Fallen Hero: CW5 John Lee Prine (Ret)

Rawl Springs/Hattiesburg


Funeral Home

Moore Funeral Home

Hattiesburg, MS

Visitation

Saturday, May 20, 2023,  10-11 am, Rawls Springs Baptist Church, 55 Rawls Springs Rd, Hattiesburg.

Service

Saturday, May 20, 2023,  11 am, Rawls Springs Baptist Church, 55 Rawls Springs Rd, Hattiesburg.  Internment at cemetery near church.


Obituary

Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard.  “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”

In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.

Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on May 13, 2023, and has moved on to his heavenly home.  CW5 John Lee Prine (Ret), who had served as a member of the MS Army National Guard and served within the 193rd Trans Co, 3656 HAeMCO and the 114th Area Support Group and worked and retired at the Shelby CSMS, has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.  John was also the Shelby/Hub City MSNG Retiree Group Coordinator.

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free.

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.

Obituary, visitation, and service details:  

John Lee Prine passed away on May 13, 2023, with his son, John Mark, and wife of 67 years, Paula Shotts Prine, at his side. Mark was reading his favorite scripture, Psalms 23. Visitation will be Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Rawls Springs Baptist Church with services immediately following at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in Rawls Springs Cemetery.

John was born to Roy Lee and Mabel (Bryant) