John Harley Waldo, born on May 6, 1930, in Pontotoc County. He departed this life at his home surrounded by his wife and children in Batesville on Saturday, Dec.19, 2020.

Funeral services for Mr. Waldo will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, at the Faith Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church in Batesville, with interment to follow at Forrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service.

Masks are being asked to be worn to attend the service. A facebook live stream of the funeral service may be view on the Faith Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church Facebook Page

He was known as the “Bubble Gum Man” and the “Lawn Mower Man”. He retired from Graves Oil Company while working at Speedy Serv of Batesville. He was a member of Faith Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church for more than 57 years where he served as a Deacon for more than 55 years. He loved his “Evelyn”, his children, all of his grands, his church family, and most of all, he loved his GOD.

Those left behind to cherish his sweet memory include his loving wife, Evelyne Hyde Waldo of Batesville; two daughters, Karen Rena Waldo Brown, husband, Jeffrey “Jeff” Robert Brown of Batesville, and Rebecca “Becky” Lynn Waldo Smith, husband, Ronnie Lynn Smith of Batesville; 4 sons, Cecil Wayne Waldo, wife, Vicki Harris Waldo of Germantown, TN, Tommy Gene Waldo of Batesville, Randall “Randy” Scott Waldo of Memphis,  and Michael Stacy Waldo, wife, Kristy Morgan Waldo of Southaven; grandchildren, Lisa Arnold Axthelm of Sardis, Stephen “Steve” Wayne Waldo, wife, Leann Cueto Waldo of Arlington, TN, Stephanie Rena Waldo Parrish of South Carolina, Kimberly Leann Waldo Willis of South Carolina, Kristen Childers Kellner, husband, Jason Kellner of Clinton, Megan Childers Hood, husband, Joey Hood of Memphis, Alecia Nicole Alred Mathis, husband, Steve Mathison of Louisiana, Shelby Lynn Alred of Texas, Lillian “Lilli” Amber Darby, husband, James Nathaniel “Nathan” Darby of Batesville, Shane Randall Waldo of Meridian,  Aaron Michael Waldo of Southaven, and John Scott Adams of Batesville; great grandchildren, Lauren Axthelm, Lindsey Axthelm, Grayson Waldo, Harrison Waldo, Kaitlyn Roberts Scott, Nola Willis, Presley Willis, Addy Mathison, Jaxon Mathison, Sweetie Waldo, James Michael “Mikey” Darby, James Harley Darby, and Precious Smith; one great- great grandchild, Wyatt Scott; one brother, Gaither Waldo of Pontotoc; and one sister, Laverne Staten of Randolph,  and many nieces and nephews.

John is preceded in death by his parents, John Henry Waldo and Maudie Luticia Waldo; his brothers, Harvey Waldo, L V Waldo, Q T Waldo, J D Waldo; his sisters, Veona White, Vara Alexander, Opal Ellis, Ruby Johnson, and Janice Waldo.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. If you would like to make a memorial contribution in lieu of flowers you may do so to the Faith Tabernacle UPC Building Fund, P.O. Box 832, Batesville, MS 38606.