James Ray Terney III

James Ray Terney, III, age 69, passed away in his home in Louisville, Mississippi, in the morning hours of Thursday, February 15, 2024.
By trade, he had been a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi, and he loved the river. Ray, to the many who loved him, was known as a good, solid guy who always stepped up to lend a hand when it was needed. With a soft, gentle spirit, he had been known to give away the shoes off his feet (much to his mother's chagrin as she had no money to replace them at the time). He loved all of his family and was a loving father and grandfather, but loved his grandkids most-or so his daughter says. Generous to a fault to everyone, he was beyond extravagant when it came to the grandbabies-even when they grew taller than he was. He also loved his dog, Gizmo, a skittish, now on-the-lamb, poodle look-alike.
Born on August 13, 1954, to James Ray Terney, II, and Mary "Kitty" Luke Steadman in Greenville, Mississippi, he was preceded in death by his father, Ray Terney, and stepfather, Louis "Bubba" Steadman.
He is survived by his mother, Kitty, his brother Frankie (Debbie) Luke, his brother Clark Terney, all of Louisville; his sister, Sally Basco of Ruston, Louisiana; his brother Jim (Maggie) Terney of Greenville; his stepsister, Joanna (Jack) Hathcock of Little Rock, Arkansas; his son, Jason Edward Terney, and his daughter, Elizabeth Joy Terney, both of Ocean Springs; his grandsons, Nathan Beck and James Terney, and his granddaughter, Courtney Viars, all of Ocean Springs; and nephews, nieces, and a multitude of cousins.
Visitation will be Monday, February 19, at 1:00 p.m. with funeral services following at 2:00 p.m. at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville, Mississippi, with Brother Michael Sanders officiating. Interment will immediately follow the service at the Murphy Creek Church Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers are Nathan Beck, James Terney, Jim Terney, Johnny Luke, David Luke, and Clark Spencer Terney. Memorials in honor of Ray may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society online at nationalmssociety.org.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.