Meridian, MS - Funeral services for Mrs. Gay Whitehead will be held Thursday, July 31, 2025, 11:30 am at Carmel Baptist Church with Bro. Charles Davis officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Wanda Gay Whitehead, 82, of Meridian, MS passed away Monday, July 28, 2025, at Ochsner Rush Foundation Hospital.

Gay was known as "Mama Gay", "Hots", and "Granny" to her grandchildren, multiple international exchange students, and many in the Southeast Community. She could always be counted on to volunteer where she was needed to make her community better.

She was active in Carmel Baptist Church where served by teaching adult and children's classes, cooking, mentoring, decorating, singing in the choir, and senior adult ministry. She showed the active love of Jesus and lived it throughout her life by serving her family and her church lovingly with her whole heart. When people think of Gay Whitehead, they will think servant.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Larry Whitehead, children, Kim Gaddis, Cheryl Ann Herrington (Ken), and Robert Wayne Whitehead; grandchildren, Rachael Phillips (Kenny), Erica Harper, Brooke Sharp (Adam), and Trey Whitehead; great-grandchildren, Gavin, Alaina, Jason, Grace, Joe, Mallory, Devin, Cash, Bryson, Jaxson, and Lily, and niece, Lawanda Gardner (Cliff).

She was preceded in death by her parents Leo and Myrtle Smith, sister, Faye Buckley, and in-laws, Wilson and Flora Whitehead.

Pallbearers will be Gene Lawson, Fred Bean, John Flanagan, Jimmy Gibson, Dwayne Massey, Kenny Phillips, and Adam Sharp. Honorary pallbearers will be the Adult Ladies Sunday School Class of Carmel Baptist Church.

The family request memorials be made to The Baptist Children's Village.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 10:00 - 11:15 am at the church prior to funeral services.