Thomas Wilmer Shackelford

Thomas Wilmer Shackelford, Jr., 91, of Ripley, Mississippi, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 6, 2025, while at home. A celebration of his life will be held at McBride's Funeral Home in Ripley on Sunday, August 10, 2025, with visitation beginning at 11:00 AM and funeral services beginning at 1:00 PM. Born on February 3, 1934 in Pine Grove, Mississippi to Thomas W. Shackelford, Sr., and Annie Liza Robinson, Tom graduated from Pine Grove High School in 1952 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he would spend the next four years of his life serving with the U.S. Air Force Security Service, protecting his country through cryptologic intelligence work. Following his military service Tom returned home to Pine Grove and married the love of his life, Carla Garrett, in 1957. He graduated summa cum laude from Christian Brothers University with a degree in electrical engineering, and began his career at Alabama Power & Light before moving back to Mississippi and joining the Tippah Electric Power Association in 1969. He retired from TEPA in 1999 after serving as manager for 30 years. Tom inspired those around him and touched many individuals through a life of dedicated service and his love for the Lord. A member of First Baptist Ripley, Tom served as a deacon for 55 years. He taught men's Sunday School for more than 50 years, and selflessly ministered to shut-in members and other churchgoers throughout his time at First Baptist. Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Tom traveled to the Mississippi coast to volunteer, building shelters and storage units for the local community. His heart for serving others is a role model for each and every one of us. He enjoyed fishing, telling tall tales, and raising a large vegetable garden every summer, often with the help of his grandsons, Philip and Joseph Shackelford. Tom was preceded in death by his parents— father Thomas W. Shackelford, Sr., and mother Annie Liza Robinson Shackelford-his younger brother, James, his sister-in-law Dorothy Shackelford, and brother-in-law Clay Garrett. He is survived by his wife, Carla Shackelford, of 68 years, his son and daughter-in-law, Phil Shackelford (Paula) of El Dorado, AR, and his grandsons Philip Shackelford, of Tupelo, and Joseph Shackelford, of Franklin, TN. He is also survived by two older brothers— J. P. Shackelford, and Lynwood Shackelford (Betty), both of Ripley, his sister, Betty Dickerson (Bobby) of Memphis, TN, and two sisters-in-law-Elizabeth Shackelford of Hernando and Evonne Garrett of Ripley. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be shared with Gideons International or The Samaritan Center in Ripley.

Thomas Wilmer Shackelford

February 3, 1934 - August 6, 2025