Jeff “Billy” Murray Jr.

Published 9:21 am Friday, February 17, 2023

By Holley Cochran

Graveside services for Mr. Jeff Morris “Billy” Murray Jr. were conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday Morning, Feb. 9, 2023, at the Lowland Cemetery on Gates Road.  Bro. David Grayson officiated.  Mr. Murray entered into the eternal rest of his Lord Sunday morning, Feb. 5, 2023, at the Veterans Home in Collins.

The family received friends Thursday morning from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at Saulters Moore Funeral Home.  A funeral procession departed the funeral home at 10:30 a.m.

Serving as Pallbearers were Dylan Sewell, Barry Crain, Bruce Crain, Marlon Laird, Tony Broome and Chris Wheat.

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Honorary Pallbearers included Jackie Laird, Dickey King and Dallas Wheat.

Mr. Murray, a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and retired LP gas inspector for the State of Mississippi, was born in Bassfield, on June 15, 1934. He is a 1951 graduate of Bassfield High School.  In addition to enjoying his family, Mr. Murray relished spending time outdoors. He yearned to teach his cousins, nephews, grandchildren, and friends the art of hunting, fishing, and playing baseball, which he perfected while growing up near Bassfield in the Lowland community. But mostly, Mr. Murray will be remembered for his friendly disposition, patience, and unselfishness that garnered admiration from friends and coworkers across the State of Mississippi during his 88 years on this earth.

Mr. Murray is preceded in death by his parents, Jeff Morris and Emma Rue Laird Murray of Bassfield, and his son Jeffrey Alan Murray.

He is survived by his sister, Jeanette Murray Crain of Columbia, daughters Melissa Murray of Picayune and Stephanie Murray and Beverly Wheat of Petal. Mr. Murray was also blessed with grandchildren Dylan Sewell, Megan Murray, Gregory Rose, and Dallas and Brooke Wheat.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in memory of Mr. Murray and his son, Alan, or the Lowland Cemetery Preservation Fund at Regions Bank in Bassfield.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com.

Paul Lawrence Gray Jr.

Graveside services were held Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at Rock Hill Church of Christ Holiness, USA for Mr. Paul Lawrence Gray Jr., 40, who died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Austin, Texas. Rev. Richard Drummond officiated with Johnson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Paul Gray Jr. was born in Wuezburg, Germany to Mr. Paul Gray Sr. and Mrs. Cynthia Davis Gray.  Being a child of military parents, Mr. Gray had the privilege to attend schools in many different locations within the United States, and countries around the world. He attended school in New Jersey, and Texas and graduated from Pemberton High School in Pemberton, New Jersey in 2004.

He enjoyed many sports but was known for his passion in basketball where he excelled as a point guard.

He is survived by his mother, Cynthia Taylor of Harker Heights, Texas, father, Paul L. Gray, Sr. of Byram, sisters, Geneva (Walter) Crosby of Owens Mills, Virginia; brother, Michael D. (Rachel) McCoy of Merced, California; step-sister, Tanesha L. Walker of Byram and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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Betty Robbins Funeral services for Mrs. Betty Robbins were conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at Society Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Paul Young officiating. Interment followed in the Society Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Robbins, age 75, entered into the eternal rest of her Lord early Saturday morning, July 13, 2024, at the Forrest General Hospital. Saulters Moore Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements. The Robbins family received friends one hour before the funeral service, beginning at noon, Tuesday, at Society Hill Baptist Church. Pallbearers included Kelley LeNormand, Cymantha Shellenberger, Mason Robbins, Jenna Robbins, Frank Vice and Frank Vice Jr. Betty Robbins was born on June 6, 1949, in Magee, Mississippi to Walter R. and Margaret Jones Bishop. Mrs. Robbins was a long-time resident of Carson. She and her husband would go on to raise a happy family of six children that would multiply over the years with the addition of in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Robbins loved the country life and will be remembered for not only growing a yard full of beautiful flowers, but also a vegetable garden of which she fed her family. An animal lover, she also had dogs, chickens and hogs over the years. Mrs. Robbins was a member of Society Hill Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter R. and Margaret Bishop, her husband, Kenneth Terrell Robbins Sr; her daughter, Pamela Robbins; sisters, Patsy Holden, Margaret  Coble, Linda Hester and her brother, Richard Bishop. Her memory will forever be cherished by her daughter, Billie Jo Williamson of Prentiss; sons, Kenny Robbins Jr. (Kathy) of Carson, Mikell Robbins (Kelley) of Palestine, Texas, John Robbins (Nicole) of Sumrall, Daniel Robbins, (Tanya) of Ft. Worth, Texas; brother, Ray Bishop (Nancy) of Magee and her sister, Myrtis Craig (Ed) of Rossville, Georgia. Mrs. Robbins also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Online condolences and guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com

Evelyn Davis Ranager

John E. Donaldson

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