Mary Elizabeth Rockstall Ray, a wife, mother, grandmother, volunteer, and devoted servant of the Lord, died unexpectedly on May 6, 2018, at the age of 82 in her own home.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Dina Marie Alford Carlisle (John Mark); her stepdaughter, Ada Ray Lauderdale (Billy); her stepdaughter, Linda Ray Sprenkle; and brother, Donald Rockstall (Betty); grandchildren, Linda Norman Bass, Christiane Carlisle Long (Chris), John Austin Carlisle (Jordan), Cole Carlisle (Katy), Jason Sprenkle (Lyn), Jeremy Sprenkle (Keisha) and Kelly Sprenkle Yakob (Paul); great-grandchildren, Caitlin Gehrke (Richie), Hunter Ray and Noah Hatch Carlisle, Kody and Jake Sprenkle, Kate and Lauren Sprenkle and Maddie and Nicholas Yakob; great-great-grandchildren, Kaelon and Haeven Gehrke; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is predeceased by her husband, Raymond V. Ray; her daughter, Vicki Eileen Alford Moran; her grandson, Jerry Michael Jordan Jr.; her brother, Charles Rockstall; her sister, Margaret (Toots) Melton; and parents, Mysie and Ernest Rockstall.

Mary was born on Jan. 9, 1936. She graduated from Foley High School in Foley, Ala. in 1954. She married Woodrow Ellis Alford after high school and on Dec. 20, 1954, and June 27, 1962, respectively, she welcomed her two beautiful daughters, who were the light of her life.

While living and working at a State Farm office in Biloxi, Mary was introduced to Raymond V. Ray, a State Farm agent from Vicksburg. Raymond literally swept her off her feet. After marrying, she moved to Vicksburg to begin her new life and the two spent the next 37 years together entertaining family and friends and dancing every chance they could.

Family and friends meant everything to Mary. Being the “hostess with the mostest,” as Raymond would say, was her claim to fame.

Mary was an avid reader and was a member of a local book club, Women’s Circle, at First Presbyterian Church. She served as a Deacon at First Presbyterian Church, Women of the Church Committee at FPC, chairperson for Meals on Wheels, served on the Community Council of Warren County, was a member of the Explorer’s Bible Study, she enjoyed playing Pokeno, and was in a Supper Club with the best of friends.

Mary’s devotion to the Meals on Wheels Program in her community and her commitment and service to First Presbyterian Church in Vicksburg and the community at large were her highest calling. She had a passion for both cooking and serving others and the Meals on Wheels program provided her the opportunity to use her talents in service to her Lord and Savior.

A funeral service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at Fisher Funeral Home at 1830 Cherry St., in Vicksburg with family receiving visitors from 2 to 3 p.m. The Rev. Tim Brown of First Presbyterian Church will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, Meals on Wheels Program, 1501 Cherry Street, Vicksburg, MS 39180.