Funeral services were held April 9 at Saulters-Moore Funeral Home in Prentiss, for Mr. Thomas Marion Booth who passed away at Merit Health River Oaks Hospital in Flowood, on Thursday, April 2, 2015.

Visitation commenced at noon and was immediately followed at 2 p.m. with services officiated by Rev. Dale Holloway and Rev. James Booth, respectively. Vocals of ‘In The Garden’ and ‘It Is Well With My Soul’ were performed by Willie Davis. Pallbearers were Earl Mikell, Cary Vaughn, Willie Davis, Rob Bredheisen, John Slater, and John Hutto.

Born August 19, 1937, in Jefferson Davis County, MS, Mr. Booth is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lenoir Josey Booth of New Hebron; son, Steven Ashely Booth of Memphis, TN; brother Rev. James Booth (Edith) of Brandon; sister, Martha Ann Holloway (Dale) of Florence; and four nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by father I. W. “Bill” Booth and mother, Lillian Slater Booth.

Marion Booth’s occupational devotion to education began after earning his Bachelor’s degree in Education from The University of Mississippi in 1959. His teaching career began in Silver Creek before meeting his wife while teaching in Greenville. During summer breaks when teaching fourth grade at Pickett Elementary in Jacksonville, Florida, he earned his Master’s degree in Education from Mississippi State University. After moving back to Prentiss, he taught at Prentiss Middle School before accepting the position of principal at Prentiss Elementary School in 1980. He retired from Prentiss Elementary in August of 1997.

In addition to fulfilling his role as husband, father, and teacher, Thomas Booth served in the United States Air Force National Guard for over 30 years before his retirement.

Though laid to rest at Whitesand Baptist Church, Thomas Marion Booth will live forever in the hearts of family, friends, acquaintances, and associates as an honorable and generous man with a compassion for helping others, a commitment to cultivating a strong and loving relationship with family, and an unwavering faith in God.