Deanna Gray Jones

Deanna Gray Jones of Knoxville, was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and aunt who devoted her life to her faith, family, and closest friends. She left this world peacefully on January 23, 2021, at the age of 58.

On August 6, 1962, Deanna was born to George Rayburn Gray and Mary Albright Gray in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She was a scholarship-level athlete in softball and volleyball through high school, graduating from Tuscaloosa County High School in 1980. After graduation, she was dedicated to raising her family with her late husband, Terry Wayne Williams, until his death in 1991. In September 2006, she married her best friend, Timothy Wayne Jones, who was by her side until the very end.

She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Christopher “Wakefield” Gray and Phillip Albright; her grandmothers, Lois Gray Atchison and Nellie Eaton Albright; her mother, Mary Albright Gray; and her mother-in-law, Barbara Ann Jones.

In addition to her husband, Deanna is survived by her children - daughter, Ashley Williams Wetterling (Scott) of Lewisville, Texas; son, Justin Wayne Williams (Amy) of Eutaw; and step-daughter Raven Sartain (Eric) of Opelika; as well as her grandchildren - Connor, Emma, Kaitlyn, Bradleigh, Cody, Brady & Riley.

She is also survived by her father, George Rayburn Gray (Doris) of Northport; her father-in-law, Melvin “Cricket” Jones of Coker; her brother, Rolland Gray (Debbie) of Northport; sisters Cindy Gray of Tuscaloosa, and Mary Anne Dollar (Chris) of Pell City; sister-in law, Brenda Terry (David) of Northport; and brothers-in-law Mike Jones (Debbie) of Tuscaloosa and Jeff Jones (Kristy) of Warrior; as well as many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.

Deanna loved spending time and making memories with her family; especially her husband and grandchildren, who she cherished dearly. She very much treasured her animals and cared for each one of them with kindness and grace. She will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts.

A graveside service to honor Deanna is scheduled for 11:00 am on Saturday, January 30, 2021, at Memory Hill Gardens Cemetery at 2200 Skyland Blvd. E., Tuscaloosa, AL 35405.

Pallbearers will be Jason Gray, Nathan Harcrow, Sean Lee, Barry Burroughs, Mike Jones and David Terry.

Honorary pallbearers are nurses and staff of DCH Regional Medical Center 3SE and Dr. John Hubbard.

At the family’s request, please plan to wear face masks and practice social distancing.