Milton Leroy Booth, age 80, passed away on January 10, 2021 after an extended illness at his home in the Holly Grove Community of Haywood County, which was also his birthplace and home for the majority of his life.
Mr. Booth was a life-long member of Holly Grove Baptist Church where he and his wife, Becky, were members of the Ed Davis Sunday School Class with many of their dearest friends. Growing up on his family farm in Haywood County, he began farming with his father at a very young age and continued farming for many years. After transitioning his farming operation to his son, Bradley, he shifted his focus to his life-long love of horses.
What began as a beloved hobby early in his life quickly became a successful horse breeding business that earned him many awards and accolades through the American Quarter Horse Association. He and Becky enjoyed traveling to horse shows and horse sales all over the South East where they met so many wonderful friends. One of his highest honors was being inducted into the West Tennessee Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2012.
He also served his community as a Haywood County Road Commissioner for 35 years. Known by so many simply as “Mr. Milton”, he was respected as a kind and gentle Christian man who always had a warm smile and friendly handshake for anyone he met.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Becky Stewart Booth; one son, Bradley Booth (Jennifer) of Brownsville, TN; one daughter, Beth Howard (Lance) of Florence, AL; one step-daughter, Michelle Brasfield (Reed) of Collierville, TN; and five grandchildren, Brad Booth and Taylor Booth of Brownsville, TN; Anna Kate Howard and Julia Howard of Florence, AL; and Lily Brasfield of Collierville, TN. He is also survived by two sisters, Faye McAbee and Bettye Waller, both of Jackson, TN, along with several nieces, great nieces and great nephews. He also leaves behind his loyal Jack Russell, LuLu.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Albertine “Abbie” Booth McBride; one brother, Georgia Roe Booth; and his parents, Albert and Mildred Brown Booth.
There will be a drive-thru visitation held to honor Mr. Milton at the Holly Grove Baptist Church Cemetery on Wednesday Afternoon, January 13, 2021 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM. The Funeral Service for Mr. Booth will be private.
Pallbearers are Brad Booth, Lance Howard, Clayton Lowery, Floyd Stewart, Allen Lovelace, Terry Brown, Keith Sullivan, and Marco Espitia. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bobby Williams, Danny Simpson, Travis Clenney, James Lewis, Reed Brasfield, Mark Halbrook, and Jerry Taylor. The family would like to extend special thanks to AseraCare Hospice, especially Deanna, Janet, Stacie, and Sharonica and Sitters and More in Jackson, TN.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Holly Grove Baptist Church, 8488 Poplar Corner Road, Bells, TN, 38006. All arrangements and services are under the direction of Lea & Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN.