Elma Ruth Sparkman Gray

Elma Ruth Sparkman Gray, age 87, of Pascagoula passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019 at her residence surrounded by family.  She was born August 23, 1932 in Pascagoula and has been a lifelong resident.  Elma Ruth graduated from Pascagoula High School in 1950 and was the Editor of the Pascagoula Pen, member of Beta Club and played the Baritone instrument in the Band. She worked at the Pascagoula Moss Point Bank then became the proud mother of 7 children and dedicated her life to her family.  Elma Ruth enjoyed being a school nursing volunteer for Beach Elementary and Our Lady of Victories when her children were in school.

 She enjoyed reading, was a talented seamstress, and was very creative especially with designing Christmas ornaments each year with her children. Elma Ruth enjoyed being a “Grandma” and instilled the importance of reading and love of family to them. 

She is preceded in death by her son, Arlis Patrick “Pat” Gray; grandson, Jesse Glenn Hughes.

Elma Ruth is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Arlis E. Gray; three sons and three daughters, Gary Gray, Mike Gray (Ava), Laura Lasker (Danny), Susan Hamilton (Gary), Lisa Gray Hughes, and Joel Gray (Nicole); daughter in law, Diana Gray; two sisters and one brother, Florence Thompson (Mitch), W.T. Sparkman ( Daisy Ed) and Carolyn Hammack (Bill); abundance of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, 1:00-3:00pm at O’Bryant-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula. Funeral Service will follow at 3:00pm in the chapel with burial at Machpelah Cemetery in Pascagoula. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. You may send condolences to her family or share a memory on the Tribute Wall.

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