Obituaries
Obituary for Mary Ray Wilson Fanion
Mary Ray Wilson Fanion, age 70, died April 11, 2021.
Mary Alice Ray Wilson Fanion died peacefully surrounded by her family on April 11, 2021 in Germantown, Tennessee.
Mary was born on June 27, 1950 to the late Mrs. Ruth Ray Golden and the late Mr. Harvey Lee Simmons, Sr. and raised in the Orange Mound community of Memphis, Tennessee. Mary (“Rochelle”) accepted Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Pisgah CME Church where she remained a faithful member there until her passing.
Mary graduated from Melrose High School in 1968, from State Technical Institute and from LeMoyne-Owen College magna cum laude.
Mary worked at WHBQ-Channel 13, The Commercial Appeal and Federal Express Corporation in their Information Telecommunications/Information Management Departments, and she retired in 2014, after twenty-seven years of service.
Mary was married to Gerald Augustus Fanion, Sr., until his death in July 2010.
Everyone who knew Mary frequently said that she possessed a heart of gold. Whether she was caring for her family, friends or her church family, she gave her all. Her pleasant smile and the hugs she gave were always a part of her greetings or good-byes. She performed many acts of kindness for others without ever expecting anything in return.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Ray Golden, her father, Harvey Simmons, Sr., her husband Gerald Fanion, Sr., her brother, Otha Ray, and her sister Demetria Ray Todd.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Paula D’Anne Wilson; her grandson, Tyler Pegues; her future son-in-law Kenneth Acey, Sr.; and four sisters: Geraldine Gilmore of Memphis, Phyllis Golden Morey (Blondell) of Charlotte, NC; Tina Bridgeforth of Nashville, TN; and Buanita Ray Webster (Jerry) of Memphis. She also leaves to cherish her memory a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
The services Celebrating the life of Mary Fanion are as follows:
a The Visitation will be held on Friday, April 23, 2021 from 4 pm – 7pm at Serenity Funeral Home, 1638 Sycamore View Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38134, Telephone number 901.379.0861, and
b The Funeral will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Mt. Pisgah CME Church at 2490 Park Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38114 at 1:00 pm.
c A family hour/visitation will be held at Mt. Pisgah CME Church from 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm on Saturday.
d The funeral service will be available for viewing on Facebook Live at https://m.facebook.com/mt.pisgah.7796.
e In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mary Fanion Family Education Fund at any First Horizon Bank location or mailed to First Horizon 7640 Poplar Ave Germantown, TN 38183 Attn: Mary Fanion Family Education Fund.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901)379-0861.
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Mary Alice Ray Wilson Fanion died peacefully surrounded by her family on April 11, 2021 in Germantown, Tennessee.
Mary was born on June 27, 1950 to the late Mrs. Ruth Ray Golden and the late Mr. Harvey Lee Simmons, Sr. and raised in the Orange Mound community of Memphis, Tennessee. Mary (“Rochelle”) accepted Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Pisgah CME Church where she remained a faithful member there until her passing.
Mary graduated from Melrose High School in 1968, from State Technical Institute and from LeMoyne-Owen College magna cum laude.
Mary worked at WHBQ-Channel 13, The Commercial Appeal and Federal Express Corporation in their Information Telecommunications/Information Management Departments, and she retired in 2014, after twenty-seven years of service.
Mary was married to Gerald Augustus Fanion, Sr., until his death in July 2010.
Everyone who knew Mary frequently said that she possessed a heart of gold. Whether she was caring for her family, friends or her church family, she gave her all. Her pleasant smile and the hugs she gave were always a part of her greetings or good-byes. She performed many acts of kindness for others without ever expecting anything in return.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Ray Golden, her father, Harvey Simmons, Sr., her husband Gerald Fanion, Sr., her brother, Otha Ray, and her sister Demetria Ray Todd.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Paula D’Anne Wilson; her grandson, Tyler Pegues; her future son-in-law Kenneth Acey, Sr.; and four sisters: Geraldine Gilmore of Memphis, Phyllis Golden Morey (Blondell) of Charlotte, NC; Tina Bridgeforth of Nashville, TN; and Buanita Ray Webster (Jerry) of Memphis. She also leaves to cherish her memory a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
The services Celebrating the life of Mary Fanion are as follows:
a The Visitation will be held on Friday, April 23, 2021 from 4 pm – 7pm at Serenity Funeral Home, 1638 Sycamore View Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38134, Telephone number 901.379.0861, and
b The Funeral will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Mt. Pisgah CME Church at 2490 Park Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38114 at 1:00 pm.
c A family hour/visitation will be held at Mt. Pisgah CME Church from 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm on Saturday.
d The funeral service will be available for viewing on Facebook Live at https://m.facebook.com/mt.pisgah.7796.
e In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mary Fanion Family Education Fund at any First Horizon Bank location or mailed to First Horizon 7640 Poplar Ave Germantown, TN 38183 Attn: Mary Fanion Family Education Fund.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901)379-0861.
Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
23
Apr
4:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Serenity Funeral Home
1638 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134
Service
Saturday
24
Apr
1:00 PM
Mt. Pisgah CME Church
2490 Park Avenue
Memphis, TN 38114
Cemetery Details
Location
Elmwood Cemetery
824 S. Dudley St.
Memphis, TN 38104
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