Lois Alene Gray, a near life-long resident of Fulton, died Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at Courtyard Nursing Home.
On August 4, 1921, Lois was born to Byrd and Julie Mae Williams and was raised in the Kirkville community. She considered Kirkville her home and often reminisced of her childhood there – growing up on a dirt road as the child of a sharecropper’s family. She treasured the education she received in a little, one-room schoolhouse and the values she learned from her parents – hard work and love of family.
She met John Rogers Gray of Fulton when she was around 18 years old at a church of Christ gospel tent meeting. They enjoyed a 63-year marriage and had a small farm just south of town along Highway 25. They grew purple hull peas, tomatoes, corn, and other vegetables. Their family grew to include not only their children and grandchildren, but also nearby friends in the community.
Lois adored her family and friends. She enjoyed spending time with her special friends Helen McMillen, Viola Harden, Maisey Thompson, “Mumsie” Jeffcoat, Alma K. McCoy, and Edna Thornton.
Over the years her family continued to grow to include children from the community. Among other jobs Lois worked to provide childcare for many families in Fulton and Itawamba County. She loved children dearly all of whom lovingly referred to her as, “Mamaw Gray.”
Lois valued family and church above all other things. She loved God; She was a Christian and was a faithful member of Fulton Church of Christ.
Lois is preceded in death by her parents, her husband John Rogers Gray, her brothers James Williams and Lamar “Jack” Williams, and her sister Nell Cates.
Survivors included sisters: Hazel Hinds, Sarah Brown, Helen Barnard, of the Ratliff and Unity communities, and Joyce King of Pontotoc; children: Mary Estes of Mooreville, Yvonne Cason (Joe) of Fulton, June Hallmark (Junior) of Saltillo, Robbie Pounders (Jackie) of Fulton, and Johnny Gray of Fulton; 15 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Courtyards Nursing Home and Gentiva Hospice.
A funeral service will be held today, Sept.23, 2016, at Senter Funeral Home in Fulton at 11:00 am with burial to follow at Itawamba Memorial Gardens. Elders and Deacons of Fulton church of Christ will be Pallbearers.
