Cleve Grayson Glass Obituary (1929 - 2016)

Grayson Glass, 87, of Texas City, was born May 22nd, 1929 in Streetman, Texas to Jack Glass and Belle (Steele) Glass. The family relocated to Old Ocean, Texas where he attended Sweeny High School. After graduation, he attended the University of Corpus Christi where he majored in Music and met his future wife, Patsy Evelyn Waskow from Damon, Texas. After a brief courtship, they married on September 4, 1951. They recently celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary. During college, Grayson felt the call to preach and became pastor of First Baptist Church, Collegeport Texas. This would be the beginning of a 65-year ministry. He and Patsy moved to Stephenville, Texas where he pastored Valley Grove Baptist Church while pursuing a Master's in Theology at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth. He served as pastor at First Baptist Church, Alvord and following seminary graduation moved to the coastal region of Texas to pastor West End Baptist Church, Freeport followed by Trinity Baptist in Amarillo, First Baptist Galveston, First Baptist Missouri City and First Baptist Texas City. He was Director of Missions for Galveston Baptist Association, serving for 10 years, was Chairman of the Executive Board for the Baptist General Convention of Texas and served on the Home Mission Board. Grayson was a trustee on the board at Houston Baptist University where he received an Honorary Doctorate. After 'retiring', Grayson thoroughly enjoyed filling in for local pastors whenever the need arose. One of his favorite sayings was 'Have sermon, will travel!' Grayson and Patsy enjoyed travel, especially going on short and long trips in their RV. Grayson loved reading (particularly westerns), working crossword puzzles, telling anecdotal stories and spending time with family. Every Tuesday, he looked forward to lunch with fellow Rotarians at the Texas City Rotary Club. Grayson is preceded in death by his parents Jack and Belle; his brother Jack Jr.; sisters Josephine Turner and Martharene Ward; and nephew Bill Ward. He is survived by his wife, Patsy; daughters Sheri Williams (Tom) of Texas City, and Louann Graves (Thomas) of Arlington, Virginia; grandchildren Brent Seymour, Caroline Graves, Mitchell Graves, Brian Williams, and Denise Williams; great grandchildren Grant Williams, Savannah Williams, and Gabrielle Williams; 6 nephews; and his loving church family. The family will receive visitors from 4PM-6PM Tuesday, November 8th, 2016 at Carnes Funeral Home in Texas City. The family will also receive visitors 1PM-2PM Wednesday, November 9, 2016, prior to the funeral service at 2PM, at First Baptist Church in Texas City. Burial will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the building fund at First Baptist Church, Texas City or the charity of your choice.