Leaders Line Up At Rev. Gray’s Parting

HILLARY CLINTON waves to crowd as she leaves Bright Hope Baptist Church in N. Phila., long-time spiritual home of Rev. Bill Gray, with husband Bill Clinton.

BEREAVED family members son Andrew Gray and widow Andrea Gray were profiles of stoic courage.

ONE OF original members of Bright Hope Baptist Church, Lorraine Pope, charter member of congregation, saw her pastor to his final resting place.

STATE SEN. Vincent Hughes strode into Bright Hope Baptist Church to share with fellow constituents the loss of a great man.

LABOR activist Omar Sabir poses with portrait of Phila.’s trailblazing pastor, politician and civil-rights worker Dr. William Gray, whose funeral drew thousands to commemorate the latter’s multifaceted career. Photos by Leona Dixon

CIVIL-RIGHTS veteran Andrew Young, a former Congressman and Ambassador, came a long way to pay tribute to his colleague in struggle Congressman Bill Gray’s passing.

FORMER Gov. Ed Rendell came to Bright Hope Baptist Church to pay last respects to former Congressman Bill Gray.

CITY COUNCIL President Darrell Clarke, left, attended service with Councilman Jim Kenney.

GREGORY BURRELL of Terry Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements for deceased Congressman Bill Gray.

STATE REP. Vanessa Lowery Brown showed up for Congressman Bill Gray’s final service.

FIRE COMMISSIONER Lloyd Ayers grew up in N. Phila. neighborhood that Rev. William Gray served.

LABORERS’ Local 332 Business Mgr. Sam Staten, Jr. paused for moment of reflection inside Bright Hope Baptist Church.

REV. DR. ALYN WALLER, pastor of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, came to see off a fellow man of God.

WURD radio personality Cody Anderson, who knew Rev. Bill Gray well, arrived early for civil-rights leader’s funeral services at Bright Hope Baptist Church.

CITY Commissioner Stephanie Singer, right, with assistant Tracey Gordon, recalled how her own father marched in civil-rights era.

COUNCILWOMAN Jannie Blackwell, whose husband Lucien was congressional colleague of Bill Gray, found services brought back profound memories.