Guy Gravlee

Tupelo - Guy Justis Gravlee Jr., Brigadier General, U. S. Army, Retired, died December 11, 2010, at the Sanctuary Hospice House after a lengthy illness. A native of Nettleton, he was born January 8, 1923, to Eva Bryan Gravlee and Guy Justis Gravlee , Sr. In 1934 he moved to Tupelo where his father relocated Gravlee Lumber Co. which was established in 1929 in Nettleton. He graduated from Tupelo High School in 1940, attended Mississippi State, and joined the Army Air Corps on January 2, 1942. After completing his primary flight training as a Bombardier at Chickasaw, Oklahoma, with further training at Las Vegas, NV, and Moses Lake and Walla Walla, WA, he deployed to the European Theater, flying seventy combat missions as a participant in five separate campaigns across Italy, Southern France, The Rhineland, and the Balkans. While serving as an Army Air Corps Lieutenant and Captain, he was awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement and The Air Medal with Nine Oak Leaf Clusters for sustained operational activities against an armed enemy. Upon release from active duty on December 4, 1945, Captain Gravlee returned to Tupelo and the family business and also began a long and distinguished career in the Mississippi Army National Guard. As a Mississippi Guard officer he was called to active duty on numerous occasions. Most notably, he was Commander of Troops dispatched by President Kennedy to the University of Mississippi to quell rioting in September, 1962. He was very proud of the fine men who served with him there. He was also activated as Commander of Troops in response to the Hurricane Camille disaster in 1969. He received the Magnolia cross, the second highest medal awarded to a Mississippi National Guardsman. Throughout his long and distinguished career in the Army Air Corps and the Mississippi Army National Guard, General Gravlee held a variety of key instructional, command, and staff assignments culminating in his promotion to the grade of Major General. Serving as a deacon, chairman of deacons, and Sunday School teacher, Guy was an active member of Calvary Baptist for over 75 years. He served as director of First Citizens National Bank, president of Kiwanis Club, president of Gravlee Lumber Co., and president of the Community Development Foundation. He loved his Lord, his wife, his church, his children, and his grandchildren and enjoyed attending all of their activities. He loved Tupelo High School sports and Mississippi State sports, particularly Dudy Noble Field. He loved his country and was proud to have served in its armed forces.

Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Calvary Baptist Church with Dr. David Eldridge and Rev. Steve Hurt officiating. His grandson, Luke McAlpin, will present the eulogy. Burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his daughters, Lynn G. McAlpin (Jim) and Joy G. Kellum (Mark): his grandchildren, Chris McAlpin (Christie), Luke McAlpin (Genna), Sarah Gravlee Otts (Michael), Tyler Kellum, and Darby Kellum; and four great-grandchildren, Kate, Rachel, Megan, and Liam McAlpin. He is also survived by a sister, Mary G.(Mame) Putnam (George); his daughter-in-law, Myara Gravlee; his sister-in-law, Joan Michaels; and his caregiver, Linda Maynard Riley.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 62 years, Joyce Tyler Gravlee; his son, Guy Justice Gravlee III; his sister, Anne Gravlee Gusler; and a great-grandson, Justis Michael Otts.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, 501 W. Main St., Tupelo MS 38804, Hope Family Ministries, 2754 Mattox St., Tupelo, MS 38801, or Sanctuary Hospice House, P. O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803.