Frank Ray Mcnair

Funeral services for Frank “Ray” McNair will be held Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at McClain-Hays Chapel in Philadelphia, Mississippi with Rev. Ray Spence, Rev. Joseph Knight, Rev. Tommy Conn, and Arthur Rhodes officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Union, Mississippi. Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 25, 2023 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at McClain-Hays Funeral Home. Mr. McNair, 70, of Union, died Sunday, April 23, 2023. Ray was a native and longtime resident of Neshoba County, specifically the Linwood Community. He was a 1971 graduate of Neshoba Central High School and attended Mississippi State University where he earned his Bachelor’s in Agricultural Science. He later obtained his Master and Educational Specialist degrees in Community Counseling from MSU. He was a licensed social worker, a licensed family and marriage therapist, and was a certified cognitive behavioral therapist, having received the certified addictions specialist endorsement, helping those who struggled with alcohol, drugs, gambling, and other addictions. Ray had a servant’s heart, having worked as the Director of Social Services for Hudspeth in Meridian, Mississippi, for the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Kosciusko, Mississippi, and having served as a member of the Professional Curriculum Advisory Team in Postsecondary Gerontology Technology for the Mississippi Department of Education. Ray finally retired, having served as the Program Director for Senior Life in Neshoba General Hospital for more than twenty years, where he supervised the Geriatric Psychiatric Program and the Social Services Program for the nursing home and the long-term care Alzheimer’s Unit. He was an avid Mississippi State Bulldog fan, enjoyed traveling with his beloved wife, Kathy, Southern Gospel Music, and spending time with his family, especially his grandkids. Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Kathryn A. “Kathy” McNair, of Union, Mississippi; Daughters, Rebecca McNair Calissi (Jeff) of South Windsor, Connecticut, Kathryn Rae McNair (John Helmert) of Meridian, Mississippi, and Melissa Granieri, also of Meridian; Grandchildren, Austin Granieri, William McNair, and Juliana Calissi; Sisters, Ruth Conn of Carthage, Rebecca Stokes of Union, Sarah Peebles of Booneville, twin sister, Kay Vance, of Union, and Nancy Nicholson of Union, and a host of nieces and nephews. Mr. McNair was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mary McNair, sister, Mary Elizabeth Rhodes, and brother, Robert McNair. Pallbearers are Justin Granieri, Bradley McNair, Chad Vance, Jonathan Vance, Tim Watkins, Justin McElhenney..