On September 11, 2024, Harrol Wayne Umfress departed this life at the age of 80 after a brief illness. He was born January 23, 1944, his maternal grandmother’s birthday, in Baltimore, MD where his parents supported the war effort as employees of Martin Aircraft, that would later become Lockheed/Martin. Harrol and his parents, Wayne and Irene Umfress, relocated to Pontotoc, MS where Harrol grew up. As a youngster, he learned to play tennis and enjoyed summer afternoons swimming at the city pool. He graduated from Pontotoc High School, where he was Drum Major his Senior year and voted Most Likely to Succeed. He was a 1967 graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy. At Ole Miss he played alto and contrabass clarinet in the band. He often recalled the winning football seasons at Ole Miss and going to bowl games while he was a student there. He worked at Walgreen Drugs for 25 years, first in Memphis and then in Tupelo. He retired with Food World in Tupelo.
Harrol was a member of First Baptist Church, Pontotoc. His hobbies were gardening, boating, waterskiing and playing tennis. In 1971 he married Lois Cochran from the Belden/Endville area. They made their home in the Furrs community of Pontotoc County. They were blessed with three daughters, Jennifer, Karen and Alison, whom Harrol adored.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lois, and their three daughters, Jennifer Scott (Lane) of Pontotoc, Karen Hansberger (Jeff) of Huntsville, AL and Alison Farley (Craig) of Pontotoc, seven grandchildren, Aimee Scott Malone (Andrew) of Belden, Drew Scott (Rebekah) of San Antonio, TX, Jayne and Will Hansberger of Huntsville, AL, Colton, Carson and Meredith Farley of Pontotoc, and great-grandchildren Dakota, Karter and (soon to be) Iva Claire Malone of Belden. Harrol was preceded in death by his grandparents and parents.
Visitation will be held in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church Pontotoc, 31 Washington Street, at 1:30 on Sunday, September 15, 2024. A celebration of Life Service will follow at 3:00 pm. Dr Ken Hester will officiate. Pallbearers will be Mr. David Ray, Mr. Pete Fava, Mr. Matt Bollinger, Rev. Jack Joslin, Dr. Don Smith and Dr. Dean Umfress. There will be a private burial at Pontotoc Memorial Gardens. Browning Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorials can be made to the Building Fund at First Baptist Church, 31 Washington Street, Pontotoc, Mississippi 38863.
