Minnie Ray Wilson
Minnie Ray Wilson, age 85, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother and sister, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Haywood County Community Hospital in Brownsville, TN. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM, at the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home with Bro. Jon Bell officiating. Burial will follow at the Brownsville Memorial Gardens in Brownsville, TN. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM, at the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home.
Minnie was born in Brownsville, TN on December 23, 1939 to Laverne Beshires Bridgewater and Benjamin Phillip Bridgewater. She graduated Haywood High School in 1958. She held various jobs, but her role as a homemaker was what brought her true happiness. She had a wonderful love for her children and grandchildren, often bragging about being a great great grandmother. She had a love and enjoyment of cooking, spending time with family and friends, shopping and traveling. She was a faithful member of Poplar Corner Baptist Church. She loved the Lord and enjoyed teaching her Sunday School Class. One of her favorite things was fellowshipping with her church family.
Minnie is survived by one daughter, Janet Ray Gaters (Danny); one son, William Garry “Chip” Ray, both of Brownsville, TN; and one sister, Jessie Welch. She leaves a long legacy of love for her three grandchildren, Scotty Ray (Amanda), Justin Gaters (Chelsey) and Stacey Gaters; four great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin Phillip and Laverne Beshires Bridgewater; her son, William John Ray; her husband of 29 years, William Garry Ray; her second husband of 29 years, Finis Wilson; one brother, Ben Bridgewater and one sister, Charlene Gains Odum.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to all of the wonderful staff at the Sugar Creek Senior Living Community and the staff at the Haywood County Community Hospital for the wonderful and loving care they took of their mom.
Pallbearers for the service are Scotty Ray, Justin Gaters, Danny Gaters, Clint Welch, Dean Gaters and James Gaters.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Poplar Corner Baptist Church, P.O. Box 376, Brownsville, TN 38012. All arrangements and services are under the direction of the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home.
