Alison Rayburn

Alison Regina Mangiaracina Rayburn, 48, of Gautier, MS, went home to Jesus on Monday, May 24th, 2021. She peacefully passed away in her home, surrounded by loved ones.

Alison was born in Gloucester County, New Jersey on April 14th, 1973. Alison loved God with all her heart, and trusted in his Word. She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She met the love of her life at 5Js Scuba Shop in St Elmo, AL, around 9AM on May 27th, 1994. They were inseparable from that point, married a year later when William returned from a deployment, and were blessed with twenty six years of love and laughter before God called her home. Alison had the hardest job in the Navy: Navy Wife. They spent 25 years moving around and exploring the country during their service before returning to the Mississippi Gulf Coast upon William's retirement from the Navy in June 2019. Every location had unique experiences that she loved discovering, but it was always the people which she met and befriended which made her happiest...and animals. Alison loved everything furry from her cats and dogs to the random raccoon she fed after it came into the house through the dog door and sat in a living room chair for a visit. She was a veterinary technician for twenty years which allowed her to learn about, love and take care of her furry friends. Alison had a beautiful soul and no matter the situation, always stood up for what was right. She was a servant to others and always put their needs before her own. With her kindness, joyful laugh and quick wit, she made acquaintances into friends, and then nurtured those relationships with care and communication. She treated nieces and nephews like they were her children. They looked up to her, loved her and would share their problems with her before they would with their own parents. Alison was a fighter with a positive outlook on life who always saw the Silver Lining; her laughter, attitude and joy of life was infectious and brightened the lives of the people around her.

Alison is preceded in death by her father-in-law, Ken Rayburn, cousin, Katie O'Toole, and step-mother Billie Mangiaracina.

She is survived by her husband, William, daughter, Lisa, parents, Andy Mangiaracina and Anna O'Toole, brothers, Anthony Mangiaracina (Sherri) , John Rayburn (Millie), sister, Denise Parker (Timothy), nephews and niece and JT, David, Jacob and Audrey and pets Coconut and Jinx (cats).

A graveside service will be held at 10am on June 4th at Biloxi National Cemetery. Chaplain Joseph 'JJ' Johnson will officiate. A celebration of life will be held at the family home following the service.

The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd., West Jackson County is proudly serving the Rayburn Family. An online obituary may be signed, and memories, condolences and photos shared at www.riemannfamily.com

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Susan G. Komen foundation at www.Komen.org

She Is Gone
You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.