Naomi Gray

In the summer of 1930, Maggie “Naomi” Gray was born in Stantonville, Tennessee to Arthur and Nora (White) White on July 19th. She was also welcomed by her beloved brother Paul. Naomi grew up in McNairy County, attending local elementary schools and graduating from Selmer High School with the Class of 1948. That same year, just after her high school graduation, Naomi married James Edward Gray, to whom she was married forty-four years until his death in 1992. In 1960, they welcomed their beloved daughter Sandra to the family.

At the young age of nine, Naomi made a profession of faith in Christ, at the West Shiloh Baptist Church, where she was a member for eighty-six years. As the church had no baptistry at the time, her baptism was in a nearby branch. Over the years, she was a children’s Sunday School teacher, a member of the Women’s Missionary Union, a member of the Golden Friends, a Vacation Bible School worker, and served on various committees. More recently, she enjoyed attending senior gatherings of the Shiloh Baptist Association.

Throughout her life, indeed until days before her passing, Naomi was industrious and a hard worker with a varied work history and diverse interests. As a child, she worked on the family farm helping to care for livestock and with crops. Then she worked alongside husband James on their farm, while at the same time working at Myrna Mills and later Brown Shoe Company. When James’ Air Force enlistment took them to Hawaii, she enjoyed working in the exchange at Hickam Air Force Base and getting acquainted with the Hawaiian people and culture. Naomi had the gift of salesmanship, and in the 1980’s she began selling as a flea market vendor in Tennessee and Mississippi. She also sold Avon for forty years. A few years later, she accepted a position as a greeter at Selmer Wal-Mart, where she very much enjoyed her interactions with the customers. Sadly, health issues forced her to retire from that position in 2000 at age 80.

In addition to her church and work activities, Naomi had other interests as well. She was a long-time member of the UT Extension Family and Community Education (FCE) Club in Stantonville, and more recently in Selmer too. She enjoyed travel, not only with family, but also with the Keenagers of First United Methodist Church of Corinth. Naomi was creative and enjoyed sewing, quilt making, crafts, and embroidery. She took art lessons and produced several paintings. Naomi also enjoyed arranging flowers and each year made and sold silk cemetery flowers. She loved produce—planting it, watching it grow, harvesting it, and preserving it. She derived pleasure from pickling and canning vegetables to share with others. In addition, she liked working in her yard growing flowers and plants.

On July 4, 2025, in Corinth, Mississippi, Naomi peacefully departed this life for her eternal home in heaven at the age of 94 years, 11 months, and 15 days. Her passing leaves a deep void that can never be filled for those who knew and loved her, but who were fortunate enough to have their lives enriched by having known her and experienced her love and friendship. She is survived by her well-loved daughter, Sandra. Other survivors include her brother-in-law Bob Gray and his wife Lael, nephews Bob (Debbie) Gray, Brent (Martha) Gray, and niece Juana Spears Robinson, as well as great and great-great nieces and nephews, and special cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband James Gray, her parents Arthur and Nora White, brother Paul White and his wife Ann, sister-in-law Linda Spears and husband James, nephew Daren Spears, and nieces Merry Ann Camilli and Vicky Jean Hudson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the West Shiloh Baptist Church, 282 West Shiloh Church Rd., Stantonville, TN 38379 or to the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes, P.O. Box 2206, Brentwood, TN 37024.