JoAnn Gray

JoAnn James Gray went to be with our Lord on Saturday, October 17, 2020, just six short months after losing the love of her life, Lloyd E. Gray. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, 2020 at Polkville First Baptist Church with the funeral to follow at 2:00 p.m. JoAnn was born on August 7, 1934 in Polkville, Mississippi. She was the youngest of three daughters born to Joe James and Lottie Bell Richardson James. JoAnn fell in love with Lloyd at a young age and finally convinced her mother to let her marry Lloyd at the age of 17, with the promise that she would finish high school. She did just that and graduated as the Valedictorian of her class. She and Lloyd celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary this past November. She and Lloyd then spent several years in the military where Lloyd served in the United States Air Force and later the Mississippi Air National Guard. Lloyd and JoAnn eventually settled in Pearl, MS where they raised two sons, Michael and Randy. JoAnn began working at Rankin County Bank in 1966 as a teller. JoAnn graduated from the Mississippi School of Banking at the University of Mississippi and had a successful career in the banking industry. She retired as a Vice President and Branch Manager from Trustmark National Bank in 1993 after a prosperous 27-year career. After retirement they moved back “home” to Polkville, Mississippi, where they would be near family. She and Lloyd enjoyed many years travelling in their motor home, visiting almost all fifty states and developing a love for Bluegrass and gospel music. They loved it so much that Lloyd began singing in a band, Polkville City Limits, and they started a Bluegrass festival at Roosevelt State Park in Morton, Mississippi that ran for twelve consecutive years. They were both longtime members of First Baptist Church of Polkville. JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd E. Gray; daughter, Shelia Denise Gray; granddaughter, Stephanie Michelle Gray; her parents; her sisters Odell James Thornton and Mazelle James Wiggins. She is survived by her two sons Michael E. Gray and Robert (Randy) Gray and her two daughters in law, who have been her longtime caregivers, Janice Gray and Fran Gray; all of Polkville, Mississippi. She also leaves two granddaughters Ashley Moore (Kyle) of Oxford, MS and Jennifer Walker (Dillon) of Brandon MS; four great grandchildren, Stone Moore, Indie Jules Moore, Camilla Moore and Crew Walker. A host of extended family, nieces and nephews, cousins and special friends. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to Polkville First Baptist Church, 6640 Highway 13 South, Polkville, MS 39117. You can light a memory candle or leave an online condolence at www.wolffuneralservices.com.