“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Rev. Wyman Gaulden will officiate at the services. Interment will be at the New Palestine Cemetery.

Mr. Jeffery Bernard Gray, Sr., affectionately known as “Hound,” was born on February 6, 1959, to the late Roman Gray and Beverly Gray in Picayune, MS. Jeffery was baptized at an early age by Rev. E. L. Fox and attended church services at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Picayune, MS.

Jeffery attended Picayune Memorial High School where he was an avid basketball player. During his tenure, he set many records on the court. He was a graduate of Class of 1977. After High School, Jeffery attended McNeese State University, Alcorn State University, and Pearl River Junior College.

He was married to Joanna Ward, and to this union, one son, Jeffery Jr., was born. He was later married to Dorothy Rawls Acker, and they have one son together, LeKeith Rawls.

Jeffery departed this life on Monday, December 25, 2023, in Gulfport, MS, at the age of 64. He was preceded in death by his father, Roman R. Gray; brothers, Robert and John Gray; grandparents, Estella Ellis, Alvis Ellis, and Ledrester Coe and James Gray.

Left to cherish his precious memories: two sons, Jeffery Gray, Jr., and LeKeith Rawls; mother, Beverly Gray; bonus children, daughter, Brandi Acker-Welch (Richard) and son, Brent Acker (Allison); two sisters, Patricia McQueen and Wanda (Terry) Beasley; four brothers, Al Gray, Dexter (Sondralyn) Gray, Montray Gray and Brent Gray; 13 grandchildren; uncles, Willie (Deloris) Ellis, Gilbert Ellis, Charles Coe, and James (Vivian) Coe; aunts, Dorothy Ellis, Joe Ann (Linward) Garrett, Rosa Lee (JB) Dixon and Elizabeth (Riley) Dugas; special aunt, Martha Ray Murdock; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Entrusted by Brown’s Funeral Home.