Helen Bernice (Lewis) Gray

Life’s Reflection of

Helen Gray

On October 1, 1929, in Kin Loch, Missouri, a beautiful baby girl was born to John Henry and Bertha (Dockett) Lewis.  They later named her Helen Bernice Lewis.

Helen was the fifth of seven children born to parents John Henry and Bertha Lewis. Their children were: Johnnie “Shug” (1918), Henry (1920), Hank “Babe” (1922), William “Bill” (1924), Helen “Sister Girl” (1929), Claudell “Buddy” (1931) and Marjorie (1933).

Presently, Marjorie Lewis Buford is the only surviving Lewis offspring.

Helen attended St. Louis public schools and graduated from Vashon High School in 1947.  She soon developed a strong interest in the nursing profession and enrolled in the St Mary’s Infirmary School of Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri.  On August 31, 1952, she was granted her nursing license by the Missouri State Board of Nurse Examiners, certifying that she was a registered nurse in the state of Missouri.

In the fall of 1952, while in Kansas City for a holiday weekend, Helen met Maurice Gray.  Their love quickly blossomed and on February 6, 1953, the two were married.  

Helen and Maurice Gray moved to Memphis, Tennessee.  There they were blessed with the first of two children, Maurice Napoleon Gray Jr., who was born August 1953.

While in Memphis, the couple experienced difficulties with finding a nursing job for Helen. Faced with a lack of employment opportunities, the two packed up their belongings and moved to Maurice’s hometown of Kansas City, Kansas.  There they lived with Maurice’s mother, Mrs. Alma Gray until they could get established.

Helen eventually was blessed with a nursing job at St. Margaret Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas and Maurice was hired by the U.S. Postal Service.

In 1956, the couple was blessed with the opportunity to purchase a home in the Brentwood Hills neighborhood of Kansas City, Kansas.

In March 1959, the couple was blessed with their second child, Carol Dannette Gray.  Helen was a very dedicated mother to her children involved in their many activities. She served as a Boy Scout Den Mother, Campfire Girls Troop Leader, and supported her children in every way.

While raising her family, Helen did not lose her passion for her nursing career.  Following her time as a registered nurse, Helen broadened her career objectives and pursued an opportunity as an industrial nurse at the Bendix Aviation Corporation.

Still seeking her professional goals, Helen found that she still faced a barrier separating her from higher paying jobs due to her lack of a college degree.  She decided to pursue her undergraduate degree at Park University and on December 21, 1975, she received her B.A. in Technical Teachers Education.

Armed with her bachelor’s degree, she later applied for and was offered a job as a school nurse with the Kansas City, Kansas Public School System.  She served the school district for 24 years.  She joined the system as a school nurse for Title I schools in 1967 and remained in position until 1975.  She later became an instructor in the Practical Nursing Program and Health Assistant Program at Kansas City Kansas Area Vocational Technical School.

While employed there, Helen pursued her master’s degree and on May 16, 1981, received her Masters of Science in Nursing degree from Pittsburg State University.  She was nominated for the Kansas Master Teacher Award by KNEA in 1986.

It always brought Helen great joy to run into the former students that she had taught at AVTS. On several occasions, she had even met her students while she was hospitalized and they rendered her medical assistance.

Helen was a woman of faith and loved serving and praising God.  She was a committed member of Metropolitan Baptist Temple where she served in many capacities until her health failed; Sunday school teacher, Deaconess, choir member, Women’s Mission, Nursing Ministry, and the Scholarship Committee.

In addition to her commitment to the nursing field, Helen was also dedicated servant and served faithfully until retirement at the Shepherd Center as a poll worker during elections and as a tutor in local KCK elementary schools.  As a tutor, she preferred working with young Black males, giving them encouragement and guidance while spreading the Word.  She also enjoyed bowling, camping, fishing, travelling, journal writing, participating in the music ministry of her church and tending to her gardens of flowers and strawberries. She also enjoyed her involvement with “The Group”.

On October 25 1999, Helen lost the love of her life, Maurice Gray Sr., after 46 years of marriage.

Helen is survived in this life by her two children, Maurice Gray Jr. (Marisa) and Carol Gray, sister, Marjorie Lewis Buford, (Columbia, South Carolina), and by her five grandchildren: Camille, (Washington, DC), Miriam, Caleb, Maura, and Mylan; one great-grandchild, Kenzington (Kenzy), and a host of nieces and nephews.

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