Graveside service for Mr. Walter Kenneth Ivey, Sr., age 81, of Fayetteville, TN, will be conducted Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Higgins Cedar Hills Memorial Gardens at 23 Memory Ln., Fayetteville, TN 37334 with Bro. Emerson Lyle officiating. A Celebration of Life service will be conducted Sunday, June 12, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Howell First Baptist Church, 491 S. Fishing Ford Rd., Petersburg, TN 37144 with Bro. Brian Gass officiating. Mr. Ivey passed away after a wonderful weekend of competing in mounted shooting.
Mr. Ivey was a native of Montgomery, AL, the son of the late Pete and Inez Yarborough Ivey. He was a retired Engineer for the Department of Defense and worked on the Apollo Missions. He graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. and was active in Track and Field. He was a horse trainer/enthusiast and an award winning Cowboy Mounted Shooter and was known as “The Gentleman Cowboy.” Mr. Ivey was an active member of the Howell First Baptist Church, serving as deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. He was an outstanding role model not only with his horsemanship skills but also in his faith in God which he displayed to anyone who knew him.
Survivors include his wife Mabel Williams Ivey of Fayetteville, daughter Cathy (Bob) Gray of Fayetteville, son Kenny (Debra) Ivey, Jr. of Ardmore, Robert Williams, Wade Williams both of Petersburg, Arlene (Lou) Moorehead of Kelso, grandchildren Laura Ivey Stevens, Drew Ivey, Jenny Gray Flanigan, Rob Gray, Holley Gray, Mary Gray, Morgan Ivey, Jeremy Williams, Erin Marks, Amanda Cavanaugh, Michael Williams, Andrew Welch, twin brother Edward Wayne (Ann) Ivey of Huntsville and 16 great grandchildren. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Betty Holley Ivey and grandson Christian Gray.
There will be no visitation prior to the graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Howell First Bapitst Church Missions fund, PO Box 886, Fayetteville, TN 37334.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Walter Kenneth Ivey, Sr.
My days are darker and sadder now that one of Howell First Baptist Church’s brightest lights has been extinguished. A mentor to me and a friend to all. Brother Kenny was the first person to greet us at HFBC when we walked through the door the first time we attended. He always took the the time to shake your hand and ask how you were doing. He always cared about your salvation. He wanted to finish strong and he did. My world is darker and sadder now, but Heaven is much brighter and happier.
Cathy, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your father . I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers .
We are so sorry Cathy and Kenny Jr to hear of the death of Kenny. We had some wonderful times on the trail together all of us with lots of horse talk. Lost touch some when he became a cowboy mounted shooter. He had such a zest for life that he was an inspiration to us all. Lived every day to the fullest. Will miss seeing him on his daily walks.
I will miss Kenny. We had some really enjoyable times playing and singing in the hall of Ron Pearson’s barn. He enjoyed life to the fullest and I am proud to know that I can call him my friend. I enjoyed the times that we talked horse talk together, and again, I will miss him.
We are so sorry to hear of the death of Kenny, we sure did enjoy his visits with us at Ogle Feed. He was a joy to talk to always had a tale to be told. Our thoughts are with you as you lay him to rest.
We are so sorry to hear that you have lost your dear father. I know you will miss him dearly, but we would all like to go out this very way. As the old gambler said, “He broke even!” Love to all the family. Please know each of you will be in the prayers of Con and me as you mourn Mr. Ivey’s passing. We always enjoyed seeing him at family functions. Love, Con and Arden – Your Friends
Cathy-my condolences to you and your family. Find comfort in the beautiful memories you shared with him.
He was a wonderful man and I was proud to call him my friend. He will be missed by his CMSA Family. Prayers for the Family.
Cathy, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. He surely lived a full, wonderful life, and left a wonderful legacy to be so proud of. Praying for you & your family.
So sorry to hear about Mr. Ivey. He was such a sweet man. He gave me a saddle when he found out Clay and Luke were teaching me to ride last year. I was so touched and tried to pay him but he just smiled and shook his head. I will miss seeing him every Sunday as will every other person who attended Church with him. He was a sweet, special man.
So terribly sorry Cathy, for the loss of your Dad. Sounds like he was a wonderful christian man and I’m sure will be missed by many.