Josiah Bynum Gay, III, 82, lifelong resident of Franklin and a true Southern Gentleman, passed away on July 16, 2012. Mr. Gay was a son of the late Josiah B. Gay, Jr. and Lois Hartman Gay and was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. He was an Eagle Scout and a Navy veteran and was educated at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Richmond Professional Institute. After retiring from Union Camp Corp., Joe established Franklin Lumber Sales. As Commander-General of the Military Order of the Stars and Bars, Joe created the Jackson Medal to recognize those who were caretakers of Confederate grave sites. He was also a Past Commander of the George Pickett Chapter and the Virginia Society of the MOS&B. He was instrumental in the formation of the Urquhart-Gillette Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and was a Past Commander. He was also active in the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and the Sons of the American Revolution. He was a member of the Southampton Historical Society, the Henry Lee Society, the Stuart-Mosby Society, the Order of the Southern Cross, and the National Gavel Society.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 54 years, Anne Franklin Gay, one daughter, Ferreby G. Sinclair and her husband Steve and their daughter Ansley of San Gabriel, CA, and one son, Ashby Lee Gay of Richmond, VA.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday July 19, 2012 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church with the Rev. Edmund Pickup officiating. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church, and suggest in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 400 N. High St., Franklin, VA 23851 or to a favorite charity.
www.wrightfuneralhome.org.