Tonia Ray

1963 - 2025

On Thursday, December 4, 2025, Tonia Sellers Ray, of Clinton, Mississippi, was embraced by her Savior, after winning her battle with cancer. For just over two and a half years she fought with grace while pointing everyone who knew her to Christ.


She was a beloved daughter to Sidney Lavon Sellers and Betty Jean (Sumrall) Sellers. Born on May 21, 1963, in Wiggins, Mississippi. Momma to Katie Novak (Ronnie) of Mead, Nebraska. Sunny to Sarah Kirkland Mayer, John Hatten Mayer, William Marshall Mayer, and bonus grand daughter Alina Novak, all of Mead, Nebraska. Sissy, to Tammy Sellers Roberts (Ken). Aunt to Colton Redmond (Morgan) of Perkinston, Mississippi and Trevor Redmond (LeAnna) of Wiggins, Mississippi. Great Aunt to great nephews Shade Redmond and Sloan Redmond and great nieces Brelan Redmond and Tatum Redmond.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, David and Annie Sellers and Eugene and Myrtle Sumrall.

Tonia graduated from Stone High School in 1981. She then furthered her education at Mississippi State University and obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture with a minor in Floral Design in 1985.

She was a beloved employee and coworker at Sound Financial Strategies as a client representative.

Tonia was a member of Morrison Heights Baptist Church, in Clinton, Mississippi. Actively involved in choir and life group. Giving of her time and talents decorating and preparing florals for special events and occasions.

A celebration of a life well lived and loved will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Morrison Heights Baptist Church, with visitation beginning at 10am and service at 11am.

Tonia was passionate about furthering God's kingdom through the ministries of But God Ministries and Delta Streets Academy. She was also adamant that she be given flowers while she was here and not after she was gone. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Delta Streets Academy deltastreetsacademy.org