Walter

Tupelo " Walter Tatum Tate Stokely, 94, died Friday, June 5, 2009, at his residence after a brief illness and a long, happy life. A Drew, Mississippi native, he was born April 16, 1915, to Isaac Ernest and Emma Belle Bibb Stokely. For 42 years he lived in Drew, before moving to Jackson, where he lived 13 years. He and his wife moved to Tupelo in 1991. He was a graduate of Sunflower Junior College in Moorhead and a retired businessman. Hunting, fishing, golf, and bridge were a few of his favorite hobbies. Tate Stokely was a devoted family man and a life-long member of the Methodist Church.

Services will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2009, at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with the Rev. Andy Ray officiating. Burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park with a private graveside service.

Survivors include one daughter, Martha Tate Dodge (Henry) of Tupelo; one son, Ernest Mitchell Stokely (Joan) of Birmingham, Alabama; four grandchildren, Mitchell Stokely (Carmen) of Dallas, Texas, Jennifer Stokely Bowdler of Dallas, Texas, Henry Dodge,III of Santa Monica, California, Bess Dodge Leathers (Nat) of Tupelo; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Martha Bess Mitchell Stokely, and one brother, E. J. Stokely.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Wesley Fellowship Sunday School Class of First United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be 12:00 noon until service time Tuesday.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 412 W. Main Street, Tupelo, Mississippi 38801

The Tate Stokely Family would like to thank Cherry Payne (Thomas) and her caregivers for the love and kindness during this difficult time.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .