Heywood Washburn Jr.

Jesse Heywood Washburn, at the age of 92, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 2, 2023 at his home in Tupelo. Heywood moved to Tupelo in 1955, after completing two years in the Navy during the Korean Conflict. This High Point, North Carolina, native, son of Jesse Heywood Washburn and Edna Jordan Washburn, attended church the first Sunday he was in Tupelo. On that visit to Calvary Baptist Church, he met Sue Thomas on the front steps of the old Sanctuary. The Sigma Chi from the University of North Carolina and the Belle of Ward Belmont and Ole Miss would soon be married in that Sanctuary.
National Springs, a North Carolina, based company, brought the recent UNC Phi Beta Kappa graduate to Tupelo to open their plant and be the Sales Manager. He was a pioneer in the soon to be booming furniture industry in Mississippi. Later he became a manufacturer’s representative, selling nearly every component for furniture, in five states. After coming off the road in the early 80’s, Heywood was involved in various real estate related projects and was a realtor for several years. He was an entrepreneur at heart, but his heart knew to treasure the right things, which kept him centered on things eternal.
His community involvement was broad. He loved Calvary Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for many years. His involvement in missions has been a highlight of his life and a passion, especially, but not limited to, the International Missions Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Rotary became part of his life in 1966, and he became the most tenured Rotarian in Tupelo. He served several terms as President of the Blue Mountain College Board and he continued to support and believe in that wonderful Christian university. He was a charter board member for The Good Samaritan Free Clinic, where he and Sue often volunteered. Mr. Washburn was also a charter advisory board member, and later Chair, of the Salvation Army Board. He enjoyed his association with Renasant Bank, serving actively on that board for more than 22 years. He served twice on the CREATE Foundation Board, where he was recently honored with The McLean Award for Philanthropy. He was on the boards of several other organizations, including American Family. “The Lob-ster” as he was called by his tennis buddies, enjoyed the camaraderie, all the while being very competitive. Later in life, the TKE Coffee Club and especially Calvary Coffee Club were great sources of encouragement and news. Not a native of Tupelo, but he certainly exhibited the “Tupelo Spirit”.
He is survived by his loving, caring wife of 66 years, Sue, and a son, Murphy Thomas Washburn (Gina) of Jackson, and lovely daughter, Emily Ann Wildeman (Martin) of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Amy and Martin gave him 4 wonderful grandsons: Jesse (Audrey), Thomas (Mary Katherine), Murphy, and Wilson (Theresa). Great-grandchildren are Heywood, Ellie, and Colin. Nieces and Nephews, Meg, Julie, Jimmy, Winkie, Jess, Jordan, Fulton, Susan, and James Murphy, are among the family who will miss him.
His son, Jesse Heywood Washburn III, sister, Margaret Randle, and brother, Jordan Washburn, awaited him in Glory.
Sanctuary Hospice, especially Allison Michael, has been so helpful. And without Darrell Gates, Ann Robertson, and Shelia Shaw, who are hands down the best caregivers, it would not have been possible for him to stay in the home he loved, until it was time to go to the home for which he longed.
You are invited to a celebration of his life, which will be a celebration of his Savior. Very appropriately the service honoring his life and Savior will be held in the Sanctuary of Calvary Baptist Church at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 8, followed by a visitation near the Sanctuary. Pegues Funeral Directors has been entrusted with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, you might find something in the third paragraph that appeals to you, as it did to Heywood. Isn’t it wonderful that this one who thought he was coming to Tupelo for a short time, found in Tupelo, everything he was looking for and more!
Friends and family may share fond memories and expressions of sympathy at PeguesFuneralHome.com