Obituary for Shirley Ann Ray (Beard)
Mrs. Shirley Ray, 84, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2020, at her residence in Sardis, MS.
Mrs. Ray was born on October 27, 1935 to the late Birdie Lucille Perkins Beard and the late James Buell Beard, Sr. She was a member of Sardis United Methodist Church, where she served in the Suzanna Wesley Circle. She was also a member of the Explorer Bible Study and Sardis Women’s Club. She was a big fan of North Delta Athletics and enjoyed reading, working in her yard and especially loved raising cattle with her husband. Above all, she loved her family dearly and was a devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Left behind to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Beverly Ray Patton (Keith) of Batesville, MS, Robyn Ray Snellgrove (Al) of Luverne, AL; two sons, Tony Ray (Kim) of Tupelo, MS, and Rusty Ray of Sardis, MS; seven grandchildren, Cathryn Patton McKee (David), Leigh-Taylor Patton Unruh (Justin), Anna Ray Snellgrove Hilburn (Matthew), Sarah Cathryn Snellgrove, Jack Ray, John Simmons Noe, and Zade Charleson Simmons and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-five years, Jack Ray, Jr., her parents and two brothers, James Buell Beard, Jr. and Roy Harold “Skeet” Beard.
A graveside service, followed by interment, will be held at 2 pm, on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at Davis Chapel Cemetery, with Bro. Hal Johnson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sardis United Methodist Church Wheelchair Ramp Fund, Explorer’s Bible Study Scholarship Fund, PO Box 425, Dickson, TN 37056-0425 or the charity of the donor's choice.
Due to social distancing restrictions, we must limit guests at the graveside to no more than 8 individuals.
Arrangements are entrusted to Ray-Nowell Funeral Home.
Mrs. Ray was born on October 27, 1935 to the late Birdie Lucille Perkins Beard and the late James Buell Beard, Sr. She was a member of Sardis United Methodist Church, where she served in the Suzanna Wesley Circle. She was also a member of the Explorer Bible Study and Sardis Women’s Club. She was a big fan of North Delta Athletics and enjoyed reading, working in her yard and especially loved raising cattle with her husband. Above all, she loved her family dearly and was a devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Left behind to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Beverly Ray Patton (Keith) of Batesville, MS, Robyn Ray Snellgrove (Al) of Luverne, AL; two sons, Tony Ray (Kim) of Tupelo, MS, and Rusty Ray of Sardis, MS; seven grandchildren, Cathryn Patton McKee (David), Leigh-Taylor Patton Unruh (Justin), Anna Ray Snellgrove Hilburn (Matthew), Sarah Cathryn Snellgrove, Jack Ray, John Simmons Noe, and Zade Charleson Simmons and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-five years, Jack Ray, Jr., her parents and two brothers, James Buell Beard, Jr. and Roy Harold “Skeet” Beard.
A graveside service, followed by interment, will be held at 2 pm, on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at Davis Chapel Cemetery, with Bro. Hal Johnson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sardis United Methodist Church Wheelchair Ramp Fund, Explorer’s Bible Study Scholarship Fund, PO Box 425, Dickson, TN 37056-0425 or the charity of the donor's choice.
Due to social distancing restrictions, we must limit guests at the graveside to no more than 8 individuals.
Arrangements are entrusted to Ray-Nowell Funeral Home.