Juanita "Shelley" Rae Straughan ,66, passed away Wednesday, March , 06, 2019 at Sunshine Healthcare Facility in Pontotoc. She was 66 years of age and died following an extended illness.
A private Service Of Remembrance honoring Shelley's life will be held at her home with personal reflections given by her beloved Homecare Hospice team of New Albany. Interment will be private. Arrangements will be provided by New Albany Funeral and Cremation Care. (662) 539-7000
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Shelley was born August 29, 1952, the daughter, of the late Lois Vines and Johnathan Shelley Gay. She received her education in the Birmingham City School System and had been a resident of Mississippi for much of her life. As a youth her Mom encouraged her to pursue a modeling career at Sears and Roebuck where she was chosen to be in the notable Sears Catalog.
In earlier years she was associated with University Of Alabama Hospital as an X-ray technician and then at Hueytown Alabama Nursing Home as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Her pleasant memories also included "shucking oysters" in the Oyster Bar, a seafood restaurant owned by her family.
She later moved to Mississippi and became best friends with Gloria Pettey who later became her ultimate caregiver. Her pleasures included Patsy Cline music, Pacman and arcade games. She also adored her pet Chihuahua, Big Boy.
Shelley was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Jerry J. Gay.
New Albany Funeral and Cremation Care is honored to serve the Straughan family and invites you to share memories at www.nafuneralsandcremations@yahoo.com
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