunday School Booster Day. In 2009, on her birthday, she accepted her call to the ministry and received her ministry license on January 9, 2010.

In 1952, Geneva married the love of her life, the Reverend Elijah Gray, Sr. Their union was blessed with eleven children: five sons, John, Elijah, Piliate, Samuel, and George Steve, and six daughters, Shirley, Rachel, Elizabeth, Mary, Martha, and Naomi. The Gray family thrived under the loving guidance of Geneva and Elijah for over sixty-five years, fostering a close-knit family that included numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Geneva had a profound impact on the churches she served. As First Lady, she supported and uplifted congregations at Providence M. B. Church, Minor Hill M. B. Church, Macedonia M. B. Church, Bethel Lauderdale M. B. Church, Shiloh M. B. Church, Mt. Moriah M. B. Church, and First Baptist M. B. Church. Her leadership extended to various organizations, such as President of the Minister Wives Association and various choirs, leaving a lasting legacy in the community.

Known for her outgoing personality, Geneva never met a stranger. She possessed a bold spirit and a unique ability to convey her thoughts with grace and love, often sharing her wisdom through poetry. She didn't have much of a sweet tooth but you could light up her day with some hot Krispy Kreme doughnuts. In her free time, she delighted in crossword puzzles, watching Family Feud, and sewing beautiful handkerchiefs, always with love for her family and friends at the forefront of her endeavors.

Geneva was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband, the Reverend Elijah Gray, Sr.; two sons, Piliate Gray, Sr., and George Stevenson Gray; two daughters, Rachel Gray and Martha Gray; grandsons, Deborah Gray, Timothy Gray, and Simeon Gray; son-in law, the Reverend Samuel Green; five brothers, James Simpson, Theo Wiggins, Melvin Wiggins, Sam Wiggins, and Charlie Wiggins; two sisters, Ellistine McDaniel and Hattie Marie Wiggins; four brothers-in-law, Billy Gray, Moses Gray, George Gray, and Eugene Gray; and sisters-in-law, Queenester French, Jewel Davis, Pricilla Melson, Edna Gray, and Helen Wiggins.

She leaves behind a cherished legacy of love and strength, survived by her children: Shirley Green, John (Linda) Gray, Elijah (Victoria) Gray, Samuel (Sherry) Gray, Elizabeth Raybon, Mary Gray, and Naomi (David) Pruitt, along with daughter-in-law Blanche Gray, siblings Eddie Wiggins, James (Linda) Wiggins, Eliza Minor, Gloria (James) Wilkerson, and Mattie (Glen) Cain; grandchildren, Nathan (Cynthia), Maurice (LaTasha), Antonio (Marteasha), Marquis (Sherika), Twana, Jeff (Stephene), Tiffany, Marquenta (Durante), Piliate, Jr. "PC" (Candy), Eric (Michelle), Christina (Jeremiah), Steve, Jr. (Lyn), Shantia (William, Amber (Tirvarrus), Angela, Latasha, Samuel Jr. (Corvia), Patrick (Sydney), Myra and Sarah; forty seven great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and Her devoted bonus children, Timothy Ingram and Carol Copeland, and her neighbor, Bobby Grundy.

Mother Geneva Exziner Gray's unwavering faith, passion for family, and heartfelt contributions to her community will leave a lasting influence on all who were fortunate enough to know her.

In her memory, we honor her legacy of love, service and faith remembering that she loves us all and IT NEVER EVER STOPS!

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Geneva Exziner (Wiggins) Gray, please visit our floral store.