May Evelyn England Ray

May Evelyn England Ray

Tupelo – May Evelyn England Ray, 86, passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2015, at NMMC Hospice. Born on September 6, 1929, in Slate Springs, Mississippi, she was the daughter of Edmond Allen and Mae Gulledge England.

Evelyn graduated from Eupora High School with the class of 1946. She attended Wood Jr. College and graduated in 1948. An ambitious young woman, she furthered her education at Delta State Teachers College and received her Bachelors of Science in Home Economics in 1950. That same year, on June 11, 1950, she married her soul mate, Reverend Crawford Love Ray. There were happily married and together they raised 3 children. For a year she taught Home Economics at Houlka High School, she also worked at Panola County Welfare Dept., and TN Valley Housing Authority.

She was a true virtuous woman who was a living example of the Wife of Noble Character as described in Proverbs 31. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women’s group, and worked tirelessly in the kitchen, feeding others. She was a fantastic cook who made a wonderful cheesecake. Her God and family, especially her grandchildren and
great-grandchildren, were the most important things in her life. She was a behind the scenes woman who never sought recognition. She was a member of AARP, loved working in the flower garden, cooking and sewing. She was a multi-tasking woman whom people turned to in order to get a lot done within a short period of time. She will be missed by all that knew her but we know she is rejoicing in heaven with her Lord and her loved ones that went before her.

Survivors include her daughters, Amanda Kay Ray Garrett (Arthur L.), Saltillo, and Jo-Anna Ray, Brandon; son, James Crawford “Jimmy” Ray (Lisa Street), Douglasville, GA; grandchildren, Amanda Love Garrett, Anna Leigh Garrett Murphree (Jason), Jon David Garrett (Mary), Matthew Jamieson Ray, and Patrick Allen Ray; great-grandchildren; Wyatt Westley Murphree, Declan Thomas Murphree, Coraline Grace Murphree, Braxton Ray Garrett, Ellie Jane Garrett, Grayson Ellis Garrett; sister-in-law, Orpal England, Clinton; brother-in-law, Rev. F. Wilson Ray (Carolyn), Greenwood; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers, William Allen England, James Robert “Bob” England (June), Arthur Howard England; sister-in-law, Louise Ray Massey(Cath); brother-in-law, Leland Ray (Irene).

Her Funeral Service will be held at 1PM, Saturday, October 24, 2015, at First United Methodist Church, Amory, with Rev. Jimmy Criddle and Rev. Andy Ray officiating. Burial will follow in Plantersville Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 – 8 PM, Friday, October 23, 2015, at Holland Funeral Directors, Tupelo and from 11 AM until 1 PM at First United Methodist Church, Amory.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to First United Methodist Church, 107 3rd Street, Amory, MS 38821 or to NMMC Hospice, 422 A East President St., Tupelo, MS 38801.

Memories and condolences may be shared with her family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com.