WILLIAM ANSEL MOTE SR.

Services for William Ansel Mote Sr., of McComb, are 11 a.m.Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Navilla Baptist Church in McComb with burialin the church cemetery. The Revs. Larry Romack and Howard Bristerwill officiate. The Rev. Bob Lynch will officiate the gravesideservice. Hartman-Sharkey Funeral Home in McComb is in charge ofarrangements.

Visitation is Tuesday from 5 until 8 p.m. and Wednesday from9:30 until 11 a.m. at the church.

Mr. Mote, 77, died Sept. 6, 2009, at his residence. He was bornin Pike County on Feb. 8, 1932, to Lonnie C. Mote Sr. and RuthPrewitt Mote.

Mr. Mote was a realtor in Pike County and co-owned and operatedWilliam Mote Agency Inc. with his wife since 1969. He was a memberof Southwest Mississippi Board of Realtors, where he formerlyserved as president; the Mississippi Realtor Association; theNational Association of Realtors; and the United CommercialTravelers. His previous employment included American Box Co., MacoCandy Co. and Sears & Roebuck Co.

Mr. Mote served his country with the Army in the Korean conflictduring the years of 1953-1954. He was honorably discharged as astaff sergeant and was a current member of the American Legion. Mr.Mote has been a member of the McComb Lions Club since 1966 andserved on the board of directors and as president in 1990 and 1991.He actively served on various booster clubs while his childrenattended McComb Public Schools.

During the year 2005, Mr. Mote was chosen by the EnterpriseJournal as one of the community’s “Unsung Heroes.” His longtimefriend and colleague in the real estate business, JerryFortenberry, nominated Mr. Mote for this honor. He was cited asdeserving of this honor for his work in his community, his devotionto his family and his strong faith in God. Mr. Fortenberry wasquoted as saying, “William is a real quiet person … .I have neverheard anyone say anything but good things about William Mote.”

As a very devout Christian, Mr. Mote spent countless hoursserving his church, Navilla Baptist Church in McComb. He served onthe board of deacons and previously served as chairman. Mostrecently, he served as Sunday school superintendent. During histime at Navilla, he also worked as a youth training union teacher,served as a member of the building and grounds committee and thecemetery committee. Mr. Mote was affectionately known by his familyas “Pop-Pop.”

Preceding him in death were his parents; his siblings, MarieMote, Ellis Mote, Ruby Pounds, L.C. Mote Jr., Leroy Mote and MinnieMae Williams; and his in-laws, Earl Pounds, Rosa Lee Mote, BillWilliams and James Carrier.

Survivors are his wife of 52.5 years, LaVerne Deer Mote; a sonand daughter-in-law, Ansel and Lynn Mote, of Brookhaven; a daughterand son-in-law, Alison and William Pannell, of McComb; his brothersand sisters-in-law, Otis and Jeanne Mote, of McComb, and Albert andGlenda Mote, of Oakgrove, La.; a sister, Althalea Carrier, ofBogalusa, La.; his sisters-in-law, Louise Mote, Lois Barclay andhusband, John, all of Magnolia, Susan Deer, Virginia Deer all ofMcComb, Carol Deer, of Cary, N.C., Gillian Deer, of Hopkinsville,Ky., and Euna Deer, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; and hisbrothers-in-law, Jimmy Deer and wife, Lexine, and Gene Deer andwife, Janice, of McComb; a granddaughter, Emily Mote, ofBrookhaven; a host of nieces and nephews; and special familyfriends, Allyson Brogan Bracken, of Brick, N.J., and MichelleBruss, of New Orleans, La.

Pallbearers are Cliff Mote, Johnny Mote, Mike Mote, TomO’Bryant, Jimmy Deer, Dwayne Deer, Jeff Deer and MatthewWilson.

Honorary pallbearers are deacons of Navilla Baptist Church andmembers of the McComb Noon Lions Club.