Samuel N. Saxon

August 19, 1935 - April 28, 2016

SAMUEL N. SAXON Tupelo - Samuel Nathaniel Saxon of Tupelo, Miss., died April 28, 2016, surrounded by members of his loving family. Mr. Saxon was born August 19, 1935, to the Rev. Dr. John D. and Sara C. Saxon, in Springfield, Tenn. He was married to the late Betty Faye Saxon. Father of Sharon Cardman, Charlene (Matthew) Haggard, Dr. Marian (Nelson) Rhodes, John (Patty) Saxon and step-father to Malinda Wimbs, Terry Wimbs, and Katrina (Buddy) Crafton. Mr. Saxon was the grandfather of Matt Haggard, Ryan Cardman, Regina and Danny Saxon, Katie and Ella Rhodes, Bobby Berg, Angel (Harold) Gary, Tori Faith, Amber, Collis and Brennan Crafton. Mr. Saxon came from a large family and was the brother of Anna Lloyd Wendell, Mary Lee (Burton-deceased) Fielder, Dr. Ruth Saxon (deceased), Dr. Esther Saxon, Dr. Rebecca (Jerry) Lyon, Elisabeth Saxon, Johnny Saxon (deceased), Joseph Saxon, Daniel (Molly) Saxon, Paul (Patsy) Saxon, and Dr. Stephen (Brenda) Saxon. He was Uncle to Bobby Wendell, John David Wendell, Billy Wendell, Benjamin Saxon, Ruth (Gary) Metheny, Dr. Patricia (Hector-deceased) Moktarian, Dr. Janice (Dirk) Lee, Dr. Deborah Lyon, Joseph (Connie) Saxon, Regina (Bruce) Zeiser, Cindy (Robert) Rudolph and Susan (Terry) Wills. A former Marine Corps. Sergeant, and member of the Tupelo Chapter of the Marine Corps League, Mr. Saxon followed Marine Corps discipline in his daily life. He was disciplined and un-wavering in his belief in God and was a long-time member of the Tupelo Church of the Nazarene. He always kept himself in top physical condition, working out on a regimented schedule. He graduated from Louisiana State University (where he became a die-hard Ole Miss fan) with a BS Forestry. He pursued his passion for the outdoors as a Professional Forester serving the U.S. Forest Service and the Mississippi Forestry Commission, from which he retired after more than three decades of service. After his retirement, he continued this passion working from time to time on his farm in Chickasaw County, Mississippi, which has been in the Saxon family since the early 1800's. Visitations will be the evening of Thursday, May 12, 2016, at 7 until 9 p.m. and Friday, May 13, 2016 at 9 a.m. until service time, at W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors, 535 W. Jefferson Street, Tupelo, MS 38804, 662-842-4872. A service celebrating his life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 13, 2016, at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues, with a graveside service to follow immediately at Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Houston, Chickasaw County, Miss. Services will be conducted by Rev. Matthew Neil Haggard, Mr. Saxon's son-in-law. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association at http://web.alsa.org/site/TR/Walks/NorthCarolina?px=4151308&pg=personal&fr_id=11532. Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.