Dave Grayson

On Saturday, September 27, 2025, Frank David “Dave” Grayson, Sr. slipped peacefully away to his eternal, heavenly home.

Mr. Grayson was born on March 28, 1944, in Jackson, Mississippi. He graduated from Greenville High School in 1962 and from Mississippi Delta Junior College in 1964, then served in the U.S. Army as a Quartermaster Supply Specialist until 1968.

Dave ardently loved life. He served many years as a scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America. Dave was a warm and generous friend, devoted to his family. He was a gentleman of fine character, a Christian, and a member of the First Baptist Church of Gulfport, where he served as deacon. Dave’s sense of humor endeared him to all who knew him. He was an avid observer of nature and enjoyed multiple hobbies, including photography and playing the guitar, with his own band in college. He had an eye for heartwarming imagery and took real delight in sharing it. He was a fan of the New Orleans Saints and Mississippi State football.

Dave began his professional career in 1965 with the Bell System Telephone Company in Greenville, Mississippi, as a lineman. As the company evolved into South Central Bell, then later AT&T, he rose to the level of supervisor, retiring from the industry in 2006.

Mr. Grayson was preceded in death by his parents, Frank B. Grayson and Doris Cummings Grayson; his sisters, Linda Grayson Booker and Ermie Grayson Macknee; and his son, Frank David “Chip” Grayson, Jr.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Rachael Blackledge Grayson; his son, Stephen Grayson of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; his granddaughters, Brittany Kieper of Dallas, Texas, and Natalie Grayson of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; and his brothers, Walt Grayson (Jo) of Jackson, Mississippi, and Robert Grayson (Burma) of Memphis, Tennessee.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 1726 15th Street, Gulfport, where friends may visit beginning at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport, is honored to serve the family of Frank David Grayson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Gulfport, 12190 MS-605, Gulfport, MS 39503.

We thank the management, staff, and nurses of Homestead Assisted Living in D’Iberville who cared for him like he was their own family and gratefully acknowledge the wisdom and kindness provided by VitalCaring Hospice during his final weeks. Additionally, we offer special thanks to Bubba Lang and his staff at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home for their guidance and support.