Homer Ray Grissom

Homer Ray Grissom, 69, of Iuka, Mississippi, died Wednesday, December 1, 2010, at North Mississippi Medical Center - Tupelo. Surrounded by his family, Homer Ray Grissom went to be with the Lord after an extended battle with cancer. He was a member of Iuka First United Pentecostal Church. He worked for many years at Tyrone/Dana Corporation in Corinth, then as a custodian at Tishomingo County High School and Lawhon Elementary School in Tupelo. Loved by all who knew him, he was a man who loved God, his church, and his family. He was a very gifted storyteller. He loved bluegrass and gospel music, and liked to sing and play the guitar, fiddle, and mandolin. He only had a third grade education, and in his fifties, took classes to learn how to read. He thereafter spoke at schools and literacy events about his experience. In 2006, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, placed on hospice, and was given weeks to months to live. He was later able to testify at numerous churches around the area about the healing power of God, being one of very few people to get (kicked out of hospice) for getting well. Visitation is scheduled to begin at 4 PM on Friday, December 3 and continuing until service time on Saturday, December 4 at Iuka First United Pentecostal Church. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 PM on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at Iuka First United Pentecostal Church, officiated by Bro. William Lambert and Bro. Larry Hill, Sr. Interment will follow in Mt. Evergreen Cemetery. Pallbearers include Stephen Terry, Tim Grissom, Tim Williams, Raymond Carter, James Embrey, Clarence Melton, Lane Parker, and Donnie Hill. Honorary bearers will be Junior Osborn, Jerry Shields, J.C. Haire, Lee Shields, David Huff, Buddy Hill, Owen Thomas, Troy Helton, Richard Morgan, Michael Haire, Rev. Howard Herring, Davie Jones, Jonathan Sanders, Danny Soper, Wayne Blansett, Randy Vinson, and his former friends at DANA Corp. Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka, MS is entrusted with arrangements. He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Hilda Elizabeth Cole Grissom of Iuka, MS; 2 sons: Brian Grissom (Christy) of and Brandon Grissom (Sherry), both of Iuka, MS; 1 daughter: Joy Melton (Blake) of Iuka, MS; 2 brothers: J.D. Grissom (Faye) and Earl Grissom (Shirley), both of Burnsville, MS; 2 brothers-in-law: Roy Vanderford of Florida and Odis Bray of Burnsville, MS; 2 sisters: Louise Grissom Talley (J.W.) of Reinzi, MS and Joyce Grissom Crowe (Bozo) of Tishomingo, MS; 7 grandchildren: Cody Blake Melton, Miranda Danielle Grissom, Alexander Benjamin Grissom, Caleb Timothy Melton, Reuben Lyle Grissom, Reily Slade Grissom, and Conner Lyle Grissom; and several nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer Jefferson and Onie Mae Martin Grissom; his first wife of 32 years, Lois Lyle Sanders Grissom; 2 sisters, Christine Grissom Vanderford and Clara Mae Grissom Bray; and a nephew, Ronald Earl Grissom. Memorial contributions may be made to the Iuka First United Pentecostal Church or to the Mt. Evergreen Cemetery Fund.