Elizabeth Hart-Gray (Age 74) of Bowie, Maryland

Elizabeth "Feet" Gray was born on November 11, 1944 in Edgefield, South Carolina to the late Hardie Watley and Carrie Bell Brown. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Clifton Gray. She was the eldest of five siblings, Geraldine Watley (deceased), Brenda Watley, Alroy "Sonny" Starke, and Dwayne Starke.  She was educated in the Edgefield, South Carolina public schools. She moved to Charles County, Maryland as a teen where she met and wed Harold Joseph Matthews. From that union seven children were born, twins Iris Patrice Hudnell (deceased) and Ira Patrick Matthews, Sr., Sharon Renee Templeton, Stanley Dion Matthews, Harold Darran Matthews, Andrea Michelle Wilson and Elisa Ericha "Pooh" Hancock.

She was affectionately known to all as Feet, but Boots to only her grandparents the late Rallie Brown, Sr. and Liza Ann Brown. She was known for eating so much ice cream as a child in her grandparents store that it dripped from her nose.

Elizabeth worked for various private companies as both an armed and unarmed security officer for more than 35 years. Where many regarded her as "Mom or Grandma" because she always had a word of advice for those that needed her. You would never find her at a loss for words or peppermint, she would rattle through her handbag and find you almost anything you thought you needed. Always leaving strangers with
a word from God or a piece of literature to read.

Feet was never much of a homebody, instead she loved to visit folks for celebrations or just for a friendly dinner with church friends. She would leave home for hours and because she never wanted her children to be a step ahead, she wouldn't answer her cell phone, which she thought was comical, we however, didn't find it amusing. Our Mom loved to travel, she loved the Caribbean islands in particular and just about any international destination you could name. She wasn't an attention seeker, rather preferred to be at the party than to be the party. We will miss her every day, her smiles and warm hands. The way she prayed over and for her family. The late nights she spent on the phone with her children as we drove fighting fatigue. The holiday dinners in her home and the way she could remember
every birthday, anniversary or special occasion. Our Mom will never be forgotten, never.

Feet enjoyed traveling and shopping and spending time with her family. She loved to read her bible and share the gospel with her friends and coworkers alike. Her special hang-out buddy was Ms. Gloria Deckle. They spent countless hours on the phone, shopping, having meals, at church and just sitting together talking about the good ole days... Ms. Gloria was a true and trusted friend who was there in our most needed times to sit with Mom and care for her. Never leaving her side when needed. Feet and Gloria would fill her children in on their days and events with laughter.

Elizabeth "Feet" Hart-Gray, of Bowie, Maryland died peacefully and surrounded by her children on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.

Feet was preceded in death by her eldest daughter, Iris "Jude" Hudnell. She is survived by three daughters, Sharon "Renee" Templeton, Andrea "Angie" Wilson, Elisa "Lisa" Hancock; three sons, Ira Matthews, Sr., Stanley "Stan" Matthews and Harold "Darran" Matthews; one sister, Brenda Watley (preceded in death by one sister Geraldine Watley); two brothers, Alroy Starke, and Dwayne Starke; daughter in laws, Debra (Stan) Matthews and Tonya (Darran) Matthews. Cherishing her memory is 8 grandchildren, Angel, Terez, Shecola, Antione, Antonio, Ira Jr., Ebony and Tamera (one deceased granddaughter Venetta) and 11 great-grandchildren, Ajuele, KaMiya, Ja'Mari, Ava, Kenneth, Daylon, Skylen, Kodi, Da'Karius, Malik, Sha'Miracle. One niece, Tiara Waters and one nephew, Brandon Foster and a host of other relatives and friends.

From the Children…
Hidden from our sight but not from our thoughts.
Gone from our side but not from our hearts.
Taken way too soon but in God's time…
Gathered for God's garden but always in our presence.