After a life well lived, Jerry Mack Etheridge died on Friday evening, October 11, 2024 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Hwy 45 in Alcorn County. Uncle Mack was 78 years old. Born in McNairy County, Tenn. on January 24, 1946 to the late Jerome Burl (JB) Etheridge and Mary Nell Maness Etheridge, Mack grew up in Tupelo and graduated in 1964 from Tupelo High School where he excelled as a football player. He attended Itawamba Junior College and earned a football scholarship from Murray State University in Kentucky where he graduated. Mack initially chose a career as a teacher and coach and made his mark at Mantachie, Tupelo High and Okolona High Schools. These were hallmark years for Mack. He married Molly Schlict in Nettleton on March 7, 1970, a wonderful partnership of 54 years. Ever the entrepreneur, Mack, with his older brother Vick, owned a Western Auto Store in Booneville, later Etheridge Service Specialists, a tire, maintenance and auto repair shop, and eventually founded Corinthian Furniture, a major furniture manufacturing facility which they still own and operate. He and his son, Jere, were owners of Rides to Go, a used car dealership in Corinth. Mack cut a wide path in his lifetime, enjoyed water sports especially skiing and boating, and was ever the practical jokester and life of the party. A gentle giant, his legacy of hard work, creating jobs for others, and devotion to his family, state and nation will long be remembered as his life interests in a purpose-filled life.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 2 PM Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Booneville with time for friends to speak. Visitation will be from 1 PM until service time at the Church. Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo is honored to be serving their close friends.
His tight-knit family that survives includes his beloved wife, Molly Schlict Etheridge of Booneville; his son, Jerry Mack Etheridge “Jere” of Corinth; his favorite brother, Vick Etheridge and wife, Missy Jean of Corinth; his brothers-in-law, Rusty Schlict (Sandy) and Ricky Schlict (Debbie) all of Nettleton; his niece, Jenni Ethridge (Scotty) of Corinth and nephew, Jason Etheridge and his fiance, Christie Stevens of Tuscumba, Ala. and their families; his extended family in the bloodline as well as countless friends he made in a lifetime of serving others.
Memorials may be made to the Mississippi Retired State Troopers Association, c/o Charles Scarborough, 126 Langford Drive, Brandon, MS 39047.
