Graveside services for Mrs. Lola Strickland Gray, 98, of Mount Olive, were held on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at  1 p.m. from Point Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Mount Olive. Pastor Johnny Mosley Jr. was the officiant.  Reeves Funeral Home, Inc. of Mount Olive was in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Gray passed away at her residence on  Jan. 5, 2021.

Honorary pallbearers were  Frank Rogers, Greg Sanders, VIncent Graves, Monroe Strickland, Leroy Hall, Glenn Gray, Jerry Kennedy and Donnell Gray.

Pallbearers were  Martin Rankin, Gerald Payne, Cortez Hardy, Lynn Gray Jr., Ron Strickland, Kenny Gray and Marvin Earl Gray.

Flower bearers were her  grandchildren.

Mrs. Gray was a lifelong member of Point Pleasant MB Church where she remained a faithful member until her health declined.   

She was educated in Jefferson Davis County.  She was employed at Sophia Sutton Headstart Center, in Prentiss for many years.

Later in life she was employed at Collinswood Poultry Plant in Collins where she retired.  She took pride in cooking and had a passion for growing gorgeous plants and flowers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sylvester and Julia Strickland; husband, Marvin Gray Sr., and six children, Marvin Earl Gray Jr., Cornell Gray, Larry Gray, Sylvester Bruce Gray, Lynn Gray and Anita Gray.

Survivors include her children, Clarence (Josie) Gray of Livingston, Texas, Glenda(Frank) Rogers of Brandon, Aundra (Gregory) Sanders, of Mt. Olive and June Beverly of Mt. Olive,  26 grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and one sister, Bessie Lou Little of Jackson; three daughter-in-laws and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.