Katharyn Briscoe Gray
Katharyn Gray Obituary
Katharyn Evelyn (Trina) Briscoe Gray, born August 1, 1944, made the transition to
reside in her heavenly home, which has been prepared for her by her Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 16, 2026.
The seventh child of Horace W. Briscoe and Lillie Mae Carter-Brown Briscoe,
Katharyn was a proud product of the Sandy Community, Limestone County,
Texas, established during 1870 – 1875; a community in which her formerly
enslaved great, great grandmother, Nancy Sparks Briscoe, was a founding
member.
Growing up in the Sandy Community, Katharyn attended Oak Hill Elementary
School, and later Coolidge Community High School until her junior year of high
school, when she then moved to Houston, Texas and completed her senior year
of high school at Booker T. Washington High School.
Sandy Church records show that Katharyn joined the Sandy Methodist Church
(Union Memorial United Methodist Church) on February 21, 1954, under the
pastorate of Rev. J. F. Muse. Even during her many years away from the Sandy
Community, Katharyn always considered “Union” to be her “Mother Church” and
continued to support this church throughout her lifetime, with her visiting
physical presence, as well as regular financial contribution in her absence.
Katharyn returned to the Sandy Community to live in 2019.
Upon graduating from B. T. Washington High School as Salutatorian of her class,
Katharyn chose to forego a 4-year college scholarship and one week after
graduation, married “the one whom her soul loved” (Song of Solomon 3:4),
Alexander Gray, Jr. They shared more than 52 years of covenant love,
commitment and marriage. Into this blessed union, Pamela D. Gray Ogletree and
Alexander (Lex) Gray, III, were born into the welcoming arms of their grateful and
loving parents.
Over the years, Katharyn served in God’s Kingdom in the Houston area as Bible
Study teacher, Coordinator of Christian Development, Church Board of Director
and Assistant Sunday School teacher. Her personal life was a testament to her
continued Kingdom work as she fellowshipped and enjoyed life with her many
“Titus Daughters”, particularly Leisa Wilkins-Smith and Bernice Dickey and
Clynita Grafenreed.
Always a strong student, Katharyn was encouraged by her teachers to cast her
Vision for her life high, and to fully understand that education and consistent
hard work would be the tools to propel her out of the cotton fields of Central
Texas into whatever life she chose for herself. Her older brother, Willie (Dede),
contributed greatly to her educational success … being three grades ahead, he
made it a point to teach her whatever he learned each day. Being a precocious
child and a voracious reader, Katharyn charted her Life Vision where she would
go forth and achieve success in the corporate world.
Heredity deafness at age 18, early marriage and two children did not deter her
from this goal. Katharyn began her move into this uncharted area shortly after the
Civil Rights law was signed into effect when she became the first Black cashier-
checker at the renowned HEB Food stores in San Antonio, Texas. From there, she
progressed to clerical work at the Prudential Insurance Company in Houston.
After working full time and attending college at night for over 10 years, Katharyn
obtained her Accounting Degree with honors. After a few more years working in
the private sector Insurance and Oil & Gas Companies, Katharyn went to work for
the U. S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service.
Professionally, Katharyn was at complete peace with her Life Vision to excel in
the corporate world when she retired as a Sr. Financial Products and
Transactions Specialist at Internal Revenue Service (IRS) after more than twenty
years of service and receiving numerous awards and citations for her excellent
service. These ongoing awards and citations were capped off by being awarded
the IRS Commissioner’s Award for “Outstanding Personal Contribution to
Accomplishing the Mission of the Internal Revenue Service.
From her earliest years, Katharyn knew without a doubt, her life’s “purpose” was
her family … as a wife, parent, sibling, grandparent, aunt or cousin. Her husband,
children and grandchildren were the centerfold of her life. Cross country trips
with “the sisters” were legendary.
Her face split into smiles at the mere mention of “the Nieces and the Nevs”. Her
occasional “overreaching” into their lives was tolerated with amused affection as
they all knew it was predicated on the love “Aunt Trina” felt for them. Many of her
cousins and young cousins were included under this umbrella of Briscoe/Gray
family love.
To celebrate the transition to her new home, Katharyn leaves her daughter, Dr.
Pamela D. Gray Ogletree (Bishop Dr. Ethan Ogletree Sr.), and son, Alexander
(Lex) Gray, III. Grandsons, Ethan Ogletree, Jr., J’Von Ogletree (Brittany), Nicholas
Alexander Gray, Trevor Palacious; Granddaughters, Ashlee M. Gray Chalker
(Joshuah), Kayla Jamerson( Damian), Bonus Granddaughter, Jasmine Akrie
(Warren); 12 Great Grandchildren, Sisters Joyce Mumphord, Lucy Boyd and
Robbie Briscoe, Brother Walter Briscoe; two half-brothers Robert Earl Briscoe
and Willie Freeman; and numerous beloved Nieces, Nephews, relatives friends
and Titus Daughters.
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Services
May 30, 2026
10:00 AM
Union Memorial United Methodist Church (Sandy, Texas)
Sandy, Texas