Emily Yvonne Grenn Gray, 56, beloved by her family and friends, passed away peacefully at her home in Hernando, MS on Wednesday, November 17, after a courageous battle with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Emily was born in Pascagoula, MS on April 5, 1965 to Gloria Ford Grenn and Opie Carl Grenn, Jr., and welcomed by sister Elizabeth. Shortly thereafter, the Grenn family moved to Rankin County, MS, where Emily attended elementary and high school in the Pearl School District. At Pearl High School, Emily was loved by her classmates and was chosen for the homecoming court and named a class beauty during her senior of 1983. After graduating with a degree in Advertising from The University of Southern Mississippi in 1987, Emily married her high school sweetheart, Richard Wayne (Buddy) Gray, Jr. in August of that year. In March of 1994, the Grays welcomed their first child, Spencer Richard Gray, and in 2001, daughter Mary Elizabeth Gray was born. A resident of Hernando since 1991, Emily was employed at Magnolia Lighting for 18 years, retiring in 2019 after her devastating diagnosis. Although she and her family were aware of the probable outcome of ALS, Emily chose to spend her final years enjoying the people and places she loved. With friends and family, she created a bucket list of experiences to enjoy. These included travels to New England, Florida Keys, the Grand Canyon, New York City and much time spent in her happy place, the sunny gulf beaches of Alabama and Florida.

Because of Emily’s creative talents, her beautiful hand-made jewelry and works of art have been enjoyed by many; she continued many forms of artistic expression until ALS stole her manual dexterity.

Emily became a Christian early in life and grew in her faith at Pearl Presbyterian Church. The Grays are charter and active members of Hernando Presbyterian Church. Emily’s display of grace and trust in her Savior during the course of her affliction has been and continues to be the witness to others she’d hoped it would. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, her niece Lydia Boggan, and father-in-law Wayne Gray.

Surviving family members who lovingly cared for Emily are husband Buddy, daughter Mary Elizabeth (Eli Braggs fiancé), and son Spencer (Kelsey). Others surviving Emily who loved her and were loved by her are parents Gloria and Opie Grenn and sister Elizabeth Grenn Franklin (Mark).

Family and loved ones also include mother-in-law Marolyn Gray, sisters-in-law Carol Gray Boggan (Joe), Christi Gray Price (Richard), and brothers-in-law Scott Gray (Ashley), and Britt Gray (Leah), as well as a host of dear friends. Emily was also an adoring aunt to 17 nieces and nephews.

She will be missed by her faithful canine companions Nelli and Hazel.

Services will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at Hernando Funeral Home in Hernando MS. Visitation begins at 12 Noon, followed by the funeral service at 2:00 PM. Internment to follow at Hernando Memorial

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to John-boy’s Place, a retreat location dedicated to creating a safe and accessible space for patients with progressive paralyzing conditions such as ALS, allowing them to vacation with family and friends for the sole purpose of making memories.

Windchime Wishes Limited

5154 Holly Springs Dr.

Mobile, AL 36693

http://www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/johnboysplace