Emma Lou Gray

Emma Lou Gray was born into this world on July 17, 1941, to her loving parents, Forrest and Phoebe Brideweser in Lima Ohio. She was raised in Wapakoneta, Ohio. 4 years later her sister, Phama, was born. Emma had a great love for music and started playing the organ for her church and the trombone in her high school’s marching band. Emma graduated Wapakoneta Senior High School and turned her attention toward the desire to help others. She attended college going to the Lima Memorial Hospital School for Nursing. It was during this time she found the love of her life, James Gray whom she married. They moved to Florida in 1961 as Jim and his family were joining the citrus industry. They planted groves and opened Grays Groves Incorporated which soon became Gray’s Orange Barn. This was a wholesale/retail citrus packing facility & gift shop in Lady Lake. They shipped 1000s of boxes of fresh, Florida citrus across the United States. Emma did help with this endeavor and was the creator of the Orange Creme. This was an ice cream sold in the gift shop and became a true local’s favorite. She had also joined the practice of Dr. Sammuel Vinci the first OBGYN in Leesburg as their registered nurse. Soon, it was time for Emma to start her family by giving birth to Rhonda Renee Gray and Nathan Douglas Gray. Dr. Vinci who was on the Board at Leesburg General Hospital, asked Emma to become and became their Director of Nursing. Her love for music continued as she was the organist for Gloria Dei Lutheran and she filled in for several surrounding churches. In 1983, her daughter and father’s lives were cut short in a horrific traffic accident. Her faith in the Lord prevailed which ignited a desire to teach. She decided to advance her career by returning to college so she could earn her teaching degree. She joined Lake County’s Vo-Tech as the instructor of the LPN program. She found this to be so rewarding. She was able to convey her loving, caring and skilled techniques to her students, and earned her the nickname from the students of "Sgt Slaughter" as she demanded the best from them. Her teaching with motherly love produced 100s of skilled nurses that culminated in their capping and pinning ceremonies held at Leesburg’s United Morrison Methodist Church. While teaching, she also continued her work at Leesburg Regional Medical Center’s emergency department. In 1997, Emma was involved in a serious car accident in which she had significant back Injuries that left her disabled and ended her career. Emma was so inspirational in helping her son Nathan’s dream of opening a restaurant and the creation of Legends Cafe in Fruitland Park. Her last years were spent at the Lake Port Square Community, that she loved so much. The friends and fellowship she encountered there after Jim’s passing was truly amazing. On Monday, November 10th, 2025, at 1:18pm, as a patient in the very hospital she once had the pride and privilege of serving others, ended. Her last words were "I'm going with the angels" and is now reunited with all of the loved ones that preceded her. Emma Lou Gray, a life very well lived. Her funeral service will be Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Morrison UMC which is located at 1005 W. Main Street; Leesburg, FL 34748. Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home of Leesburg, Florida.

Emma Lou Gray

July 17, 1941 - November 10, 2025