Jerry Wayne Ainsworth

Jerry Wayne Ainsworth, 77, of Cleveland, MS, passed away on Sunday, July 22, 2018, at North Sunflower Medical Center. Visitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2018, at Ray Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will begin 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 27, 2018, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Will Wilkerson officiating. Interment will be in North Cleveland Cemetery.
Mr. Jerry was born in Harrisburg, AR, on June 9, 1941, to James Wendell Ainsworth and Mattie Shopher Ainsworth.  On July 26, 1968, he married the love of his life, Rosemary Scott, in Lyon, MS.  Jerry proudly served in the Arkansas and Mississippi National Guard and was a member of American Legion Post 165.  He also was a member of Delta Area Golfers, the Benoit Outing Club, and Beulah Fishing Club where he served as Secretary and Treasurer. He gave 48 years of dedication to Denton Dairy Products working as their Sales Manager.
Mr. Jerry wasn't just a member at First United Methodist Church, he was a constant and familiar face there serving on various comitties including Administrative Board, Trustees, and being the an Usher as well as the Usher Coordinator.  He was also active in Methodist Men where he was President for two terms and received the award for Methodist Men Man of the Year in 1994.  Due to the love of his church, he consistantly showed up to assist in numerous fundraisers; Even after his health began to decline, Jerry remained involved.
Being raised in Arkansas, he was a huge Razorback fan and was known to give a loud "Pig Sooie" at any given time.  However, that did not deter him from his love of Delta State University. Jerry was a member of Delta State Statesmen Club and Delta State Alumni Association.  He also was the recipient of the Lawerence Stewart Service Award from Delta State Atheletics in 1998 and The Gladys Castle Friend of Delta State Award in 2006.
If he wasn't at church or cheering on his favorite sports teams, you could find him spending time with his family he loved so dearly. Jerry liked to describe himself as "Firm but Fair" however, he was one of the most humble, giving,  and loving people you would ever meet.
Mr. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, James Wendell and Mattie Shopher Ainsworth; wife, Rosemary Scott Ainsworth; sister, Mary Schwaller; and brothers, James T. "Buddy" Ainsworth, Billy Charles Ainsworth, and Donald Ray "Donnie" Ainsworth.
He is survived by his daughter, Carmen Ainsworth Taylor (Greg) of Cleveland, MS; sister, Lea Hampton (Lloyd) of Evansville, IN; brother-in-law, Henry Scott of Houston, MS; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Joe Ferguson, Curt Newton, Chet Norton, Craig Verhage, Gary Crews, and Paul "Bubba" Mancini.  Honorary pallbearers will be Butler Denton, Joe Middleton, Bill Quinton, Gale Roark, Oscar Webster, Ed Pollan, Tommy Taylor and the Member of Methodist Men.
Memorials may be made in his honor to First United Methodist Church and/or Delta State University Athletics.

Visitation

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday, July 26, 2018
Ray Funeral Home 206 Bishop Road Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Celebration of Life Service

10:00 am - 11:00 am Friday, July 27, 2018
First United Methodist Church 318 S Court Street Cleveland, Mississippi, United States

Interment

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Friday, July 27, 2018
North Cleveland Cemetery. N Bayou Cleveland, Mississippi, United States