1929
Merle
2016
Merle Spann
August 23, 1929 — October 3, 2016
God welcomed one of his beloved children into His presence on Monday evening Oct. 3, 2016 as Mrs. Merle P. Spann went home to be with her Savior following a brief illness. Mrs. Spann was born August 23, 1929, in Meridian, MS, and grew up in the Bethany community near Braxton. She graduated from D’Lo High School at age sixteen and attended the Missississippi University for Women. She married Hurschell W. Gray in 1948, and they had four children: John David, Hurschell Wayne, Barbara Lynne, and James Luther.
Merle graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1980 with a B.S. in Social Work. She then served as the director of the newly-formed hospice program at Garden Park Hospital in Biloxi for several years. In 1988, she married Charles W. Spann, and they relocated to Flowood, MS, in 2005. She enjoyed traveling and gardening. She was an active member of the garden clubs in Columbia and Gulfport for many years.
Mrs. Spann actively served in her church and community throughout her life. She served in the Woman’s Missionary Union, served as Preschool Director at First Baptist Gulfport, and mentored numerous people of all ages. She was a member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church of Flowood. She is remembered as a gracious, godly lady who valued everyone she met, loved profoundly and unconditionally, and strove to exemplify Christ daily.
She was predeceased by her father, James Grady Phillips; mother, Myrtle Smith Phillips; first husband, Hurschell W. Gray; son, David Gray; grandson, Hurschell Wayne Gray, Jr.; granddaughter, Kimberly Gray Lopez; and husband, Charles W. Spann.
She is survived by her son, H. Wayne Gray (Belinda) of Gulfport, MS; daughter, Barbara G. Melton (Jerry) of Newton, NJ; son, James L. Gray (Serina) of Picayune, MS; fifteen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Henry Phillips (Patsy) of Star, MS; brother, George Phillips (Betty) of Central City, KY; sister, Clara Watkins of Bethany, MS; sister, Cora Hansen of Flowood, MS; sister, Flora McDonald (Mitchell) of Preston, MS; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Fri. Oct. 7, 2016 from 6pm-8pm at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS and on Sat. Oct. 8, 2016 from 1pm-1:45pm at St. Marks United Methodist Church in Brandon, MS. Funeral Services are 2pm on Sat. Oct. 8, 2016 at the St. Marks United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the Bethany Cemetery in Brandon, MS.
Memorials may be made to the Brandon Gideon’s at P.O. Box 324 Brandon, MS 39043-0324 or to French Camp Academy at 1 Fine Place French Camp, MS 39745.
Merle graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1980 with a B.S. in Social Work. She then served as the director of the newly-formed hospice program at Garden Park Hospital in Biloxi for several years. In 1988, she married Charles W. Spann, and they relocated to Flowood, MS, in 2005. She enjoyed traveling and gardening. She was an active member of the garden clubs in Columbia and Gulfport for many years.
Mrs. Spann actively served in her church and community throughout her life. She served in the Woman’s Missionary Union, served as Preschool Director at First Baptist Gulfport, and mentored numerous people of all ages. She was a member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church of Flowood. She is remembered as a gracious, godly lady who valued everyone she met, loved profoundly and unconditionally, and strove to exemplify Christ daily.
She was predeceased by her father, James Grady Phillips; mother, Myrtle Smith Phillips; first husband, Hurschell W. Gray; son, David Gray; grandson, Hurschell Wayne Gray, Jr.; granddaughter, Kimberly Gray Lopez; and husband, Charles W. Spann.
She is survived by her son, H. Wayne Gray (Belinda) of Gulfport, MS; daughter, Barbara G. Melton (Jerry) of Newton, NJ; son, James L. Gray (Serina) of Picayune, MS; fifteen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Henry Phillips (Patsy) of Star, MS; brother, George Phillips (Betty) of Central City, KY; sister, Clara Watkins of Bethany, MS; sister, Cora Hansen of Flowood, MS; sister, Flora McDonald (Mitchell) of Preston, MS; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Fri. Oct. 7, 2016 from 6pm-8pm at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS and on Sat. Oct. 8, 2016 from 1pm-1:45pm at St. Marks United Methodist Church in Brandon, MS. Funeral Services are 2pm on Sat. Oct. 8, 2016 at the St. Marks United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the Bethany Cemetery in Brandon, MS.
Memorials may be made to the Brandon Gideon’s at P.O. Box 324 Brandon, MS 39043-0324 or to French Camp Academy at 1 Fine Place French Camp, MS 39745.
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