LEGACY: Mary Maxine Gray Scales

0
586
Mary Maxine Gray Scales

For Mary Maxine Gray Scales, the world was full of interesting places to go and see. Traveling was a passion that always led back to the city and the family that she loved.

A retired Memphis City Schools teacher, she passed away at Methodist University Hospital on Oct. 15. She was 74.

Laura Terrell remembered “Maxine” from her tenure with her at Westwood High School. “She was the ‘it girl’,” Terrell noted in an online post.

“Every task assigned to her was completed with the flair of perfection. Maxine mastered the art of compromise. She was a blessing to everyone she encountered. I will remember how proud she was of the irises from her garden and her generosity in sharing them.”

Sandra C. Hamilton also worked with “Ms. Scales” at Westwood High, remembering the one-time co-worker who “not only taught her students with vigor, she also served the administration and faculty with her sincere hospitality. She initiated all of the fun activities: She would see to it that everyone’s birthday was remembered, and any other important aspect of our lives was always acknowledged.

“Ms. Scales was a constant source of encouragement whenever it was needed. She was always ‘upbeat’ – to say the least.”

A visitation service was held Tuesday (October 23) at M.J. Edwards Funeral Home, Whitehaven Chapel, at 5494 Elvis Presley Blvd. The home going service was Wednesday at Riverside Missionary Baptist Church at 3560 S. Third St., with burial in Calvary Cemetery,1663 Elvis Presley Blvd. M.J. Edwards Funeral Home had charge.

A member of Riverside Missionary Baptist Church, Scales “loved the Lord and wanted to share His word with everyone.”

A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she also was a member of the Westwood High School Retirees and a beloved neighbor in the Southland Hills Neighborhood. Poetry captivated Scales and she often could be found reading poetry or writing it.

She was preceded in death by her parents, the Rev. Leo M. Gray Sr. and Corenna Olivia Phillips Gray.

Those celebrating her legacy include her siblings, the Rev. Dr. Leo LaSimba Milton Gray Jr., the Rev. Cleo Clifton Gray, Dr. Jerushaiah (Roberta) Gray, Dr. Vernita Gray Duncan, and Ruth Denise Gray; (Bobbie Gray Cage, Nicholas Gray, Glenda Gray and Baby Girl Gray preceded her in death) and sisters-in-law, Allie Gray and Mary Gray.