Fay Gray Black

Fay Gray Black, 81, retired employee of the City of Columbia and resident of Maury County, died Thursday at Maury Regional Medical Center. A graveside service for Mrs. Black will be conducted Saturday at 11:00 A.M. at Concord Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Friday from 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. Born May 21, 1939 in Maury County, she was the daughter of the late Robert Ewing Gray and the late Lois Cleghorn Gray. She was a graduate of Columbia Central High School class of 1957. On April 2, 1960, she married William Ernest Black, who preceded her in death on February 26, 2008. Mrs. Black worked as the Executive Secretary for the City Manager of Columbia for many years. She enjoyed reading, watching television, and spending time with her dog, Lucas Ray Potts. Mrs. Black was a member of Eastside Church of Christ. She is survived by her daughters, Rose Ann (David) Walls of Columbia and Molly (Tommy) Benderman of Culleoka; grandchildren, Billy (Amber) Anderson, Dalton Walls, and Thomas Jack Benderman; great grandchild, Carter Shane Anderson; beloved dog, Lucas Ray Potts; and special friends, Brenda Barnhill and Gayle Mabry. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Ann Margaret Black and her brother, Billy Joe Gray. Active pallbearers will include Mike Simmons, Eddie Gray, Billy Anderson, Dalton Walls, Thomas Jack Benderman, and David Walls.