Thomas Dean Bray

The best girl daddy ever was reunited in Heaven, Wednesday, November 20th, 2024,

with his wife of 69 years, Shirley Mai Pinson Bray.

He left a legacy of service to his Lord and Savior. His beautiful bass voice and love of

southern gospel music led him to lead several gospel singing groups beginning in 1961

with the Dixie Airs. He is best known as the bass singer for The Messengers and Good

Samaritans, and he never closed a concert without extending an invitation of salvation.

He retired from sales at G&C then decided to enter the workforce again as a greeter at

Wal-Mart. He frequently said that greeting people there was his ministry to the Lord and

he loved his years there. He retired a second time at 84 years of age. He was a member

of First Baptist Church, Milan.

He was born on January 20th, 1935, to Thomas and Lora Waller Bray. The fourth of seven

children. He was an outstanding football and basketball player being awarded

scholarships by several colleges. In addition to his wife, he is preceded in death by his

parents and five of his six brothers and sisters, James Aaron Bray, Larry Gordon Bray,

Doris Molene Warren, Lynda Carol Williams, and Wanda Elaine Wall.

He is survived by his three daughters, Vicki Gordon (Doug) and Beverly Carnal (Steve)

both of Milan, and Kimberly Bray (Michael Galloway) of Yorkville, grandchildren Clint Carnal (Jennifer),

Suzanne Green, Josh Wagner (Jackie), Laura Smith (Travis), Megan Hickerson (J), and

Gina Carpenter (Peyton), sixteen great grandchildren, and a sister, Shelby Deloris Briggs of Jackson.

Funeral services will be at Bodkin Funeral Home with burial to follow in the Pisgah Cemetery in Atwood.

Visitation with the family will be Saturday evening from 5pm to 8 pm and Sunday from 11:30am until the

funeral service begins at 1:30pm.