GRAY, Bernis Witt - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Mrs. Bernis Gray, 72, of Newtown, who completed a 52 year near perfect attendance at the Sunday school of the Newtown Presbyterian church in 1970, died unexpectedly of a heart attack at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday (Sept, 27, 1972) while visiting at the home of her sisters, Miss Donnabelle Witt and Miss Edith Witt in Newtown. A life resident of Newtown, she was born Feb. 14, 1900, the daughter of Bernard and Della Clawson Witt. She was married June 5, 1937, to Carl Gray, who died April 25, 1971.She was a 1919 graduate of Newtown High. After completing a 50 year perfect attendance at the Sunday school on the last Sunday in 1968, Mrs. Gray was honored by the church and presented with 50 red carnations. Although Mrs. Gray resided in the country for some 28 years where many times snow and ice-packed roads would have kept many home, she managed to get to Sunday school. during those 52 years, she had not even missed Sunday school for being ill. In 1960, she received a gold pin dedicated to Christian service when she was named as an honorary member of the board of national missions of the United Presbyterian Church. The United Presbyterian women of the Newtown church presented a gift of $50.00 to the mission board in her name. For 35 years, Mrs. Gray was teacher of the primary class of the Sunday school and taught many persons who were children of former pupils. She was secretary of the church school for many years, a ruling elder in the church and a past president of the United Presbyterian Women. A past matron of the Newtown Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, she served as treasurer for 27 years. A charter member of the Richland Township Homemakers Club, other memberships included Richland Township Women's Republican Club, Music Club, a bridge club and Pythian Sisters Lodge. Survivors include the two sisters and a brother Sewell Witt of Newtown. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday in Newtown Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Walter Williams officiating. Burial will be in Newtown Cemetery. Friends may call at Crumley-Williams Funeral Home.