Rev. William Emerson Tedder, Jr.

Reverend Tedder was born on July 29, 1925, in Vardaman, Mississippi, grew up there, and graduated from Vardaman High School.

Emerson Tedder answered the call to military duty during World War II. He joined the United States Navy and served throughout the South Pacific. He earned an Honorable Discharge and the Victory Medal for Distinguished Service.

In 2013, Reverend Tedder was selected with ninety-two other World War II veterans for the Honors Flight Program. These veterans traveled together to Washington, D.C., on October 1, 2013, where they toured the World War II Memorial and visited other historical sites.

When World War II ended, Emerson Tedder returned to Calhoun County. On April 13, 1947, he married his sweetheart Carolyn Thompson of Big Creek, Mississippi. Later, they had a beloved daughter Sheila Carol Tedder. He described life with his wife and daughter as, “Days of Heaven on Earth.”

In 1959, Emerson Tedder answered God’s call to the Preaching Ministry. To prepare, he earned degrees from Clarke Memorial College, Mississippi College, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. While engaged in his studies, Reverend Tedder pastored churches in Calhoun, Neshoba, and Adams Counties.

Upon his graduation from seminary, he devoted his ministry to churches in Smith, Neshoba, Lincoln, Rankin, and Yazoo Counties. Reverend Tedder and his wife Carolyn served faithfully as a pastor and wife team in each church and community where the Lord led them. They truly loved people and compassionately ministered to them.

After retirement from full time ministry, Reverend Tedder taught Bible classes at Hinds Community College in Pearl. He also served as interim minister throughout Mississippi and preached revival services until he was eighty-six years old. He humbly considered himself, “Blessed with health and vibrancy so I can reach people for Jesus Christ.” He was a loyal member of First Baptist Brandon and Believers’ Life Group.

Reverend Tedder is survived by his daughter Sheila Carol Tedder and his sister Glenda Tedder Donoho, both of Pearl; sister-in-law Dannie Poe, Pontotoc; brother-in-law L.C. Thompson, Jr., [Wynell], Booneville; nieces Deanna Poe Prewett, Pontotoc; Lanell Dorrah Kellum, [Bill], Bellefontaine; nephew Bob Poe, [Michelle], Ecru.

Reverend Tedder is predeceased by his cherished wife Carolyn Thompson Tedder; his parents William Emerson Tedder, Sr., and Jimmie Lee Gillespie Tedder; sister Josephine Tedder Hayes; mother-in-law Jakie Boland Thompson; father-in-law L.C. Thompson, Sr.; and sisters-in-law Ava Poe Petreman and Geraldine Dorrah.

Visitation will be held from 12:00pm until 2:00pm, Friday, April 16, 2021, at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. Celebration of Life Services will follow at 2:00pm in the funeral home chapel with interment in Floral Hills Memory Gardens, Pearl.

Reverend Bobby Douglas of Bruce, Mississippi, close friend of Reverend Tedder’s and Reverend Rodney Bounds, Senior Adult Pastor, First Baptist Church, Brandon, will officiate the services.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Mission Dignity for retired pastors at Mission: Dignity-Guidestone, P.O. Box 819109, Dallas, Texas 75381 or to Gideons International, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, D.C. 20090-7252.