Louis Lee Sledge, Sr. by Jerry Madison Harrison

Life’s Reflections

LouisLee “Jaybird” Sledge, Sr. was born to the late James Bly Sledge and Mildred Elizabeth Farmer-Sledge on April 14, 1939, in Senatobia, MS.

Louis graduated from White’s Chapel Elementary School and later attended Geeter High School. He accepted Christ at an early age at St. Peters Missionary Baptist Church in Senatobia, MS and later joined Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, TN under the leadership of Rev. Levi Phillips.

Louis was a long-time employee of G.C. Collins Construction company and later became a local dirt and gravel hauler for Brown Trucking Company for many years until his health failed him. He worked hard from Monday through Friday and loved his weekends. That is where his nickname “Weekend” originated from along with other nicknames such as Jaybird, Trigger Slim, and Shake It Up/Shake It Down.

In the later years, his favorite past-time was an avid watcher of old western movies/tv shows, with “Gunsmoke” being his favorite.

Louis was preceded in death by his three sons, Louis Gregory Walton, Jack Alexander Sledge, and Louis Lee Sledge, Jr. He was a member of a large family and had four sisters, Betty Joe Sledge, Fannie Mae Smith (R.J. - deceased), Hurmene Hall (Clarence - deceased), and Clara Brown (Calvin); three brothers J.C. Owens (Eunice Raydeceased), O.Z. Sledge, Lee Hubert Sledge (Ruth); and a lifelong friend Mary T. Gable who proceeded him in death.

Louis leaves to cherish his memories his daughter, Phyllis (Phil Ann) Scott Russell (Michael), of Savannah, GA, two sisters, Pattie Sledge-Robinson of Memphis, TN and Earline Nunn (George) of Chicago, IL; four brothers, James Edward Sledge, Sr. (Viola) of Chicago, IL, James Earl Sledge (Ruby) of Kansas City, MO, Morgan Earl Sledge and Alonzo B Sledge of Memphis, TN and one brother-in-law, Calvin Brown (Claradeceased) of Memphis, TN, and one sister-in-law, Ruth Sledge (Lee Hubert - deceased) of Greenwood, MS. Seven grandchildren, Denise (Ozzie), Michelle, Michael II “Little Mike”, Quarnesha, Devin, Dominique, and Landon; twelve great-grandchildren; and one grandchild, one great-grandchild that proceeded him in death. Two living aunts, Joyce Allen and Alma Jackson of Senatobia, Mississippi, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Celebration of Life

Saturday, September 28, 2024 11:00 A.M.

Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church

1814 Fields Road Memphis, Tennessee 38109

Prelude

Processional......................................................................The Family of Louis Sledge, Sr.

Scripture Readings

Old Testament..............................................................Evangelist Barbara Farmer

New Testament...............................................................Pastor Dr. Tenita Freeman

The Gathering Place

Prayer of Comfort............................................................................Pastor Rodney Herron

St. James M.B. Church

Musical Selection.................................................................................Voices of Macedonia

Words of Comfort..........................................................................Pastor Winfred E. Bailey

“Expressions

Belmont Baptist Church, Arlington, TN

of Love”

(Respectfully, Two Minutes Please)

Leon Mohn - Neighborhood Friend

Denise Frazier & Michelle Russell - Oldest Granddaughters

Christian J. Sledge - Family/Nephew

Musical Selection......................................................................................Angie P. Holmes

Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Piperton, TN

Acknowledgements/Resolutions...............Pattie Sledge Robinson & Phyllis Scott Russell

The Preached Word...............................................................Pastor Tommy L. McCray, Jr.

Recessional

A Letter from Jay Bird

A limb has fallen from the family tree. I keep hearing a voice that says, Grieve not for me. Remember the best times, the laughter, the song. The good life I lived while I was strong. Continue my heritage, I’m counting on you. Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through. My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest. Remembering all, how I truly was blessed. Continue traditions, no matter how small. Go on with your life, don’t worry about falls. I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin. Until the day comes we’re together again.

He Only Takes the Best

God saw that you were getting tired, A cure was not to be.

So, he put his arms around you, and whispered “Come with Me.” With tearful eyes we watched you suffer, And saw you fade away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay.

A golden heart stop beating, hard working hands to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only “takes the best.”

CMemories

Much Love, Your only daughter Phyllis herished

Dear Granddaddy

You slipped away quietly one day and simply went to sleep. No more to wake or weep.

Now we gather here and quietly shed a tear, As we lay you in the ground, no comfort to be found.

Our Grandad is not truly gone, Because his memories will continue to live on. We love you we all our hearts and We thank you for being our Grandad.

Love, Your Grandkids

The Moment, You Left Us

The moment that you passed; our hearts were torn in two. One side filled with heartache; the other went on with you. We often lie awake at night when the world is fast asleep, and Take a walk down memory lane with tears upon our cheeks. Remembering you is easy, we do it every day, But missing you is a heartache that never goes away. We hold you tightly within our hearts, and there you will remain. Until the joyous day arrives, that we will meet again.

herished Memories

Our Uncle Jay

Our hearts felt as if it was being ripped from our chest, when we got the news of your transition. You were more like a big brother to us than an uncle. We lived together for many years as a family within a family and you saw us grow up to become the women that we are today. We faced many storms, sickness and sadness throughout our lives and we shared many funny stories, moments, and life events. We knew every weekend was going to be something funny happening between you, Grandma and Granddaddy. We love and we miss you already Uncle Jay, but our spiritual beliefs in the word “absence from the body, present with the lord,” gives us reassurances that you’re doing better. No more pain, no more sickness, no more suffering.

Your Loving Nieces, Shaun, Tammy, & Kisha

~Acknowledgements ~

The family of Louis Lee “Jaybird” Sledge, Sr., wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to all of you. We are most grateful for our family, and friends who have been so kind and thoughtful. You have uplifted us through your prayers, phone calls, texts, social media posts, flowers, cards, food, and monetary gifts. May God bless you and continue to keep us in your prayers in the days ahead. Special thanks to Alonzo B. Sledge for taking care of our loved one. Not only as his brother but he was his personal Caretaker for over 19 years. Thank you, Alonzo.