Kenneth Ray Hussey, 73, departed this life for his heavenly home at the Sanctuary Hospice House on Saturday, October 7, 2017, after an extended illness. Kenneth was born April 23, 1944, to Lawrence Lowery Hussey and Geneva Berryhill Hussey. He was raised on the family farm off of highway 371 south of Mooreville in the Andrew’s Chapel Community. He gave his heart to Jesus Christ at a young age. Kenneth worshipped at Andrew’s Chapel most of his life but was a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in his later years. He attended Mooreville High School and was honored to be elected Mr. Mooreville High School in 1962. He cherished the friendships he made in high school his entire life. He started his public working career at Pennsylvania Tire in 1962. Shortly after graduating high school, he met the love of his life, Ann Sheffield of Dorsey, and the two wed on November 20, 1964. Although he began his public working career in 1962, he always had a love for cattle and farming at home, which he called his second job. In about 1967, he went to work at Delta International in Tupelo where he made another set of lifelong friends and remained for more than 30 years until his retirement in around 2002. Although there were many things he enjoyed in life, nothing could compare to his love for Jesus Christ and for his family. His first daughter, Andrea, was born in 1967. He was a tireless father. In 1976, he was blessed with his second daughter, Amanda. In spite of being a little older when Amanda was born, he was just as enthusiastic and eager to raise another daughter. Both girls fondly remember his reading the Bible to them before bed each night. He was always a source of wisdom and strength to Andrea and Amanda, who often quote what they call “Daddyisms.” They will take these with them throughout life. Kenneth was truly a great father and was overjoyed in 2009 when he became a grandfather and again in 2011. He immediately began teaching his granddaughters about Jesus and always encouraged them to sing for Papa and to remember to say their prayers each night. These babies could always bring a smile to his face, even after he had to move to assisted living and, later, to hospice care.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at both the Sanctuary Hospice House and Countrywood Plantation for the quality care given to Kenneth. Also, they would like to express many thanks to his dedicated friends who visited him throughout his illness. He really appreciated the kindness and words of encouragement offered by his pastor and other area pastor friends: Bro. Jackie Gray, Bro. Eric Sanford, Bro. Tim Holsonback, Bro. Rickey Pierce, Bro. Frank Panzrino, Bro. Abe Zimmerman, Bro. Kevin Clayton, and Bro. Rodney Lindsey. Also, the family would like to say a thank you to his friends from Delta who visited him and to the Mooreville High School class of 1962.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Monday, October 9, at Andrew’s Chapel Church with Bro. Jackie Gray and Bro. Eric Sanford officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, October 8, at McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Fulton and will also continue one hour before the service Monday at the church. Burial will be at Andrew’s Chapel Cemetery. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home of Fulton is entrusted with arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of almost 53 years, Ann Sheffield Hussey of Mooreville, his daughters, Andrea Hussey Taylor (Joe) and Amanda Hussey Fowler (Lee), both of Mooreville, two granddaughters, Aurora Dawn Fowler and Rianna Leigh Fowler, one sister, Linda Hussey Mitchell of Mooreville, one brother, Roger Hussey (Donna) of Mooreville, and his sister-in-law, Sheila McDowell. He is also survived by his nephews, Mike Mitchell (Teresa), Matthew Hussey (Chelsea), both of Mooreville, and Alex McDowell (Renee) of Dorsey and his nieces, Pam Tharp (Kirk) of Mooreville, Annaliesa Hussey of Mooreville, Amber Hussey of Mooreville, Leigh Jarrell (Michael) of Dorsey, Rhonda McDade (Randy) of Columbus, and Cindy Warner (Mark) of Birmingham, AL. He is also survived by several great nieces and nephews and one great, great nephew. He also leaves behind his special first cousin, Herman Hussey, Sr. and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Geneva Hussey, his in-laws, Todd and Corene Sheffield, his brothers-in-law, Joel Mitchell, Buford Wood, and Gary McDowell, and his sister in-law, Joe Nell Wood.
Pallbearers will be Herman Hussey, Sr., Bobby Irvin, Dan York, James Carnathan, Gene Loden, Jimmy Tabler, Doug Smith, Mike Mitchell, Herman Hussey, Jr., Chris Hussey, Matthew Hussey, and Olun Hood. Honorary pallbearers will be the Mooreville High School Class of 1962 and close friends from Pennsylvania Tire and Rockwell/Delta.
