Clyde A. Gray

Clyde Alton Gray, 90, of Jonesboro, departed this life on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at St. Bernards Medical Center. He was born on September 10, 1933, in Roe, Arkansas, to the late Ernest and Edith Lindsey Gray. Clyde served as assistant manager at the Social Security office in Jonesboro for 30 years and was a Rotarian. He graduated from Clarendon High School and received his bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State College. Clyde attended St. Paul United Methodist Church in Jonesboro where he was a devoted and longtime member. 

Clyde was an accomplished archer. He enjoyed target competition, winning state titles and placing 2nd nationally. He was a dedicated beekeeper for 42 years. His hobby of beekeeping became a thriving business – Miss Hon Apiary. “Miss Hon” was the name his father gave his mother. Known as the oldest beekeeper in the state, he managed as many as 2000 hives. Along with honey production, he provided bees for pollination to many California orchards. He was the former president of the North East Arkansas Beekeepers Association. He testified before a Senate subcommittee on beekeeping, showcasing his passion and expertise. 

In addition to his parents, Clyde was preceded in death by his first wife, Wanda Oberg Gray; his second wife, Anna Watson Gray; his son, Samuel Neal Gray; and his brother, Denver Gray. He is survived by his son, Andrew (Suzy) Gray of Jonesboro; his daughter, Vicki Godfrey of Jonesboro; his brother, Dale Gray of Jonesboro; his sister, Lucy (Rev. Gerald) Bounds of Heber Springs; his grandchildren, Graham Godfrey of Ogden, Utah, Brigham Godfrey of Austin, Texas, and Taylor Gray of Jonesboro; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins; and a lifetime of friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, starting at 1:00 p.m. at Emerson Memorial Chapel, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery with Pastor Billy Vanderbilt officiating the service. Those honored to serve as active pallbearers will be: David Bounds, Steve Gray, Frazier Blankenship, and fellow beekeepers, Bobby Coy, Steve Culp, and Ed Mason. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, or St. Paul United Methodist Church (2201 S. Culberhouse Jonesboro, AR 72401) in his memory. Clyde's legacy of service, community involvement, and passion for beekeeping will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.