David W. Grayson's Obituary
BISHOP DAVID WILLARD GRAYSON, SR., the Gentle Lion, Astute Warrior, Entrepreneur Extraordinaire, Personable Pastor, Exquisite Educator, Consummate Leader, Distinguished Gentleman was born into the parentage of the late Elder Milton Bernard and Mother Jennie Louise Margaret Delions Grayson, on a beautiful summer Monday, August 10, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York. The fifth of six children born to this union, young David was uniquely different. It wasn’t happenstance that he would be the only child with a Biblical name. Like David of old, he was heir apparent for such a time as this. He attended local schools where he would be seen early in life in a suit and tie carrying an attaché case. Doomed for greatness, he matriculated through Franklin K. Lane High School graduating in 1960;,and went on to the Baltimore College of Bible earning his Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate in Religious Education.Growing up in a very strictly disciplined household, young David attended St. Marks Holy Church pastored by its Founder, the late Mother Eva Lambert and later by the late Bishop Nathaniel Townsley, Sr. His zeal for the Lord and Leadership was evident in his childhood days when he wouldn’t leave the church until Mother Lambert was ready to leave so he could turn off the church lights. At the end of service on one night, a deacon mistakenly turned off the lights prior to young David. This event capitulated David into a tyrant of uncontrollable tears, causing his severe illness of asthma to exacerbate out of control, the Deacon was scold, and David elevated to Junior Deacon, his first official title of many. It was during one of these bouts of asthma that the newly appointed Junior Deacon lost his battle and died in the arms of his mother. The attack on his life tried to impede his destiny. It was the Woman of God, his pastor who anointed him with oil, prayed and God restored his life for his future assignments. At age 14, he accepted the Lord as his personal Savior and at 15, he preached his Initial Sermon.In the mid 60’s, he was lead to unite with the Institutional Church of God in Christ at 170 Adelphi Street in Brooklyn, NY where he served as Assistant Pastor to the late Bishop Carl E. Williams, Sr. It was during one of the famous Sunday night Broadcast experiences that he noticed this beautiful saintly young woman who was singing with a guest choir from Boston, Massachusetts named Delores Miller. He was smitten by the love bug and on June 1, 1968, they became one. They have been an ideal, handsome, Sweetheart couple from that day hence.Forever the consummate businessman, Dr. Grayson opened his first soul food restaurant in the East New York section of Brooklyn in 1967. He felt a yearning and tugging in his spirit to use his educational skills to better foster educational facilities for the children in the urban areas. Thus in 1969, Inspirational Day Care Center became a reality at 1072 Rutland Road in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn. The fourteen children on opening day solidified this community outreach. Soon, he would open a second location two blocks away named Inspirational Child Development Center. After the launching of this second location, the Lord directed to him to launch a ministry. He found a church for sale, purchased it, furnished it, and opened Grayson Temple Church of God in Christ. It was at this point that he united with the Eastern New York Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Bishops O. M. Kelly and F. D. Washington. In 1971, the happy couple welcomed their first son, named after his father. In 1972, Grayson Print shop opened. In 1973, Grayson Temple relocated to an old Jewish Yeshiva at 400 Stone Avenue, Brownsville Brooklyn, which also housed Inspirational Preschool of Education, as well as the church and print shop. At the same time, a fourth Preschool was opened in Flatbush Brooklyn. The church began to grow by leaps and bounds as the gospel was being preached and taught through this anointed vessel. Many of the members became recipients of employment as the ministry reached out to the communities in which they served.Dr. Grayson became involved within the Jurisdiction. He was appointed Financial Secretary by Bishop O. M. Kelly as well as District Superintendent of Brooklyn District #4. In 1975, a second son, Daavon Milton, was born to the happy couple. They maintained two residences as he relocated to Durham, NC. He continued the ministry of Grayson Temple in Durham which was in North Carolina Second under the leadership of Bishop Joe Sherman. He was appointed Jurisdictional Secretary there; and later in New York as well. He opened his first Kiddie Kollege in Durham as he continued to educate our children. In 1978, Kiddie Kollege was expanded to Brooklyn with a site in the old Maydie Payton home on Eastern Parkway as well as second site on Ocean Avenue in Flatbush. Always in pursuit of betterment and thinking BIG, Dr. Grayson heard the cry of the parents of Kiddie Kollege by unveiling his new venture and busied himself to get it done. In September of 1980, the doors of David Grayson Christian Academy opened its initial first grade class with 5 students. Each succeeding year a grade was added until he reached his goal of a Church of God in Christ premiere accredited by NYS Department of Education elementary school (Grades K-6) in Crown Heights Brooklyn. Through his influences and talent, many of his parishioners, community, and professionals were employed in his plethora of businesses. His focus on the Black Youth of his hometown yielded another venture when he opened Fun Foods, a spot with video games, pool tables, youthful foods…hot dogs, popcorn, sodas, ice cream, etc, with Christian music on the