Beverly Ellis Gray

Beverly Ellis Gray

“ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

Visitation will be held Friday, November 6, 2026 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Brown's Funeral Home, 1011 Rosa Street, Picayune, MS 39466 and on Saturday, November 7, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until service time at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 501 Weems Street, Picayune, MS 39466.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 7,, 2026 at 12:00 noon at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 501 Weems Street, Picayune, MS. Rev. Wayman Gaulden will be the eulogist.

Beverly Ellis Gray, 89, was born March 3, 1937, in Paulding, Mississippi, to Estella and Alvis Ellis. She departed this life on October 30, 2026, at Slidell Memorial Hospital in Slidell, Louisiana.

During her early years, the growing Ellis family moved to Picayune, Mississippi. Beverly attended the Colored School and graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Picayune with the Class of 1956. She met and fell in love with Roman Robert Gray, and they were united in marriage in February 1957. Six children were born to their union, and their family also included three bonus children.

Throughout her lifetime, Beverly held many jobs, including work in the tung nut oil industry and at the Bank of Picayune, Neco Blanket Factory, and Wagner Industries.

Beverly joined Pleasant Valley Baptist Church and was baptized at an early age in the old pool. She served faithfully for as long as her health permitted and led the church’s kitchen staff for many years. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading and gardening. Throughout the years, she shared the word of Jesus Christ and extended her love to everyone she met.

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, Estella and Alvis Ellis; her husband, Roman Robert Gray; her siblings, Katie Mae, Lola Mae, Geneva, Matthew, Jordan, Frank, Henerietta, Mary Alice, and Jimmie; and her children, Robert, John, and Jeffrery.

She leaves to cherish her memory Patricia Ann McQueen of Chicago, Illinois; Wanda Beasley of Los Angeles, California; Dexter (Sondralyn) of Slidell, Louisiana; Monterey of Lancaster, California; and Al Brent of Picayune, Mississippi. She is also survived by two brothers, Willie (Deloris) Ellis of Picayune, Mississippi, and Gilbert (Janice) Ellis of Hercules, California; and one sister, Joe Ann (Linward) Garrett of Terry, Mississippi.

Left to mourn her passing and celebrate her memory are six children, 15 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and a host nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Interment will be held at Picayune Cemetery, 8th Street, Picayune, MS 39466.