Oscar Gene Gafford died on July 24, 2024, at the North Mississippi Veterans Home in Oxford after suffering from dementia for several years. Visitation will be 12 noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc with services to follow in the funeral home chapel. Pastor Michael Nanney will officiate, and burial will be in the Salem Cemetery in Etta. Browning Funeral Home is honored to assist the Gafford family with the arrangements.
Gene was born on August 20, 1935, to Isrel Beard Gafford, Sr., and Cora Ware Gafford. He married Joy Morris on December 21, 1957, and they celebrated their 56th anniversary just before her death on December 26, 2013. He missed her greatly and often asked about her as his memory faded, but they were both born-again believers in Jesus Christ and have now been reunited in Heaven to worship their Savior together.
Gene and Joy were long-time, active members of First Baptist Church in Saltillo until 2002, when they moved to Thaxton and joined Thaxton Baptist Church. Gene proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, Army Reserves, and National Guard. For much of his adult life, he worked in farm equipment sales, parts, and inventory, employed by both International Harvester and John Deere. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports and music activities.
Survivors include: his children – Mike Gafford of Liberty, Texas, Jeff Gafford (Beth) of Saltillo, and Jennifer Nanney (Steve) of Belden; ten grandchildren – Jacob Gafford of Reno, Nevada, Eli Gafford of Dallas, Texas, Ellye Gafford of Knoxville, Tennessee, Jay Nanney (April) of Endville, Lara Chism (Shane) of Tupelo, Michael Nanney (Laine) of Flora, Abram Nanney (Keighly) of Brandon, Rachel Corbin (Jonah) of Longview, Hope Nanney and Will Nanney of Endville; five great-grandchildren – Hunter, Lynlee, Arwen, and Della Nanney of Endville, and Shayley Chism of Tupelo.
He also had a close relationship with in-laws Lynda (Jerry) Bost, Loretta Gafford, and Toni (Danny) Russell. His nieces and nephews are too numerous to name.
Gene was preceded in death by: his parents; his wife, Joy; four sisters – Louallie Russell, Eula Mae Yarbrough, Louise Lundy, and Doris Evans; and five brothers – M. D. “Rock” Gafford, Walter “Doc” Gafford, R. W. “Dub” Gafford, James Laware Gafford, and I. B. “Duke” Gafford, Jr.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Shane Chism and Jonah Corbin.
Online condolences may be offered at www.browningpontotoc.com.
