A funeral service for Stuart McAnally, 100, is scheduled for 2 p.m., Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville with Bro. Dale Wier and Bro. Larry Harrelson officiating. He will be laid to rest at his family cemetery.

Visitation will begin on Monday, February 5, 2024, and family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Autry Funeral Home, Jacksonville.

Stuart was born on August 24, 1923, to Robartus McAnally and Edna (Young) McAnally and was reunited with his wife on January 31, 2024.

How does one do justice to a life of more than 100 years in only a few paragraphs? That is an impossible task, but what is easy is to focus on the foundations of that life, one marked by faith in God, love for family, and devotion to duty. Our dad, Pawpaw to his grandchildren and great-grands, was the greatest of the Greatest Generation, at least to all of his family and countless other who knew him.

Dad was born in a cabin on the banks of the Trinity River in Liberty County, the sixth child of Robartus and Edna McAnally. When the state built a bridge across the river, ending his dad's ferry boat business, the family moved to Jacksonville. Within only three years, they lost two houses to fire. Each time Ma managed to save two treasured portraits of Dad's grandparents and a few items in a trunk. One house burned during the night, and Dad had a vivid memory of standing in the dark, watching the fire, and listening to his mother weeping while his dad tried to console her. The family then moved to the 34 ½ acres Dad always referred to as "the home place." He was about seven years old by then and was already trapping and prepping furs to sell. He also helped plow the fields, even though he was barely able to reach the plow handles. Helping was just his nature. Dad adored his mother, and one year as Christmas approached, Ma had no sugar for the Christmas baking she loved to do. When the cotton crop was sold that year, each child got a quarter – a big amount in the early 30s and Dad used his quarter to buy Ma some sugar to use in her holiday pies and cakes. As the Depression lingered on, he quit school at sixteen to work in the local sawmill, earning precious extra money to help the family, but also to occasionally spend on a skinny, dark-haired girl who had caught his eye!

Before their romance could fully bloom, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked and America was at war. Dad received a letter inviting him to join a brand new branch of the Navy – the Seabees, a construction battalion. Leaving his family and sweetheart was difficult, but he was eager to defend his country. After many miles of travel and several months of training, he found himself on a troopship off Iwo Jima, watching the bombardment of the island. Unexpectedly, his outfit, Company C, was called to go ashore on the morning of the third day. Heavy equipment, artillery, and supplies that the Marines needed were mired in the volcanic ash, creating a barrier to further advancement. The Seabees were tasked with clearing the beach while under heavy fire from the Japanese, and then repairing a much-needed airstrip. Company C was credited with saving many lives because of their contributions. That Seabee "Can Do" attitude followed Dad the rest of his life. The experiences of those months on the island and afterward in Occupied Japan formed some of Dad's most vivid memories. Forevermore, his life was divided into "before the war" and "after the war." In his later years, he began attending Iwo Jima survivors' reunions, and as he talked to his buddies, the years fell away, and they were young men again, defending the country they loved.

The postwar years were busy ones: finding work, attending GI school at night, and marrying that slim, dark-haired beauty named Hilda Martin. They built a two-room house on what a neighbor told Dad was known as "the poorest farm around," and began a family starting with Melanie in 1949, followed by Sherry in 1950, Tammy in 1959, Josh in 1961, and Shaun in 1969. Along the way, Dad farmed, raised cattle, and established a successful career as a painting contractor. His work ethic and integrity were iconic. People would simply hand Dad the keys to their home or business without thinking about it twice. The bank president even gave him the keys to the bank and vault so that Dad could paint over the weekend without interrupting the regular business week. Trust like that is rare, but Dad inspired such trust because of his character.

As Dad built up his family, farm, and business, he also built up his faith. He became a Christian after the war and remained faithful to God all his life. His early morning prayer over breakfast consistently began with thanksgiving for "being able to see this day" and ended with "help us to honor You in all we do." His well-worn Bible, wisdom, obvious love for his family, faithfulness to Mom for over 76 years, willingness to help others, and service in his church, all attested to his Christian walk.

Dad taught most of his life lessons by example, showing his children, grandchildren, and great-grands what a Godly man looks like. He loved to travel, seeing "what's over the next hill" but also loved coming home to the familiar hills and pastures of his farm, a sight he never tired of. We loved his sense of humor and the words he made up like "hobsnibbled" to describe being in a difficult situation. Dad loved the holidays, especially Thanksgiving, because they were special times for the family to gather and strengthen our bonds through laughter and stories around the table. Dad delighted in each addition to the family and loved seeing the little ones growing up . . . the next generation of hay bale climbers, gopher trappers, cattle workers –people who will carry on his legacy of faith and family.

He appreciated and admired hard work and a job well done. Dad always let us know how much he enjoyed a good meal, a perfect pie, a stack of firewood, a pasture well-tended, stories well-written, and all the care and love we gave Mom, especially in her later years.

Dad, we can't imagine how we'll go on without Mom and you in your accustomed chairs, sipping a cup of coffee, and welcoming each one of us with that twinkle in your eye and a cheery, "Well, hello there!" You will be everywhere we look, and that will be such a comfort. But right now, our hearts are broken because we have to let you go for a little while. But we know exactly what you'd say if you were here . . . what you always say at parting, "See you on down the river." We love you, Dad, Papa, Pop, Pawpaw. See you soon.

Stuart was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of 76 years, Hilda Estelle "Martina" McAnally; son, Joshua Stuart McAnally; son-in-law, Philip Roos; and thirteen beloved siblings, "Sis", Henry, "Babe", Frank, Eva, Edward, Josie, Floyd, Monroe, Delbert, Elbert, Joyce, and Oscar.

Left to cherish Stuart's memory are his daughters, Melanie Roos of Marshall, Sherry Bryant and husband Bill of Nacogdoches, Tamra Bolton and husband Marc of Jacksonville; and son, Shaun McAnally of Jacksonville. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Andrew Roos, JoAnna Holland, Angela Faulkner, Benjamin Bryant, Stuart Bryant, Rachel Vickers, Caleb Bolton, Rita Bolton, Christopher Payne; and great-grandchildren, Mary Grace Roos, Garrett Roos, Ethan Segers, Jared Segers, Brandon Segers, Hannah Jo Segers, Wyatt Faulkner, Valerie Faulkner, Kolt Faulkner, Cooper Bryant, Parker Bryant, Gus Vickers, Addie Vickers, Emelia Bolton, Athena Williams, Raylan Williams, Knoxlynn Bryant, and Hilda Mae Williams. Stuart will also be missed by his numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Andy Roos, Ben Bryant, Stuart Bryant, Caleb Bolton, Ethan Segers, Wyatt Faulkner, Brandon Segers, and Jared Segers.

Honorary pallbearers are Christopher Payne, Gus Vickers, Garrett Roos, Cooper Bryant, and Kolt Faulkner.

Rather than customary condolences, memorials may be made to the Cal Farley's Boys Ranch at [email protected] or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105.