Truman was born October 15, 1935, to Edgar Amelton and Alice Rogers Whitehead. A lifelong member of the Ellison Ridge community, he graduated from Ellison Ridge School where he was voted Mr. Ellison Ridge for the graduating class of 1953. He was also a member of Ellison Ridge Baptist Church and he was an avid outdoorsman and farmer raising cotton, dairy cows, and hay. Several times during his farming career, he was voted Farmer of the Year and Dairyman of the Year; and for many years, he enjoyed serving on the Farm Services Agency committee. Along with Bobby McKay and Bobby Rogers, he was a charter member of the Ellison Ridge Cemetery Trust Fund.
Truman is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ruby Eaves Whitehead; and four children, Gary Whitehead, Kenny Whitehead, Shari Whitehead Sullivan and husband, Johnny, and Kevin Whitehead and wife, Tami, all of Louisville. One of his greatest joys was being “Granddaddy” to 12 grandchildren: Mitch Whitehead (Cameron); Eric Whitehead (Angel); Jeremy Shafer (Randi); Holly Preston Wilkes (Justin); Lesley Boatner (Lenny); Cody Preston; Dalton Whitehead; Allye Whitehead; Mary Beth Sullivan; Shane Sullivan; Lance Sullivan (Denise); and C. Jae Warren. He also loved his 18 great-grandchildren: Hunter Shafer, Alyssa Shafer, Aaron Shafer, Will Whitehead, Addison Shafer, Taylor Whitehead, Lana Rae Boatner, Tanner Boatner, Anna Grace Whitehead, Beau Boatner, Luke Whitehead, Libby Jo Boatner, Destiny Sullivan, Elijah Wilkes, Jodie Wilkes, Zander Warren, Cheyenne Warren, and Zane Wilkes. Truman is also survived by his aunt, Archie Ree Whitehead Sullivan. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Ree Whitehead Goodin.
Serving as pallbearers are Cody Preston, Jeremy Shafer, Shane Sullivan, Eric Whitehead, Mitch Whitehead, Justin Wilkes. Memorial contributions in honor of Truman may be given to Ellison Ridge Cemetery Trust Fund, c/o Kathy Carr, 13 Ellison Ridge Church Road, Louisville, MS 39339.
Services are under the direction of Nowell Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
