Samuel Ralph Fooshee, 94, from Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, peacefully meet his Heavenly Father on Friday, March 2, 2018 after declining health of about a year. Ralph was born in Union County on September 9, 1923 to the late Eric C and Beulah Williams Fooshee. Ralph served his country in the U. S. Army during World War II. A patriotic American, Ralph spent35 years driving a truck for Merchants Truck Line in Tupelo and New Albany. A devout man of God, Ralph attended the Pentecostal Churches in Ingomar, Nettleton and Tupelo and, just prior to his death, attended Life Point UPC in Saltillo. Ralph shared his love for God with everyone. Some of his favorite sayings were “If you can’t love everyone, something is wrong with you” and “a hug never hurt anyone.” A jolly soul with a big heart, “Papa”, “Pop” and “Papaw” as he was often affectionately called by family and friends, was a wonderful southern storyteller. He loved telling tales about World War II and his truck driving days.
A service celebrating his faith and homegoing will be held at 11 Am Monday, March 5, 2018 at the First United Pentecostal Church on Thomas St. in Tupelo with Bro. Larry Hill, Sr., Bro. Jonathan Soden and Bro. Nicholas Robbins officiating. A graveside will follow at 2 PM Monday at the Ingomar Cemetery in Union County. Visitation will be from 5 PM-8PM today (Sunday) and from 10 AM-service time Monday all at the First UPC, 900 South Thomas Street, Tupelo, MS. 38801
Ralph is survived by his 5 children: Ray Fooshee (Lynn) of Jacksonville Beach, Fla., Larry Fooshee (Sharon) of Saltillo, Buddy Hill (Shirley) of Morton, Ms., Sue Hill Haney of Olive Branch, MS. and Kay Hill Nichols (Gaylon) of Southaven. His grandchildren, Mark Fooshee, Susan Taylor (Kenny), Chris Fooshee (Deb), Spence Davis, Amy Stanford (Chris), Rhonda Swift (Joe), Ronnie Hill (Paula), Stachey Marshall (Phillip), Karin Dickerson (Shelby), Roger Haney, Jennifer Tubbs, Stephanie Alwxander and Chrystal Waltz (Josh). 30 great grandchildren and 15 great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, the wife of his 4 boys, Mary Alice Carter Fooshee and his 2nd wife, Mary Ellen Hill Fooshee. And infant son, Raymond G. Fooshee and a son, Donald Kerry Fooshee. 4 brothers, Mayo, Cleo, Kenneth and Gerald Fooshee.
Pallbearers will be Chris and Mark Fooshee, Ronnie Hill, Spence and Hayden Davis and Roger Haney.
Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P. O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS. 38801 or to Creekside Manor, 200 Knight Drive, Saltillo, MS. 38801.
