Jimmy Fannon

Jimmy Fannon, 82 of Brooksville, MS passed away, Wednesday, February 1, 2017, at North Mississippi Medical Center, Tupelo, MS.

Visitation will be Friday, February 3, 2017, from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at Fairview Baptist Church, Columbus, MS.  A funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM with Bro. Breck Ladd officiating.  Interment will be in Friendship Cemetery, Columbus, MS with Lowndes Funeral Home directing.

Mr. Fannon was born April 19, 1934, to the late James Clive and Nellie Cox Fannon in Harlan County, Kentucky.  He retired as a Master Sergeant from the United States Air Force in 1973 after 20 years of service.  Mr. Fannon owned and operated Fannon Vending Company in Columbus, MS from 1973 – 1993.  He served Lowndes County as Justice Court Judge from 1989 – 1993 and was the Mayor of Columbus from 1993 – 1997.  Mr. Fannon was very well known as a basketball and football official on high school and college levels.  He was Mississippi Umpire Chief for the Amateur Softball Association of America.  Mr. Fannon loved being involved with youth and served an active volunteer football coach and was the voice of the Caldwell High School Bobcats.  He was a member of Fairview Baptist Church.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Fannon was preceded in death by his sisters – Mabel Fannon Terrell, Lois Fannon Helton and Willie Fannon Anderson and brother – Johnnie Fannon.

Mr. Fannon is survived by his of 61 years – Josie Suggs Fannon, Brooksville, MS; daughter – Janet Fannon (Greg) Lewis; son – James Fannon; grandchildren – Alan (Erica) Lewis and Brian Lewis; great-grandchildren – Carter and Cohen Lewis.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Wilcutt, Bobby Putt, Ronnie Durham, Paul Stuart, Carroll Culpepper, Larry Coleman and Reginald Adams. Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Cordova, Dr. Doug Hill, Steve Stuart, Gene Davis, Cowboy Etling, Glynn Culpepper, Ralph Taylor, Dr. Billy Davis, Bro. Jay Spiller, Willie Gore, Gary Loving, Bob Hubbard, Gilbert Dale Buchanan, Louis Studeman, Dr. John Stanback, Mayor Robert Smith and all former Mayors of Columbus, MS, Chief Oscar Lewis and Assistant Chief - Fred Shelton, and Chief Martin Andrews

Memorials may be made to Fairview Baptist Church – Youth, 127 Airline Road, Columbus, MS  39702 or Bethany Christian Services, 116 Lawrence Drive, Columbus, MS  39702.