Services for Claude “Pete” Gatlin, of Summit, are 11 a.m.Tuesday, Feb. 3, at New Heights Baptist Church with burial inHollywood Mausoleum. The Revs. Rick Kennedy and Jimmy McGee willofficiate. Hartman-Sharkey Funeral Home is in charge ofarrangements.

Visitation is Tuesday from 9 until 11 a.m. at the church.

Mr. Gatlin, 86, died Feb. 1, 2009, at his residence. He was bornin the Moak’s Creek community on Feb. 10, 1922, to Elbert andBessie McClelland Gatlin.

He was a U.S. Army veteran serving in World War II. Mr. Gatlinalso worked for Illinois Central Railroad and retired from the U.S.Postal Service. He was an active member and deacon of New HeightsBaptist Church, formerly East McComb Baptist Church, for 64 years.Mr. Gatlin was a devoted husband and father, and led aChrist-driven life that deeply touched and inspired others.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his two brothers,Lester Gatlin and Morris Gatlin Sr.; and a grandson, Warren BradleyDykes.

Survivors are his wife of 64 years, Velma McIntosh Gatlin, ofSummit; his sons, Glenn Gatlin and wife, Lee, of McComb, EdwinGatlin, of Vancouver, Wash., and Claude Gatlin Jr., of Newport,Tenn.; a daughter, Janice Carruth and husband, Randy, of Summit; abrother, Grady Gatlin, of Meridian; his two sisters-in-law,Norfleet Gatlin and “Toodles” Gatlin, both of Summit; his twobrothers-in-law, Billy McIntosh and wife, Ruth, of McComb, andDavid McIntosh and wife, Rosemary, of Jackson; his 11grandchildren; and his 22 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Guy Gatlin, Greg Gatlin, Kevin Wells,Frankie Thornhill, D.J. McAuley and Gary Fox.

Honorary pallbearers will be J.R. Gatlin, Jason Berkley, thedeacons of New Heights Baptist Church; the Steadfast Sunday schoolclass and former postal workers.

The family would also like to extend love and appreciation tothe entire staff at Hospice Ministries in McComb.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Heights BaptistChurch, P.O. Box 649, of Summit, MS 39666.