Jerry Forrest 'Bop Gumbo' Grissom

Mr. Jerry F. "Bop" "Gumbo" Grissom, 80, of Drew, passed away October 2, 2016, at his home. Visitation will be 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 8, 2016, at Drew Baptist Church. Memorial Services will immediately follow beginning at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 8, 2016, at Drew Baptist Church with Rev. Robert Haney officiating. Mr. Grissom was born in Vance, MS, on July 14, 1936, to George Forrest Grissom and Jimmie Ferguson Grissom. He graduated from Dublin High School in 1955 where he played football, basketball, baseball, and served as class president. In Dublin, he also achieved the nickname "Jug". On November 6, 1956, he married Johnnie Merle Scott in Rome, MS. He proudly served our Country in the United States National Guard for 38 years achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and serving as both a Company and Battalion Commander. He also stayed actively involved in the American Legion. He was a member of Drew Baptist Church and President of the Drew Lions Club. He coached little league baseball and served on the Drew Board of Alderman. Mr. Grissom was President of the Drew Chamber of Commerce where he was voted Man of the Year, was North Sunflower County Jaycees Man of the Year, and was captain of Drew Volunteer Fire Department. He was a past Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, and Training Union Superintendent at Rome Baptist Church. He worked for Savell Construction Company as a carpenter from 1955 to 1962 then began working for the United States Postal Service and remained there for 38 years while owning and operating Grissom Furniture and Appliance Company. He loved hunting deer and duck, and enjoyed fishing. He is preceded in death by his parents, George Forrest Grissom and Jimmie Ferguson Grissom; and brothers, Loyal Grissom and James Grissom. Mr. Grissom is survived by his wife, Johnnie Grissom of Drew; daughter, Cyndi Owen of Ridgeland; granddaughter, Meredith Owen of Ridgeland; in-laws, Virginia Gonzales, Shelby Scott, James Scott, Henry Scott, Richard Scott (Joyce), Nancy Griffin (Warren) and Virgie Grissom; a host of nieces and nephews; and numerous beloved friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Warren Griffin, James Scott, Henry Scott, Richard Scott, Donny Grissom, Terry Grissom, Dale Grissom, Brandon Nichols, Fletcher Nichols, Logan Nichols, Scott Griffin, and Matthew Roncalli. Memorialized pallbearer will be Alex Gonzales. In memory of Mr. Grissom, the family asks donations be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation, Kidney Foundation, Melanoma Foundation, and/or Drew Baptist Church.

Visitation

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Saturday, October 8, 2016
Drew Baptist Church 139 S. Church Street Drew, Mississippi, United States

Memorial Service

2:00 pm Saturday, October 8, 2016
Drew Baptist Church 139 S. Church Street Drew, Mississippi, United States