Proverbs 31 is often times used to honor a married woman, a mother or a caregiver. It is safe to say, whoever we are referencing as a Proverbs 31 woman is a Woman of Wisdom.

Sis Mary Gray is an excellent example of this woman.

At the early age of seven, Mary Elizabeth Nooner made the smartest decision of her life when she decided to allow Jesus into her heart. That wise choice set her life on the path of a virtuous woman as exemplified in Proverbs 31. Just a few short years later at the age of 20, she met the love of her life when he was the guest minister at her home church revival services. The second wisest decision of her life was an easy one when she married Rev. Peter Gray in June of 1979.

43 years later and looking back we can see the hand of God all throughout her life’s journey.

Sis. Gray sings a song that very well shares her life’s motto- “I have decided to follow Jesus,I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.”

While along the many twists and turns, trials and tribulations, mountaintops and valleys, decision after decision, choice after choice presented opportunities to rethink her wise ways… but she’s stayed faithful and loyal to her Jesus.

Sis Gray has taught countless Sunday school classes, cooked many a fundraiser meal. She’s sang untold numbers of worship choruses, taught Bible studies and held crying babies in a foyer or nursery so that a hungry Momma could hear the Word. She’s stayed up late washing towels used for baptisms, woke up early to pick up people on her way to church. She’s faithfully fulfilled her calling in serving Jesus by performing all the untold and unseen duties of a pastor’s wife and superintendents wife … all the while caring for her growing family that started out with two daughters, added in two sons in laws and has been rounded out with eight grandchildren. She’s maintained her home, ministered in both her local church and around the world at her husband’s side in addition to receiving her nursing degree and growing her professional career in that field.

As I called sis. Mary Gray to let her that the WE team had selected her as this years WOW honoree she had just finished cleaning the restrooms at the Texas district youth camp which I found out later when her daughter told me. And I thought how appropriate this award is. Her words as she said her sweet humble way were I am unworthy.

This lady and her daughter flew to Michigan and took care of me during once of the sickest times I had during treatment and then making sure I had enough freeze dried fruit to sustain as I was able to eat it and enjoy.

Sis. Gray stands true to this day in her love for Jesus, her desire to be in His Word, and her willingness to let everyone know she serves a great big wonderful God!

“Totally Devoted, to the work of the Lord” has been more than just a song from her wedding ceremony. It has and will stand through all of her days as her mission in life – living a life that’s Totally Devoted to the work of the Lord. All these and so many more examples could be shared as proof that Sis Mary Gray is indeed worthy to be called a Woman of Wisdom.