Otis Box

Union Grove - Otis Box, 84, died Monday, May 12, 2008, at The North Mississippi Medical Center after an extended illness. A native of the Nettleton area, he was born March 6, 1924 to Thomas Harvey and Mattie Vess Box. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II, serving in Iwo Jima, Okinawa and other conflicts in the Pacific Theatre. On September 17, 1941, he married Mary Rachel Box. He was employed as a salesman with Mid-South Packers for over 20 years and later worked as a carpenter, retiring in 1986. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. He had a love of vegetable gardening and enjoyed sharing them with the community. He was caretaker of the Union Grove Church of God of Prophecy grounds and cemetery for many years and also served as deacon, Sunday School teacher, and member of the finance committee. He will also be remembered organizing numerous fish fry fund raisers and fellowship meals for the church and community.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Union Grove Church of God of Prophecy with Rev. Curtis Shelton, Rev. Curtis Sutton and Rev. Wayne Thorn officiating. Burial will be in Union Grove Cemetery. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Mary Rachel Box of Union Grove; his daughter, Linda Box Lively and husband, John, of Empire, Ala; one grandson, Sterling Cooksey of Empire, Ala.;numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Lilly Bell Hill;five brothers, Jim Box, William Box, Lee Alvis (Square) Box, Junior Box, and Stanley Box.

Pallbearers will be Rob Abel, Rolen Barnes, Eddie Harris, Ronnie Harris, Jeremy Martin, and John Young Jr.

Honorary Pallbearers will be his Sunday School Class and special friends.