Malcolm S. Ashcraft Jr.,91, of Lyon, passed away at his home on Aug. 9, 2023, after a battle with cancer. He was born on Dec. 5, 1931, in Tunica and grew up in Jonestown, where his family farmed.
Malcolm enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served 4 years in Germany during the Korean War. He married Patsy Willis on Dec. 14, 1958. They raised their two sons in Jonestown. Malcolm worked for Texas Gas in Clarksdale until retirement.
He loved his family and loved serving the Lord. He served many years as a Deacon at Jonestown Baptist Church and Lyon Baptist Church, in addition to other various roles in both churches. Malcolm was a long-standing member of The Gideons International Association. In Lyon, he served as an Alderman. He also loved drinking coffee with his many friends and was a member of the Resthaven Coffee Club.
Malcolm was a dedicated Christian and lived his life as an example to others. He was loved by so many and will forever be remembered in our hearts.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Patsy Willis Ashcraft; son Malcolm (Mickey) Ashcraft III (Deborah) of Ponchatoula, La.; son Robert Todd Ashcraft of Hungry Horse, Mont.; brother Darrell Ashcraft (Theresa) of Coldwater; granddaughters Samantha Ashcraft Habetz (Kenny) of Lafayette, La., and Alexandra Ashcraft Dominguez (Josh) of Ponchatoula, La.; great-grandchildren Beau Michael Dominguez, Bailey Mae Dominguez, and Kenneth Michael Habetz III; and many nieces and nephews.
Malcolm was preceded in death by his parents, Malcolm and Thelma Ashcraft of Jonestown.
Pallbearers will be Sylvester “Jabo” Horton, Joe Alderson, John Mullins, Donald Rybolt, Matthew Horton and John Carraway. Honorary pallbearers will be Lewis Horton, John Melvin and Tony Sanders.
Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Lyon Baptist Church. The service will follow at 11 a.m. at Lyon Baptist Church with burial in the Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Meredith-Nowell Funeral Home in Clarksdale is handling the arrangements.
