Loyd George Rone

Loyd George Rone

Known to most as George Rone, he left this world on April 23, 2024 to join his wife and other family members in glory. George was born September 5, 1925, the 5th of nine children born to John Thomas and Mary Oliver Rone. He was born and raised on a farm in Attala County near the town of Ethel in the Tabernacle/Turkeycreek community.

He graduated from Ethel high school in 1943 and joined the US Navy during WWII. He served aboard the USS Converse, a destroyer in the Pacific Theater, most notably the war of Leyte Gulf. George was a pharmacist's mate and received the President's Unit Citation. He was a proud veteran and enjoyed talking about his service. After leaving the Navy, he entered Mississippi State University in 1946 and graduated January 1950. In 1957 George was commissioned as an Assistant Chief Observer in the Ground Observer Corps of the US Air Defense Command.

On May 30, 1948, George married the former Martha Julia Upchurch from Lexington, MS whom he met on a blind date. They were married for 70 years, until her death in 2019. Their union produced 3 daughters- Sharon, Deborah, and Glenda. George and Martha first lived in Wynne, AR where he taught agriculture for the Veteran's Farm Program. In Fall 1950 he moved his small family to New Albany, MS and began his career with the MS Cooperative Extension Service. In 1952, he transferred to Lexington, MS in Holmes County. In December of 1957, the family of 5 moved to his permanent appointment in Senatobia, MS where he served as Extension County Agent until his retirement in 1980. In 1972 George received the Distinguish Service Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. Mr. Rone was a Mason, a member of the Farm Bureau and Cattleman's Association, a Rotarian and a founding member of Back Acres Country Club in Senatobia. He loved to play golf and was most proud of his 3 holes in one- the same hole on 3 different occasions. His other hobbies were gardening, woodworking and building things with his hands. He designed all 5 of the homes the family shared in Senatobia. He was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church of Senatobia.

He is predeceased by his parents, wife, brother Thomas Rone and sisters Mary Annie Rone Gibbs, Hettie Rone Bradshaw, Lanie Rone Purvis, Ibbie Rone Smith, Minnie Alice Rone, Nina Rone Hart and son-in-law Butch Rhodes. He is survived by his daughters Sharon Self (Johnny) of Senatobia, Deborah Nelson (Ed) of Como, and Glenda Rhodes of Senatobia. He is survived by grandchildren Tracie Parker Riley (Rodney) of Como and Todd Rone Parker (Chelsea) of Bali, Indonesia, and his great-grandchildren Landon Riley of Key West, FL and Martha Chandler Riley of Como. He is also survived by his sister Frances Rone Lester of Kosciusko, MS. The family wishes to thank the staff of Providence Assisted Living and Gentiva Hospice Care for their dedicated and outstanding service. Also, many thanks to Bill Alford, dentist, and his former assistant Jane Massie; Glenn Golding and staff of Senatobia Vision for their support and service over the years; and to Jim Brownlee for 50 plus years of haircuts.

Memorials may be sent to The Senatobia Methodist Church Building Fund or charity of one's choice. 

Pallbearers for the service are Mike Harthcock, Phillip Frazier, Bubba Terrell, Doug McClure, Ernie Brents, and Heath Lester. Honorary Pallbearers are Micah McClure and Bill Wallace. 
 

The services scheduled for Sunday, April 28, 2024 have been postponed.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Loyd George Rone, please visit our floral store.