Alice Virginia Cleveland

Mrs. Alice Virginia Gray Cleveland, 78, of Woodleaf, NC, received her wings and transitioned to be with the Lord on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Alice was born on March 15, 1947, in Rowan County to the late Bishop W.O.K. Gray and Mrs. Minnie Lee Fisher Gray. She was a graduate of R.A. Clement High School in Cleveland, North Carolina.

She was a devoted member of Freedom United Church of God, where she faithfully sang in the choir and helped render music on the keyboard on occasions. She loved listening to gospel music and blessed others with her musical gifts by playing the piano, organ, and tambourine at church. Her worship was evident to all who knew her. Alice was never ashamed of demonstrating her love for the Lord. Telling others about His goodness was a life mission for her. 

Alice worked for many years at Beacon Construction until her retirement. She later worked part-time for Frankie's Chicken, where she continued to share her warm spirit with others.

She had a genuine love for cooking and was known for her delicious meals. She cherished spending time with her family and siblings. Alice always stayed busy doing something, as her hands always had to stay active. She loved cleaning and keeping everything spotless and detailed, including her car, which she kept immaculate. She also enjoyed taking pictures to capture precious memories with her loved ones.

In addition to her parents, her beloved husband, Henry Junior Cleveland, Sr.; her son, Henry J. Cleveland, Jr.; two daughters, Regina Cleveland and Penny L. Keaton; four brothers, Clarence William Gray, Sr., Bishop Willie Joe Gray, James Arthur Gray, and Bishop Junior Gray; and two sisters, Mary Nora Geter and Jean Esther Gray, preceded her in death.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories: her son, Billy Joe Cleveland (Maggie) of Thomasville, NC; nine grandchildren, Shalitha Bridges of Lexington, NC, Tionna McCoy (Ricky) of Knoxville, TN, Henry Lamur Cleveland of Salisbury, NC, Alexandra Cleveland of Reynoldsburg, OH, Christian Cleveland and Samantha Cleveland of Columbus, OH, Billy Joe Cleveland Jr. and Atlantis Joe Cleveland of Statesville, NC; and eight great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bishop E.L. Gray (Evelyn) of Statesville, NC, and Raymond Gray (Dorothy) of Woodleaf, NC; four sisters, Addie Burnett of Kernersville, NC, Thelma Lazenby of Winston-Salem, NC, Naomi Watkins (Leon) of Woodleaf, NC, and Mary Joanna Imes (Leon) of Woodleaf, NC; three sisters-in-law, Mary Lois Gray of Woodleaf, NC, Henrietta Gray of Woodleaf, NC, and Audie Cleveland of Salisbury, NC; one brother-in-law, Erick Cleveland of Salisbury, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Service:  Saturday, January 10, 2026, Freedom United Church of God, 1555 Hart Road, Woodleaf, NC  27054.  Visitation-1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.  Funeral begins promptly at 2::00 p.m.  Bishop Lonnie Gray, eulogist/officiant. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Public viewing will be held at Hairston Funeral Home, 703 S. Main St. Salisbury, NC on, Friday, January 9, 2026 from 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. MASK ARE REQUIRED

Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.  Online condolences may be sent to: hairstonfh.com

For additional information, call the funeral home at 704-638-6464.  To send faxed condolences or resolutions, dial 704-638-6264.

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