Rev. Ezra Harold Graley, Jr., 83, of St. Albans, born May 6, 1929, son of Ezra and Sadie (Elshire) Graley, went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, December 29, 2012, at CAMC-Memorial Division after a long illness.
He served in the U.S. Army from May 1951 until September 1953. Pastored for 50 years, serving at Summit Ridge Church of God, Amandaville and Lincoln Drive Church of God. He was the owner of Graley Roofing for 35 years,
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Iwana Marie Graley, brother, William (Carol) Graley, Sister, Jenny Brown and Phyllis (George) Kinzer; sons, Michael (Connie) Graley, Greg (Joy) Graley and Tim (Beverly) Graley; grandchildren, Aaron, Josh, Britni, Joel, Alexander, Bryce, Ashton, Elysa, RuthAnn; great grandchildren, Kailey, Kaegan, Colton, Brennan, Haley, Kaeden, Richae, and Shai; and stepchildren, Nancy (John) James, Janet (Steve) Samples, and Don Hill; stepgrandchildren, Shawn (Jodi) Peterson, Brad Peterson, Stephen Peterson, Hannah Pettit, Jody Fisher, Jonathan Fisher, Jeremy Fisher and Rachel Samples; step great grandchildren, Savannah, Star, Maryssa, Lyanna, Tanner, Koen, Cameron, Sophia, Landon, Lync and Layton.
Ezra loved the Lord, his country and his family. He witnessed to people every day no matter where he was. He loved to help people. He fought a good fight especially since September. He was in CAMC, OSU and St. Mary’s and CAMC where he passed away December 29, 2012. Thank you to all the doctors and nurses that were so kind to him.
Services will be 12:00 noon on Wednesday, January 2, 2013, at Curry Funeral Home Chapel, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek, WV, with Pastor Jackie Miller officiating. Burial will follow at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, Dunbar, with military rites.
Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00pm on Tuesday, January 1st at the funeral home.
I have sang for thousands of ministers over the years. Bro. Ezra was one I’ll never forget . He was a true man of God that stood for the right against all odds. I admire and have the greatest respect for him. He lived the life and showed the love of Jesus in what he did. Bro. Ezra was also a giver and was such a tremendous blessing. By the grace of God will rejoice in Glory …
Ezra was a hero. He sacrificed much for children in 1974.
America needs more preachers like him.
Please listen to this song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf5E0MQC8M0) about him and some other preachers like him.
Over the years, Ezra myself along with other ministers and whole host of good friends, have walked side by side, fighting, to preserve our Godly Beginnings, that has made America, the envy of The World. God, Family and Country, is what has made our nation so favored before the The Lord.
His passing like many others our age, is the ending of an era, that it seems will never be again,. I Salute this old friend today. I am only sorry and saddened, because of my health, prevents me from being there with all the family to give Tribute, to Ouyr Dear Brother. We traveled many a mile and saw many souls come to Jesus. We sang in our church, at Coal Mountain, St Albans, around the Piano, harmonizing, singing those old songs by The Singing Cooks, many late evening after a long day. Fighting the frustrations, seeing books that defamed the Name of God, that were Anti Family and Anti Country. Those times around the Piano, were so soothing, feelng The Presence of The Holy Spirit Confort and bring tears of joy on our faces. I pray That Same Spirit, will confort this my friends of Ezra’s Family and give them great confort in knowing. Ezra, is walking on New Ground, Today. Apostal Paul, stated, To be absent of the body, is to be present with The Lord… Rejoice family we will meet again soon. I’m hoping this song by, The Singing Cooks will bless you, as I post this in honor our our Brother Ezra. RIP old friend. http://www.myspace.com/…singing-cookes-singing...
Lord bless all of you his friends. You may also see recorded video of Ezra on Youtube, type in Kanawh County Texbook War…. here is the link… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EguYXLKfW7M
This was a great man of God that touched a lot of lives and one of those lives was mind. You will be missed man of God.
Very sincere sympathy to the family of Ezra Graley from the Raynes family, Raynes Funeral Home, Buffalo, WV.
I want to say that Brother Graley was my pastor for many years. He was a blessing in my life. I know that he is up there with Jesus. I will be joining him soon. My love and prayers to sister Edwana. She has been a blessing too. God bless everyone in the family.
Love,
Hilda Wines
There are a few people in life who influence the people we become. You will never know how much you were a part of the person that I became! We will miss you very much! You were a great man and mentor.
Love, Paul Kinzer and family