Marion Gray Sills was born on May 5, 1937 in Ashland, MS the son of the late Marlin and Pauline Kimery Sills.
He was united in marriage to Jo Ann Davis on August 17, 1960.
Mr. Sills was employed by Sid Bodeker Safety Shoes in Memphis, TN as a salesman and retired in 1998. He loved his country and proudly served in the United States Navy.
In life he loved fishing, hunting, golfing and a big family fish fry. He loved nicknames and started a trend in the family that lasted decades by first introducing himself to his future bride as “Johnny.” Later he did confess his real name was Marion, but Johnny stuck. He was commonly called Johnny, Uncle Johnny, Hotdog, and sometimes Uncle Mario, but the greatest nicknames he loved most were husband, daddy, and pappy.
Mr. Sills departed this life on Sunday, July 19, 2020, at his home with his family holding his hand, at the age of 83 years, 2 months, 14 days. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Jo Ann Sills of Selmer; a daughter, Christy Sills and companion Scott Pryor of Selmer; three grandchildren: Madison Carmack of Selmer, Allyson Floyd and Devin Carmack, both of Birmingham, AL; one sister, Lottie Norsworthy and husband John of Houston, TX; and a host of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Lois Dowdie and Peggy Menton, both formerly of Memphis, TN; and two brothers, William Marlin Sills and Author Holbrook, both formerly of Ashland, MS.
Mr. Sills was a man of few words but for his family and friends he left these:
“Precious Memories, how they linger, how they ever flood my soul;
In the stillness, of the midnight, precious sacred scenes unfold.”
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Visitors are requested to observe social distancing guidelines and wear masks for the visitations and service.
