Winnie Ruth Lofton

EGGVILLE - Winnie Ruth Franks Lofton, 85, died Friday, Aug. 31, 2007, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. She was born Dec. 17, 1921, in Itawamba County to James Ira and Mertle Turner Franks. She lived in the Eggville community for most of her life. She was a homemaker and an active member of Eggville Free Will Baptist Church since the early 1940's. She was known as "Ms. Winnie" and loved by all who knew her. She was an encourager and pray warrior.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Eggville Free Will Baptist Church with Dr. Gerald Gann officiating. Burial will be in the Eggville Cemetery. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include one son, James Doyle Lofton (Carolyn) of the Richmond community; one daughter, Margaret Lofton of the Eggville community; four sisters, Dorothy Thompson (Howard) of Tupelo, Lillian Love of Henning, Tenn., Sue Thompson (Dewey) of Mantachie and Nannette Mize (Thomas) of Tupelo; two grandchildren, Tammy March (Jason) of the Eggville community and Brian Lofton of the Richmond community; four great-grandchildren, Bethany, Amanda, Samantha Schumpert of Eggville community and Anna Grace Lofton of Carolina community; one great-great-granddaughter, Jada Wood of Eggville community.

She was preceded in death in 1989 by her husband of 46 years, Rayvon Lofton; five sisters, Pauline Murphy, Louise Williams, Mary Hendricks, Burnell Bailey and Loraine Spigner; and one brother, Bumel Franks.

Pallbearers will be Lester Holder, Kevin Floyd, Lynn Turner, Jarrod Greer, Ray Clayton and John Webb.

Honorary pallbearers will be Tracy Byrd, Robert Patterson, Kenneth Rakestraw, Deacons of Eggville Free Will Baptist Church.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to services.

Memorials may be made to Eggville Freewill Baptist Church, 1153 CR 1498, Tupelo, MS 38804.