Ms. DeWanna Rials McRaney, 89, died Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford, MS. At her request, no services will be held.
Ms. McRaney was born in 1932 to the late John and Charline Rials. A 1955 graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi, she went on to teach at Heidelburg and Fayette schools. She enjoyed keeping close friendships with many of her former students. Ms. McRaney left teaching to raise her two sons, but would later go on to work at the Jackson Zoo as an administrative assistant. She retired in 1994 from the Mississippi Employment Security Commission. A longtime, faithful member of Leavell Woods United Methodist Church, she had a passion for singing in the choir and love of serving in the United Methodist Women’s Group. Ms. McRaney had many talents and hobbies that she enjoyed sharing with others. Whether it be painting, gardening, jigsaw puzzles, or singing and playing the piano, she loved it all! In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Chuck Rials.
Ms. McRaney is survived by her two sons, David McRaney and his wife, Jacki of Byram, MS and Paul McRaney and his wife, Alicia of Pontotoc, MS; four grandchildren, Bobby McRaney and his wife, Kelly of Wheeler, MS, Jessica McRaney Mathias and her husband, Bryan of Oxford, MS, Reed McRaney and his wife, Christian of Pontotoc, MS, and Olivia McRaney Bailey and her husband, Jared of Brandon, MS; two great-grandchildren, Charles Reed Mathias and Andrew Cole Mathias, as well as two on the way; and special nieces and nephews, Brian Rials and his wife, Lisa and Kelly Rhodes and her husband, Jeff.
Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Ms. McRaney’s memory may be made to Leavell Woods United Methodist Church, 3302 Terry Road, Jackson, MS 39212, or to Lakeshore Congregational Methodist Church, 6880 Siwell Road, Byram, MS 31272.
