Stephen Eric Hattox died Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 at NMMC-Baldwyn Nursing Home where he had resided for the last seven years. He was 47 years old. Eric was born on March 18, 1977 in Tupelo to David Bradley Hattox, his biological father, and Mona Roberts Swindle. When he was seven years old, his mother married Tom Swindle, Jr. of Tupelo and Tom raised Eric and was his dad for the remainder of his life. Eric attended Tupelo High School where he had many friends. He worked several years for Henson Furniture and Hoerner Box Company but his real love and joy came when he founded Eric’s Lawn Service. He was passionate about lawn care and was a perfectionist in keeping his customers happy with his work. He was a member of Harrisburg Baptist Church in Tupelo. An outdoorsman until his health failed, Eric enjoyed hunting, fishing, keeping up with friends and events on social media, talking and doting over his “children,” his nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly since he never married. Eric made the best of his life the last seven years in the Nursing Home and was a joy to be around. He especially enjoyed Bible study under the direction of longtime family friend, Terry Simons.
A service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Mr. Terry Simons officiating. Private burial will take place in Pontotoc City Cemetery. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/live-streaming and will be permanently archived thereafter.
Eric is survived by his Mom and Dad, Mona Roberts Swindle and his dad, David Hattox of Pontotoc, his siblings and their families and a host of other relatives and friends.
The family asks that memorial donations be made to NMMC-Baldwyn Nursing Home, Patient Care Fund, 739 South 4th Street, Baldwyn, MS 38824 in Eric’s memory. The family thanks the staff of Baldwyn Nursing Home for their love and care of Eric the last seven years.
