Cleo Emerson Chism, 85 of Columbus, MS passed away March 1, 2013 at Baptist Memorial Hospital – Golden Triangle, Columbus, MS. Visitation will be Monday, March 4, 2013 from 11:00 – 12:00 PM at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Columbus, MS. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 PM at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Rev. David Skinner officiating and Rev. Steve Lammons assisting. Interment will be in Mt. Zion Church Cemetery, Columbus, MS with Lowndes Funeral Home directing. Mr. Chism was born September 13, 1927 to the late Stokes Asbury Chism and Emma Ashcraft Chism in Lowndes County, MS. He was a lifelong resident of New Hope and a lifelong member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the United States Navy serving during World War II. He retired from Kemanord, which is currently Akzo Nobel in 1986. After retirement, he was self-employed until 2010 in real estate, farming and various other endeavors. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, camping and travelling. In addition to his parents, Mr. Chism was preceded in death by his sister Dean Chism (Curtis) Summerford. Mr. Chism is survived by his wife of 65 years, Clauson Spencer Chism; one sister – Elaine Chism (Billy) Weathers, 3 sons – Gary (Barbara) Chism, Steve (Faye) Chism, Lynn (Shelley) Chism; 2 daughters – Claudia Chism (Roger) Harcrow and Diana Chism (Ty) Hall. He is also survived by a granddaughter – Jennifer Chism and 3 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be his grandsons – Chris Chism, Ashley Chism, Daran Chism, Jacob Harcrow, Michael Chism and Nicholas Chism. Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Suggs' Senior Adult Sunday School Class. Memorials may be made to The Palmer Home, P.O. Box 746, Columbus, MS 39703 or your favorite charity.