jukebox. It became a haven for the young people of our church as well as the community as lives were won to Christ through this initiative. He also turned his location at 913 Nostrand Avenue into an eloquent catering hall for Christian affairs.Dr. Grayson was appointed the Jurisdictional Executive Secretary of Eastern New York, Chairman of the Jurisdictional Program Committee by Bishop Kelly, where he remained faithful and efficient through the tenure of Bishop Kelly and Bishop F. D. Washington. He was appointed to the Executive Board and served as its Secretary by Bishop Washington. In 1986, he broke ground on a new edifice built on the parking lot of Kiddie Kollege and DGCA without one building fund drive or fundraiser. In May of 1987, Temple of Blessings Church of God in Christ was dedicated by Bishops F. D. Washington, Second Assistant Presiding Bishop and Chandler David Owens, General Board Member, both of whom were his mentors. With the consent of Presiding Bishop J. O. Patterson, Sr., Bishop Washington appointed Dr. Grayson the Overseer of the State of Maine Jurisdiction in 1986. On November 9, 1987 during the 90th session of the General Assembly of the Church of God in Christ, Dr. Grayson was consecrated to the Episcopacy and appointed the Bishop of the State of Maine Jurisdiction. He took his assignment seriously as he advanced the Kingdom. After the devastating death of Bishop Washington, Bishop Grayson was selected by vote to become one of the four Bishops to oversee the four new jurisdictions created by our Presiding Bishop J. O. Patterson, Sr. As the Founding Bishop of the Fourth Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Eastern New York, the visionary man of faith implemented distinction among his constituents in New York as well as the Jurisdiction in Maine. What a magnificent aggregation of brothers and sisters. His professionalism in ministry cannot be compared.In August 1990, he relocated his family to the place he loved Memphis, Tennessee, the home of our Church. He continued to fulfill his obligations to New York and Maine without skipping a beat. Continuing his entrepreneurship in his new city, Bishop founded Christian Cathedral COGIC now known as Grayson Cathedral COGIC and Excel Academy, a premier Preschool program. He always found properties to enlarge the vision and to open windows of opportunities for so many others. He saw to it that his schools and church still operated in Brooklyn in his absence. He knew all the techniques of management from afar. He surrounded himself with people who had his vision in their heart and spirit. He had the PERFECT wife, who stood graciously with him on every decision the Lord gave to him. Lady Grayson or Lady Delores as we reference her, BABY, as he called her and HONEY as she called him, complimented his very existence with her beauty. He made no decisions without her input and she likewise. She is HIS QUEEN and he treated her as such. From 1992 to 1996, he owned and operated WMPS Radio Station, Gospel Music to Live By, 1380 on your AM Dial. Bishop had a heart of gold. Truth be told, he assisted so many people throughout his earthly journey. He did so without renumeration; it was just in his heart to do good. In 2010, he began another ministry to assist in the rehabilitation of men returning to the populous after incarceration. Lending A Hand Ministry became a rescue for those who had been locked away for years. He served leadership with dignity until the end. He was a faithful member of the College of Bishops of the Church of God in Christ and Tennessee Central Jurisdiction under the leadership of General Board Member Bishop Brandon B. Porter.Bishop served this present age, his calling to fulfill: O may it all his powers engage To do His Master’s Will! He accomplished the Charge he had; Glorified the God he served, a never dying soul to save did he neglect and he was fitted for the sky. After 73 years of faithfulness, his health began to fail and it was inevitable that his time here was drawing to a close. He would say so often, ‘I don’t want to linger; I’m ready to go’. The midnight cry was made on Monday, February 22, 2016, at 12:45 AM as he viewed that beautiful City called Heaven and decided he no longer wanted to wait. He was so ready to trade his mortal body for the new one and take up residence in his new home that had been prepared for him. God heard his clarion call, dispatched the Angels to release His son into His hands.Bishop was preceded in death by his parents, Elder Milton B. and Mother Jennie L. Grayson, his brother Milton B. Grayson, Jr., his sister Barbara Grayson Moore, his mentors Bishops Frederick Douglas Washington and Chandler D. Owens.BISHOP DAVID W. GRAYSON, SR., leaves to cherish years of joyous memories, his Sweetheart, dedicated, loving wife of 47 years Lady Delores Grayson, three wonderful and dedicated children Davena R. Dahunsi (Kevin), Bishop David W. Grayson, Jr. (Monique), Elder Daavon M. Grayson (Pennie); two brothers Al and Sidney Grayson; one sister Janice Dillion; ten grandchildren Daavon Arkeist, Diamond, Kameron, Dylan, David III, Delaney, Monae, Daavon Jr., Daaja, Kaleb; a special sister Supervisor Sandra L. Taylor; a dedicated, unique special daughter Evangelist Debra M. Weston, Sisters-in-law, Brothers-in-law, a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, adopted children, the students and faculty of his educational facilities, the members of his beloved Temple of Blessings and Grayson Cathedral, Colleagues in the Gospel, and a plethora of friends.We rejoice that He’s in the presence of the Lord where He lived a full live to be…AT HOME!!!Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall” Please check back for updated obituary information.
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