Roy McNutt

Tupelo - Roy Fain McNutt, 84, died Thursday, June 5, 2008, at The Sanctuary Hospice House after an extended illness. A Guntown native, he was born November 24, 1923 to William Pleasant and Lottie Mary Fain McNutt. A 1942 graduate of Saltillo High School, he then went on to Union University where he received a B.S. degree in Education. He then earned his masters degree in administration and AAA certificate in Guidance Couseling from the University of Mississippi. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Signal Corp in the Philippines. On July 6, 1947 he married Betty Clement McNutt. He taught school and coached in Neelyville, Mo., and at Hurricane and Blue Springs Schools. He later served as principal at East Union School for 10 years and as Federal Programs Coordinator for Union County Schools for 4 years. He served as principal 11 years at Saltillo Elementary School, retiring in 1986.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and working in his yard. Prior to his illness, he also enjoyed traveling, church work, sports and making videos of his family. He was previously a member of Ellistown Baptist and was later ordained as a deacon at First Baptist New Albany. He was also a deacon at First Baptist Saltillo and served on various committees and taught Sunday School. He was presently a member of East Heights Baptist Church.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Dr. Rex Yancey, Rev. Johnny Rakestraw and Rev. Roger Smith officiating. Burial will be in Lee Memorial Park.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 61 years, Betty Clement McNutt; his daughter, Sandra McNutt Poland and husband, Paul, of Tupelo; two grandsons, Michael Poland and wife, Natalie, of Blue Springs and Jonathan Poland of Tupelo and fiancee, Lane Russell, of Starkville; his sister, Betty Blissard of Saltillo; his brother-in-law, Philip Long of Tupelo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Mildred McNutt, Evelyn Smith, Kitty Long, and Lottie Smith; and three brothers, Herschel McNutt, Harold McNutt, and Tom McNutt.

Pallbearers will be Mike Conway, Hoyt Curbow,Charles Lee, Don Long, Robert Long, Houston Rakestraw, and John Simmons

Honorary Pallbears will be Garvin Barber, Erskin Mullins, and Rev. Woodrow Wilson.

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

Memorials may be made to The Sanctuary Hospice House, PO Box 2177, Tupelo MS 38803; or to Alzheimer's Society, 1900 Dunbarton Drive, Suite 1, Jackson, MS 39216