Anna Ray Tubb Gassaway, 91, a resident of Beau Ridge in Ridgeland, but a 55 year resident of Starkville, MS, peacefully departed this Earth on May 21, 2023, at St. Dominic Hospital. She was born March 29, 1932 to Carlos Lavell Tubb and Verlie Cordelia Tubb. She attended and graduated from Hatley High School in 1949.
On December 24, 1951, she married James David Gassaway, PhD. During their nearly 64 years of married life, they lived in Oxford, MS (Ole Miss), Fort Worth, TX (SMU), Indiana (Purdue), Tuscaloosa, AL (UA), and Starkville, MS (MSU). They were residents of Starkville beginning in 1967.
Anna Ray received a BS and an MS in Business Education from MSU. She taught Business subjects at Starkville High School for 21 years. She was an encourager of students, preparing them for the next stage in their lives. Quick with a smile or a laugh for others, she was a source of joy for so many. She was a member of Osborn Presbyterian Church and, later in life, First Presbyterian Church of Starkville.
She is survived by one brother, Grayden Tubb, MD (Mavis); three daughters, Marian Wright of Ridgeland, MS; Carol Gassaway of Johnson City, TN; and Julie Baca, PhD of Starkville, MS. And she was a much loved Mimi to four grandchildren: Thea Henslee (Cole), Rachel Suddath (Josh), Ethan Baca (Ashley), and Kristina Baca as well as five Great-grandchildren: Kate Furby, Samantha Furby, Mary Beth Furby, Olivia Suddath, and Callie Suddath. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased by her beloved husband, James David, also a long time educator at MSU; her parents, Carlos and Verlie Tubb; her brothers and their wives, Lester (Mary Ruth), Doug (Marie), Lamar, and Flynt (Martha).
Services for Anna Ray will be Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 2 PM. Visitation will begin at 12 noon at Welch Funeral Home. The family of Anna Ray Gassaway will welcome the visitation of those who have known her and those students who have been in her classroom. Graveside services will be at Memorial Garden Park Cemetery in Starkville.
If you wish to contribute to a cause in lieu of flowers, please consider Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson, MS. 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216.
