Crafton Gillentine

Tupelo - Willie Crafton Gillentine, 85, of the Auburn Community, died Tuesday, May 4, 2010, at The Sanctuary Hospice House after a brief illness. He was born July 12, 1924 in Itawamba County to Willie and Ireda Moore Gillentine. He moved to Mooreville as a small child where he graduated from Mooreville High School in 1942. He married Lottie Faye Carnathan before he entered the Army. He served in a search light batallion running a radar machine. He served in the Pacific, Hawaii and Okinowa until World War II was over. Upon returning home, he went to work at the local Ford dealership in an on the job training program where he worked for several years. He and his brother-in-law, Russell Red Carnathan opened C&G Garage and worked together for many years before retiring. After retirement, he enjoyed woodworking in his shop and doing yard work in which he took great pride. In his earlier years, he played fast pitch softball for local civic and community leagues and was well known for being a great pitcher and hitter. He was a devoted and faithful member of Crossroads Christian Church in the Auburn/Eggville Community serving as a deacon for many years.

Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Bro. Devin Dutka officiating. Burial will be in Crossroads Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Lottie Faye Gillentine; two children, Michael Gillentine (Marsha) of Baldwyn and Deborah Duff (John) of Laurel; one brother, Arvis Gillentine (Virginia) of Mooreville; three grandsons, Dax Wheeler (Amy) of Laurel, Pate Gillentine and Nick Gillentine of Baldwyn; two granddaughters, Missi Shoup (David) of Brandon and Kimberly Deaton (Chris) of Mooreville; four great grandchildren, Bailey and Cameron Shoup and Brice and Mary Margaret Deaton; his uncle, Mitchell Moore of Tupelo; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Ireda Gillentine; one son, Timothy Crafton Gillentine.

Pallbearers will be Carey Carnathan, Eddie Carnathan, Avalon Tindoll, Barry Jenkins, Dan Ballard and Scott Wagner.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Howard Carnathan, Scott Callahan, Willie Rudd, Ronnie Jordan, Jeff Elliott and Clay Cox.