Mildred Ray Gray

Mildred Ray Gray, age 91, died Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Trinity Healthcare Center in Columbus, MS. Services will be held at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbus at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 18 with Reverend Charles Whitney officiating.  Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. prior to the service.  Burial will be at 3 p.m. at Memorial Garden Park, Starkville, MS.

Mrs. Gray was born November 03, 1926 in Sturgis, MS to the late J.D. and Claudia Carpenter Ray. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church and a prior member of Artesia Baptist Church for over 50 years.

Mrs. Gray’s career at Seminole Mfg/American Trouser Corp spanned 51 years. Sewing for her family was her favorite hobby, and she was an accomplished seamstress.  She was a member of both The National Society Colonial Dames 17th Century and The Daughters of the American Revolution.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Henry Lee “Gabe” Gray and her brothers, Howard Ray, Jim Ray, Ranny “Bud” Ray and her sisters Jeaneth Eudean Ray and Katie Rector.

She is survived by her children Joyce Downs (James) Baldwyn, MS; COL(Ret) Ann Fletcher (David) Springfield, VA; David “Red Man” Gray (Gypsy) Crawford, MS; and Jane Lanier (Earl) Richardson, TX.

Surviving siblings are Mae Brewer, Mack Price, Shirley Halliburton, Syble Lamons, Alice Wickwire, Aubrey Ray, and Jerry Ray.

Mrs. Gray has six grandchildren: James Coleman “Jim” Thompson, Regina Downs Bobo, Kevin Neal Downs, David Stuart Gray, Jessica Winston Ryan, Leslie Gray Williamson, and Marygray Lanier Stewart; eleven great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Pallbearers are Jim Thompson, David S. Gray, David Stewart, Scot Halliburton, Phillip McCarter, and Robert Lee “Bubba” Gray.

Memorials may be made to Grace Baptist Church, P.o Box 9095 Columbus, MS 39705