Marie McGraw May died peacefully at home on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016.  She was 81.

Born in Yazoo City, she was the daughter of the late James A. and Clementine Nolan McGraw.

Marie was a graduate of St. Clara Academy in Yazoo City and Mississippi State College for Women, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956. While at MSCW, she was a member of the Rogue and Jester Social Clubs

A longtime resident of Vicksburg, she taught in the Vicksburg public schools at both Carr Central High School and Cooper High School.  During her teaching career, she taught Spanish, government, and social studies, and was a sponsor for the award winning school newspaper, “The Tatler.”

Marie was one of the founders and the first chairman of the Catholic school’s Play A Day in May Away and was known as the “Mother Superior of PADIMA.”

She was a member of the Catholic school board for nine years and served as president for three years. During this time, St. Aloysius High School burned. When Catholic schools were closing all over the nation, she was instrumental in building the new SAHS building and served as president of the school board at that time. Active in many civic projects, Marie served as second vice president, first vice president, and president of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and was National Association of Junior Auxiliaries national finance chairman.  She was also a member of the Girl Scout council.

Marie was a devoted and loving daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to many. Devoted to her Catholic faith, she was a charter member of St. Michael Catholic Church, where she served on the parish council and was a Eucharistic minister. At the time of her death, she was a communicant at St. Paul Catholic Church.

She is survived by two daughters, Marianne May Coker (David) of Madison and Margaret May Killebrew (Dave) of Memphis, Tenn.; five grandsons, Howell Robinson “Rob” Jones Jr., James Bray Jones, Eric McGraw Jones (Mae), John Nolan Killebrew, and Clayton May Killebrew.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by five brothers and two sisters, Margaret Norman, James A. McGraw Jr., Georgia McGraw, Charles “Tally” McGraw, and Jeanne Barrier.

A Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, at St. Paul Catholic Church. Interment will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Riles Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be her five grandsons, Rob Jones, Bray Jones, Mac Jones, John Nolan Killebrew, Clayton Killebrew and two nephews, Chuck McGraw and Harris McGraw.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Susan Chiarito, Raymond May, Judy Jordan, Robert McConnell, Janet Smith, members of the Bourre Card Group, members of her Luncheon Group, and members of the Friday afternoon Happy Hour Group.

The family would like to express their appreciation for the love and care Marie received during her illness from Catherine Jones, Mary Pierce, Carolyn Parson, Brenda Johnson, Latasha Johnson, Hattie Jones, and Brittany Freeman.

Special thanks to Dr. Susan Chiarito, Lezlie Connelly, Mimi Jeffers, and St. Joseph Hospice for their loving care and attention.

Memorials in Marie’s memory may be made to Vicksburg Catholic School, 1900 Grove Street, Vicksburg, MS 39183; Christian Brothers High School, 5900 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, TN 38120; St. Paul Catholic Church, 713 Crawford Street, Vicksburg, MS 39180 and to St. Michael Catholic Church, 100 St. Michael Place, Vicksburg, MS 39180.