Deacon Willie Hayes Grant, born Jan. 25, 1930, passed away on Nov. 21, 2011 at 81 years of age. He was a resident of Whatley and a veteran of the United States Army.

Mr. Grant was a faithful member of the Indian Ridge Baptist Church where he served on the deacon board and in the choir until his health failed.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife, Veatlas James Grant of Whatley; two sons, Johnny (Marilyn) Grant of Whatley and Jerome (Vanessa) Grant of Memphis, Tenn.; daughter, Daphne Robinson, of Whatley; goddaughter, Cynthia White of Whatley; one sister, Ora Mae Lynum Wilcox of St. Louis, Mo.; six sisters-in-law, Margie Grant of Whatley, Jackie Creighton of St. Louis, Mary Law, Bernell James and Annie Jackson, all of Choctaw Bluff; Ethel Lee (John) Knight of San Francisco, Calif.; three brothers-in-law, Edward (Inga) James of Albany, Ga., John Henry (Betty) James of Choctaw Bluff and Willie James of Chicago, Ill.; 14 grandchildren, one of which he raised, Shonette (Johnny) Scott of Choctaw Bluff; 18 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and close friends.

Viewing will be Saturday, Nov. 26, from 11:30 a.m. until the funeral hour at 1 p.m. at Indian Ridge Baptist Church with the Rev. Johnny Lynum, pastor, as officiating minister. Interment will follow in the church cemetery under the direction of Jackson Memorial Funeral Home in Jackson.

The family will receive guests in the fellowship hall following interment.