Luther Allen Ainsworth was born on January 1, 1937, in Star, Mississippi, to Tom A. and Genie Ainsworth. He died on December 7, 2023, in the same house he helped build and where he had lived for over 57 years.
Allen started school at Star and transferred to Florence High School. After graduation, he and his twin brother were drafted into the US Army. His 1961 letter of commendation sums up the type of man he was, “Your untiring efforts to do the best job possible, whatever the task assigned, and your continual cheerfulness have been a source of pride to me and a source of inspiration to the men working with you.” One of his special recent memories was giving his grandson-in-law his first salute at Trevor’s Army officer commission.
After his tour was over, he returned to Star and later met and married Annette Thompson. They celebrated 58 years of marriage earlier this year and enjoyed traveling all over the country and internationally together. For years, their daily afternoon coffee time was a staple in their relationship, along with many other daily reminders of their affection for one another. He always kissed her goodnight.
Allen was the longest continuous member of Wesleyanna United Methodist Church. He had a kind and helpful nature. After retirement, he was part of a group self-dubbed “The Old Codgers,” who performed a number of jobs at church and in the community and made multiple trips to Bay St Louis to help after Hurricane Katrina. He also served on the Wesleyanna Cemetery board.
He was a mechanic at Fruehauf and later at Yellow Freight for many years and was a member of Teamsters Local 891. He retired from Yellow Freight in 1995, at which time he picked back up his love for riding motorcycles, a hobby he had set aside when his children were young. Early in his retirement, he met Buddy Williams, with whom he worked various carpentry jobs and enjoyed a special bond.
Allen was one of the charter members of the Star Volunteer Fire Department and served on the Star Fire district board for a number of years. Allen enjoyed gardening, wood working, and yardwork. He was an animal lover and usually had a devoted dog (and in later years, at least half a dozen cats) by his side.
He particularly hit his stride as a papaw, enjoying many family vacations with his kids and grandkids. Each of them has a special nickname he gave them. The highlight of family Christmas was the tractor ride through the woods to the back of his place. During the ride, he would pull the trailer packed with kids and grandkids past the cabin he built over the hill from his house The cabin fulfilled a promise he had made to his mother to one day build a cabin in those woods. His family meant so much to him, and they are grateful for the extra years he gave them by kicking a longtime smoking habit in his fifties.
Allen is preceded in death by his parents, Tom A. and Genie Ainsworth, twin brother Monroe Ainsworth, and sister Frances Blackwell. He is survived by his wife Annette of Star, MS; his four children, Al (Loretta) Ainsworth of Hernando, MS; Lu Ann (Charlie) Plyler of Mobile, AL; Wilagene (Stan) McElhenney of Springdale, AR; and Andy Ainsworth of Star, MS; seven grandchildren Daniel McElhenney of Norman, OK; Ryne Plyler of Mobile, AL; Hayden (Daisy) Plyler of Ansbach, Germany; Alison (Trevor) Dodson of Springdale, AR; Ashton (Alec) Daly of Hernando, MS; Garrett Ainsworth of Hernando, MS; and Drew Ainsworth of Hernando, MS; one great-grandson Thomas Dodson and a great-granddaughter due around Christmas of Springdale, AR; two nieces and two nephews.
Memorials may be made to Wesleyanna UMC, PO Box 13, Star, MS 39167 or to your favorite charity.
