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August 03, 2024, Monroe Ellis Eldridge, Jr., 84, of Braxton, MS, passed away peacefully at his home, with his beloved wife Johnnie and loving family by his side.
Monroe was born on June 26, 1940 to Monroe Ellis Eldridge, Sr. and Jessie Pearce Eldridge in Yazoo City, Mississippi. He grew up spending a lot of time with his siblings and grandmother. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1959 and spent the next five years proudly serving his country. Monroe spent the next thirty years with the Jackson Police Department, first as a Patrolman then working up to Detective Sergeant. After retiring from JPD, he worked for 10 years as an officer for the Mendenhall Police Department.
In 1990, Monroe met the love of his life, Johnnie. They married in the summer of 1991 and together they built a beautiful family with their five children. Once Monroe retired from the police department, he found his true calling in life. He devoted all of his love and time to caring for his family. For many years, he took care of all the grandchildren in the family while their parents worked. Being “Poppy” to his grandchildren and taking care of his wife and family were his most important roles. He was great at being a Marine, officer and detective, but being a husband to Johnnie, a father to his children and “Poppy” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren is where he really shined. He loved sharing the stories of his childhood with his children and grandchildren, and teaching them the songs his grandmother sang to him while she picked cotton. His youthful spirit and loving ways will be carried on by the family he loved so dearly.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 33 years, Johnnie Bratcher Eldridge; sons, Gregory Eldridge and Josh Sheppard (Kelly); daughters, Robin Eldridge Richardson (Bill), Stephanie McClendon (Ed), and Suzanne Herring (Josh); grandchildren, Logan Jordan (Veronica), Maggie Jordan, Kayla Barnett (Presley), Seth Sheppard, Kristen Garrett (Blaine), Chuck Brewer (Bailey), Cole Brewer, Jax Herring, Meagan McClendon and Tye McClendon; brothers, Don Eldridge and Jimmy Eldridge; sisters, Audrey Humphries, Marilyn Powell and Gail Eldridge; great-grandchildren Addison Barnett, Bentley Barnett, Paul Bane Barnett, Ada Mae Barnett, Alice Garrett, Alayna Garrett and Charlee Brewer.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Monroe Ellis Eldridge, Sr. & Jessie Pearce Eldridge; grandchildren, Jacob Sheppard and Eli Herring; brothers, Fred Eldridge, Roy Eldridge and Ray Eldridge; sisters, Dorothy Anderson and Gloria Eldridge; daughter-in-law, Janine Eldridge.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Mendenhall, MS. We will also have an hour of visitation on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 from 11:00 am -12:00 pm. The service will be at 1:00 pm at Gum Springs Baptist Church in Braxton, MS, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Bro. Andy Gipson and Bro. Chuck Morgan will officiate. Special music will be performed by Crystal Blair, Bailey Brewer, & Chris Bratcher.
Pallbearers will be Logan Jordan, Cole Brewer, Chuck Brewer, Blaine Garrett, Seth Sheppard, and Presley Barnett.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jax Herring, Bentley Barnett, and Paul Bane Barnett,
Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Mendenhall is in charge of arrangements.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapelmageemendenhall.com
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