LaWanda Joe Jarrett Gray

LaWanda Joe Jarrett Gray, 70, of Monticello, Ark., formerly of McGehee, AR, died Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at Drew Memorial Hospital in Monticello, Ark. LaWanda was born July 23, 1944 in Monticello, Ark. to the late Joe Thompson and Marene Tucker McKinzie. LaWanda formally served as the secretary at First Baptist Church of McGehee for 35 years where she was a member and taught Sunday School for over 40 years. She was formally the City Clerk for McGehee. LaWanda was a member of the Ladies PEO Chapter and Vice-President of Seark Concert Association. She was on the Board of Directors of Drew County Historical Society and was currently serving on the Drew County Museum Board. LaWanda was a member of the Honduras Mission Team at First Baptist Church of McGehee. When asked what her greatest accomplishment in life was, she said "the laughs that she shared with her family." Lawanda had a contagious sense of humor and was an inspiration to all. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Jackie Lee Jarrett Sr. Survivors include her husband, Tommy Gray of Monticello, Ark.; son, Jackie Jarrett, Jr. and his wife Dana of McGehee, Ark.; daughter, Debbie Jarrett Clairday of Gould, Ark.; step-son, Ted Patrick Gray and his wife, Jayce of Monticello, Ark.; step-daughter, Tess Gray Kilcrease and her husband, David of Monticello, Ark.; brother, Damon "Butch" Thompson and his wife, Mickey of League City, Texas; grandchildren, Jill Ashley Jarrett Barber and her husband, Kevin, Jarrett Tyler Cox, McKinzie Jarrett, and Courtney Joe Clairday; great-grandson, Jackson Cash Barber; step-granddaughters, Channing Hathcoat, Kailyn Hathcoat, and Karson Kilcrease. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday, February 5, 2015 at Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service in McGehee, Ark. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, February 6, 2015 at First Baptist Church of McGehee in McGehee, Ark. with Dr. Ed Balducci and Matthew Gray officiating. Burial will be at Tillar Cemetery in Tillar, Ark. Arrangements made by Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service in McGehee, Ark. On-line guest book may be signed at www.griffinculpepper.com.