Velma "Winkie" Gray

Velma Dean “Winkie” Gray, of Southaven, Mississippi, died October 5, 2012 at Baptist Desoto Hospital in Southaven. She had lived in Southaven for the past 10 years. Winkie was a former member of the All American Red Head Basketball Team. She was active in the Cancer Society’s Red Hat Club and loved to shop and garden. She retired from the United States Army, where she had served in Japan.

She is survived by her brothers, Kenneth Barnett, Jonesboro and Jimmy Barnett, Batesville; a special niece, Linda Gail McDoniel, Trumann; and several other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arnold Thomas & Ira Lena John Barnett; and sisters and brothers, Katherine Kain, Helen Ezzell, Clyde Barnett, Yvonne Crain, Nell Burgner, Myrtle V. Cagle, and Maglyn Webb.

Graveside services, with full military honors, will be Monday, October 8, 2012 at 3:00 pm at Nettleton Cemetery with Chaplain David Smith officiating. Emerson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The Army Honor Guard will serve as pallbearers.

Visitation will be Monday 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home.