Raphael Semmes, Jr., 92, of Grenada, passed away Thursday, March 15, 2012. He was born September 28, 1919 in Grenada to Raphael and Catherine Jennings Semmes.
Mr. Semmes was a United States Air Force Veteran serving in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was an active deacon and elder of the Grenada Presbyterian Church and a Past-President of the Grenada County School Board and the Grenada Chamber of Commerce.
He had served as President of the Grenada Rotary Club and had been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. Mr. Semmes was also active in the Boy Scouts of America where he had been presented the Silver Beaver Award.
Having spent the majority of his life in the real estate and insurance business, Mr. Semmes was instrumental in industrial and business development in Grenada. Mr. Semmes served on the Board of Directors and the executive committee of BancorpSouth.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 3 PM at Garner-Harper Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Andrew Perry officiating. Interment will follow in the Woodlawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 1 PM until service time Sunday at the funeral home.
Survivors include his wife, Maxine Semmes of Grenada; two daughters, Ann Semmes Landrum (Ronnie) of Houston and Mary Semmes Lancaster (Carl) of Olive Branch; one son, Raphael Semmes, III, of Jackson; one step-daughter, Sandra Cash of Grenada; one sister, Olive Semmes Lawton of San Mateo, CA; four grandchildren, Pryor Landrum (Michelle) of Atlanta, GA; Catherine Landrum Tillman (Caleb) of Pontotoc; Andrew Semmes Lancaster and William Cook Lancaster both of Olive Branch; two step-grandchildren, Jennifer Cash of Grenada and Palmer Cash of Melbourne, FL; two-great-grandchildren, Emma Landrum and Jennings Tillman; one step-great-granddaughter, Keirin Alberg.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Mary A. “Cissye” Semmes and a brother, William O. Semmes.
Garner-Harper Funeral Home of Grenada is in charge of the arrangements.
Published in Clarion Ledger on Mar. 17, 2012