Merry Jo Grayson

A Mass of Christian Burial for Merry Jo O’Quinn Grayson will be held Friday, March 22, 2024 at 10 a.m. at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception with Rev. Irion St. Romain serving as the celebrant.  Visitation will be held Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home.

Merry Jo O’Quinn Grayson, of Natchitoches, passed away on March 18, 2024. She was 86.  Merry Jo was born on January 5, 1938 in Powhatan. She grew up in Natchitoches Parish and graduated from Natchitoches High School. She married George Hugh Grayson on January 19, 1957 at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

Her first job was at Dixie Brick in Natchitoches where she worked until she had her first child. A mother of seven, six of whom were boys, she had her hands full. She took time to raise her children before returning to work in 1976.

Merry Jo worked at City Bank and People’s Bank in Natchitoches before serving as the Patient Relations and Volunteer Coordinator for the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center for 25 years before retiring in 2015. She was so proud of her Pink Ladies.

Merry Jo was recognized as a Natchitoches Treasure for her service to Natchitoches in the 2007 inaugural class. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Kiwanis International, and the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Church.

In her spare time, she enjoyed working in her yard, collecting cookbooks, reading, and visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her seven children, George Hugh Grayson, Jr. and his wife Kim of Mandeville; Adrian O’Quinn “Bo” Grayson and Cheri Barber of Natchitoches; Joseph Paul Grayson and his wife Sue of Natchitoches; Bryan Eldridge Grayson of Natchitoches; Gregory Overton Grayson and his wife Angie of Natchitoches; Emmie Lou Grayson Wanner and her husband Jeffery of Covington; Jonathan David Grayson and his wife Jamie of Raceland; her grandchildren, Justin O’Quinn Grayson and his wife Paige of Montgomery; Mary Elizabeth Grayson Nielsen and her husband Bradley of Dallas; Jordan Wade Wanner and his wife Briana of Franklinton; David Paul Grayson and his wife Sadie of Atlanta; Adrian Kennon Grayson of Natchitoches; Heather Grayson and her husband Doug Johnson of Houston; Nicholas Hugh Grayson of Mandeville; Graysie Lynn Wanner of Covington; Miles Ollie Grayson and Finn Niles Grayson of Raceland; her great-grandchildren, Jackson Grayson, Tye Grayson, Jasper Grayson, Lexie Wilson, Kaden Sims, and Lane Sims of Montgomery; Bradley Nielsen, Jr., and Benjamin Nielsen of Dallas; Georgia Grayson, Charles Grayson, and Cecelia Grayson of Atlanta; Adrian Grayson of Natchitoches; and her brother, David O’Quinn and his wife Alethea of Baton Rouge.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, George Hugh Grayson; her parents, Adrian and Mary Lou Wallette O’Quinn; her four brothers, Adrian Jr., Nat, Danny, and Louis O’Quinn; and her six sisters, Inez Bryant, Myrtis Hernandez, Billie Hale, Jackie Flynt, Patsy O’Quinn, and Martha O’Quinn.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Jeffery Wanner, Justin Grayson, David Grayson, Kennon Grayson, Nicholas Grayson, Bradley Nielsen, Sr., and Doug Johnson. Honorary pallbearers are David O’Quinn, Mike Pierce, Gary DeBlieux, Miles Grayson, and Finn Grayson.

The family extends their deep and heartfelt gratitude to Glenda and Steve Hendrix for their friendship over the years. The family is also grateful for Sandra McClinton, a friend and caregiver, for her unwavering support. The family also thanks Hospice of Natchitoches for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the NRMC Foundation, 501 Keyser Avenue, Natchitoches, LA, 71457 or online at NRMC Foundation.org or to the Minor Basilica of Immaculate Conception Church.