Thomas E. “Skip” Prentice, 86, returned to his Creator on Tuesday, September 25, 2018
at the NMMC after a brief illness. Known respectfully and affectionately over his life as “Skip”
or “Skippy”, he was born in New Albany on December 30, 1931 to the late Milton Prentice and
Rebecca Lesley-Prentice-Beasley. He grew up in the Tupelo area and graduated from Tupelo
High School in l949. A patriotic citizen who approached every day with gratitude for being an
American, Skip served his country in the U. S. Air Force stateside during the Korean Conflict
including serving as Aide de Camp to General Dale O’Sullivan. He married Margaret Ann Harris
of Plantersville in 1951, a wonderful union that prospered for over 65 years at his death. Skippy
had a long career as a salesman for Kraft Foods in the dairy division where he met and made
loyal friends all over Mississippi. An avid conversationalist, his diverse interest in multiple
subjects made him worthy of retrospect and admiration. Skip early on devoted his life to the
development of young men. He was Scoutmaster for over two decades in Plantersville at Boy
Scout Post 11 and Explorer Post 11. He led numerous camp outs and retreats not only in
Mississippi but annually in the Great Smokey Mountains. His boys loved and revered him and he
followed them throughout their lives with keen interest and devotion. Skippy and Margaret Ann
made their home east of Plantersville for over 50 years, were faithful members of the First
Baptist Church of Plantersville where he was both Deacon and Superintendent of Sunday School
and later moved to Tupelo where they became loyal and active members of Harrisburg Baptist
Church. Skip bled Maroon and White and was devoted to the Miss. State Bulldogs to a fault. He
was a great husband, father and G-Daddy to his family and a consummate, fun loving and
mischievous friend to countless souls. He will be sorely missed in this earthly pilgrimage.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 3 PM Friday, September 28, 2018 at the Tupelo
Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with Dr. Chuck Hampton and Bro. David Smith officiating.
Burial will follow in the Harris Family Plot at Plantersville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4
PM-7PM today (Thursday) and from 1 PM-service time Friday all at Holland-Tupelo Chapel,
which is honored to be serving their dear friends.
Skip is survived by his wife, Margaret Ann Harris Prentice of Tupelo and recently Starkville; his
sons, Thomas E. Prentice Jr. (Kathy) of Starkville and Steven H. Prentice (Donna) of Land O’
Lakes, FL; his grandchildren, Alaina Katherine Prentice, Leslie Leanne Prentice Scott, Thomas
Michael Farley Prentice; two great grandchildren, Bryson Rhett Scott and William Michael
Brooks III “Tripp”; sister Frankie Ann Johns (Rick) and two nephews Frank Bradford Lanphere
and Michael Andrew Johns.
Memorials may be made to Harrisburg Baptist Church, 4675 Cliff Gookin Blvd, Tupelo, MS.
38801. Condolences may be emailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net