Oct. 7, 1930 – May 6, 2014

MEADVILLE — Graveside services for Howell Leon Oglesby, 83, of Franklin County, who died Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at Natchez Community Hospital, will be at 2:30 p.m. today at Providence Baptist Church Cemetery on Clear Springs Road, with the Rev. Johnny Wayne Dillon officiating.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery under the direction of Franklin Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mrs. Oglesby was born Oct. 7, 1930, in Meadville, the son of Frank and Myrtis Bedford Oglesby.

He retired from International Paper Company in Natchez. He also proudly served his country and state in the U.S. Army and the Mississippi National Guard.

He celebrated his 21st birthday on Heartbreak Ridge and returned from Korea an officer. He was again federalized during the Berlin Crisis.

In 1966, he was promoted to captain and commanding officer of the 367th ordinance company of the Mississippi National Guard. In 1972, he was transferred to the retired reserve.

Our “Pa” was an excellent gardener and loved to share his produce with his family, friends, neighbors, the Natchez Stew Pot and the Natchez Children’s Home. He was especially proud to share his tomatoes, watermelons and knowledge of gardening.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his grandsons.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a wonderful friend to have. Nothing was more important than his great-grandchildren.

Mr. Oglesby was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Frank Oglesby.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Gearldean Stroud Oglesby; two sons, Randy Oglesby and wife, Dana, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Keith Oglesby and wife, Tammy, of Natchez; one daughter, Marsha Ratcliff and husband, Roger, of Meadville; one brother, Bob Oglesby of Vicksburg; two sisters, Eva Nell Milton and Hilda Rae Priest, both of Meadville; grandchildren, Kyle Oglesby, Anna Oglesby Kniphfer and husband, Andrew, Rose Ratcliff Scherer and husband, Daniel, Ryan Ratcliff, Rachael Oglesby and Daniel Oglesby and wife, Tasha; great-grandchildren, Noah Scherer, Sophie Scherer, London Scherer, Eli Oglesby and Aubrey Oglesby; and a number of nephews, nieces and friends.

Pallbearers will be Kyle Oglesby, Daniel Oglesby, Ryan Ratcliff, Daniel Scherer, Andrew Knipher and Milton Hall.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Anderson, Frank Roberts, George Ward, John Arnold, G. C. Roberts, W.C. McCurly and all of his other friends in the IP powerhouse and in the garden.

Online condolences may be sent to franklinfh.com.