William A. Mote Sr.

William Ansel Mote, Sr. 77, of McComb, died September 6, 2009 at his residence. Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 8th, at Navilla Baptist Church in McComb, and 9:30AM Wednesday at Navilla until services there at 11:00AM with Rev. Larry Romack and Rev. Howard Brister officiating. Burial will be in the Navilla Baptist Church cemetery immediately following the service, with Rev. Bob Lynch officiating. Mr. Mote was born February 8, 1932 in Pike County to the late Lonnie C. Mote, Sr. and Ruth Prewitt Mote. Mr. Mote was a Realtor in Pike County and co-owned and operated William Mote Agency, Inc. with his wife since 1969. He is a member of Southwest MS Board of Realtors where he formerly served as President, the Mississippi Realtor Association, the National Association of Realtors, and the United Commercial Travelers. His previous employment included American Box Company, Maco Candy Company, and Sears & Roebuck. Mr. Mote served his country with the army in the Korean Conflict during the years of 1953-1954. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant and is a current member of the American Legion. Mr. Mote is also a member of the McComb Lions Club since 1966 and served on the Board of Directors as well as President in 1990 and 1991. He actively served on various Booster Clubs while his children attended McComb Public Schools. During the year 2005, Mr. Mote was chosen by the Enterprise Journal as one of the community's 'Unsung Heroes.' His long time friend and colleague in the real estate business, Mr. Jerry Fortenberry, nominated Mr. Mote for this honor. He was cited as deserving of this honor for his work in his community, his devotion to his family, and his strong faith in God. Mr. Fortenberry was quoted as saying, 'William is a real quiet person'.I have never heard anyone say anything but good things about William Mote.' As a very devout Christian, Mr. Mote spent countless hours serving his church, Navilla Baptist Church in McComb. He served on the Board of Deacons and previously served as Chairman. Most recently Mr. Mote served as Sunday School Superintendent. During his time at Navilla, he also worked as a Youth Training Union Teacher, a member of the Building and Grounds Committee and the Cemetery Committee. Mr. Mote is preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Marie Mote, Ellis Mote, Ruby Pounds, L.C. Mote, Jr., Leroy Mote, Minnie Mae Williams; and in-laws: Earl Pounds, Rosa Lee Mote, Bill Williams and James Carrier. William, affectionately known by his family as 'Pop-Pop,' is survived by his wife of 52 ' years, LaVerne Deer Mote, one son and daughter-in-law Ansel and Lynn Mote of Brookhaven; one daughter and son-in-law Alison and William Pannell of McComb; one grand-daughter, Emily Mote of Brookhaven; two brothers and sisters-in-law Otis and Jeanne Mote of McComb and Albert and Glenda Mote of Oakgrove, Louisiana; a sister Althalea Carrier of Bogalusa, Louisiana; sisters-in-law Louise Mote, Lois and spouse John Barclay all of Magnolia, Susan Deer, Virginia Deer all of McComb, Carol Deer of Cary, NC, Gillian Deer of Hopkinsville, KY, Euna Deer of Fort Walton Beach, FL; and brothers-in-law Jimmy and spouse Lexine Deer, and Gene and spouse Janice Deer of McComb. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and special family friends Allyson Brogan Bracken of Brick, New Jersey and Michelle Bruss of New Orleans, Louisiana. Pallbearers will be Cliff Mote, Johnny Mote, Mike Mote, Tom O'Bryant, Jimmy Deer, Dwayne Deer, Jeff Deer, and Matthew Wilson. Honorary pallbearers will be deacons of Navilla Baptist Church and members of the McComb Noon Lions Club. Memorials may be sent to Navilla Baptist Church 3147 Old Hwy. 24, McComb, MS 39648 or McComb Lions Club Sight Program, McComb, MS.