I was born in Paris, Illinois, January 2, 1914, one of six children
born to Frank and Bertha Manual Blake. I attended elementary,
junior high and high school in Paris and graduated with the Class
of 1932. After graduation, I met Mr. Louis Gray of Champaign,
Illinois and was married. To this union was born one son, Steven
Frank Gray.
I became a member of the Bethel A.M.E. Church under the sponsorship
of Mr. A.R. Lee and sang in the choir for over 30 years. I was
active in the Willing Workers Club; the Louanna Riley Missionary
Society and presently serve as a trustee. As an employee of the
McKinley YWCA and through its mission "Employment on Merit,"
I was the first Negro hired to work in retail in downtown Champaign
in 1952 at the Kaufman's Clothing Store where I worked for 10
years. Later when the store was sold, I moved with Mr. Myers to
the Joseph Kuhn Clothing store and worked there for 18 years.
I also worked as Assistant Manager and Buyer for La Boutique in
downtown Champaign. In 1955, I served as Alternate Delegate to
the Champaign County League of Women Voters' State Convention
which was held on the U of I Campus.
Through the years I have received many awards from my Church;
The Urban League; the cities of Paris and Champaign; the Burnham
City Library Board of Trustees; the McKinley YWCA; the Cunningham
Children's Home; and the Champaign County Development Corporation.
As a member of CCDC, I was instrumental in creating the first
mini-park in Champaign-Urbana located on Park Street between Fourth
and Fifth Streets, the Marco-Nelson Park. Jack Marco and Earnest
Nelson donated the land, CCDC provided the money.
I am an honorary member of the Antique Study Group. I joined
in 1935 as my interest in antiques has been a lifelong passion,
and for 18 years, I owned and operated Gray's Antiques and Collectibles.
As a recent retiree from that business, I still commit my time
to various community projects and my Church. I am a Charter member
of the Champaign County Section of the National Council of Negro
Women.
Lucy
Jess Gray