Gregory Rex Ray, 67
November 22, 1956 – October 31, 2024
Tupelo/Black Zion-Gregory Rex Ray, 67, died Thursday, October 31, 2024 as the result of a one car accident on the Natchez Trace Parkway in Chickasaw County. Greg was born on Nov. 22, 1956 in Tupelo to pioneer families, the late Billy Rex Ray and Martha McCullough Ray who were landowners and merchants in the Zion Community of Pontotoc Co. He grew up on the family farm learning the value of hard work and strong spiritual lessons from his childhood membership in the Black Zion Baptist Church. Greg graduated from Pontotoc High School in 1974 where he was a stellar athlete playing several sports but excelling as a standout Baseball player.
He continued his education at his beloved Mississippi State University where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and graduating with a degree in Agribusiness in 1979. He returned to the Ray family farm where for several years where he tilled the soil with his Dad. Greg loved the land and respected it and was a resident of the family homestead at his death. Later on, he became a salesman in the furniture industry starting at Peoplounger, later working for American Furniture for years and was employed by Continental Furniture of Pontotoc at the time of his death. He spent over 35 years all total in the furniture industry winning several local, state and national awards for his sales skills. Greg was a great lover of all genres of music and played guitar and piano.
An admirer of the outdoors, Greg enjoyed roaming the lands of this area, hunting and enjoying the pristine landscape. A diehard Miss. State fan, he enjoyed going to sporting events on campus or following the Dawgs on TV. He loved tailgating and was a master griller being a pro on his Weber and knew how to cook the perfect steak to share with his family and friends. His greatest accomplishment was his children and grandchildren whom he loved spending time with. Greg was a communicant of All Saints Episcopal Church for many years but returned to his birth Church more recently.
A service celebrating Greg’s life will be held at 2 PM Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Pastor Will Rambo of The Orchard officiating. Burial will follow in the Ray family plot at Black Zion Cemetery in Pontotoc Co. Visitation will be from Noon-service time Monday only at Holland Funeral Directors, who is honored to serve their friends.
Greg is survived by his two children, Heston Ray and wife, Dr. Ashley Ray of Athens, GA, and Lauren Ray, and their mother, Ann Bell Ray, both of Tupelo; his grandchildren, Evaleigh Caroline Ray, William Griffin Ray , John Heston McCullough Ray, and James William Ray; his brother, Bob Ray and wife, Debbie of Black Zion; his nephews, Jordan Ray (Lillie) and Evan Ray (Christy) and a niece, Whitney Hood (Kyle); several cousins and his extended families. He was preceded in death by his parents, Billy Rex and Martha Ray, and his grandparents, Henderson and Lovie Nichols McCullough and Willie and Mattie Jones Ray.
For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/live-streaming at 2 PM and will be permanently archived thereafter. The family request memorials be made to St. Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 39105 or to Tupelo-Lee Humane Shelter, P. O. Box 2143, Tupelo, MS 38802.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
