Roy Bennett Shappley

1945 - 2017

Roy Bennett Shappley, 72, passed away Saturday, January 7, 2017, due to complications from severe COPD. He was born on January 6, 1945, to Roy Snow and Martha Elizabeth Bennett Shappley in Memphis, Tennessee. Roy moved to Ripley at age 11 and attended Palmer and Blue Mountain schools and graduated from Ripley High School in 1963. He married his high school sweetheart, Kathy Tatum, on March 27, 1964. Roy worked as a salesman for musical record companies in Memphis and Nashville. He co-owned and operated Shappley Supermarkets in Blue Mountain and Falkner. He served as a law enforcement officer on the Ripley Police Department and Tippah County Sheriffs office for a combined total of 22 years. Roy retired at the end of December, 2010 as Chief Deputy, having served in that position under three sheriffs. Roy was a just, level headed law officer who treated others with respect and fairness. He had a quick wit and good sense of humor. Roy loved to play music with his friends which he did throughout his lifetime. He played guitar but will be remembered for his outstanding ability to play the saxophone.

Roy deeply loved his four sons and was proud of each of them. They could always count on him to be there when needed and to encourage them in their endeavors. His grandchildren brought him great joy and pleasure. He loved them dearly. Roy professed his faith at age 10 and was a life long member of the Church of Christ.

Services will be at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 10, 2017, at Ripley Church of Christ with Dr. Patrick Chapman and Minister Josh McCrary officiating. Burial will follow in Lowry United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be Monday, January 9, 2017, from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and Tuesday, January 10, 2017, from 7:00 A.M. until service time at Ripley Church of Christ.

Roy leaves to cherish his precious memory, his wife of fifty-two years, Kathy Tatum Shappley; sons, Roy Bennett Shappley, Jr. (Andrea); Danny Hugh Shappley (Michelle); Tatum Lee Shappley (Heather), all of Ripley and Jeremy Colt Shappley of Olive Branch; grandchildren, Brinkley Shappley-Spillers (Terry) of Oxford; Tucker Shappley, Peyton Shappley, Nicholas Shappley, Jackson Shappley, Haydren Roy Shappley, Isla Grace Shappley and Jase Roberson, all of Ripley; his mother Martha Elizabeth and sister, Lorraine Sims, both of Ripley; sister, Myra Shelly (Rubel) of Nashville, Tennessee; and also he leaves Missy Edmondson of Vardaman, who he thought of as a daughter.

Preceding him in death were his father, Roy Shappley; his grandparents, Tucker and Nancy Rowland Shappley; Lee and Georgia Gullet Bennett.

Pallbearers will be Woodie Childers, Marty Murry, Tommy Garrett, Karl Gaillard, Scott White, Pete Crum. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Tippah County Sheriff's Department and Ripley City Police Department.

Memorials in honor of Roy Bennett Shappley may be made to Pine Vale Children's Home, 1872 CR 700, Corinth, MS 38834.

Expressions of sympathy for the Shappley family may be left at: www.mcbridefuneralhome.com