WATER VALLEY – Andrew “Jack” Grass, 77, died Monday, May 31, 2016, at his home in Water Valley. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 5 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home with Brother Freddie Buchannon and Bro. Ronald “Bubba” Jenkins officiating. Burial will follow in the Hopewell Cemetery in Yalobusha County. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 2 p.m. until service time at Seven Oaks Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Born in Clear Point, Alabama, he retired after 21 years of service in the U.S. Army where he served as Command Sgt. Major. He served in many areas, including two tours of duty in Vietnam and two tours in Germany. He earned several military medals, including the Bronze Star. He was an active and faithful member of Hopewell Baptist Church where he served as deacon, Sunday school teacher and song leader. He was a member of the Gideons, Free Masons and the American Trappers Association. He and his wife founded the Watermelon Classic 5k Run that is held each year in Water Valley. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed trapping, spending time with friends and family, working in his community and helping others.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Marcella Parker and Jill Hall.

He is survived by his wife Charlotte Brower Grass of Water Valley; daughter Jody Leonard of Valdosta, Georgia; son Curtis Andy of Carlsbad, California; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The family requests memorials be made to the Gideons — Yalobusha Camp, P. O. Box 143, Water Valley, MS 38965 or to the Pine Valley School Restoration Project, c/o Joni Camp, 94 County Road 100, Water Valley, MS 38965.