Mr. Troy R. Priest, Sr., 82, of Roxie, MS, passed away on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 peacefully at the Franklin County Memorial Hospital. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 29, 2013 from 12:00 P M until the time of the service at 2:00 P M at Providence Baptist Church. Bro. Robyn Brumfield and Bro. Calvin Wactor will be officiating the services. Burial will follow in Providence Baptist Church Cemetery in Meadville, MS. Franklin Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Priest was born September 13, 1931, in Franklin County, MS, to Clifton and Mattie Wactor Priest. He was retired from the International Paper Company of Natchez where he worked for 40 years as a Pipe Fitter. He was a member of Providence Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter: Lydia Priest; sister: Ida Ruth Priest White and Girtie Priest; and brother: Oliver Priest.

Survivors are his wife of 63 years: Willie Bell Priest of Roxie, MS; daughters: Mona Priest Ward and husband Melvin of Meadville, MS, and Hattie Priest Goodson and husband Denver of Meadville, MS; son: Troy "Randy" Priest, Jr. and wife Gloria of Roxie, MS; brother: Jimmy Priest and wife Ginger of Natchez, MS; sisters: Joy Dell Jones of Monroe, MS, and Linda Cotten and husband Jackie of Meadville, MS; grandchildren: Jamie Ward and wife Tracy, Jennifer Combs and husband Garrick, Kimberly Wallace and husband David, Kasey Johnson and husband Chad, Melissa Woodcock and husband Heath, Stacy Coker and husband Lewis, Melanie Harrell and husband Willie, Laura Harrell, Brandy Wheeler and husband Locke, Michelle Garettson, and Quentien Garettson and wife Christy; 24 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law: Betty Lipsey and husband JD; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.