Benny Ray Yancey, 76, resident of the Ripley Community and lifelong Tippah Countian, passed away Sunday November 12, 2017 in the comfort of his home following an extended illness.
Funeral Services for Mr. Yancey will be at 2 Pm Tuesday November 14 in The Heritage Chapel of Ripley Funeral Home with his pastor, Bro. Willie Raines officiating. Burial will follow at Rucker Cemetery near Ripley.
Born May 5, 1941 in Tippah County, Mr. Yancey was one of nine children and one of two sets of twins born to the late Joe and Carrie Smith Yancey. Mr. Yancey was a 1961 graduate of Pine Grove High School and was married December 22, 1961 to the former Mary Sue Pinkston of Prentiss County, a retired employee of the Bilt-Rite Corporation, who survives.
Also an employee of Bilt-Rite Corporation, Mr. Yancey was employed as a mill operator for over 43 years before his retirement 13 years ago.
A Christian and a person who loved children, Mr. Yancey was a devoted member of The Ripley Church of God where he found much pleasure in being responsible for the Children’s Church programs. He had a lifelong love for fishing, growing sunflowers and was known by many for his home-grown tomatoes that he shared with others.
Visitation will continue today from 12 noon until service time at The Ripley Funeral Home.
Blessed with a large number of nieces and nephews, Mr. Yancey will also be remembered by his son, Joey Yancey (Anissa) of Dumas, four sisters, his twin sister, Johnnie Henson (Jerry) and Robbie Newby (Tom) both of Dumas, his second set of twin sisters, Cleo Boren (Jimmy) of Ripley and Leo Smith of Blue Mountain, a grandson, Cody Murphy and a great grandson, Holdyn Moffitt .
Mr. Yancey was also preceded in death by four brothers, Clifford, Joe Russell, Neil and Wayne Yancey.
