Former Superintendent of Vance County Schools Ronald Gregory died on Jan. 21.  A graveside service will take place Friday, Jan. 28 at 3 p.m. at Meadowview Memorial Park. All services will observe COVID-19 protocols of facial coverings and social distancing of six feet or more.

Gregory, 80, retired in 2015 from the school system, having served as principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent, according to information from VCS.”I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Gregory as a Vance County Board of Education member for many years,” said

Vance County Board of Education Vice-Chair Gloria J. White.

“He was surely one of a kind. He always believed that education was the great equalizer between the haves and have nots. He deeply believed that through education people could rise above their circumstances. Mr. Gregory worked tirelessly throughout his career to achieve that goal. This community has lost a great leader and warrior for education,” White said in a written statement to WIZS.

The school district issued this response: “We are truly grateful for his impact on Vance County Schools. On behalf of the Vance County School Board, superintendent and the district, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife and children, as well as the extended family.”

Board Chair Ruth M. Hartness expressed her appreciation of Gregory’s commitment to the school district as well. “Vance County Schools are saddened to hear of the passing of Ronald Gregory,” Hartness said in a written statement to WIZS. “He spent many years with students in his care. He will be missed.

He was the son of the late Edward Gregory and Vertilia Oakley Gregory. He was a former Superintendent of Vance County Public Schools.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Gray Gregory; a daughter, Pherin Gregory of Henderson; two sons, Brandon Gregory of Greensboro and Ryan Gregory of Pleasant Gardens; a sister, Yvonne Kittrell of Bowie, MD; a brother Calvin “Tim” Gregory of Raleigh; and three grandchildren.