Gaynelle Gray

Born the 14th of July, 1928

Welcome to a collection of all things Little Gran. It began as an idea of her loving daughter’s and is currently being built by her admiring great-grandson. Attempting to do justice to the life of a great woman, who has truly savored life for near a century, is no small task.

In building this collection of stories, photos, advice, and more the best part has been the most obvious: spending time with, and learning more about my great-grandma. She was born in 1928. I was born in 2000. I can’t claim to have caught up on each day of those 72 years, but these stories reflect exactly how interesting and special of a person my Little Gran is. I ask her what comes to mind, but I always welcome your own stories, questions, or photos. Please contact me: sam@samuelmatlock.com.

To me she is Little Gran. To others she's been a teacher, a matriarch, a farmer's daughter, a wheat picker, a bank teller, a student, a beauty queen, and everything in between. She's lived through the Great Depression, World War II, the creation of the United Nations, 22 Presidential terms, multiple cycles of Geo-Political hierarchies, the assassination of President Kennedy, the Vietnam War, and a million more pivotal events. Since the 14th of July, 1928 the world has had one extra witness to it’s ever fastening changes. She’s forgotten more than many are privileged to remember and to collect these stories of hers has been a great joy. Thank you for reading.

"I try to meet each day with peace, learn from experience, overcome negative thoughts, and remember that small opportunities are often the beginnings of great achievements. The adversities that I have faced have taught me that prayer and faith could pull me through anything. I believe it is never too late to accomplish our goals. We live only once, but if we work it right once is enough."
- Ms. Texas Senior America 1992 (Gaynelle Gray)