Wendell Ray Loyd

Wendell was born in Jackson Tennessee on August 24, 1940 to the late Joe Cleveland Loyd and Alta Bessie Taylor Loyd. He was the youngest of their nine children, attended Jackson City Schools and had a personality as unique as it was genuine, layered with quick wit and rich humor. Wendell farmed with his family, worked as a soda jerk at Standard Drugs, raised rabbits, and worked with his father wrecking houses and hauling wood and brick throughout his youth. In 1961 he was hired by Archie Structural Products in Jackson and later became Manager of Chickasaw Brick Company in 1965. He sold and delivered brick to thousands of businesses, schools and home constructions combined. His largest single sale was the million brick sold for the Carl Perkins Civic Center in 1973. In 1982 he opened his own telephone sales and service business, Loyd’s Telephone, which was later named Modern Telephone. Wendell was known to many West TN businesses and was dedicated to his customers until his retirement in 2016 due to cancer treatment.

Wendell was the master of all skills as he could do anything. He was a licensed electrician, a mechanic and technician, builder and remodeler and had experience working on everything from a small aircraft engine to installing the first computer of a local Jackson business. His woodshop was where he proved his talents as a craftsman, inventor and artisan and the kitchen was where he was known for his BBQ ribs. He enjoyed cooking for family gatherings, helping with family projects and was on call 24/7 for advice. His generous character and ingenuity found a solution to most any problem for family, customer, acquaintance or stranger. In 2014 he received The Rusty Mac Award for Outstanding Volunteer of the Year through the Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center. He had personally kept their phones going for their telethons from 1986 until his retirement. Wendell enjoyed soft serve ice cream, pan popped popcorn and watching his massive collection of nostalgic movies and shows, but most importantly, he loved his family and always told us so. He was very loved and will be truly missed.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 28 years Katherine Scott Loyd who passed away June 2020, his father and mother, brothers Jimmy Loyd, Severn Loyd, Ernest Loyd and Bobby Loyd, and sisters Blondell Jines and Mary Pearce.

He is survived by his daughter Kimberly Loyd Borden (John); grandchildren Jonathan Borden (Beth), Hilary Borden Griffith (Jay), Madison Borden and great-grandchildren, Mae and Noah Borden and Percival Griffith, all of Jackson.

He is also survived by stepchildren Lisa Sellers of Medina, Patrick Piercey (Gina), William Piercey (Nancy) of Jackson, and step-grandchildren Zach Sellers, Hannah Piercey Wingo (Cory), Cole Piercey, and Henry, Samuel and Ila Katherine Piercey. He leaves sisters, Betty Jo Winbush and Vernell Adams (James) and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside memorial will be held on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at 1 p.m. at Ridgecrest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to the Carl Perkins Center for the prevention of child abuse, Jackson Habitat for Humanity, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, or a charity of choice.

"Go out and do something for someone that’s more than they expect. Go out and forgive someone. Go out and give the shirt off your back. Go out and walk in your shoes in a way that someone watching would want to walk in them. Life is short on this earth and after all, this is what it’s all about." Unknown

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GeorgeASmithandSons.com for the Loyd family.