Artis Ashley

Artis attended schools in Bogue Chitto, Mississippi where he played sports, baseball and basketball. Baseball was his favorite. He then moved to Fort Worth, Texas where he played semi-pro projected for the Cleveland Indians. Then in 1965, Artis met his soulmate Roberta Johnson. Artis and Roberta married in 1966 and started a family. They had four children Debra, Markrico, Latanya, and Andy. The family attended Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church. Christ was accepted at an early age.

Artis started working for family businesses at numerous movie theaters, Mrs. Baird’s Bread, Sealy Mattresses Company, and Lennox. He completed his working career at General Motors in Kansas City, Kansas after thirty plus years.

Early Monday morning, on June 17, 2024 Artis Ashley surrendered to the will of God and peacefully transitioned from labor to reward. He is preceded in death by his grandson LaRon Ashley; father Roy Ashley; mother Beulah Ashley; three brothers Roy Ashley, Lamar Ashley, and James Ashley; sister Shirley Hollis; father-in-law Herman Johnson; and mother-in-law Fannie Johnson.

Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife of 58 years Roberta Ashley; loving children Debra (Weston) Markrico and Latanya (Kenya) Andy; eleven grandkids Drew, Makel, Jabo, Modell, Juston, Mia, Andrew, Andy, LaStar, Bralen, and Morgan; three great grandkids Melani, JaBo II, and Marlee; two brothers Larry Ashley (Mae) and Willie Ashley (Sonja); two sisters Diane Ashley and Lisa Gamble; five sisters-in-law Lois Ashley, Barbara Johnson, Anna Tucker, Mae Ashley and Sonja Ashley; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Artis Ashley will lie in state on Friday, July 5, 2024 from 12:00 pm until 8:00 pm.