Irene Scarbrough Ray

April 5, 1935 - February 6, 2022

Elizabeth Irene Scarbrough Ray, 86 of Sturgis, Mississippi, passed away to her heavenly home on Sunday, February 6, 2022, at 4:20 a.m. surrounded by her family. Irene was born in Ocala, Florida, on April 5, 1935, to Charlie and Lodean Scarbrough. On March 22, 1952, she married the love of her life, Elbert M. Ray, Sr. They had five children: Julie, Peggy, Elbert Jr., Danny, and Mona. She worked several years at Herschede Hall Clock Co., Howards Furniture, and West Brothers Department Store all of which were in Starkville, Mississippi. Afterwards she opened a small Fabric Store called Rene’s Fabrics and also was the owner of Rene’s Alternations. She enjoyed many things in her life. Some of her greatest times were spent with her family. She also enjoyed sewing, traveling with family, beach trips, southern gospel singings, opry music, church functions and her Sunday school class. She is a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Sturgis, Mississippi. Irene (Rene) is survived by her daughters: Peggy Rose, Starkville, and Mona Craig (Jr.), Sturgis, and her sons: Elbert M. Ray, Jr. (Lori), Monroe Georgia and Sturgis, and Danny G. Ray (Jennie), Sturgis. She also leaves behind her brothers Billy D. Scarbrough (Jean) and Charles Scarbrough (Diane) both of Starkville, her sisters-in-law, Sandra Scarbrough, Sturgis, and Pat Scarbrough, Columbus, Mississippi, brothers-in-law, Lavern Oglesby, Sturgis, and Buddy Ray (Barbara), Mathiston, Mississippi. One of her greatest joys was being "Gram, MawMaw, and Grandmaw" to her ten grandchildren: Emily Rose (Alan) Blaine, Alan (Beverley) Miller, Missy Ray (Heath) Bell, Daniel (Crystal) Ray, Ashley (Ray) Hobbs, Drew Ray, Heath (Lexi) Ray, Stephanie (Chris) Lange, Andrew (Haley) Ray, and Eli Ray; 19 great-grandchildren: Olivia Blaine, Raegan, Kaige, and Lexi Miller, Mayce (Roberto) Villanueva, Carley and Treylan Bell, Cole, Piper and Collins Ray, Carter and Berkley Hobbs, Denley Ray, Allysa and Avery Ray, Cohen and Colbi Lange, Willow Ray, and Jesse Hanna; and one great-great grandson Aspen James Villanueva; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Elbert M. Ray, Sr., infant daughter Julie Dean Ray, granddaughter, Madison Grace Craig and son-in-law, Larry N. Rose, her parents, Charlie and Lodean Scarbrough, infant brother, and baby sister (Sylvia Jean), brothers Johnny G. Scarbrough and Wiley S. Scarbrough and sister Sally S. Oglesby. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at Friendship Baptist Church, 5491 Craig Springs Road, Sturgis, at 2:00 pm. Visitation will also be at the church prior to the service from 12:00 pm until service time. Interment will immediately follow the service in Craig Springs Cemetery, Sturgis. Serving as pallbearers are Daniel Ray, Heath Ray, Drew Ray, Andrew Ray, Eli Ray, Treylan Bell, and Cole Ray. Honorary pallbearers are Alan Blaine, Heath Bell, Alan Miller, Chris Lange, Ray Hobbs, Carter Hobbs, Jesse Hanna, and Kaige Miller. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to E320 Ministries, Junior and Margaret Davis, 3725 Dick Allen Road, Louisville, MS 39339. The family would like to extend our greatest appreciation to the entire staff of Kindred Hospice. We would like to extend a special thank you to Lorena Meacham, Michelle Pittman, Emma Smith, Edwin Edwards and Jackie Nason, her precious niece, for all their love, care, support, and prayers. In addition, a very special thank you to Emily Stricklin, her niece, who cared for her and made her days more pleasurable. Also, a very special "Thank You" to everyone for your love and prayers. Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.