Grafton Gates Gatling

Grafton Gates Gatling was born on April 10, 1943 in Nansemond County, Virginia to the late Linous and Alice Cross Gatling. Grafton attended Stoney Branch Baptist Church in Gates County, North Carolina as a child. He moved to Jersey City New Jersey as an adult and worked at Degen Oil and Chemical company, Alpha Metals, and Alpha Chemical company. Grafton survived a chemical explosion while working and we always knew he was a walking miracle! Grafton was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, sisters Jessie Gatling, Margaret Morings, Gladys Benton, Ruth Edwards, and brothers Murry Gatling Sr. and Fred Gatling. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Wood Gatling and his longtime partner Annie Belle Domio. He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Monica Gatling of New Jersey; the children of his longtime partner, Lawanda, Beverly, Bianca, Rachel, Endia and Steven Domio, Stacey Domio Mills and the grandchildren, Saquae Domio, James Domio, Racquel Yuscavage, Richard Domio, John Domio, D’Jhona Agostini, Alan Mills and Jarrod Mills, 10 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Irene Gatling of Jersey City, New Jersey, Luella Fitzghugh of Brooklyn, New York, and Mary Johnson and Alice Morings of Suffolk, Virginia. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Condolences may be sent to 2017 Smalley's Dam Circle, Suffolk, VA 23434. A public viewing will be held 1-6pm, Friday, January 20, 2023 in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. The family will be receiving guests from 4-6pm at the funeral home. A celebration of life will be held 11am, Saturday, January 21, 2023 in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. Rev. Dr. Linwood Boone will be delivering the message of comfort. Mr. Gatling will be laid to rest in Gatling Cemetery, 219 Saunders Road, Gates, NC 27937. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Grafton Gates Gatling, please visit our flower store.