Doyle Gene Ray, after a purpose-filled life and gift of 92 years, died at his residence in Nettleton on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 after a short period of declining health. Doyle, a colorful, independent and stalwart citizen and patriotic American, was born in Itawamba County on May 18, 1932 to Gillie H. Ray and Elaine Copeland Ray. He graduated in 1951 from Nettleton High School and was a member of the Football team as well as the undefeated basketball squad. He went on to receive a degree from then Itawamba Junior College. He served his country in the US Army for 2 years in the 101st Airborne Division in 1953-1954, being honorably discharged as a Corporal. Doyle was a master salesman and represented Gerber Baby Products for several decades. A lover of all sports, Doyle officiated football for 38 years at the junior high, high school and junior/community college level including many all star games. He and his wife, Shirley, helped introduce slow-pitch softball to this area and he coached girls and women slow-pitch teams for many years. His 12 and under girls team won a state championship in 1973. He umpired softball games for many years including state playoffs. In 1981, he was honored to umpire in a national softball tournament in Pine Bluff, Ark. for 16 and under girls. An avid conversationalist, he enjoyed coffee shop gatherings and storytelling. He was a longtime faithful member of the Nettleton United Methodist Church, now Nettleton First Community Church.
A service celebrating Doyle’s life will be held at 2 PM Sunday, October 20, 2024 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with his pastor, Rev. Danny Estes, officiating. Private burial will be in Lee Memorial Park. Visitation will begin at Noon on Sunday and continue until service time. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at 2 PM at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming, and will be permanently archived thereafter.
Doyle is survived by his 3 children, DaLisa Ray Neal (Bobby), Ramona Ray Harmon (Randy), and Kenneth Ray (Beth), all of Nettleton; grandchildren, Kelli Smith (Chris) of Saltillo, Kevin Neal (Chelly) of Tupelo, Nikki Fly (Michael) of Amory, and Jon Ray (Ariel) of Tupelo; his great-grandchildren, Mabry and Malek Smith of Saltillo, Maddox Garret and Henry Neal of Tupelo, Maverick and Abigail Fly of Amory, and Adeline Ray of Tupelo.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and the mother of his children, Shirley Montgomery Ray.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Kevin Neal, Jon Ray, Chris Smith, and Michael Fly and friends, Nathan Moore, and Police Chief Gary Monaghan. Honorary pallbearers will be his coffee drinking buddies.
The family request memorials be made to Sanctuary Hospice. P. O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803 or to Nettleton First Community Church, 160 Verona Avenue, Nettleton, MS 38858. Condolences may be left on Doyle’s memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Obits. The family wishes to thank Sanctuary Home Hospice and nurses Chelsey, Laken, and Mandy for their loving concern and care for their Dad.
