J.W. “Bud” Gilmore, 87, departed this life on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 from North MS Medical Center in Tupelo after a sudden illness. He was born in Tupelo on April 12, 1937 to the late Jessie and Marie Ellis Gilmore Rogers. He married the love of his life, Judy Annette Duggar Gilmore on January 29, 1971. A lifelong Lee Countian and a Baptist, Bud had called Verona his home for the last 52 years. He was a loyal and revered employee at Coca Cola Bottling Co. for 40 plus years retiring as service manager. Bud loved to hunt, fish and watch TV. Most of all he loved his grandkids, who knew him affectionately as “Granddaddy”. A solid, decent and purpose driven man, Bud will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.
A celebration of life service will be held at 4PM on Saturday, September 16, 2023 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Judge Tommy Gardner officiating. Visitation will be from 2PM until service time Saturday only. Private burial will follow in Ellistown Cemetery. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed starting at 4PM and thereafter at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/livestreaming. Condolences for the family may be sent to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving the family.
Bud is survived by his wife, Judy Gilmore of Verona; sons, Jeff Gilmore (Lisa) of Shannon, Derald McCaleb (Tonya) of Tupelo; daughter, Tonya Segars (Lee) of Olive Branch; brothers, Joe Gilmore of Mooreville and Tony Gilmore of Mooreville; 8 grandchildren, Myra Gilmore, Jackson Gilmore(Ihle), Abby Gilmore, Gary Lee Segars, Kyle Segars, Eli McCaleb, Emily McCaleb and Caleb Bedford; several great grandchildren and all of their families; along with his beloved dogs, Scooter and Izzy. He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Tai Gilmore; brother, James Gilmore; and an infant sister.
Memorials may be made to the Regional Rehab Center, 615 Pegram Drive, Tupelo MS, 38801.
