Aaron "Bo" Green Gay, Sr.
September 22, 1932 ~ May 21, 2023
ROCKY MOUNT – Aaron “Bo” Green Gay, Sr., age 90, passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2023. Born in Edgecombe County, NC on September 22, 1932, he was the son of the late Louis Norman Gay, Sr. and Edna Bradley Gay. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Emily Stowe Gay; his son, Aaron G. Gay, Jr.; his brother, Norman Gay, Jr.; and his sisters, Gladys Morris and Louise Emma Peacock.
Bo started work at People’s Bank right after graduating from Whitakers High School. He was drafted into the Army in 1952 and was a Korean War Veteran. Bo was an avid tennis player for many years. He was a loving and faithful husband, beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, and will be missed by all who knew him.
Bo is survived by his son, Kent Stowe Gay; and his granddaughters, Sierra and Jamie Gay.
A Graveside Service to celebrate Bo’s life will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Rocky Mount Memorial Park Chapel on the Hill Mausoleum with Rev. Daniel Peede officiating. A visitation with the family will immediately follow the service until 4:00 PM in the chapel mausoleum.
The family would like to say a special thanks to all of those who have cared for Bo which includes his niece, Carole Williams, Nash UNC Hospice & Palliative Care, Dr. Douglas Boyette, Shelly Rhodes, Kelly Parker, and Takita Boulware.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bo’s memory to Christ Fellowship Church, 1300 Goldrock Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Worked at Peoples Bank. Remember him very well.. and his Sister Louise Peacock..Prayers for his family 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Condolences to the Gay family.
Always in our hearts. Love you always, Grandpa. Much love, Sierra & Jaime Gay
Rest in peace Bo. You were a good man.
Bo was my mother Gladys youngest brother. He was 15 years older than me. Things that come to mind when I remember him was his love for reading, playing tennis, photography and being a huge New York Yankees fan.
He lived in a tent behind sand bags during his tour in Korea with the Army Infantry Division serving his country.
On November 27, 1952, he made his best decision ever by marrying Emily Estelle Stowe who was one of the sweetest, kindest ladies known. They made a great team for 69 years of marriage until God called her to even.
Bo loved sports. He played basketball on the Whitakers high school team. He played tennis until his very later years out living all his tennis buddies until there was no one left to play. He enjoyed ACC basketball and football but his favorite was baseball’s New York Yankees since his childhood.
Bo’s lifetime career was in banking working for Peoples’ Bank downtown. He made many, many friends both employees and customers. He helped People’s as they transitioned to RBC and later PNC.
Bo was widely known in Rocky Mount serving fellow citizens in civic organizations and always a true gentleman to everyone he met. He served as deacon and treasurer of his church.
Bo was a family first man, always loyal to them and ready to help. His Gay family nieces and nephew will miss him. Our comfort is knowing Bo is in heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Lynda Gay Stallings Shepherd
Without question Bo Gay was a hero and a boyhood idol of mine when I was growing up. He was so classy about every thing he did. I always said I wanted to be a banker, play tennis and drive a VW, just like Bo. I retired from Wachovia and had 2 VW’s. Now tennis is another topic, I played but was not very good. I am blessed that I was able to share with him my goals in life and how I wanted to be just like him at his brother’s funeral. God Bless you ‘Bo’ and all the Gay family; He was and IS a winner…