Mr. Humphreys was born in Collierville, TN on August 12, 1924 to Robert Baxter Humphreys and Ruby Hughes Humphreys and resided there for almost his entire life. He grew up in the Great Depression and told stories of how his family grew their own vegetables, raised chickens, and even had a milk cow. He attended Collierville High School where he excelled as a star athlete on the football field and basketball court. 50 years later he could recall specific key game winning plays and was especially proud of the Shelby County Football Championship Collierville won when he was a senior. He then went to Memphis State University on a football scholarship where he played one year (he also played on the Memphis Basketball team that year when the basketball coach needed volunteers to complete the team roster). He then was called into service in WWII, where he served as a Merchant Marine. After finishing WWII service he then went to the University of Tennessee where he studied agriculture. One of his proudest accomplishments there was being captain of the National Championship Dairy Cow Judging team. After graduating he married Jimmie Tull McKenzie who he met through a friend at Blue Mountain College. They settled in Collierville and raised their family. He worked for Equitable Agribusiness his entire life before retiring as Regional Vice President of the company.
He was an active lifetime member of Collierville First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and church treasurer. He helped teach the five year old Sunday school class and served in this role until he was 90 years old.
He also served the Town of Collierville as an alderman for 13 years and then continued service on various boards for a total of 40 years and was honored by the Town of Collierville in 2005.
Mr. Humphreys’ was a loving grandfather to Rob, Alan, and Alison taking them on outings to the farm and giving them sagely advice which has influenced them throughout their lives. His Christian witness will continue in the countless lives he touched throughout his lifetime.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Jimmie McKenzie Humphreys and his son, John Peyton Humphreys.
Mr. Humphreys is survived by his son, Dr. Robert Alan Humphreys (Suzanne Farley Humphreys); daughter in law, Donna Robinson Humphreys; 3 grandchildren, Robert Christopher Humphreys (Brittany Dawn Humphreys), Dr. Alan Farley Humphreys (Mary Elizabeth Humphreys) and Alison Humphreys Nenon (Russell Thomas Nenon); 7 great grandchildren, Kennon Lane Humphreys, Robert George Humphreys, Hazel Ann Humphreys, John Raymond Humphreys, Charlotte MzKenzie Humphreys, Russell Thomas Nenon, Jr., and Peyton Hughes Nenon- Due June 17, 2021; a sister, Sarah Humphreys Davis, along with extended family and many friends.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 10:00 am with Rev. Gary Watkins and Rev. Chuck Herring officiating at Collierville First Baptist Church, 830 New Byhalia Rd. Collierville, TN 38017. The service will be limited to family and livestreamed at Collierville Funeral Home Facebook Page. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Collierville First Baptist Church.
