Gregory was born in Columbus, GA on January 6, 1955, the son of the late Mrs. Mary Pearl Johnson Haynes. He attended the Muscogee County Schools, graduating from Carver High School in 1973. He then attended Fort Valley State University where he was an outstanding athlete with the football team. Greg returned to the Columbus area whre he was employed with Chavala High School, Russell County, AL as a coach and later with the Columbus Fire Department as a firefighter.

Celebrating his life are: sisters, Evelyn Turner Pugh, Columbus, GA, and Eleasure Janelle "Jan" Johnson, Pensacola, FL; a brother, Victor Lloyd Haynes, Portsmouth, VA; uncles, Myles Johnson, Jr. (Addie), Edon Cromartie (Gloria), Columbus, GA; aunt, Oneysa Johnson, St. Petersburg FL, a special caring and devoted cousin, Rodney Johnson, along with many other relatives and friends.