Extracted from The Clarion Ledger (Jackson, MS)
Sunday, March 1, 2015

J.C. Searcy, Jr.

Madison -- It is with great sadness and with belief in the resurrection, we write to tell you that J.C. Searcy, Jr., age 87, died at home on February 24, 2015, after a brief illness.

J.C. was born on September 14, 1927, in Puckett, Mississippi, the only child of James Cephas Searcy and Harriett Ethel Patrick Searcy. J.C.'s mother passed away when he was nine years old. His father later married Selicia Burnham Searcy, whom J.C. loved dearly.

J.C. graduated from Puckett High School in 1945 and joined the Navy on his 18th birthday, determined to have a career in anything other than agriculture. He served two and a half years during World War II primarily in China.

In January 1948, J.C. enrolled in the University of Mississippi, graduating with a business degree in 1953. J.C. was a grand and colorful story-teller. One such story was that during a card game at Ole Miss, he skinned a fellow classmate out of a new set of golf clubs and golf shoes. The shoes were a perfect fit. Card playing and golf have been his loves for many years. He was an original member of Annandale Golf Club from its opening in 1981. J.C. made a hole in one on Annandale's No. 8 in April 2013. The late Carl Herrin, a very dear and long-time friend made a phenomenal “gimmie” in one shot on No. 17 at Big Horn Golf Club, Palm Desert, California. J.C. shot next and made a hole in one. Such great memories.

Early in his career, J.C. sold insurance for Mississippi Farm Bureau, worked as a car salesman for May Motor Company, Brandon, Mississippi, and later co-owned Jackson Mack Truck Dealership from the mid to late 60s. In the late 60's, J.C. began his career in real estate and the oil and gas exploration industry. J.C. has held a real estate license since 1964 and was broker for S & S Properties, Inc. He was a member of the Jackson Association of Realtors and the Mississippi Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (MIPRO). J.C. not only loved risk taking, negotiating and deal making, he thrived on them. Until this recent illness, he was in his office every day. Even in the hospital, he was discussing oil investment opportunities.

Although raised and baptized in the Baptist Church, J.C. was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Brandon, Mississippi, where he taught Sunday school many years ago.

As we think about J.C. as a husband, dad, granddad, great granddad, brother and friend, we remember him most for his eternal optimism. Regardless of the risks or odds, J.C. always saw the bright side. His greatest gift to his children, including grands and greats, was his belief that we could achieve anything, regardless of the odds.

J.C. was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother; daughter, Harriett Elizabeth Searcy; and half-brother, Rufus Mack “Buddy” Searcy.

Survivors include his wife and best friend of 29 years, Debra Harrison Spencer-Searcy; ex-wife, Mary Ruth Jones Searcy, Madison, MS; daughters: Mary Anna Searcy Sheppard Ingram (Lenard), Philadelphia, MS; Betty Ruth Searcy Fox (Henry), Madison, MS; son: J.C. “Jake” Searcy, III, Madison, MS; grandchildren: Mitchell “Mitch” Sheppard, Jr. (Angie), Brandon, MS; Searcy Fox and Drew Brees Fox, Madison, MS; step granddaughter, Ashley Ingram Kittrell (Brian), Lubbock, TX; great grandchildren: Mary Gracen Sheppard, Reed Sheppard, and step great-grandchild: Ava Kittrell; brother: Cleveland Russell Searcy, Puckett, MS; sister: Jean Searcy Milner, Magee, MS; brother-in-law, Richard Harrison (Linda), Grenada, MS; and sister in law, Sandra Harrison Ivison, League City, TX.

A private service will be held at the Chapel of the Cross, Madison, Mississippi. Please join us for Visitation and Memorial Celebration at Annandale Golf Club, 100 Annandale Golf Club Drive, Madison, MS 39110, on Tuesday, March 3, 2015, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.

Honorary pallbearers include, Fred Adams, Rip Baker, Tad Barham, Homer Best, Parham Bridges, John Burwell, Bobby Clements, Homer Cummings, Steve Davenport, M. C. Davis, Dom Espisito, Eddie Gay, Bobby Gray, Jimmy Hays, Bobby Jacobs, Lamar Loe, Ken Looper, Phil Moore, Frank Perkins, Crymes Pittman, Phil Pollack, Leonard Roberts, Charlie Saums, Charles Stack, Jim Stewart, Max Tullos, Henry Tyler, Gary Wray, the late Carl Herrin, and the late Larry Johnson.

The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the Home Care Hospice team, and to the entire staff at Annandale Golf Club.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Herrin Scholarship Endowment, c/o The University of Mississippi, P. O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677, or the charity of your choice.