Ray Aycock Sr. TUPELO - Arden Ray Aycock Sr., 92, died Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, at his home. He was born in the Salem community near Macon on February 24, 1919, to Sara Alice Hunter Aycock and Arthur Lee Aycock. He was a charter family member of St. Luke United Methodist Church. He was lovingly known as "Big Ray" to his family and many friends. He enjoyed gardening and cooking and will always be remembered for his famous Sunday lunches. He graduated from Macon High School. He moved to Tupelo in 1936, where he graduated from Draughns Business School with a degree in Accounting and Business Administration in 1938. Upon graduation, he went to work for Tupelo Water amp& Light Department as an accountant. After military service in the United States Army Air Corps, where he was stationed in the Western Pacific, he returned in 1946 to Tupelo Water amp& Light. In 1947, he was appointed manager and continued serving the City of Tupelo for the next 45 years.

During his career, he served on the board of directors of many organizations including Central Service Association, North Mississippi Industrial Development Association, Northeast Mississippi Public Power Association, Community Development Foundation, Tupelo Lions Club, and North Mississippi Medical Center. He was also a member of the Electric Service Council of Mississippi, Tennessee Valley Public Power Association, Tupelo Zoning and Planning Commission, Tupelo Park and Recreation Commission, and Rotary International.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday at St. Luke United Methodist Church with The Reverend Doctor Rick Brooks, Reverend Ann Kelly, and Reverend Gus Shelley officiating. Private burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include three sons, Arden Ray Aycock, Jr. (Ellen), Robert Hunter "Bob" Aycock (Donna), all of Tupelo, William Randolph "Randy" Aycock (Sharion) of Fulton; one daughter, Mary Helen Aycock Stubbs (Buddy), of Tupelo; seven grandchildren, Bradley Thomas Aycock of Southaven, Sadie Aycock Krawczyk (Brian) of Grayson, Ga. Justin Hunter Aycock (Chelsea) of Tupelo, John Robert Aycock of Tupelo, Martin Richardson (Leah) of Fulton, Frances Erin Stubbs of Tupelo, and Van T. "Vandy" Stubbs, III, of West Point; four great-grandchildren, Katherine Eden Krawczyk, Jolie Ray Krawczyk, Benaiah Douglas Krawczyk, and Vivian Ruth Richardson; sister-in-laws, Alice Aycock of Huntsville, Ala., Helen Aycock of Tupelo, and Mae Cooley of Homewood, Ala.; many nieces and nephews; and special caregivers, Lela Green, Anna Snow Ivy, Joe Ivy, Verna Lindsey, Sarie Lue, Kesha Green, Toylicia Arnold, and DeEddra Snow.

He married Helen Erwyn Robertson on September 14, 1947, who preceded him in death on February 13, 1970. He was also preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and four sisters.

Pallbearers will be Brian Krawczyk, Brad Aycock, Martin Richardson, Vandy Stubbs, Hunter Aycock and John Robert Aycock.

Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. today at Pegues Funeral Home. The body will lie in state one hour prior to service time at the church.

Memorials may be made to St. Luke United Methodist Church, 1400 Clayton Ave., Tupelo, MS 38804; Fulton United Methodist Church Food Pantry, 301 E Main St., Fulton, MS 388043; or First Presbyterian Church Piano Fund, P.O. Box 1725, Tupelo, MS 38802.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.

Read more: NEMS360.com - Obituaries October 9 2011