Mary Genell ‘Nell’ McVay Easterling died August 3, 2023 in Lanpasas, Texas. She was 84. Born on September 27, 1938 in Plantersville, she was the second of 7 children born to the union of the late William Zadock McVay and Geree Moore McVay. She lived most of her life in the Jugfork Community in Northwest Lee County and in Tupelo. Genell was a strong, beautiful woman who survived many trials and tribulations in her life. She moved to Texas in 1994 and lived there until her passing. Genell worked many years in the garment industry and at North Mississippi Medical Center for almost twenty years. A Southern Baptist, she locally attended Calvary Baptist in Tupelo when her children were young. Her favorite pastimes were playing softball on the NMMC team and being a great Mom and grandmother. Mama Nell doted over her grandchildren in her last years. She loved the Lord, her family, cooking, and gardening.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 PM Thursday, August 10, 2023 in the Sadie M. Holland Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors- Tupelo with Dr. Greg Thomas officiating. Visitation will be from 12 PM to service time. Burial will be at the Euclatubba Cemetery in Saltillo, MS. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed at 2 PM at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/life-streaming and will be permanently archived thereafter. Holland Funeral Directors – Tupelo Chapel is honored to serve their friends.
Genell is survived by her children, Gary Patterson (Rosemary) of Patterson, TN, Terry Easterling (Linda) of New Albany, Jimmy McVay (Lori) of Alabama, and Johnny Easterling (Rena) of Baldwyn, MS, and one daughter, Mitzi Rhodes (Eric) of California; her sisters, Sue Kirk and Opal Moore, and brother Bill McVay; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Zadock and Geree McVay; her son, Rickey Easterling; two granddaughters, Rose Marie and Elizabeth, and one grandson, James Easterling; one great-grandson, Camiren Vyrne; two sisters, JoAnn Easterling and Geraldine Morgan; and one brother, Bud McVay.
