At 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004, God in His divine wisdom called from our midst, our beloved Deacon Early Gay Sr. A native of Jackson, N.C., he was the son of the late John Henry and Addie Gay.

He retired after 30 years of faithful service as a fireman for Sheffield Lumber Company.

He was a member of St. John Pentecostal Holiness Church. He was chairman of the Deacon Board, Sunday School Superintendent, treasurer of the Sunday School Union, treasurer for the church, and member of the Elders Board.

Deacon Gay was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Eva A. Gay.

He leaves to cherish his memory three daughters, Eva A. Daniels, Daisie L. Hall (Bailey) and Marie R. Chapman (James), all of Suffolk; four sons, Bishop Early Gay Jr. (Eudia) and Elder Ashley Gay Sr. (Evelyn), both of Suffolk; Frank T. Gay (Leona) and Pastor Edward Gay (Viola), both of Philadelphia, Pa; two sisters-in-law, Maria Mouling of Marian, S.C., and Lennie Gilmore of Philadelphia; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday in St. John Pentecostal Holiness Church, 218 N. Division Street, by Overseer Bailey Hall Jr., pastor. Burial will follow in Carver Memorial Cemetery.

The wake will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday in St. John Pentecostal Holiness Church from 6 to 8 p.m.

Crocker Funeral Home Inc. is handling arrangements.