Shirley E Rayborn

Shirley Evelyn Brown Sutherland Rayborn, the beloved heart of four generations of family, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2025, at the age of 88, at the Asbury Hospice House in Hattiesburg, MS. She was born on May 2, 1937, in Lumberton to Carl and Annie Mae Brown. Shirley’s life was a beautiful expression of love, warmth and joy that wrapped everyone around her in a cozy embrace. She never met a stranger and anyone who came by to visit, or even to make a repair, left with a jar of jelly or pickles, or a piece of whatever she had baked. And if she didn’t know them personally, they were asked if they had a personal relationship with Jesus.

Shirley married Claude Sutherland in 1956 and they made their home in Ardmore, OK, where Claude was stationed in the US Air Force and where they started their family. In 1958, they moved to Jackson, MS where they raised their three children and lived until they moved Lumberton in 2004 to be closer to Shirley’s mother. Claude passed away in 2010 and in 2012 God blessed Shirley with another Christian man to love, Travis Rayborn. Shirley and Travis were married for almost 12 years when he passed away.

Shirley’s boundless love stretched across four generations, touching the lives of her seven grandchildren and her six great-grandsons, each of whom she cherished.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Jerry, J.C. and Tommy Brown; her first husband, Claude (PawPaw) Sutherland, the father of her children; her second husband, Travis (Papa T) Rayborn, who loved and embraced her family as his own; and stepson, Rodney Rayborn.

Survivors include her daughters, Cheryl Entrekin (Steve), Cindy Neel (Mike-deceased) and son, Claude (Bubba) Sutherland, Jr.; seven grandchildren: Chris Entrekin (Katie), Kira Entrekin Collard (Aaron), Benjamin Neel, Karin Neel Swope (Josh), Noah Sutherland and Jacob Sutherland (Delaney), and David Sutherland; six great-grandsons: Anthony and William Entrekin; Hayden, Skyler, Caleb Entrekin and Jackson Collard; Stepchildren: Rhonda Lowe and Rita Hennis (children: Charles, Jane and James); her brother Ricky Brown (Clarisa), and a host of extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Christmas Shoebox Ministry at First Baptist Church, Purvis.

Family and friends are invited to attend Shirley's visitation on Friday, September 12, 2025 at First Baptist Church of Purvis, 77 Shelby Speights Drive, Purvis, Mississippi from 9:30 am until 10:30 am with her funeral service beginning at 10:30 am.