Raymond Vinson

RAYMOND VINSON Belden - Raymond Vinson, 93, died on Wednesday, March 27, 2013. A life-long resident of the Macedonia Community, he had resided at Rosewood Residence for the past five years. He was born December 9, 1919 to Henry and Paralee Dillard Vinson. He served his country in the United States Army from 1941 until 1945. He served and fought in the Northern Solomons and in the Liberation of the Philippines. He was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church and had served as a deacon for over 60 years. He loved and appreciated his church family. Most of his adult life was spent in the butane gas business. He was the former owner of Tri-County Butane Gas Co. Later in life, he bought Snipes Shoe Shop and operated it. In 1946, he married his sweetheart, Mamie Johnson. They were married for 58 years until her death in 2004. He was happiest just being "Pop" to Dave, Karen, Leah and Logan. In addition to his parents and his beloved Mamie, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Richard, A.D., and Woodrow Vinson, and his sisters, Hazel Roberts, Bessie Grant and Ruby Tollison, and a brother-in-law, Grover Johnson. He is survived by his daughter, Shirley Irwin and her husband Ronnie, and his grandson, Dave Irwin and his wife, Karen, and the delights of his life, his great-grandchildren, Leah and Logan Irwin. He is also survived by his brother, William Vinson and his wife, Linda, and his sisters, Jean Lessel and her husband, Mitchell, and Lucy Welch. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Mary Johnson and many nieces and nephews. Services will be Friday, March 29 at 11:00 a.m., in The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues. Dr. Tommy Vinson and the Reverend Terry Faulkner will officiate. Pallbearers will be Dave Irwin, Terry Wood, Tom Tindal, Fred Vinson, Tommy Joe Smith, Jimmy Dillard and Billy Hare. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Macedonia Baptist Church. Visitation will be Thursday, March 28 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Macedonia Baptist Church, 103, County Road 1966, Tupelo, MS 38804 or Harrisburg Baptist Church, 4675 Cliff Gookin, Tupelo, MS 38801.