George Rayford Wilbourn

George Rayford Wilbourn, age 94, of Water Valley, MS passed away peacefully in his own home on August 6, 2025. Rayford was born in Water Valley, MS, on July 18, 1931 to Lucy Blanton Wilbourn and Pete J. Wilbourn. He was a worker all his life starting at 6 years old.

After attending Northwest Community College, he taught school and coached basketball a short while at Big Creek, MS. He went on to graduate from Mississippi State University with a degree in agriculture. He started work for the Mississippi Highway Department in 1957 and retired in 1991. He was instrumental in organizing the Jeff Davis Rural Water Association, and served many years on the board of that association. Rayford was an avid hunter and loved the land. He enjoyed traveling out west with friends.

Rayford is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Patsy Harmon Wilbourn; his son, Jerry (Tonya) Wilbourn; his daughter, Elizabeth (Lee) McAnally; his granddaughter, Jeri Kathryn McAnally; as well as a sister and brother-in-law, Buster and Sue Jackson, and brother-in-law, Howard Harmon, all of Water Valley, MS.

Rayford was preceded in death by his parents, Lucy and Pete Wilbourn; his sisters, Virginia Wilbourn Hendricks and Peggy Wilbourn Shelton, and a brother-in-law Gerald Harmon

Visitation is planned for Saturday, August 9, 2025, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM. A funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00 PM in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Rev. Billy Childs officiating. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Seven Oaks Funeral Home is honored to serve Rayford's family during this difficult time of loss. We ask that you remember them in your thoughts in prayers in the days and weeks to come.