Mr. Joe Anthony Gray

Mr. Joe Anthony Gray 63, passed from this life on February 26, 2021, peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his home in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. Joe grew up in Walnut Ridge in a time when you could walk out your door in the morning and play all day, coming home when the streetlights would come on at dusk. From an early age, Joe showed a love for drumming. Beating on tables, using spoons and forks for sticks and pots and pans as drums. One day his momma seeing his potential traded a family heirloom guitar for a set of drums. Joe couldn’t read sheet music yet he would hear a song once and memorize it. He had a passion for those drums and was really good. Joe was the 90’s original drummer for Midnight Shift and enjoyed jamming with other local musicians anytime. He had a successful career with the Sanitation Department for the City of Walnut Ridge where he was employed for over 29 years. Joe enjoyed his job and made many life long friends among his co-workers and customers. His life reflected his faith and his selfless love and devotion for his family. Joe was a sensitive soul with a tender heart. He loved his family and his church. Joe was a dedicated husband, father, son, loyal brother and fun uncle and grandfather. He was preceded in death by father Ray Powers and granddaughter Kylie Howard. Joe leaves behind his best friend, soul mate and wife of over 28 years Patti (Dulaney) Gray of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas; his mother Wanda Sue Powers of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas; two sons Jason (Rochell) Arnold of Black Rock, Arkansas and Brice Gray of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; two daughters Malissa (Randal) Howard of Hoxie, Arkansas and Heather (David) Stevens of Paragould, Arkansas; 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild; two brothers Chuck Gray of Smithville, Arkansas and Eugene Powers of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas; three sisters Tina (Robin) Woodworker of Hoxie, Arkansas, Lana Gray and Peggy Gorecki both of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas; and a host of nieces, nephews, and life long friends. There will be a graveside service to honor Joe’s life at 10 AM on Saturday March 13, 2021 at the Markham Cemetery with Pastor Derek Collins of Gethsemane Baptist Church officiating. Tri-City LLC Crematory Funeral Home is honored and privileged to serve the family of Joe Gray. Online condolences may be expressed at www.Tri-CityLLC.com .

Mr. Joe Anthony Gray

July 4, 1957 - February 26, 2021