Mary Nell Grayson

Mary Nell Grayson
Aug. 7, 1941 – Dec. 17, 2024
Mary Nell Grayson, 83, died in her room at Traditions of Smyrna; Smyrna, TN, Dec. 17, 2024. Her biggest heartbreak in life was when her son, Bennett, passed away in a car accident on Dec. 20, 1983, at the young age of 18.
She was born in Tylertown Aug. 7, 1941, to the late Mary Elizabeth Terrell and Carl Alford Terrell. Along with her parents, she is also preceded in death by her sister, Cora Ann Magee; her brother, Carl Jackson Terrell; and her son, Allen Bennett Beard.
She loved science and earned a bachelor’s in biology degree from the University of Women’s College located in Columbus in 1962. She then met and married her first husband and father of her three children, Lewis Bennett Beard, Jr. They moved to Brandon in 1977.
Mrs. Grayson worked as a cytogenetics lab technician at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and was a founding member of Crossgates Baptist Church in Brandon. After her divorce, she worked part-time at a local nursing home every other weekend to make ends meet and to make sure her children were well cared for.
She had an incredible green thumb and loved taking care of her plants and small garden. She loved anything crafty such as making wreathes, flower arrangements, cross-stitching, making jewelry, crocheting, sewing, and drawing.
She is survived by her daughter, Suzanne Carroll (Michael); her daughter Shelley Henkle (Jim); four grandchildren and one great grandchild.
A small graveside service was Dec. 21, 2024, at Silver Creek Baptist Church, McComb, her son-in-law, Michael Carroll, delivering the eulogy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to their local Alzheimer’s Association in her name.
Hartman-Hughes Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. An online guestbook may be signed at www.hartmanhughesfuneralhome.com.