Clara Jane (Bradley) Gray
On Tuesday, August 10, 2021, Clara Jane (Bradley) Gray, loving wife and mother of two, joined the Lord at the age of 56.
Clara was born on October 15, 1964, at Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital, the fifth of eight children of Oleana (Snigaroff) and Allan Bradley Sr. She was Naanya.aayí of the X’atgu Hít (Mudshark house) and carried the Lingit name Lyeiduḵúkch. She was a child of the Kiks.ádi and grandchild of the Naanya.aayí.
Clara grew up on Japonski Island in the Millerville neighborhood, where everyone was family. She lived in California, Louisiana, and Florida for periods of time in her life, but always came back home to Sitka.
She attended Alaska Pacific University and received a bachelor’s in organizational management.
She was married to the love of her life, Ed Gray, on February 13, 1996. During their 25 years of marriage they had two children, Alexa and Joey.
Clara was a gracious and devoted child of God. Those around her knew her for her kind heart and generous spirit. She had a great love for others, which was shown throughout her career in social services and as a program coordinator. During her career she helped to organize the community walks for sobriety and suicide prevention, and was constantly active in encouraging a clean healthy lifestyle. She was a founder of the Sitka Pregnancy Center.
Clara was a Tribal Council member, serving on many council committees.
She was proud of her Lingit and Aleut cultures, and practiced her culture by learning how to sew fur and regalia. She was a member of the Sheet’ka Kwaan Dancers and the Naa Kahidi Dancers, taking great joy in song and dance. Always looking to be involved in culture, she paddled the SEARHC canoe to celebration in Juneau twice, and created a traditional food guide and coloring book.
Clara is survived by her loving husband Ed Gray, who remained at her side every step of the way; children Alexa and Joey; her brothers John Bradley, Harry Bradley, James Bradley and Allan Bradley Jr.; and sister Anna Bradley.
She will be missed by her countless nieces, nephews and cousins whom she held near and dear to her heart.
A memorial service will commence 11 a.m. Saturday, August 21, at Sitka Christian Center. The service also will be streamed for those who cannot attend in person, at sitkachristancenter.com and on the Sitka Christian Center Facebook page.
Those wishing to make donations toward funeral expenses may do so at ALPS, the Clara Gray Memorial Account.
