Charles Linwood Cray, 98, of Mathews, entered into eternal rest on Nov. 20, 2011.

He was born Sept. 21, 1913, and was the son of the late John and Mollie Bassett Cray. He served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II, and was retired from Civil Service employment at Fort Monroe and Fort Eustis. He was the oldest member of Bethel United Methodist Church.

He will be remembered for his kind and gentle spirit. He was always willing to help his neighbor. He had a strong work ethic and tended to his garden well into his late eighties.

He was predeceased by his three brothers, Romey Morris, Luther Cray, and Archie Cray; a sister, Martha Winder and a son-in-law, Gene A. Leigh.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mabel Diggs Cray; his daughter, Ellen C. Leigh of Hayes; a granddaughter, Rebecca Teagle and her husband Robert of Gloucester; two great-grandchildren, Meg and Andrew Teagle, and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, at 11 a.m. in Bethel United Methodist Church with burial in Pear Tree Cemetery, Onemo, Va. The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Bethel Church Building Fund, c/o Erma Webb, Treasurer, 240 Canoe Yard Trail, Mathews, Va. 23109.

Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home, Mathews, was in charge of the arrangements.