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Obituary for Jerry Wayne Jay
Jerry Wayne Jay began his life in Laurel Mississippi as the only child of Alton Lavelle Jay and Retha Lee Jay. Growing up in the Glade Community as a Jones County boy he attended Glade Elementary and Graduated from Northeast Jones High School. He went on to attend Jones County Junior College and the University of Southern Mississippi and later on attended Vanderbilt University. His faith would be a centerpiece of his life. He gave his life to Christ at the age of 16 at Glade Baptist Church. Though he would serve in the medical field in many places, beginning at Jones County Community Hospital in the radiology department, moving to a career as director of radiology a MBMC in Jackson MS, Gulfport Memorial, Horizon Medical in Dickson TN and Biloxi Regional Hospital on the MS coast. His heart was always in serving Christ. His love for the Savior and for Gospel Music would be his driving force for many generations. Joining a quartet as a young man and then forming his own group, “The Wayfarers Quartet” where he would meet the soulmate and love of his life Gloria, with whom he would spend 44 years with as co-laborers in sharing the Gospel in song. In 1978 they would join “The Gospel Messengers” and for over 40 years he would lead the group playing the piano and singing with a love for the savior and for the precious lives that he touched along the way. Not only was he a very great musician and singer, he also was a very talented song writer, writing many gospel songs and even a song commemorating the army regiment in which his beloved father served in WWII entitled, “ The Stovepipe Artillery”. After traveling for so many years Jerry decided to use his talents and abilities in the local church. Serving as Minister of Music in several churches in MS and TN, where he finished his course at the Shady Grove Baptist Church in Copiah County, leading the worship up until the end of May. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Gloria Graham Jay, sons Kevin (Ellen) Jay, Gary (Maritza) Bryant, Jimmy (Sherry) Bryant. 11 Grandchildren and 15 Great Grandchildren and numerous cousins and brothers and sisters in Christ that he loved like his own flesh. The visitation will be at Shady Grove Baptist Church at 1090 Shady Grove Rd, Hazlehurst MS on sat June 12, 2021 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. with the service at the church at 11:00 a.m. He will be laid to rest at the Graham-Welch Cemetery located at 970 Oak Bowery Rd, Ellisville MS.
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