Mr. Willie B. Ross

October 16, 1941 - January 20, 2017

Willie Ross was born in Jackson, TN, October 16, 1941, to Tommie Lue Ross and the late Shedrick Ross and Nevada Love Ross. He attended West High School and Jackson State Community College. Willie professed a hope in Christ at an early age at Walnut Grove Baptist Church. He later joined Browns Creek Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as a dedicated Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, Male Chorus Member, & Church Treasure. He joined London Branch Missionary Baptist Church where he served as a dedicated Deacon & faithful Male Chorus member. You would often hear him singing one of his favorite songs, “Move Upstairs”. Willie was a Haywood County Bus Driver 45 years, a job in which he took pride in and cherished his children. He was recognized as “Bus Driver of the Year” for several years in a row and was a member of Covenant Lodge #241. Willie served as a Haywood County Road Commissioner for 26 years. Pursuing his dream as an Entrepreneur, he owned and operated Ross’ Grocery for 31 years. During this time, he did what he loved to do best, helping & serving people. Willie had a Heart of Gold & would help any and everybody that he could. Family, friends, & strangers alike! Willie was called from labor to reward on January 20, 2017 at the age of Seventy-five. He was preceded in death by his father; sister, Frances Bosley and a brother, Robert Ross. He leaves to Cherish his precious memories: his Loving & Caring wife for Fifty-five years, Sylessie Gaines Ross, sons, Major Lambert Ross (Susan) of Memphis, TN, Pelvise Ross of Jackson, TN; daughters, Marketta Jones “Shaun” (Wesley) of Brighton, TN, Jennifer Hawkins of Brownsville, TN; grandchildren, Nikita “Nikki” whom he raised as his own, Chris(Markita), Dawn, Paige, Wynyatta, Kennedy, Conner, Logan, Julian, Khylan, Brayla, Jordan, Wesley Jr., Ashia, Tyler, Ja’Kobei, Latasia; great grand-children, Kendall, Kaeylyn, Jordyn, Sakara, Colin; special daughters, Estella Mayhue-Greer, Rosalyn Edwards-Ross, Annie Snipes and Diane Currie; his mother, Tommie Lue Ross of Jackson, TN; sisters, Catherine Davis (Eddie) of Kansas City, Mo., Martha Carter (Thomas) and Lorraine Robinson all of Jackson, TN; brothers R.C. Ross (Etta) of Kansas City, MO.; aunts Catherine Ragland of Indianapolis, IN; Roszetta Williams and Cora Ross of Jackson, TN; uncle, George Steel (Barbara) of Jackson, TN, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, & friends