Bessie Faylene Wray, 71, formerly of Columbia and Campbellsville, died Sunday, June 11, 2017 at the Yorktown Healthcare Center in Yorktown, Ind. She was born on Oct. 14, 1945 in Columbia and was the daughter of the late Charles and Mable Burton Blankenship Simpson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, L.C. Simpson, Michael “Jr.” Lumpkin, Jack Simpson and Marshall Simpson; two sisters, Connie Blankenship and Clemedine Simpson; and a grandson, Chase Wray. She is survived by one son, Gary (Marlena) Wray of New Castle, Ind.; one daughter, Beverly (Ronnie) Mattingly of Lebanon; a half-sister, Janie (Larry) Cole of Michigan; three grandchildren, Lauren Wray, Bren Mattingly, Jade Mattingly; and two great-grandchildren. Graveside service is today at 1 p.m. at Haven Hill Cemetery with Pastor Marty Ballard officiating and burial to follow. An online guestbook is available at ballardandsons.com. Grissom-Martin Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements. Visit www.grissommartin.com.
