We are sad to announce that on June 22, 2024, at the age of 67, Johnny Ray Vess of Coldwater, Mississippi, born in Iuka, Mississippi passed away. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.

As we bid Johnny Ray farewell, let us not mourn the absence of his physical form, but rather celebrate the essence of his spirit that lingers in the spaces between moments. For Johnny Ray is not truly gone, but merely transformed, his energy intertwined with the fabric of the universe itself, forever dancing among the stars.

He was predeceased by : his parents, Jessie Vess and Ruth Walker Vess. He is survived by : his wife Teresa Rhodes Vess; his daughter Renee Vess Pepin (Tommy); his grandchildren, Sadie Ruth Pepin, Wells Thomas Pepin and Julianne Rae Pepin; and his brothers, Donnie Holland (Betty) and Frank Vess (Velma). He is also survived by "Papa" to his grandchildren.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, June 26th 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Brantley Funeral Home. A funeral service was held on Wednesday, June 26th 2024 at 12:00 PM at the same location. A graveside service was held on Thursday, June 27th 2024 at 12:00 PM at the New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery (2197 MS-25, Iuka, MS 38852).