Mr. Thomas "Papa" Ray Shack Sr.

Thomas Ray “Papa” Shack, Sr., 87, went home to his Savior on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at MS Baptist Medical Center in Jackson. Visitation will be Thursday, April 27th from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Chancellor Funeral Home in Florence and Friday, April 28th from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service at Hickory Ridge Baptist Church in Florence. Burial will follow at Hickory Ridge Cemetery in Florence. Papa Shack was born March 27, 1930 to Sol and Kizzie Shack in Florence. He loved his family, his friends, and his community and they all loved him. He raised thousands of dollars to assist people in need. He was the founder of Shack’s Welding Service. In 1988, he joined the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department and served as a Captain in the Reserves. He was awarded Volunteer of the Year in the State of MS. A former member of Cleary Baptist Church, he was a current member of Hickory Ridge Baptist Church. Papa Shack loved life and lived it abundantly. Papa Shack is preceded in death by his wife, Freida Sears Shack; brothers, Earl and James Shack; sisters, Louise Zacchiroli, Catherine Williams, and Ellen Crain; and by his beloved grandson, Christopher Shack. He is survived by his son, Thomas “Tommy” (Clara) Shack, Jr. of Florence; daughter, Peggy Ann Shack of Fairhope, AL, and Glenda H. Grayson of Hattiesburg; sister, Gladys Peoples of Terry; brother, Norman (Elsie Mae) Shack of Terry; 6 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and a host of beloved nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital. .