Volena Eutrishia Hardy-Gray

“Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

                Mrs. Volena Eutrishia Hardy-Gray, 91, of Cleveland formerly of Youngstown departed this life on Monday, August 26, 2024 at her home surrounded by her family.

            Mrs. Gray was born August 31, 1932 in Coker, Alabama, a daughter of Buck and Azelene Knox Hardy. She was a graduate of Tuscaloosa County Training School in Northport, Alabama.  She received a BS degree in ‘vocational Home Economics from Alabama A & M University in Huntsville, AL, and a Masters degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Kent State University in Kent, OH. Continuing her educations, she received a Reading Certificate for grades 1 thru 12 from Youngstown State University, and completed the required courses in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh.  She also studied additional courses in nutrition and dietetics at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts.

            In 1979 Mrs. Gray received the Jennings Scholar Award for Excellent Teaching from the Martha Halden Jennings Foundation of Cleveland, OH.  Volena had many experiences and served in several capacities which included:

                                   Assistant Dietician at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Youngstown, OH

                                   Assistant Dietician at Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren, OH

                                   Assistant Dietician at Akron City Hospital in Akron

                                  She did several food preparations and demonstrations on the Margerie

                                             Mariner Show

                                   She was a nutrition and dietetics consultant for the Mahoning County

                                             Mental Health Board

                                  She was certified by the American Association of Family and Consumer

                                             Services, (AAFS).

                      Mrs. Gray taught in the Youngstown City for 32 years.  She was the first African American to teach at The Rayen School.  She also taught at East High School, Choffin Career Center, South High and Chaney High Schools, retiring in 1995.

            Mrs. Gray leaves to mourn, but to cherish her memory, her life and legacy, her son, Bertrand Joseph Gray, daughter-in-law, Tanesha Daniels-Gray; three grandchildren, Xyviera, Terran and Jordan Gray; a great granddaughter, Rosae Gray; sister, Fannie Lee Pruitt; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

            Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, whom she married in 1956 and who passed away January 2009; sisters, Pearlene Hardy Bennett, Lallie McGee, and Sally Mae Hardy; four brothers, Elbert, Velbert, Buck Jr. and Henry Hardy.

            Visitation will be Friday, September 6, 2024 from 1:00 – 1:30 p.m. at the L. E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home, 1951 McGuffey Road, Youngstown, OH. A celebration of life will follow at 1:30 p.m.

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