Thomas Randolph Gattis

 Thomas Randolph Gattis, 96, resident of the Ripley Community and proud American who loved his Country, peacefully departed this life at the family residence surrounded by his family Saturday, July 16, 2016.
  Services, with Military Honors, will be at 3 PM Sunday, July 17 in The Heritage Chapel of Ripley Funeral with his long time friend, Bro. Bill Baker officiating. Burial will follow in the Anitoch Cemetery near Ripley. A native of Tippah County, Mr. Gattis was born June 22, 1920, the oldest of 12 children, to the late Paul and Katie Cook Gattis. He received his education in the Tippah County Schools and was a WWII Army Veteran, serving in Germany and other locations. He was married on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1937 to the former Clara Huddleston, who survives. Mr. and Mrs. Gattis have been blessed with 78 years of marriage.
  In past years, Mr. and Mrs. Gattis resided in Memphis where he was employed in the shipping and receiving department of Goodrich Tire Company for over 25 years.They returned to Tippah County after his retirement where he enjoyed fishing with family member. He had been a resident of Benton County where he was an active member of Ashland Primitive Baptist Church serving as a Deacon. Mr. and Mrs. Gattis received much pleasure in vegetable gardening, sharing their produce with family and friends. Known for his mathematical skills and love for his large family and many friends, Mr. Gattis had been an active member of the Ripley American Legion and the local chapter of the Veteran of Foreign Wars.
  Visitation for family and friends will be from 1 PM to 3 PM Sunday, July 17 at The Ripley Funeral Home. In addition to his wife, he leaves 6 generations of family members to honor his memory. This includes his children, Marie Bryan (Willie) and Betty Windham of Ripley and Thomas Terrell Gattis (Rachel) of Jacksonville, AL, his sisters, Pauline Bridges, Jessie Mae Newby and Katherine Borden, his brothers Charlie (Mary Ruth), Tate (Wanda) and James Gattis all of Ripley, 7 grandchildren, Gary (Shelia) , Stacy and Michael (Lisa) Bryan, Teressa Pawlik, David (Jenny) Gattis, Cheryl (Keith) Thurmond, Jerry (Allison), 14 great grandchildren, Jeff (Lashay), Heather Bryan (Ryan), Kayla (Daniel) Coleman, Kevin (Anna), Joshua (Elisa) Pawlik, Ross (Molly) Thurmond, Holly (Tim) Pataki, Ben (Katie), Brad and Zoe Windham, Cole Bryan, Abby and Rachel Gattis and Cory Duram,13 great great grandchildren, Brandon (Morgan), Zane and Hailee Bryan, Baker Swallow, Vada and Anna Kate Coleman, Mattie and Olivia Michael, Tripp, Miller Grace and Hazel Gattis, Clara Ross and Etta Marie Thurmond and a great great great granddaughter, Lane Bryan. He was preceded in death by his son in law, Wayne Windham, 2 sisters and 3 brothers.  The Flag at the Ripley Funeral Home entrance proudly honors Mr. Gattis and all Veterans for their service to our Country.
   The Ripley Funeral Home invites you to sign the guestbook andshare memories with the Gattis family