Tupelo – Carolyn Gray, 87, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 25, 2026. She was born in Ecru on Tuesday, April 11, 1939, to the late Rex and O’Marie Blue.

She graduated from John Rundle High School in Grenada and attended The W and The University of Mississippi. She was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist of Tupelo. Carolyn lived a life of quiet service to the Lord, devoted to her faith, family, friends, and caring for others.

In 1959, she married Tommy Gray of Winona. For 46 years, with love and humor, they built a life together on faith, commitment and a shared calling to serve God, by caring for foster children. In the mid-1960’s, with small children already at home, Carolyn and Tommy became licensed foster parents and the couple began a journey that would span over 30 years, welcoming over 250 children into their home, many with special needs. Every child was met with unconditional love, stability and dignity. Nine children were eventually adopted by the couple bringing their large family to a total of 13 children. Carolyn was known as a gifted nurturer, with remarkable insight into the foster care system. She loved each child as her own with an unwavering commitment to ensure that every child felt seen, valued and safe.

Beyond Carolyn’s work as a foster parent, her service to children extended deeply into the life of her church, Calvary Baptist Tupelo. For 58 years, she faithfully and still actively worked in the nursery, loving and caring for generation after generation of little ones. In 1972, she helped establish Calvary’s Mother’s Day Out program, devoting 54 years to serving children and families through that ministry. On the day preceding her death, Carolyn served at MDO, along with her cherished friends and co-workers, rocking, feeding and loving her babies.

Carolyn was blessed to be MeMaw to 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Her greatest joy was spending time with them, whether it was doing homework, watching a movie or letting them paint her with makeup or tattoos, or making a trip to the store for treats. An avid animal lover, Carolyn cherished her dog Charlie and cats Mary, Elvis, and Blue. Carolyn was a brave, strong, selfless, woman who tenderly shared an extraordinary gift of love that opened doors and changed lives. A love that continues through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and countless others she nurtured along the way. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Carolyn is survived by her children, Tammy East, Barry Gray (Lynn), Jody Gray (Sharon), Toby Gray, Jennifer Davis (Greg), Matthew Gray (Liz), David Gray, Sarah Gray, Kate Gray, Caroline Hughes (Chad), Spencer Gray (Jessica), Hannah Whitt, and Ashley Haynes (Sam); grandchildren, Zach Adams, Scott Gray, Dylan Gray, Alex Gray, Jacob Wadley, Paige Gray, Sarah Olivia Gray, Landen Whitt, Jessalin Whitt, Daniel Gray, Savannah Hughes, Evelyn Gray, Dusty Haynes, and Trey Haynes; great-grandchildren, Tate Davis and Vera Adams; beloved sister, Rose Ann Narvid of Tomball, Texas; and a host of nieces, nephews, and special friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tommy Gray; parents, Rex and O’Marie Blue; brother, Gerald D. “Jerry” Blue; and in-laws, Herschel and Hannah Gray.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Monday, September 28, 2026, and 1 p.m. until service time on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Calvary Baptist Church.

The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Calvary Baptist Church, with Dr. John Boler and Dr. Rev. Will Rambo officiating. A graveside service will follow at Tupelo Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Jody Gray, David Gray, Spencer Gray, Scott Gray, Dylan Gray, and Jacob Wadley.

Honorary pallbearers will be Barry Gray, Toby Gray, Matthew Gray, Zach Adams, Alex Gray, Landen Whitt, Tate Davis, Daniel Gray, Dusty Haynes, and Trey Haynes.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to Calvary Baptist Church Tupelo Nursery, 501 West Main St, Tupelo, MS 38804.

Jesus took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, Jesus said to them, "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives Me, and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me. Mark 9:36-37

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be made to www.peguesfuneralhome.com.