John Lee Gaskin was born in Chickasaw County and lived his entire life there. Known by most as “Bull,” or by others as Sonny, Buggerman, or John Bull, he was born in the Shake Rag Community of Chickasaw Co. on Dec. 15, 1938. He was one of three children born to the late Leo and Una Evelyn Whitehead Gaskin. Bull grew up loving the outdoors and spent much of his life fishing, especially with his sweetheart and wife of 67 years, Doris. He married Doris Earnest on July 13, 1957 and she survives. Bull worked for many years at Futorian Furniture and opened a country store, G and S Grocery, on Hwy 32 west of Okolona, which he operated for 27 ½ years. This brought him in contact with people everywhere and he was appreciative of knowing folks from all over Northeast Miss., whose friendship he cherished. A member of the Van Vleet Baptist Church, Bull loved working in his yard, tending to and riding his paint horses, and loving the land that he was a great steward of. Bull was a great southern storyteller, an independent thinker, a great husband, dad, granddad, brother and uncle, a fine fellow and friend to all.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 2 PM Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023 at the Okolona Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with his pastor, Bro. Bobby Wilbanks officiating. Private family burial will follow in the Gaskin family plot at Boone’s Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12 noon to service time only on Wednesday, all at Holland-Okolona Chapel, which is honored to be serving their friends.
Survivors include his wife, Doris Gaskin of Okolona; three sons, Terry Gaskin (Lynn), David Gaskin (Sherry), and Chet Gaskin, all of Okolona; daughter, Natasha Bridgman (Bryan) of Van Vleet; sister, Bonnie Kamenicky of Suitland, Maryland,; four grandchildren who loved their Papaw, Jacob Bridgman, Joshua Gaskin, John Isaac Bridgman (Brooke), and Hannah Gaskin; several nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and a 3-year-old brother, Jimmy David Gaskin.
Memorials may be made to Boone’s Chapel Cemetery, c/o Johnna Corley, 341 CR 411, Okolona, MS. 38860 or to Van Vleet Baptist Church, 1579 CR 164, Houston, MS 38851.
Condolences may be e mailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.
