Shirley Grace Bray

Mrs. Bray was born September 23, 1937 in Cartersville, daughter to the late Lloyd Thurman and Della Elrod Thurman.

Mrs. Bray retired from First Brands and also worked part-time for 30 years at the Rome Dixie Speedway. She was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church for many years. In her spare time she enjoyed shopping, taking care of her dogs, and listening to Southern Gospel Music, especially the Primitive Quartet. Mrs. Bray was famous for her wonderful banana pudding and found great joy in making it for all of her family. Though she enjoyed her hobbies her greatest love by far was being a wife, mother, and grandmother.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, Mr. Billy Joe Bray.

Survivors include her sons, Randy Bray (Lawonia) of Cartersville and Ricky Bray of Cartersville; daughters, Donna Blackman of Cartersville, and Wendy Hester (Cory) of Dallas; one brother, Benton Thurman (Pauline) of Cartersville; grandchildren, Brandon Bray, Matthew Bray (Kassidi), Tyler Blackman ( Emily), Amber Blackman, Autumn Blackman, Zachery Bearden, Courtney Hester, and Chandler Hester; one great-granddaughter, Olivia Blackman.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at eleven o’clock in the morning on Thursday, February 18, 2016 in the chapel of Owen Funeral Home with Rev. Tommy Harris, Rev. Doug Harris, and Rev. Shad Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Georgia National Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers are Robert Thurman, Charlie Thurman, Jerry Thurman, Thomas Mayfield, Shane Blackman, and Steven Thurman. Honorary Pallbearers include, Donnie Thurman, Cory Hester, and her grandsons.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, February 17, 2016 from five o’clock in the evening until eight at Owen Funeral Home.

Please visit www.owenfunerals.com to post tributes and sign the on-line register.

Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Dr., Cartersville, GA 30120 is in charge of the arrangements.