Mrs. Dorothy Whitmire Wray

Dorothy Whitmire Wray, 99, passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at her residence in West Point. Dot Wray was born Dorothy Grace Whitmire on September 24, 1924, in Choctaw County, MS, to Seldon G. and Molly Kerr Whitmire. She grew up in the Panhandle Community and attended Panhandle School until enrolling in Weir High School. During high school she played on the Weir Lions girls’ basketball team and graduated in 1942. A diary kept by her future husband, James Wray, showed that she and James corresponded frequently while he was serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. James returned home on September 19, 1945, and they were married the next day, September 20, 1945. They resided in Choctaw County while James farmed and then moved to West Point, MS, in 1948. Dot grew up in a large extended family full of laughter, kindness, and hospitality. As her boys were growing up, she kept cooking, always extra for the family and friends who loved to eat at the Wray’s home. Her legacy which is as large as her loving heart now extends to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dot was the mother of four sons, Sonny (Donna), Lexington, KY, Johnny (Deborrah), Cedar Bluff, MS, Alan (Janet), West Point, MS, and Bob (Cathy) Milton, FL. Other survivors include grandchildren Jay Wray, Matt Wray, Jonathan Wray, Stephen Wray, Emily Craft, Amanda Bobe, and Katherine Booth. She also enjoyed her 12 great-grandchildren, Will and Lane Martin, Witt Wray, Reese and Brody Craft, Grayson, Gentry, and Gaines Bobe, Anna Lawson and Libby Wray, and Barrett and Ensley Booth. Her one surviving brother, Donald C. Whitmire remained very close to her, and they entertained each other and the entire family with their tales and remembrances of growing up in Choctaw County. Aunt Dot is also fondly remembered by seven nieces and 4 nephews, Anna Miller, Sandra Power, Annabelle Dunlap, Martha Mills, Sarah Parks, Rosanne Johnson, Sara Virgina Zacharias, Jim Waide, David Waide, Don Whitmire, and John Whitmire. In addition to her parents, Dot was predeceased by sisters Agnes McKinley and Gladys Waide, brothers Emmette and Aubrey Whitmire, nieces Mildred Ford and Linda Ingram, nephews Charles Whitmire, Richard McKinley, and Charles Waide, and grandson Justin Wray. When her health began to decline Dot relied on a gifted team of compassionate caregivers, especially her longtime friend and faithful companion, Earlene Gandy, who provided her with the tenderest of care, affection and companionship. Her family is also grateful to Dr. Ned Miller for the superlative personal medical care he provided. Dot was a dedicated member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). As a member of First Christian Church in West Point for more than 70 years, she was active in the Mary Martha Sunday School class and the Christian Women’s Fellowship. After her sons were all in school, Dot worked as a salesclerk at JCPenney’s for 15 years until her retirement. Two years after the death of James, her life-long mate, in August 2006, she moved from their home on Court Street to the Henry Clay Retirement Center and resided there until her death. She enjoyed the camaraderie with the other residents, some of whom became close friends. Visitation will be held at Calvert Funeral Home, West Point, MS, on Friday evening, December 8, 5 – 8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the church of her childhood, Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church, 176 Mt. Zion Rd, (Choctaw County), McCool, MS, on Saturday, December 9, at 10:30 a.m. A graveside service will follow at West Point Memorial Gardens in West Point, MS, on Saturday, December 9, at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial gifts be made in Dot’s memory to Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, 4735 Old Canton Rd., Ste. 111, Jackson, MS 39211. Pallbearers will be Jonathan Wray, Stephen Wray, Jay Wray, Matt Wray, Jim Waide, and David Waide. Friends may leave an online condolence at www.calvertfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Dorothy Whitmire Wray

September 24, 1924 - December 5, 2023