Marvin Wade West

WEST, MARVIN WARD – age 94, departed this life in the early evening hours on the 28th day of April 2013, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Wayne County, Mississippi to the late William Ward and Erette Walters West, he grew up on a farm in the piney woods of Mississippi. He graduated from SoSo High School where he played football when players wore leather helmets and very little padding. After high school he found his interest in railroads and worked for Southern Railway, now Norfolk Southern, for 40 years. Over the years he held various positions with moves throughout the Southeast, but his greatest passion was being the engineer of a long freight train. During World War II, he served honorably with the United States Coast Guard. A resident of Knoxville and a member of West Hill Baptist Church for over 45 years, he was a Deacon and served on various committees. He enjoyed gardening and was known for his perfect roses and tomatoes. He equally excelled as an accomplished cook. In 2008 he moved to Lexington, KY to be near his daughter and grandson. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years Nora Marguerite King, his brothers Paul West and Ronnie West and a sister Ann Baucum. Survivors include his daughter Marcia (Col Harry) Callicotte of Lexington, Kentucky, son Michael (Jody) West of Athens, a stepson David (Barbara) Pitre of Covington, Louisiana, three grandchildren Maj Christopher (Liz) Gibson USMC of Fairfax, Virginia; Michael Ward (Jane) Gibson of Lexington, Kentucky, Meghan West of Charlotte, North Carolina, four great grandchildren Alexandria Nora Gibson, Adeline Tinley Gibson, Eyan Thomas Gibson of Fairfax, Virginia and Sophia Ward Gibson of Lexington, Kentucky, brother Vic (Louise) West of Laurel, Mississippi, sister Maxine Stringer of Maryville, Tennessee, many nieces and nephews, his best friend and companion Phyllis Hail of Lexington, Kentucky and his cat Miss Kitty. He touched the lives of many people and was regarded as one of the last Southern gentlemen. Visitation will begin at 12:00 pm on Saturday and continue until the funeral service at 2:00 pm at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel on Kingston Pike in Knoxville with Rev John E. Pennington, Jr of Knoxville and Rev Ron West of McComb, Mississippi officiating. Pallbearers: his grandsons Maj Christopher Gibson and Michael Gibson, nephew Ricky Allen of Brandon, Mississippi and son-in-law Col Harry D. Callicotte along with Rodney Franks and Mayor Tim Burchett of Knoxville. Interment will follow in the Chapel Mausoleum of Highland Memorial Cemetery beside his wife Nora with Full Military Honors presented by The Tennessee National Guard and Volunteer State Veterans Honor Guard. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2313 Alexandria Drive, Lexington, Kentucky 40504. A Memorial Service will be held in the near future at Central Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky. Online condolences may be made at www.rosemortuary.com Arrangements provided by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.

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Marvin Wade West

July 21, 1918 - April 28, 2013