John Walker Proffitt of Columbus, Mississippi

August 13, 1936 - April 26, 2021

John Walker Proffitt

John Walker Proffitt, 84, of Columbus, MS, passed away on Monday, April 26, 2021 at his residence, surrounded by his family.

A private graveside service will be held on Wednesday, April 28, at Tranquil United Methodist Cemetery in Wren, MS.  Open visitation and a celebration of his life will follow at 12:00 p.m. at the home of Tillman and Millie Rodabough, 1100 6 th Street North, Columbus, MS.

Mr. Proffitt  was born August 13, 1936, in Gatlinburg, TN to the late Lawrence A. and Etta M. Proffitt.  He graduated from Pittman Center High School in Gatlinburg in 1956 and was active in the Boy Scouts of America.  He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and later began his career with the Bureau of Public Roads and moved to Mississippi to begin work on the Natchez Trace Parkway.  While living at Port Gibson he met his wife, Claire, at Port Gibson Baptist Church, and they were married on December 20, 1958.  He later transferred to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and worked on several powerhouses and waterways in Mississippi and Alabama.  After retirement, he worked for R and D Maintenance in Columbus, MS continuing his work along the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway.  Later in life, he and Claire enjoyed traveling, camping and enjoyed a full life with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.

Mr. Proffitt was a devoted father, grandfather, brother and a friend to all who knew him.  He was a Member of Masonic Lodge #3 in Port Gibson, MS.  He served as a deacon in his church, was a member of the choir and passed on a love of music to his family.

He is preceded in death by his granddaughter Katy Claire Smelley, sisters Lucille Brown, Juanita Roberts, Betty McCarter and brother Gene Proffitt.

He is survived by his wife Claire, of Columbus, MS; daughters, Juanita Proffitt of Wesson, MS, Millie Rodabough ( Tillman) of Columbus, MS and Mary Ann Smelley (Nick, Jr) of Mims, FL; grandchildren T. C. Rollins, Jr. (Jocelyn) of Jackson, MS, John Michael Rollins ( Margaret) of Columbus, MS, Jason Stuntz (Dawn) of Niceville, FL, Damen Stuntz of Columbus, MS, Tyler Rodabough IV of Columbus, MS, Parker Rodabough ( Kerri) of Columbus, MS, and Stephen Rodabough of Starkville, MS; great-grandchildren, T.C Rollins III, Levi Harrison Rollins, John Richard Rollins, Turner Clark Rollins, Joseph Walker Rollins, Adeline Elizabeth Rollins, Carsen Norris, Paige Norris, Gavin Rodabough, Addison Perrigin, and Casey Larsen; brothers, Billy Proffitt  (Melanie) of Gatlinburg, TN and Gerald David Proffitt (Marge) of Washington; brother in law William Dykes of Wiscasette, MN and Hugh Dykes, Jr ( Coleen) of Columbus, MS and many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be T.C Rollins, Jr., John Michael Rollins, Tillman Rodabough, Nick Smelley, Jr, Parker Rodabough, Tyler Rodabough and Stephen Rodabough. Honorary pallbearers are William Dykes, Hugh Dykes, Jr., Jason Stuntz, Damen Stuntz, and Jamie Foshee.

Memorials in memory of John Proffitt can be made to the Fisher House Foundation.  Arrangement will be handled by Memorial Gunter Peel  Funeral Home & Crematory 716 2 nd Ave N.