We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Dr. Glenda Ruth Gray, who died on December 27, 2022, at the age of 80.
Glenda was born on March 6, 1942, in Meade, Kansas to Marguerite and Roger Gray. She lived the first eighteen years of her life in Meade attending Meade Grade School and Meade High School. She had two older sisters, Charlene Ordaz and Barbara Herazo who went to college and married while Glenda was still a very young child. Glenda’s mother had the most direct influence on her. She encouraged Glenda’s voracious reading, expected her to attend college, and taught her to take risks and survive and to abide by certain values – work hard, keep promises, follow through, be honest, and care for others.
Glenda received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Wichita State University in 1964, following which she earned her Master of Arts in Speech from the University of New Mexico in 1965. Thereafter, she began her full-time teaching at the University of Albuquerque (1967-1986) while also completing her Ph.D. in Speech Communication from the University of Oregon (1976-1981). From 1986 to 1987, Glenda worked as an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico and the University of Phoenix extension and then as a training director at the State of New Mexico, Human Services Department (1987-1994).
Until about 1960 Glenda was a Baptist, she remained unchurched for eight years and became a Unitarian in 1968. Ever since, she attended UU churches in Albuquerque, NM (where she served as Board President); Eugene, OR; Green Bay WI; Santa Fe, NM (also served as Board President); and chaired many committees in all the congregations. Her extensive institutional experience as a lay leader led to her interest in ministry. Becoming a Unitarian Universalist minister was one of her stories since 1976, that she had not acted on it but often talked about. She wanted to contribute to individual and community growth and healing, exploring opportunities to refocus attention toward what grows connections clear and strong. Following this call, in 1994, she entered Starr King School for the Ministry graduating with a Master of Divinity in 1997.
Rev. Dr. Gray was ordained on May 3, 1998, by the First Unitarian Church of Memphis, TN. Following ordination, she served the Emerson UU Congregation, Marietta, GA for ten years (1998-2008). She worked to expand the adult education programs, encouraged others to take more initiative, conducted her own class offerings, and instituted brief discussion periods for local and national issues. During her tenure, the lay leadership developed and grew. She was instrumental in encouraging the formation of a denominational affairs committee to strengthen relationships with other UU congregations. Rev. Dr. Gray served the congregation as a teacher, a friend, a repartee, a dreamer, a confidant, a taskmaster, and a coach.
Her sermons were intentional, thought-provoking, spiritual, and often reflected Unitarian values and principles. She shared her spiritual path while making others think about their own. She had an unusual ability to meet people, talk with them, remember them, and make them comfortable.
Rev. Dr. Gray was also involved in denominational affairs serving on the Mid-South District Extension Growth Committee and was a member of the UUMA.
In Memphis, Glenda was active in Shelby County Interfaith, an affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foundation, participating in actions and a subgroup on welfare reform. Likewise, she served on the board of the New Mexico Right to Choose and was a member of the Albuquerque Downtown Neighborhood Association. In her spare time, she enjoyed singing and dancing, and movement meditation. Furthermore, she had several of her writings published including “
Arguments Used Against Women’s Suffrage and Women’s Rights.” Colloquium for Research on Women, April 1986.
Glenda is survived by her nieces: Shaila Ordaz and Marcy Weinberg; nephews: David Ordaz, Robert Ordaz, Rafael Herazo, and Carlos Herazo; as well as six great nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her beloved cat Chauncy.
A memorial service will be held in the spring of 2023.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to the
Animal Humane Society of New Mexico, 615 Virginia St, SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, or
The First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque, 3701 Carlisle Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110.
Notes of condolence can be written
here.
