Mr. John Edward Rather

JOHN EDWARD RATHER, 84, of Holly Springs, banker, died April 8 at Baptist Memorial Hospital DeSoto in Southaven.Services were held April 11 at Christ Episcopal Church in Holly Springs, where he was a member, with burial in Hillcrest Cemetery.Holly Springs Funeral Home had charge.Mr. Rather leaves his wife of 60 years, Dorothy Powers Rather; a son, Dr. Edward Rather Jr. of Olive Branch; two daughters, Marie Rather McClatchy and Carey Rather Crain, both of Holly Springs, and six grandchildren.

John Rather, Holly Springs
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HOLLY SPRINGS - John Edward Rather, 84, died Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Desoto County in Southaven.He was born Aug. 26, 1918, in Memphis to Hugh H. Rather and Marie Butler Rather.He was a lifelong member and lay reader of Christ Episcopal Church, where he served on the Vestry and taught Sunday school for many years.He served as an alderman for the City of Holly Springs for 32 years.He established the City Beautiful Commission and served as chairman for many years.He was chairman of the board and CEO of the First State Bank for more than 60 years.He served on the Board of Trustees at Rust College and was awarded an honorary doctorate degree.He was a charter member of the Industrial Development Authority for Marshall County.He was a member of the Holly Springs Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow.He was active in the Yocona Area Council of Boy Scouts of America and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award.He was a graduate of the University of Mississippi, where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and the M Club.He was an avid Ole Miss fan and active alumnus until his death.He was named Marshall County's Man of the Year when he was 81 years old.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Christ Episcopal Church with the Rev. Bruce McMillan officiating.Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery in Holly Springs.Holly Springs Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.