Wilbur John Sledge

Wilbur John Sledge, age 93, resident of Oakland and husband of the late Dorothy “Dot” Wooley Sledge, departed this life Thursday, September 20, 2018 at the Shelby Gardens Place in Cordova.

Funeral Services with Military Honors for Mr. Sledge were held at 10 A.M. Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville with Bro. Stan Smith, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Somerville, officiating. Interment followed in the Fayette County Memorial Park Cemetery on Highway 64. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center - Main Chapel in Somerville.

Wilbur was born March 5, 1925 in Raleigh, Tennessee, the son of the late Jessie “J.J.” and Ethel Davis Sledge. He was a graduate of Bartlett High School Class of 1943 and joined the United States Army to serve his country in August of 1943. He was with the 786th Engineer Petro Distribution Company (EPD Company). They landed on Omaha Beach D. Day plus 2 and received an honorable discharge in 1945. Upon returning home, he was employed with Coca-Cola where he worked until he retired in 1988.

He met Dorothy Jean “Dot” Wooley in Greenville, Mississippi and they were married in 1976. They made their home in Greenville until 1999 when they moved to Oakland, Tennessee. Mrs. Sledge preceded him in death on September 24, 2014. He was ordained as a Deacon at Raleigh Baptist Church while Dr. W.A. Boston was pastor. In Greenville, Wilbur attended First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon. After moving to Tennessee, they became members of First Baptist Church of Somerville. He was a member of the Royal Heirs Choir and served on numerous committees. Wilbur was also a member of the Rotary, Kiwanis, the City of Greenville Board of Directors, and numerous golfing and country clubs. He loved outdoor activities that included gardening, golfing and deep-sea fishing.

Mr. Sledge is survived by five children, Bill Sledge (Bobbi) of Bartlett, TN, Elaine S. Leggett (Richard) of Lakeland, TN, Ron Pope (Gerry Ann) of Germantown, TN, Julia P. Davis (Frank) of Collierville, TN, Susan P. Stokes (Al) of Greenville, MS; thirteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers were Brandon Sledge, Toby Chambers, Rick Leggett, Tim Davis, Geoff Pope and Jake Rutland.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Somerville First Baptist Church, 12685 S. Main Street, Somerville, TN 38068 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.