Mrs. Mary Ann Manning Gray, 81, of McComb, MS, went to her eternal home with the Lord on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, MS.

Mrs. Mary Ann was born in Morton, MS on June 23, 1939 and was the daughter of James Wardell Manning and Dora Lee Cooper Manning. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of McComb where she was a member of the choir for 36 years. She was a modern day homemaker. She served a term of presidency with the Howdycrat Board of Pike County. Also, Mrs. Mary Ann served as a member of the Pike County Heart Association for 6 years.  During that time, she was well known for her baking, catering, cooking, decorating and entertaining talents. She began with simple birthdays and advanced to opening her dream, Tea Room and catering for Shell Oil Corporate functions, Junior Auxiliary of Pike County, Event Coordinator for Ramada Inn, and numerous wedding, anniversaries and other special events throughout the South. Some of the dignitaries she catered for included Jerry Clower, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is preceded in death by her parents; two sisters and three brothers-in-law, Gertrude Elizabeth Manning Pierce and Hamilton Pierce, and Maggie Lee Manning Willingham and Homer Gene Willingham, and Edmund C. Lingle, and one brother and sister-in-law, James Truman Manning and Zelle Manning.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, William Gene Gray of McComb, MS; two daughters, Elaine Gray-Sims of Flowood, MS and Malinda Gray Rushing and Paul Ian Rushing of Acworth, GA; two grandsons, Justin Paul Sims of Huntsville, AL, and Joshua Gray Sims and Kristen of Wentzville, MO; four granddaughters, Kara Hope Pulliam and Daniel, Sloan Elise Rushing, Molly Clare Rushing, Fallon Grace Rushing, all of Acworth, GA; three great-grandsons, Grayson Vaughn Sims and Aidan Paul Sims, of Wentzville, MO, and Conor Brian Pulliam of Philadelphia, PA; two sisters, Jimmie Dee Lingle of Pearl, MS, and Verdie Opal King and Eddie of Morton, MS, and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 20, 2021 from 11AM until time of service at 1PM at Sharkey Funeral Home in Summit, MS with Dr. Jimmy D. Porter officiating. A private family burial will follow after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made in her name to the ALZ.org MS Chapter or MS Baptist Children's Village.

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