1921
Lauretta
2015
Lauretta Tullos
May 26, 1921 — September 4, 2015
Lauretta Tullos died at what the Bible would describe as “a ripe old age.” In the words of Genesis 25, she could be described as an old woman “and satisfied with life.” Her heart was joyful, and that joy flowed from the deep and abiding faith that defined her life. She loved the Lord Jesus and lived her life serving Him. Her life was full. There was never a dull moment when she was around. Her days were spent loving her family and friends in practical ways. She was a hard worker who spent much of her life caring for others.
A native of Smith County, Mississippi, she met and married E.T. Tullos in 1938. They began their life together in Mize and remained there until 1955. Theron was the love of her life and when his health began to fail in the mid 90’s, she lovingly cared for him until his death in 1995. They were the parents of two beautiful daughters, Katherine and Omega.
In 1955, they moved to Pearl and became active members of the community. Specifically, they served the Lord together through the life and ministries of First Baptist Church. She sang in the choir, worked tirelessly in keeping the facility beautiful with her flowers, cared for children in the nursery, and served in many other ways. Over the years, Lauretta served the Lord by serving others. Many people were blessed by her cooking, her beautiful, clear voice and a larger than life personality that made everyone feel at home in her presence.
For many years, she kept children in her home. It was never just a place to stay. She invested in their lives and loved them like they were her own. For some of them, she filled an enormous void and was a source of encouragement and stability.
An avid gardener, her yard and flowers were the envy of many. She earned Pearl’s “Yard of the Month” distinction frequently. People who did not even know her were familiar with that house and that flower bed on Barnett Drive.
In the final years of her life, she lived at the Mississippi Care Center in Morton. Lauretta’s family will forever be indebted to their staff for the loving, diligent and gracious care they gave her. They are a model for what elder care and nursing homes should be.
She lived 94 years. She was a faithful wife for 56 of them before the death of her beloved husband. She was a loving and diligent mother for 75, a deeply loved and cherished grandmother for 52 and a precious great grandmother for 22 of them. She died like she lived, surrounded by family members who loved her and prayed for God’s best in her life and His grace in her death.
Lauretta embodied the beautiful character of the woman described in Proverbs 31. As it says in verse 28 of that great Bible chapter, her husband and her children rise and bless her.
Lauretta’s funeral services will be held at 10 am Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Pearl, MS with the interment following at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, MS. Visitation is 5 pm until 8 pm on Monday, September 7, 2015 at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS. Dr. John Brock and Dr. Keith Grubbs will officiate the services. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS.
Lauretta was preceded in death by her husband, Theron Tullos; parents, Arthur and Fannie Henderson Middleton and her three brothers and two sisters.
Lauretta is survived by her children, Omega (Allen) Stephens of Brandon, MS and Katherine (John) Brock of Florence, AL; four grandchildren, Dr. John T. (Charman) Brock of Florence, AL, Jana (Dr. Keith) Grubbs of Brandon, MS, Shanda Stephens of Brandon, MS and Ashlee (Michael) Gregory of Florence, MS; six great grandchildren, Elizabeth Brock, Johnathan Brock, Hannah Grace Grubbs, Caleb Grubbs, Jedd Gregory and Ava Hutton Gregory; and a host of friends.
A native of Smith County, Mississippi, she met and married E.T. Tullos in 1938. They began their life together in Mize and remained there until 1955. Theron was the love of her life and when his health began to fail in the mid 90’s, she lovingly cared for him until his death in 1995. They were the parents of two beautiful daughters, Katherine and Omega.
In 1955, they moved to Pearl and became active members of the community. Specifically, they served the Lord together through the life and ministries of First Baptist Church. She sang in the choir, worked tirelessly in keeping the facility beautiful with her flowers, cared for children in the nursery, and served in many other ways. Over the years, Lauretta served the Lord by serving others. Many people were blessed by her cooking, her beautiful, clear voice and a larger than life personality that made everyone feel at home in her presence.
For many years, she kept children in her home. It was never just a place to stay. She invested in their lives and loved them like they were her own. For some of them, she filled an enormous void and was a source of encouragement and stability.
An avid gardener, her yard and flowers were the envy of many. She earned Pearl’s “Yard of the Month” distinction frequently. People who did not even know her were familiar with that house and that flower bed on Barnett Drive.
In the final years of her life, she lived at the Mississippi Care Center in Morton. Lauretta’s family will forever be indebted to their staff for the loving, diligent and gracious care they gave her. They are a model for what elder care and nursing homes should be.
She lived 94 years. She was a faithful wife for 56 of them before the death of her beloved husband. She was a loving and diligent mother for 75, a deeply loved and cherished grandmother for 52 and a precious great grandmother for 22 of them. She died like she lived, surrounded by family members who loved her and prayed for God’s best in her life and His grace in her death.
Lauretta embodied the beautiful character of the woman described in Proverbs 31. As it says in verse 28 of that great Bible chapter, her husband and her children rise and bless her.
Lauretta’s funeral services will be held at 10 am Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at the First Baptist Church in Pearl, MS with the interment following at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, MS. Visitation is 5 pm until 8 pm on Monday, September 7, 2015 at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS. Dr. John Brock and Dr. Keith Grubbs will officiate the services. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS.
Lauretta was preceded in death by her husband, Theron Tullos; parents, Arthur and Fannie Henderson Middleton and her three brothers and two sisters.
Lauretta is survived by her children, Omega (Allen) Stephens of Brandon, MS and Katherine (John) Brock of Florence, AL; four grandchildren, Dr. John T. (Charman) Brock of Florence, AL, Jana (Dr. Keith) Grubbs of Brandon, MS, Shanda Stephens of Brandon, MS and Ashlee (Michael) Gregory of Florence, MS; six great grandchildren, Elizabeth Brock, Johnathan Brock, Hannah Grace Grubbs, Caleb Grubbs, Jedd Gregory and Ava Hutton Gregory; and a host of friends.
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