Cynthia Laura Gray

Cynthia Jones Gray of Ridgeland passed away on June 16, 2011, at Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City, New York. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 22 from 5:00-8:00pm at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home in Ridgeland. A memorial service will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, June 23 at Pinelake Baptist Church in Brandon.

Cynthia Laura Jones was born on June 8, 1953, in Jackson to Thadius and Barbara Jones. She attended Wingfield High School and graduated from Clinton High School in 1971. She attended Hinds Community College and Louisiana State University. She was a member of Pinelake Baptist Church. For the past 14 years, Cynthia worked as the Chief Financial Officer of the Mississippi Forum on Children and Families in Jackson. Cynthia was actively involved as a volunteer and served in various capacities in the Cancer League, Susan G. Komen Steel Magnolia's Chapter, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She was also passionate concerning autism awareness.

Cynthia was a devoted wife of thirty-three years to her best friend, James Truett “Jimmy” Gray and a loving mother, grandmother and friend. Cynthia would light up a room with her beautiful smile, energetic personality and her joy and excitement for life. She never met a stranger and her laugh was contagious. She will be remembered as a vibrant and compassionate lady who blessed her friends and family with her presence and love.

Cynthia enjoyed spending time with friends and family, making new friends, playing golf, shopping, and traveling, especially to the beach. She selflessly contributed her time and talents to better outcomes for children, and while she delighted in her own children and grandchildren, she genuinely loved all children.

Cynthia is survived by her husband, Jimmy Gray of Ridgeland; parents, Thad and Barbara Jones of Ridgeland; daughters, Renee Davidson and husband, Mark, of Clinton and Jackye Barbour and husband, Reeves, of Arlington, Virginia; step-sons Jason Gray and wife, Kristyn, of Hattiesburg and Justin Gray of Madison; sisters, Donna Palmire and husband, Billy, of Atlanta, Georgia and Brenda Alexander and husband, Mark, of Madison; brother, Tim Jones of Ridgeland; grandchildren, McKenzie and Michael Davidson, Ava and Haley Barbour III, Mary Katherine and Jackson Gray, and Wesley, Justin Michael and Devon Gray. Cynthia also leaves behind her mother-in-law, Sue Gray of Ridgeland; sisters-in law, Suzy Hubbard of Jackson, Cindy Emery and husband, Ron, of Jackson, and Lisa Cupples and husband, Dewayne, of Madison; and many loving nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Honorary Pallbearers for the memorial service will be Justin Calvert, Bobby Gray, Dale Hubbard, Lloyd Hutton, Chuck Nelms and W.C. Willie Smith.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the fund established in Cynthia’s memory for her grandson, Michael Davidson, “Friends for a Cause: CHARM – Cynthia’s Hope for Autism Rehabilitation for Michael”, 105 Sandalwood Drive, Madison, MS 39110.