VALLEY — Mr. Horace Crayton Gregory, Sr., age 94, of Valley, Ala. passed away on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at his residence.  He was born on January 30, 1924 in Tallapoosa County, Ala.

Mr. Gregory is survived by his daughter, Paulette (Mike Hutto) Leavins of Jacksonville, Fla.; his son, Greg (Tana) Gregory of Valley; his brother, Randall B. Gregory of Centerville, Cal.; his sister, Blanche Johnson of Tallassee, Ala.; his five grandchildren, Amanda (Adam) Malone of Auburn, Ala.; Michael (Shea) Gregory of Valley,  Caleb (Taylor) Gregory of Beulah, Ala., Christian (Jeff) Hrubec of Phoenix, Ariz., and Chandler Dykes of Valley; his two great granddaughters, Ava Malone and Abby Malone.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Gloria Williams.

Mr. Gregory was a veteran of World War II, where he served in the U.S. Army.  He served in Africa, Italy, and Germany and was awarded the Purple Heart.  He was a very giving man and attended Valley Baptist Church where he was an avid church goer.  He was a retired employee of WestPoint Pepperell’s Langdale Mill.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 29, at 2:00 p.m. EDT at the graveside in Langdale Cemetery.  The Rev. Chuck Anderson will officiate.  The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. EDT at the Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home in Valley.

A Glass of Tea

By Tana Gregory

March 31, 2009

A simple glass of tea on a beautiful sunlit morning, what joy it brings.  Amazing how something so simple can represent something so wonderful.  An ordinary glass containing ice and filled with tea.  Nothing spectacular about it if you look just at the full glass of tea, but as the glass empties with each sip an extraordinary thing happens.  It is something so amazing, touching and memorable.  It is true, uninterrupted fellowship between a father and a son.

Dawn is breaking over the horizon as a father and son sits together in fellowship over a glass of tea.  With each sip a story of the father’s past is told.  With each sip a piece of wisdom is passed on.  With each sip a bond is strengthened between father and son.  Stories of days gone by are shared as the son sits and listens intently.  He becomes acquainted with family members he has never met.  He is told of hard times of war and famine and the Great Depression.  He laughs as he hears stories of foolish boyhood adventures his father had.  He cries, if only inside, as he listens to him tell of loved ones who have died.

He sits quietly in admiration as he listens to his father tell how he raised him and his sister.  As the glass empties they sit and reminisce about their childhood days.  They exchange silly stories, scary stories, and sad stories.  They talk of hunting, fishing, sports, cars, work and of course, girls.

As the glass empties with time the son receives bits of wisdom that only his father can share.  The wisdom he gives comes from his life experiences and from what God has revealed to him through scripture, church and prayer.  The value of this wisdom is immeasurable and the son receives it graciously.  The humble wisdom from the father brings comfort, peace and strength.

With each morning and each glass of tea the bond between father and son is strengthened.  Stories are told, plans are made and a lifetime of love is shared.

When the glass is empty and the father’s life is over the son will have a store of precious memories.  He will look back at the times he and his dad shared and be thankful for the beautiful sunlit mornings and the simple glass of tea.

A simple glass of tea.  What memories it holds.  What love it portrays.  Only between a father and son.

In memory of Horace Gregory, Sr. & honor of Horace “Greg” Gregory, Jr.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to all who shared their lives with Mr. Gregory.

Please visit our website at www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to leave a condolence for the family, share a memory of Mr. Gregory, or to light a Remembrance Candle in his memory.

Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley is directing.