Shirley Gene Montgomery Ray, 72, died Monday, June 15, 2009, at her residence in Nettleton. She was born on Feb. 5, 1937, in Lee County to Novel and Clara Belle Ivy Montgomery. She lived her entire life in Lee County. She graduated in 1955 from Tupelo High School, where she was a standout athlete, playing basketball and running track. She was a bookkeeper for several area businesses during her working career retiring in March 2009 from Tigrett Steel. She was a faithful and active member of the Nettleton United Methodist Church, where she was a choir member and a charter member of the UMW. Active in civic life in Nettleton, she was founder of the Nettleton 5K run, a strong volunteer with the Food Pantry and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. She formerly served on the Board of Directors of Alpha House for Boys. She was in the Soroptomist Club in Tupelo. Her real passion in life was young people as evidenced by over 40 years of involvement with softball activities. She recently retired as state J.O. commissioner of the Mississippi Amateur Softball Association as well as from the Board of Commissioners of the Amateur Softball Association, where she had missed only two national conventions since 1977, literally traveling in most all the states as she represented Mississippi. Her responsibilities included statewide and nationwide scheduling, administration, umpiring clinics and even coaching. She was singularly responsible for bringing many softball tournaments to Tupelo over the years including Tupelo being the host site for 15 slow pitch regionals between 1990-2006. She mentored many young girls and boys in softball play and many played on state championship teams. She proudly proclaimed herself the "mother" of Nettleton Girl's Softball activities. An avid conversationalist she will long be remembered for her good spirit, her winning ways, her love of everybody and her selfless devotion to her own children, grandchildren and to the betterment of youth everywhere.

We at Mississippi ASA loved Shirley and will miss her.
Now I know Shirley would want us to- Play Ball!!!
E.T. Colvin and the Mississippi ASA staff