What is the measure of a man? A gentle giant who was 6'6" tall but had a heart and a sweet spirit that was a million times bigger. Wherever Tommy Grant, lovingly referred to by most everyone as P-Paw, went, he left a footprint of kindness and laughter and he never met a stranger. Everyone was important to him-and you would often find yourself as a star in one of his stories or the recipient of one of his special nicknames. He was generous with his time and always willing to help a neighbor or a stranger.

He came from humble beginnings as the thirteenth child and was the caboose of the family. Born in Sylvarena, Mississippi to Willis Cleveland Grant and Winnie Mae Sullivan Grant on September 29, 1940, he joined twelve brothers and sisters.

He attended school in Sylvarena for eleven years and graduated high school in Raleigh, Mississippi with basketball being his ticket to college. He attended Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi on a basketball scholarship and was an All-State selection.

He met the love of his life, Mary Rebecca "Becky" Foley Grant, at the Cool Dip in Bay Springs, Mississippi and they were happily married for 59 years. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Becky, their two daughters, Faith Grant and Melissa Grant Johnson (Randy), his two grandchildren, Bailey Mcllwain James (Buckley) and Bridges Case Johnson (Lauren Curtis), his sisters Julia Lynette Grant Fraser and JoAnn Grant Bucklew, a host of nieces and nephews and more friends than he could count.

After college, Tommy began his career with the GM&O Railroad in 1961 and retired from Kansas City Southern Railroad in 2002, although he never retired. He stepped off the train and onto the golf course, into the garden, and into the courtroom as a Bailiff. If he wasn't on Grant Hill, he could be found at almost every Stringer High School sporting event. He served as a member of Sylvarena Masonic Lodge #226. He was a member of Stringer United Methodist Church and Chairman of the Administrative Council.

He was welcomed into Heaven by his parents, his infant children, Robin Leigh Grant and Nathan Taylor Grant, as well as his siblings, Edgar Travis Grant, William Fred Grant, Jeff Miley Grant, Willis Marx Grant, John Walter Grant, James Harry Grant, Hilda Bess Grant Bowden, Mary Frances Grant Mason, Sam Henry Grant, and Warren Ellis Grant.

He enjoyed life to the fullest and anyone who knew him was better for it.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 5, 2021, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Bay Springs. The celebration of Tommy's life will follow in the chapel at 2:00 PM with interment at Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery in Stringer, Mississippi. Pastor Jerry East, Pastor Pamela Bruns, and Cecele McDonald will lead the celebration. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Bay Springs is in charge of arrangements (601) 764-2181

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Stringer, Jeff Stringer, Styron Keller, Kirk Thornton, Billy Rayner, and Tony Moss.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Tommy Jeff Buckley, Bill Buckley, Bobby Buckley, Fred McCarty, Tommy Chapman, George Crosby, Don Wilson, Mack McAlpin, Jimmy Kelley, Wesley East, and Larry Dykes.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations to be made to the Stringer Booster Club, P.O. Box 111, Stringer, MS 39481.