Theda Paxton Ashcraft

Theda Paxton Ashcraft, age 90 of Amory, Mississippi, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, December 11, 2016. Awaiting her arrival in Heaven were her husband of 55 years Bro. Charles Ashcraft, mother and father, Irene and Theo Paxton, her brother Rayburn Paxton and two sisters, Irma Parnell and Mabel Wynne.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her son Melvyn Ashcraft (Natasha) of Amory, MS, daughter Christie Ashcraft, granddaughters Angela Cantrell (Marty), Tiffany Hathcock (Nick) and grandson Charlie Ashcraft (Tiffany) all of Amory.

Theda was so proud of her large family and loved all of her “grands”. Her great grandchildren are Colt Cantrell (Brooklyn), Hunter Ashcraft (Desiree), Ashlye Spann (Jared), Mallory Jordan (Cody), Brittney Cummings (Casey), Paxton Cantrell, and Brylan Hathcock.

She was blessed with great great-grandchildren Ivey Lynn Wright, Knox Cantrell, Alexa Jordan, Averie Ashcraft, Cash Cummings, Beckham Cantrell and Gray Spann. Theda also leaves behind her beloved lap buddy and fur baby Daisy as well as a host of wonderful friends, nieces and nephews. Loved by many she was often referred to as a kind and gentle Christian lady.

Theda loved her Jesus and often invited others to “her church”. She was a long time active member of the Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas where she enjoyed serving on the mission committee and loved worshipping with her church family.

In 2014, she moved to Amory to be with family. She gained a new church family when she joined Meadowood Baptist and grew to dearly love and appreciate them also.

Theda was born and raised in Prattsville, Arkansas and graduated from Prattsville High School. After her husband surrendered to preach she attended the Missionary Baptist Seminary with him. She attended the University of Arkansas and later received her degree in Elementary and Library Science from Mississippi State University. Theda taught at Prattsville Elementary, Hatley Elementary in Monroe County, MS , Jefferson Preparatory School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and retired as the Librarian at Woodlaw School in Rison, Arkansas.

Services will be Wednesday, December 14, at 11:00 A.M. at Meadowood Baptist Church in Amory with burial on Thursday, December 15, at 10:00 A.M. at Philadelphia Cemetery in Prattsville, Arkansas. Dr. Lloyd Sweatt, Mr. Marshall Eubanks, and Dr. Roger Stewart officiating.

Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Meadowood Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be sent to Meadowood Baptist Church missions, 1512 Hatley Road, Amory, MS, 38821.