Visitation is Thursday from 5 until 9 p.m. at Hartman-Sharkey Funeral Home in McComb and Friday from 1 until 3 p.m. at the church.

Mr. Gatlin, 82, died Sept. 16, 2009, at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb. He was born in the Thompson community on April 23, 1927, to Alton B. and Florence Hutchinson Gatlin.

He was devoted to his wife of 58 years, the late Annie Ruth Anderson Gatlin. Mr. Gatlin was a World War II veteran of the U.S.Merchant Marines, serving in the overseas operation in 1944. Upon returning to his home on the banks of the Amite River, he continued the tradition of his father as a cotton farmer. Together, they received many awards for raising the most bales of cotton per acre in the state.

He began his career as a Camellia Milk delivery man in the early 1950s and he delivered fresh milk door-to-door to homes in the McComb area. He continued working in the milk industry for 35 years until his retirement from Flav-O-Rich Milk Co. Because of this he was known by many as "The Milkman."

Because of his faith in Jesus Christ, Mr. Gatlin was an active and lifelong member of Thompson Baptist Church, serving as a deaconfor 57 years. He also had served as a Sunday school teacher, songleader choir member and was always first to welcome new members with his booming voice, "I make a motion we receive."

Mr. Gatlin was a loving and devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather and was loved and adored by each one of them. He was able to lead and teach by his example. He was named Father of the Year by the McComb Enterprise-Journal in 2007. Because he lived on the Amite River, much of his life was spent with his family swimming, fishing and enjoying life. He truly loved people and never met a stranger. He had a smile and a firm handshake for everyone. He was always optimistic and expected only the best from everyone.

He enjoyed sports of all kinds, especially if his children or grandchildren were involved. He loved raising a big garden and then giving away all the vegetables to neighbors and friends. A humble but outgoing man, he touched the lives of everyone he came into contact with. He lived each day to the fullest, loving his Lord, loving his family and loving others. His life can truly be wrapped up in one word -- love.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife; and an infant sister, Patsy Ruth Gatlin.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Wanda Gatlin, of Smithdale; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jackie and Greg Maxwell, of Auburn, and Jennifer and Dennis Lindsey, of Smithdale; a sister and brother-in-law, Jill and Billy Nunnery; his six grandchildren and their spouses, Tom and Angel Maxwell, Scott and Suzanne Lindsey, Chad and Betsy Lindsey, Kate and Andy Lott, Lance and Angela Gatlin and Kayla Gatlin; and his 11 great-grandchildren, Hunter, Garrett and Spencer Maxwell, Mary McLean Lindsey, Jack, Gigi, Ethan, Ruth and Wick Lindsey, and Camp and Andrew Lott.

Pallbearers are Tom Maxwell, Scott Lindsey, Chad Lindsey, Lance Gatlin, Andy Lott and Gene Nunnery. Honorary pallbearers are the deacons of Thompson Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to the Prader Willi Syndrome Association,(www.PWSAUSA.org) or to the Thompson Baptist Church Building Fund, 5422 N. Greensburg Road, Smithdale, MS 39664.

To share sympathies, condolences and memories, go to Hartman-Sharkeyfuneral Home com.