Mary Virginia Gray

MARY VIRGINIA MOONEYHAM GRAY, 85, passed away May 8, 2014. She was born on May 14, 1928 to Lawrence and Vera Mooneyham in Brighton, TN. Virginia was introduced to William Bryson Gray by her cousin. They got married on June 28, 1947 and were wed 33 years until his death on November 19, 1980. They had four children: Jannette, Gary, Brenda, and Wayne.

Virginia graduated from Brighton High School. She worked at Cherry’s Department Store on the Covington, TN square. She and Bryson had a home in Covington, but moved to Memphis a few years after their marriage. They lived in the Berclair community where they raised their family. They also joined Berclair Baptist Church and were active members.

Virginia worked many hours in the local PTA and the church’s VBS, Sunday School, Training Union, and WMU. She participated in the Senior programs and trips with the church. She went back to work in the 60’s as a sales associate at Corondolet, and retired from the Central Hardware store after helping with its opening and then its closing. After retiring, she worked part time as a caregiver, and later volunteered at Methodist North as a Pink Lady.

Virginia loved her family and friends. She was a great cook and an excellent seamstress. She also loved traveling, whether it included accompanying her family on numerous camping trips to Sardis and Arkansas, or leading trips she took with her friends to destinations such as Branson. Some of her more notable trips included traveling to England, Nova Scotia, Hawaii, and California. She also ventured on many bus trips over the years throughout the United States.

Virginia enjoyed playing Bunco and going to various plays and concerts with her girlfriends from Central Hardware. She delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved playing Patty Cake with them. She had plaques on her kitchen wall that encompassed words of wisdom she taught to the grandchildren:

Swap a Smile Trade some Cheer Let’s be Happy While we’re Here!

That was Virginia’s essence. She loved you and always wanted the best for you. She is now in the presence of the Lord, and awaits our coming.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Bryson Gray, her grandson, Brandon Edward Gray, and her great-granddaughter, Emily Carol Black.

She was also preceded in death by her Son-In-Law, Harry Tomlinson, her parents, her sisters, Eunice, who died prior to Virginia’s birth, Ida Smith, Beatrice Griffith, and Margerite Pinner; and her brothers, Lloyd Mooneyham, and Langston Mooneyham.

She leaves behind two brothers, Gerald Mooneyham and William (Betty) Mooneyham as well as her children: Jannette & Stephen Mayes, Gary & Debra Gray, Brenda Tomlinson, and Wayne & Gale Gray.

She also leaves her grandchildren:

Jannette and Stephen Mayes’ Children: Michael Mayes, Brian Mayes, Jennifer & Beau Black, and Keith & Ali Mayes

Gary & Debra Grays’ daughter: Kristi & Brad Crawford

Wayne & Gale Gray’s Daughters: Heather & John Farrington and Laura Adamson

She also leaves her great-grandchildren:

Jennifer & Beau’s Children: John Michael, Jacob, Mary “Claire”, Garrett, and Sawyer

Keith & Ali’s Boys: William “Bryson” and Joseph Mitchell

Kristi & Brad’s Girls: Catherine “Kate” Elizabeth and a baby due in June

Heather & John’s Children: Priscilla, Brooke, and Logan

Laura’s Children: John Johnson, and Jessica Adamson