T.W. Muse, age 84, passed away on May 11, 2019 in Union, Mississippi, after a 12-year battle with Parkinson’s. He was born in Booneville, Mississippi, to the late Guy and Mamie Muse. He graduated from Booneville High School in 1952 and Northeast Mississippi Junior College in 1954. He excelled at operating a movie theatre in Booneville and a drive-in theatre in McNairy County, Tennessee.
He was employed for six years by Blue Cross Blue Shield as a group health representative. He established the first Head Start program in north Mississippi in 1966. He owned and operated the Town Motel in Booneville in the late 1960s. He was employed for 37 years with the North Mississippi Medical Center in many capacities, including assistant administrator, business office manager, personnel director, and the founding director of Tupelo Service Finance. He served as president of the National Healthcare Collectors Association and received the William F. Rock Award by his national peers in the collection industry. He was a faithful member of Barnes Crossing Baptist Church, where he found purpose in keeping classrooms, fellowship hall, and sanctuary in immaculate condition.
He is survived by his adored wife of 39 years, Julia Shempert Muse; his children Greg Muse of Memphis and Meg Bradley of Tupelo, and step sons Mark Gore (Candice) of Union, Kent Gore (Cindy) of Houston, Mississippi, and the late Kirk Gore. He was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Ebby Moore Tucker
of Birmingham, Alabama. He is also survived by sister-in-law Annette Bounds, brother-in-law Hinton Shempert, ten grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and one niece, Harriet Butler Kemp of Corinth.
A celebration of life and interment will be held at Lee Memorial Park & Funeral Home in Verona, Mississippi, on May 14 at 11:00 A.M. led by Brother Jackie Spencer. Visitation with family and friends will immediately precede the service beginning at 10:00 A.M. Lee Memorial Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
Pallbearers are James Buse, Brad Carter, Jerry Davis, Sid Holcomb, Thomas Mize, Sonny Sanford, Pete Simpson, and Gerald Wages. Honorary pallbearers are his many nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be sent to Barnes Crossing Baptist Church, 2496 E. Barnes Crossing Road, Saltillo, MS 38866. Alternatively, gifts to WaiverLeigh’s Walking Warriors, a benefit for his granddaughter, WaverLeigh Gore, may be forwarded to 10201 Road 428, Union, MS.
