Michael Bruce Chittom (Mike), age 69, died Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Clinton, Mississippi. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 22, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Lakewood Funeral Home in Jackson. Visitation will be just prior to the service on Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Lakewood. Interment will be in Lakewood Memorial Park, Jackson.
Mike was born January 28, 1949, in Greenwood, Mississippi, to Park and Mary Thetford Chittom. He grew up in the Delta and attended schools in Inverness, graduating as salutatorian of his high school class. He went on to earn a degree in business at Mississippi College and a subsequent Juris Doctor from the Mississippi College School of Law. He practiced law in Jackson for many years until a stroke in 2005 forced his retirement.
While a student at MC in 1970, Mike met his future wife, Gayle Guardia. The couple married in 1972, starting a life of 46 years together in Jackson and Clinton with their three children.
Also while a student at MC, Mike enlisted in the National Guard. Although initially trained as a tank driver, he served most of his military career as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) warrant officer in Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 155th Armored Brigade of the Mississippi National Guard. When called to active duty in support of Operation Desert Shield, he spent several months stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas. He retired from the Guard after 33 years at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer IV. Mike was proud of his military service and enjoyed a unique and long-lasting camaraderie with his fellow Guard members.
A life-long Baptist, Mike was a member of First Baptist Church, Clinton. He loved the Lord and served in many capacities, including deacon. He especially believed strongly in providing meaningful activities for young boys within the church setting, and served for many years as the director of the Royal Ambassadors program for school age boys. In this capacity, Mike introduced countless boys and their dads to the majesty of God’s creation during camping and hiking trips to places such as the Smokey Mountains, Red Bluff (Mississippi’s own “Grand Canyon” in Marion County), and the swamps of Louisiana.
Always a people person, Mike had a love for community theater, which allowed him the luxury of being with many different people and also of “being” many different people in his acting roles. Mike acted in, and directed, many plays in community theaters in Clinton, Brandon, Pearl, and Vicksburg until his health prevented his participation.
Mike was very proud of his children and he adored his grandchildren. He and his wife had the honor of babysitting quite often, and he was always sure to leave no doubt in little minds how much Grandpa loved them. Mike was known as the “Sandman,” because any crying baby could be soothed and put to dreamland in a very few minutes just by resting that tiny head on Mike’s broad chest. Listening to the steady beating of Grandpa’s heart brought comfort and security to even the most upset little one.
Mike is survived by his wife, Gayle; sons, Carson (Rebecca) Chittom, and Merritt Chittom of Clinton; daughter, Leah (Michael) Usry, Jr., of New Orleans, LA; brothers, Dr. Park (Annette) Chittom of Selma, AL, and John Thomas (Karen) Chittom of Auburn, AL; and grandchildren, Gabriel, Genevieve, Elizabeth, Katherine, John Patrick, Ciaran, and Juliana Chittom, and Ayla Usry. He is also survived by his aunt, Wilma Chittom of Pontotoc, MS, and other extended family.
His generosity of spirit, and his love of life, of God, of his country, and of his family will be much missed.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The MIND Center at the University of Mississippi Medical Center either online or by mail to 2500 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39216.
