Renee Jerrels Mabry

Hope Renée Jerrels Mabry was born May 18, 1962 in Biloxi. Born and raised on the Gulf Coast, she spent her student years at St. Martin where she met her sweetheart and lifelong partner, Robert Mabry. They were married September 5, 1981 and later had two daughters, Valerie and Ashley.

Renée, who also went by Nay or NayNay, worked in the service industry for most of her life. The work was often hard and thankless, but she carried her burdens with little complaint. She did what was necessary to take care of her family, which was her pride and joy. She worked hard so that when the time came, she could play hard, too. She loved to travel and try different cuisines, and she absolutely loved to shop. She was the queen of bargain hunting, and she was proud of the hauls and discounts she exploited. Thanks to this, her kids, other relatives, and friends were nearly constantly the recipients of her generosity. This became predictably and exponentially worse after the birth of her granddaughter, as she now had an adorable victim to dress up in all sorts of ridiculously cute outfits that would have bankrupted a less deal-savvy woman.

When she wasn't working hard or playing hard, she could be found nested in creature comforts. If she wasn't at work or shopping, she was happily at home on the couch in front of the TV with her pajamas on, a throw blanket over her legs, and a myriad of snacks in arm's reach… and probably snoring with her glasses barely hanging onto her face.

Nay also loved to laugh. She had a clear, beautiful laugh that came straight from her golden heart. She loved comedy and didn't mind being the butt of the joke. She had all sorts of Renée-isms, some of which can't be repeated in public without paying some kind of fine. Despite this, she could be easily embarrassed, which her daughters took particular glee in seeing who could make her blush and admonish them first.

She was an amazing woman, a faithful and loving wife, the best Mom anyone could ask for, and an incredible friend. The world is dimmer without her light, and she will be terribly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roberta and Charles "Corkey" Tonner, father Willie Jerrels, and numerous relatives and family friends.

She is survived by her husband, Robert; daughters Valerie (Brad Rodi) Mabry and Ashley (Thomas) Wise; siblings Billy (Lita) Jerrels, Zettie Bowe, and James (Dawn) Tonner; a plethora of nieces and nephews; her precious granddaughter Taryn, who was the undisputed Favorite; and an entire Coast full of friends.

A visitation will be held at Southern MS Funeral Services on Washington Ave. on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 from 12pm-2pm. Please come share your memories as we tearfully say farewell to the greatest woman we have ever known. For those who would like to participate, we will be wearing her favorite color -- purple -- in her honor.

We love you so much, NayNay!

Southern Mississippi Funeral Services are honored to serve the Mabry family. Please visit www.smfs.us to send your condolences and share your memories.