Charlotte Gray

Charlotte M. Gray (nee Merkle), age 95, died Wednesday, April 16, 2013 at 10 Wilmington Place, Dayton OH. Her passion for music led her to an active role in the arts throughout her life as piano teacher, church organist, and pianist. She served as president of the Dayton Music Club, president of the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs, Chairman for the Young Artists Division of the National Federation of Music Clubs, Dean of the local chapter of the American Guild of Organists, founding board member of the Miami Valley Community Concerts Association, founding member of the South Dayton Piano Teachers and member of Sigma Alpha Iota, music fraternity. With her husband and choir director, W. Alfred Gray (deceased), helped lead the musical life of local churches including St. Luke's United Church of Christ, Third Street Baptist, St. James United Methodist Church (Miamisburg), and led city-wide choral festivals. Together they founded the Dayton Junior Co-Ed Music Club and served as counselors for the Dayton Junior Music Club. Beginning in 1978, she worked as representative for the national Community Concerts Association to assist in presenting concerts artist series throughout the Midwest region.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Lily Merkle; sisters Ruth Helke, Esther Jackson, and Nellie Cook Balzer. She is survived by her daughter Patricia Gray and son-in-law Richard Kirkman; niece Nodine Miller; nephews David and Richard Jackson, and Fred Cook.

A service to celebrate her life will be held June 2nd, 2 pm at the Christ Methodist Church (Kettering) where she was a member. Donations in her memory may be made to: Ohio Federation of Music Clubs Foundation for the 'Charlotte and Alfred Gray Scholarship Fund', c/o Ronald Marenchin, 1415 Cottage Street, Ashland OH 44805-1224; and/or the Dayton Music Club, c/o Judith Murray, 1733 Bayberry Dr. south, Miamisburg OH 45342-2609. Arrangements are by the Newcomer Funeral Home (South Chapel), Kettering, OH.