Billy Ashcraft

Services will be held at, 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 28, 2019, at Gaines Chapel United Methodist Church in Corinth, Mississippi with Reverend Trey Lambert officiating. Burial will be at Forrest Memorial Park.

Visitation will be Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at Gaines Chapel United Methodist Church from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday, February 28, 2019, from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Mr. Ashcraft was a member of Gaines Chapel United Methodist Church for 63 years. Gaines Chapel was his pride and joy. He was always willing to do any job at the church. No job was too small or too large for him, from including changing light bulbs in the sanctuary, cooking stew for past bazaars and making sure there was hand lotion in the ladies bathroom. He was always willing to serve his church.

Over the years, he served in many capacities at Gaines Chapel such as Administrative Board Chairman, Finance Chairman, and Trustee Chairman but his greatest joy was being a Sunday School Teacher for the Jack Williams Class. Since 2008, he was a devoted member of the Men’s Prayer Group at Gaines Chapel that meets at 5:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday to pray for church members, friends and family.

Mr. Ashcraft retired with 43 years of service with Tennessee Valley Authority. At the time of his retirement, he was a Construction Supervisor for Substation Projects. In 1965, he was the first Mississippian since 1954 accepted into the 4-year TVA Apprenticeship Program as an electrician. He has been a member of the Local IBEW #852 for 54 years. He taught Basic Electricity and was the instructor for the Electrical Apprenticeship Program for the Local #852 at the Alcorn County Vocational Center. He was also an instructor for the TVA 4-year Apprenticeship Program.

He had many hobbies. He loved fishing, hunting, gun collecting, cooking, canning, gardening, boating and camping, He was also a Master Craftsman at woodworking, building many pieces of beautiful furniture. Many family members and friends have received beautiful church bird houses that he has built. He was known for his positive additude, always having a smile on his face, telling funny stories and laughing even when the joke was on him.

After graduating from Corinth High School in 1964, Billy married his high school sweetheart,

Nita Sue Sowell, on December 19, 1964. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren. Some of his greatest joys were cooking for his family, and taking them camping, boating and fishing at Coleman State Park.

Mr. Ashcraft was preceded in death by his parents, Hollis and Ruby Lee Ashcraft and his in-laws, Bob and Faye Lawrence.

Mr. Ashcraft is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nita Sue; son, Matt (Diane) Ashcraft of Corinth, MS; daughter, Kimberly (Mike) McCarthy of Memphis, TN; two brothers, Delmon (Betty) Ashcraft of Cleveland, TN; Hollis (Pat) Ashcraft of Thompson’s Station, TN; two sisters, Sandra (William ‘Skip’) Galyean of Birmingham, AL; Melba (Scott) Talley of Corinth, MS; brother-in-law, Johnny Sowell (Deanna) of Germantown, TN; sister-in-law, Linda Childers of Corinth,MS;

seven grandchildren, Tyler Ashcraft ,Hanna McCarthy, John McCarthy, Anna Ashcraft, Ben (Alivia) Brewer, Victoria (Steven) Bolton, Garret (Jessica) Mansel; three great grandchildren, Rheagan Bolton, Madi Bolton, McKenzie Mansel; two aunts, Dess Foote of El Dorado, AR and Marilyn Ashcraft of Sheridan, AR.

Pallbearers are: Thomas McKinney Coleman, Daniel Glidewell, Stanley Horton, Terry Payne, Jimmy Thompson and Billy Wayne Tyson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gaines Chapel United Methodist Church “Family Life Center Building Fund”, 1803 Highway 72 West, Corinth, MS. 38834.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialcorinth.com for the Ashcraft family.

Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.