John Henry Ashford, age 87, died Monday, August 12, 2013. He was born in Water Valley, MS on March 8, 1926 to the late Charles Young and Minnie May Barber Ashford. John served during WWII in both the United States Army and the United States Navy. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture from Mississippi State University in 1951 and served as Governor’s Colonel in 1956. John loved the Lord and his church family and was an active, faithful member of First Presbyterian Church of Water Valley where he served as Elder. He loved his community and was one of the founders of the Jeff Davis Water Association and a member of the Rotary. John worked in insurance sales for MS Farm Bureau Insurance Company until his retirement after 43 years of service. One of the highlights of his career was helping and serving families in Water Valley after the tornado of 1984. He enjoyed forestry and agriculture, gardening, was an avid Mississippi State fan, and loved watching college football and baseball games.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 15, 2013 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Water Valley, MS. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 16, 2013 at the Presbyterian Church with Rev. Harold Spraberry officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley, MS with Paul Baham, Dennis Welch, Donald Gray, Robert Jackson, Coley Little Bailey and Daryl Burney serving as pallbearers. The Elders of First Presbyterian Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.
John is survived by his daughter, Christy Ashford of Nashville, TN and his son, Clay Ashford of Water Valley, MS; one sister, Vivian Grachen (George) of Evergreen Park, IL. He was preceded in death by six sisters, Jewell Barber Ashford, Mary Hellon Ashford Gean, Nell Ashford Sallis, Minnie Ashford Littleton,Katie Mae Bentley and Evelyn Ashford; four brothers, Paul Clinton Ashford, Charles Joseph Ashford, Tomie Robert Ashford and James Lewis Ashford.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine Nell Wells Ashford.
The family requests that memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church of Water Valley, P.O. Box 590, Water Valley, MS 38965.