Elmo Gray Portis , August 13, 1926 — May 10, 2019

Mr. Elmo Gray Portis was Promoted to Glory Friday, May 10, 2019. He was born on August 13,1926, to the late Walter T. and Myrtle S. Portis in Winston-Salem, NC. He had 65 plus years’ service to The Salvation Army Corps in Winston-Salem.

He held the following local leadership positions: Corps Sergeant Major, ACSM, YPSM, and League of Mercy Secretary. He also worked at the kettles for many years at Christmas time. Gray served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War Years at Camp Pendleton, California, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal.

Gray worked at R.J. Reynolds and retired with 37 years of outstanding service. In addition to his parents, Gray was preceded in death by his wife of almost 67 years Mary R. Portis. He is survived by his three children, Donna P. Blackburn, Linda P. Arrowood, Timothy G. Portis; sons-in-law Buddy C. Blackburn, and James (Jim) Arrowood; and daughter-in-law Janet Portis.

Gray had 6 grandchildren, John C. Blackburn, and wife, Shannon, Melinda K Blalock, Cynthia D. Williamson, Christina L. Flanegin and husband, Jimmy, Heather Myers and husband, Lee, and Jessica Hedgren and husband, Matt. Gray had 15 great grandchildren Dylan Myers, Brody Hedgren, Ryder Hedgren, Tate Hedgren, Duke Hedgren, Michael C. Blackburn, Adrian K. Blackburn, Joshua D. Blalock, Brendan X. Blalock, Bradley X. Blalock, Chloe S Williamson, Mikayla L. East, Logan R. Blackburn, Austin D. Van Etten, and Landon J. Flanegin. A funeral service will be conducted at 4:00 PM Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at Hayworth-Miller Chapel Silas Creek Chapel with Majors Jim and Linda Arrowood officiating.

Interment will follow in Salem Cemetery. The family will receive friends and family 90 minutes before the service from 2:30 to 4:00 PM at the funeral home. Gray was a wonderful father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

He was a devout believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and our loss is heavens’ gain. His favorite passage of scripture is John 14:1-4. 1.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you. 3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

4. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Online condolences may be made at www.

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