Joyce Wray

Joyce Ophelia Horn Wray was born next door to her present home in Gleason on October 5, 1927 to Clarence and Beulah Page Horn. Joyce graduated from Gleason High School in 1945 and married Buford (Jughead) Wray in 1946. They were married 55 years at his death in 2002. Joyce was a beautician at Jozelle’s Beauty Shop in Gleason for 50 years and at Adele’s Beauty Shop in Dresden for 2 years. Joyce compiled and wrote the history of “Oakwood-Gleason A Look Back.” She sold 1,500 copies and all the proceeds were donated to the Gleason School Library. She also wrote “Tater Town Talk” for the Dresden Enterprise and Weakley County Press for 25 years starting at Homecoming 1986. She was an avid historian and kept old pictures and histories of her beloved town of Gleason and First Methodist Church where she was church historian and membership secretary for many years. She was a Sunday school teacher and Cub Scout leader. Jug and Joyce were dedicated Bulldog fans and attended hundreds of Gleason sports events where she always kept stats. She wrote a Horn-Wray memory book for her family which includes history, memories, stories and pictures of both families back to the 1800’s.She was awarded the Woodman of the World Community Citizenship Award for her many historical writings. She loved her friends far and near especially the fine folks of Gleason and her church family. She lived a good life and loved her children, and then her precious grandchildren as each arrived. She thought that was all she loved but then along came the great-grandchildren! Joyce is survived by her beloved children Vicki (Herman) Smith of Martin, Kathy (Richard) Fite of Jackson, and Greg Wray of Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Seven grandchildren Stacie Smith Lawson, Brian Smith, Zac Fite, Matt Fite, Kacie Fite Butterworth, Jerry Proenza, Nathan Wray and eleven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Beulah Horn, her sisters Vashti Douglas, Maggie Lois Gaston, Doris Manship, and brother Ted Horn and her beloved husband, Buford Jughead Wray. Visitation will be Thursday, August 23rd from noon until 2:00 p.m. at Gleason First Methodist Church with funeral to follow. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be given to Gleason First Methodist Church. In her own words, “I lived a good life and loved my kids so much. My life was complete and I thank God for my life and each blessing. Those who love the Lord will never see each other for the last time.” Online tributes may be left at williamsfhofgreenfieldandgleasonandsharon.com.