Clara Louise Gray-Allen

Feb. 1, 1931 – June 21, 2008

NATCHEZ — Services for Clara Louise Gray-Allen, 77, of Natchez, who died Saturday, June 14, 2008, at her residence, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Family Catholic Church with Father Michael Buckman, SSJ officiating.

Burial will follow at Pine Hill Memorial Cemetery under the direction of George F. West Funeral Home.

A rosary will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home and visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Ms. Allen was born Feb. 1, 1931, in Vicksburg, the daughter of C.W. Gray and William H. and Ernestine Sampson Sr.

She was a graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Vicksburg and was a childcare provider for many years. She was a Catholic and enjoyed fishing, cooking and working crossword puzzles.

Ms. Allen was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Arnita Allen; and three brothers, John A. Gray, Robert Murray and Terry T. Sampson.

Survivors include one son, Bobby Davenport; four daughters, Cheryl Allen Bethley, Deborah K. Davenport, Kathie P. Allen and Kimberley A. Allen; two brothers, William H. Sampson Jr. and wife, Betty and Donald L. Sampson; three sister, Josetta McFirstley, Minnie McClain and husband, John and Linda Davis and husband, James; sister-in-law, Marietta Murray; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Pallbearers will be Lionel Anderson, Arnold Clark Jr., Clinton Davenport, Ray Jackson, Carlos Wright and Maurice Wright.