Orline Best Gray was born on January 2, 1934 in Lenoir County to the late Sylvanus Best and Viola Carraway and departed this life on November 15, 2016 at Signature HealthCare of Kinston, NC. Orline Best Gray was one of 14 children of the late Viola Carraway Best and Sylvanus Best.  

Orline received her education in the public schools of Lenoir County and on December 31, 1953, she became the lovely wife of  Frank “June” Gray, Jr.  

Later in life, Orline accepted Christ as her Savior and became a faithful member of Mount Calvary Free Will Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop J. E. Reddick of Kinston, NC, where she served faithfully as an usher until her health declined. As a Christian mother, Orline wanted the best for her children, and she was a very good cook among other things.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by two sisters Aurgie Lee Hicks and Tince Mae Dawson and six brothers James Best, Leonard Best, Theodore Best, William Henry Best, Elbert K. and Thelbert Ray.                     

She leaves to cherish in her memory one daughter, Elma G. Koonce of La Grange and one son, Frank Neal Gray of Atlanta, Ga.; two brothers Sylvanus Jr. (Dolly) of Raleigh, NC, Richard (Janice) of Goldsboro. NC; three sisters Christine Best of Goldsboro, NC, Lillie Mae Isler (John)and Shirley M. Kittrell (La Fayette) both of LaGrange, NC; three grandchildren Tony Gray, DeJuan Gray and Demarkcus (Leon) Gray; three sisters-in-law Melba Best of LaGrange, NC, Frances Best of Ladysmith, VA, and Beulah Best of Boston, Mass.; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.