T.J. Flowers. met his Lord and Savior before sunrise on the morning of January 31, 2018 at the age of 91. T.J. was born in Pope, Mississippi on October 3, 1926 to Tillman Breckinridge Flowers (T.B.) and Minnie Mae Baker Flowers. He was a proud World War II Army Veteran, having served his country in Japan.

T.J. was respected and loved by all who knew him. He was a man of genuine integrity and treated everyone with dignity. He had a work ethic beyond compare and delighted in doing well at whatever he was doing. T.J. made his family a priority and became the natural and loving patriarch of them all. He was the baby of his four siblings and they affectionately called him “baby brother”. His mother, Miss Minnie Flowers, called him her “baby boy” until she met the Lord at age 100. T.J. understood the richness of the love of family. He truly believed he had the best family in the world. He was a master at making his family feel loved and gave them a safe and loving home all the days of his life. T.J. Flowers was a man of his word; he was kind; he was giving; he was a wonderful story-teller; and his quick and charming wit always brought a smile. He had a simple and genuine faith in God. He accepted Christ as his Savior at a young age, and lived a life of faithfulness knowing that his true home was eternal.

T.J. and Inez owned and ran a store and bait shop on Hwy. 51 near Enid Lake for many years. T.J. spent time as a Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Deputy and later owned and operated Batesville Livestock Commission Company in Batesville. He was a business man and a cattle farmer and loved every minute of the freedom that he had. He was a lifetime member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Pope, MS. He was also a VFW lifetime member.

T.J. is survived by his loving companion, Donna Irby and his children: Mike Flowers (Gail) of Oakland, MS; Mary Anne Churchill (Doyle) of Hot Springs, AR; Joyce Holmes (Danny) of Little Rock, AR; Rosa Knichel (Bo) of Hernando, MS; and Judy Brown (Brian) of Jackson, TN. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and close friends – all of whom he adored.

T.J. was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Inez McCullar Flowers. They were both preceded in death by two of their children: Ronnie “Bud” Flowers, and Debra Kay Flowers. T.J. was preceded in death by their grandson, Joshua Ryan Churchill, and his siblings: Beatrice (Bea) Tippit, Frank Flowers, Earlene Roberson, and Della Bell.

Mr. T.J. Flowers was a true gentleman and his passing is a humbling mile marker in many lives. His life will be celebrated Friday, February 2, 2018, at Dickens Funeral Home in Batesville at 1:00, with visitation from 11:00 – 1:00. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Panola County. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, MS Chapter, 1900 Dunbarton Dr., Suite H, Jackson, MS 39216; American Heart Association, 4830 McWillie Circle, Jackson, MS 39206 or the VFW. Dickins Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.