Julia Pratt Bardwell Gray was born in Atlanta Georgia March 29, 1923, to Ralph Bardwell and Francis Kennedy. She married her high school sweetheart, James Richard Gray, Jr. They had 5 children, James Richard III, Sherrard Kennedy (Wanda), Robert Louis, Roy Dorsey (Bernadette) and Anne Sherrard Gray Stallings (Tom). She had 5 grandchildren, Susie, Kenny, Brittany, Tommy and Julia- 10 Great Grandchildren, and 5 Great Great Grandchildren.
Whether you called her by Julia, Patty or Ditty, if you knew her you were blessed. A true Southern Belle, she was the quintessential steel magnolia that could handle anything and have you doing her will with a smile. She enjoyed life to the fullest and made it fun for those around her. She touched the heart of everyone she met and made them feel special. She brightened a room with her smile and fabulous style. She was always the first one on the dance floor and last one to leave. Her dance card was never empty.
As a young child she followed in her grandmothers’ footsteps, with her love of art, flower arranging, and parties. Oh, how she loved a good party and meeting new people who became instant friends. She always made you feel special. However, she was also very competitive, and would kill you in a game of hearts before you knew what hit you. And don’t let her get you on a ping pong table. She was pounding her great grandson Kevin at age 94 at ping pong.
Patty and Dick would go to parties and light up the place and by the end of the evening they would know everything about everyone there and they all felt special for having met Patty and Dick.
She was so proud that she came to the Lake at age 4 and Dick was 5 when he first went to the Lake. We finally, busted her bubble when we reminded her that Dad was a year older. However, she fell in love with Lakemont at an early age and little did she know that same summer, a little boy who was also at the lake for the first time would later become her high school sweetheart and husband.
She was a founding member of the Church of the Apostles, and Ladies of the lake bible study. She was an early recipient of the LRA’s Whippoorwill award for her work on the LRA’s Tour of Home and flea market. She was active in the Garden Club, and Jr. League.