Norma Jean Bray

Norma Jean Childers-Bray passed away June 3rd, 2025 just nearly a month shy of her 94th birthday. She led a lifetime of love and dedication to her family and friends.

Born in Athens, AL on July 12th, 1931 the eldest of twelve siblings she grew up in Pulaski, TN while helping raise many of her siblings. She met Edgar Green Bray, Jr. during the late 1940’s after moving to Raymond, MS. Her and EG Bray Jr married on November 3rd, 1949. She became a mother first in 1952 to Steve her son and again in 1961 to Janet her daughter. She raised and cared for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Family was everything to her.

Jean enjoyed gardening flowers and food. She taught Sunday School for 60+ years, ranging from children to the elderly. She was also an artist at heart, being an avid crafter, poet, and even having sang on the radio as a child.

Jean is preceded in death by her parents Forest Lee and Stella Mae “Effie” King Childers, her husband of 72 years Edgar Bray Jr., son Steve Bray, sisters Mary Varner and Mae Hamack, brothers Bill Childers, Buddy Childers, Don Childers, and Frankie Childers.

Jean is survived by her daughter Janet Bray Hughes and Charles Hughes with their son Daniel Hughes, wife Amanda and their daughter Addison. Marylin Bray, her daughter-in-law, grand son Steven Bray, his wife Katy and their children, Parker, Peyton, and Sadie Kate. Grand daughter Blakeney Bray and her son Ridge. Surviving siblings: Johnny Childers, Joyce Layton, Chip Childers, Judy Bailey, Cammie Childers.

Visitation will be at 9:30am-10:30am on Monday, June 9th at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram and a graveside service to follow at Bethesda Baptist Church in Terry, MS. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Blair E Batson’s Children’s Hospital.