Fred Gene Ray

Fred was born in Webster County, Mississippi on July 22, 1932 to Lois Phillips Ray and Fred Peterson Ray. After graduating from Mathiston High School, he was awarded a football scholarship to Holmes Junior College and was on the team that played in three bowl games in one season. Fred maintained ties with his Holmes friends and classmates throughout his life and served on the Holmes Community College Development Foundation. He graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy and began his career as a Certified Public Accountant with Price Waterhouse in New Orleans. He later returned to Mississippi and founded Data Management, Inc., developing accounting software and providing accounting and tax services for decades. Fred served on the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy and had the unusual distinction of having original CPA certificates from both Louisiana and Mississippi. He was also a member of The Patterson School of Accountancy Hall of Fame at the University of Mississippi.

Fred was married to Martha Jean Shrock for more than 69 years. He was a devoted husband, and they worked and played side by side for most of those years.

Fred was a lifelong Methodist and faithful member of Briarwood United Methodist Church for more than 66 years, where he served in many roles until its closure, and was a member of St. Matthew’s at the time of his death. He was active in many civic and charitable organizations, serving as District Governor of the Optimist Club, Board Chairman of Goodwill Industries, and long-time active volunteer at Baptist Hospital. He was an avid reader of all types of literature and was fascinated by history and the lives of the apostles. He enjoyed playing bridge and was a member of several men’s and couples’ bridge clubs. He enjoyed playing pool and attending his grandchildren’s events, and he loved Ole Miss football.

Fred was humble, generous, kind, witty, considerate, wise, honest, optimistic, and resilient.

Fred is survived by his wife, Martha, children Carolyn (Mark) Wakefield, Wanda (Pat) Courter and William (Martha) Ray, grandchildren Michael (Kakhi) Wakefield, Lauren (Jason) Ray, Sarah (Eric) Michelletti, Adam Ray, Alex (Katie) Ray and Anna Katherine Ray, and six great-grandchildren, Harper, Allie, Fletcher and Eliza Wakefield, Ian Michelletti, and Maggie Ray. He is survived by his sister, Bonnie Bowen and was predeceased by his parents and his brothers Billie Ray and Sammie Ray.

Visitation will be held at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Madison, MS on Tuesday, September 17 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, followed by funeral services at the church at 2:00 and burial thereafter at Parkway Memorial Cemetery.