University of North Carolina Greensboro - Pine Needles Yearbook (Greensboro, NC)

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£A 3n mpmoriam Barn Sme 3. 1848 Sipa ©rtnbrr r. 1912

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R. T. Gray OBERT TERELIUS GRAY was bom in Randolph County, North Car- oHna, June 3, 1848. He was educated at Bingham School, Mebane, N. C, and at the University of Virginia. Later, he read law under Chief Justice Pearson, and in 1873, settled in Raleigh for the practice of his profession. In 1875 he was married to Miss Caro Lilly, of Fay- etteville. Three children were born of this union. Mr. Gray served as trustee to a number of institutions having as their purpose the uplift of humanity. He was a member of the Board of Trus- tees of Rex Hospital and of Edenton Street Methodist Church, Raleigh, N. C. ; a member of the Board of Trustees and of the Executive Committee of the University of North Carolina; and a member of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Com- mittee of the State Normal and Industrial College. His service to the latter institution began in 1892, as one of the donors of the site on which the first buildings were erected, and continued until his death. October 7th, 1912. Such, in barest outline, are the facts in the life of Robert T. Gray, But who that knew him will rest content with such an outline, or admit that in it are found the excellencies of the man we loved? For eleven years he gave freely of his best thought to the development of this College, and none of all its benefactors have served it more cheerfully or devotedly. A man of large views, warm-hearted, companionable, and courteous, he exemplified at their best both the virtues and the graces of manhood. In his cheerful presence all the better qualities of our nature seemed called into active ex- istence: — all pessimism and selfishness, and rudeness, effectually rebuked. To know him was to love him; and to enjoy his friendship, a distinct mental and spiritual uplift. Men found in him their model of chivalry ; women a high and noble nature eminently worthy of their trust, and children — a sweet-tempered counsellor and friend. On this page, sacred to his memory, we would sound no note of woe. To do so would ill requite his services and prove us no apt pupils of his cheerful faith. We loved him, and in all the relations of life we found him worthy to be loved. His coming added an element of largeness to life: manners grew sweeter, labor lighter, and duty less a task-master. His passing cannot change these things nor rob us of our heritage. There are lives the very memories of which are as benedictions, and such to us will ever be the life of Robert Terelius Gray.

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Carolina Carolina, mother mine, State upheld by right divine, Thou of great and noble heart Good and bounteous too thou art; We, thy children, honor thee, From the mountains to the sea. Thine the sons who bravely fought, Thine the hands that patient wrought; Theirs the faith that faltered not. Theirs the record without blot. Deeds heroic thou hast seen Carolina, proud, serene. Can we fail thee, mother, now? Will the future cloud thy brow? Not while flowing in our veins One drop of patriot blood remains! Keep us ever truly thine, Carolina, mother mine. — Alice Sawyer, ' ic