Ann Peace Bray

Ann Peace Bray, 89, of Valdosta, departed this earth peacefully into the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday April 22, 2023. A lifelong resident of Valdosta, Ann was born to the late Benjamin Claude and Elizabeth Ann Crosby Peace on March 13, 1934. Ann committed her life to Jesus when she was baptized in August, 1953 at the River Street Church of Christ in Valdosta. She lived a long and happy life that reflected sweetness of heart and humility and when given the opportunity she always professed to others God first, then family.

Ann’s profound understanding of dedication to family started at a very young age as she grew up with her mother and father along with her dear three siblings. She was blessed to live here her entire life with all of them remaining in Valdosta along with their spouses and children as well. The Peace family was a Christ loving close family and those attributes never left Ann’s heart. In 1952 she met the love of her life, Robert Lee (Bobby) Bray. They were married in 1953 and started their own family.

After staying home for the first 10 years of her marriage to devote herself to her 2 girls, Ann started working and eventually retired from ITT Thompson Industries in Valdosta where she served as the Executive Secretary of Purchasing & VPs Office. Upon her retirement, Ann loved working and volunteering with the Valdosta Garden Club at the Crescent conducting tour groups to share the beauty and historic value of the property. Although she loved gardening and cooking, her life was dedicated to her family and her church. Her dedication and love for her family was very evident in that during her later years she selflessly gave of herself as a caregiver for her mother-in-law, her mother and her late husband Bobby before he passed. Some of the happiest times in her life were spent on the water with her husband Bobby fishing at Ocean Pond and in the gulf. Ann’s desire to live her life in obedience to her commitment to Jesus was self-evident and she cherished being a life- long member of Central Avenue Church of Christ.

Ann is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Beth and Ronnie Bearden of Ball Ground, Georgia, and Leigh and Eddie Grantham of Valdosta; her grandchildren and their spouses, Ron and Tracy Bearden of Cartersville, Georgia, Wendy Bearden of Ball Ground, Georgia, Charlie III and Anna Culpepper of Gulf Shores, Alabama, Brayden Grantham and his future wife, Caley Fulp of Valdosta and Hahira respectively; her great-grandchildren, Brandon Bearden, Kaylee Ann Buckner, Rylan Blackwell, Hannah Bearden, Owen Culpepper along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded by her husband, Robert Lee “Bobby” Bray; her infant son, Robert Lee Bray, Jr., and her siblings, Hollis Peace, Madlyn Hightower, and Mack Peace.

A graveside service for Ann Peace Bray will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 12 noon at the Sunset Hill Cemetery with Mr. John Klimko officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday evening, April 24, 2023, at the Carson McLane Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. Donations to Central Avenue Church of Christ can be made in honor of her for the purpose of spreading and sharing the news of Jesus around the world. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com.