Rodney Dale Gilpatrick

Rodney Dale Gilpatrick, 53, of Millington, Tenn., former Leachville resident, died Sunday, March 11, 2018, at the VA Medical Center in Memphis. Born in Leachville, he was the son of the late Jack and Alma Nance Gilpatrick and had lived in Michigan for several years before returning to Leachville as a teenager. He was a 1983 graduate of Leachville High School and was voted class favorite of his senior class. As a young man he had aspirations of being an actor and actually had a non-speaking part in the movie "Crisis at Central High." Rodney had a talent for writing and while living in North Carolina had a published article chronicling local nursing homes. He served two years in the U.S. Army and later worked in food service and as a certified nurses aide. He was a lifelong animal lover and also liked to talk and spend time visiting the elderly. Rodney had lived in the Memphis area for the past 15 years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Homer and Pauline Gilpatrick and J.L. and Martha Ellen Nance.

Survivors include his companion of 15 years, Mark Smith of Millington, Tenn.; three sisters, Barbara Arnold (J.C.) of Dell, Martha "Sissy" Gilpatrick of Jonesboro and Jackie Brewer (Gary) of Fairfield, Ohio; two uncles, Jimmy Ray Gilpatrick (Frances) of Olive Branch, Miss., and Pat Gilpatrick (Dolly) of Bastrop, La.; one aunt, Zelma Ashabranner of Lake City; three nieces; Jenny Wallin, Christie Goldsmith and Alisha Brewer; two nephews, Jamie Brewer and Justin Arnold. Rodney also leaves two great-nephews, four great-nieces, one great-great-nephew and one great-great-niece.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Leachville with Rev. Mark Wheeler officiating. Burial will follow in Leachville Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Wednesday from 12:30 until service time.

Guest register: www.HowardFuneralService.com