Margaret Gray Chism

Margaret Gray Chism, 97, passed away Thursday, March 22, 2018, at Diversicare in Brookhaven. A native of Lee County, she was born September 12, 1920, to Jimmy Carroll and Nancy Barkley Gray. On October 17, 1945, Margaret and her husband opened Johnnie's Drive-In in Tupelo, and together they ran it for 32 years. She was a long-time member of East Heights Baptist Church where she served as head of the nursery and found great joy caring for the children of the church. She also enjoyed quilting and had been involved with a quilting group. She had also been a member of the East Heights Garden Club.



Survivors include one daughter, Nancy Boyd and her husband, Jeffery of Brookhaven; one son, John Chism, Jr. and his wife, Nancy of Tupelo; five grandchildren, Jason Boyd and his wife, Danica of Oxford, Emily Tullos and her husband, Bobby of Ridgeland, Allison Layton and her husband, Tyler of Oxford, Lance Presley of Tupelo and Josh Chism of Nashville, Tennessee; and four great-grandchildren, Gavin and Bailey Boyd and Ashton and Braxton Presley.



She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Chism, Sr.; one brother, Hugh Carrol Gray; and one sister, Virginia Johnson.



Visitation will be from 12 p.m. until service time Sunday, March 25, 2018, at W. E. Pegues, Tupelo.



Services honoring her life will be 2 p.m. Sunday, March 25, 2018, at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues, Tupelo with Rev. Jimmy Webb officiating. Burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park.



The service will be live streamed and recorded for those who may not be able to attend at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .



Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, 5159 Main St, Tupelo, MS 38801.



Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .