Kathia R. Gray

Kathia Rena Gray, age 55, of Portsmouth, VA, went home to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on April 9, 2019. Rena was born to the parents of Thomas Britt and Katie Ann Diggs-Britt.

Rena was a woman of faith. She was a member and the former secretary at True Vine Pentecostal Holiness Church in Portsmouth, VA under the leadership of late Bishop Eli Ratcliff Jr. and Pastor Estelle Woods, Overseer William Ratcliff, and Pastor Cheryl Nicholson.

To know Rena, was to love her. Rena was one to brighten up her room delightfully. Rena had a voice that was like no other, and often referred to herself as the ideal, Whitney Hudson. Rena enjoyed singing, dancing, and making others smile. She was known for her phenomenal personality and unique spirit. Rena was family oriented and was a caregiver for her parents.

Rena graduated from Manor High School and received her Certified Nursing Assistance (CNA) certificate. Before becoming ill in June 2013, Rena was a CNA at Carrington Place of Chesapeake and Golden Living formerly known as Beverly Manor. She had a passion to care for others.

As her health declined, she often repeated the song lyric below:
“Don’t worry bout a thing, cause every little thing gonna be alright.” — Bob Marley

Through the years as she battled multiple illnesses, and through her trials and tribulations, Rena remained faithful to God and was supported by her loved ones. She has fought a good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith (Timothy 4:2). She was a loving daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Rena was predeceased by her loving mother Katie Ann Britt. Rena is survived by her father Thomas Britt; husband Timothy Gray; children Rondell Britt, Ciara Crandell, and Maurice “Whodie” Burnham; step-children Nicole Moore (Roy Coppedge) and Timothy Gray Jr.; siblings Thomas Britt Jr. (Lefern) of White Plains, NY, Katie Roberts of Portsmouth, VA, Clayton Britt (Cherika) of Chesapeake, VA; grandchildren Zamarion Britt, Zoey Sykes, Zorian Bethea, Saniyah Brown, and Jeremiah Moore; and a host full of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, family, and friends. In addition to the love of family, Rena had many God-children not to limit, the Brown’s, the Dancy’s, and her God-sister Monique Tearret.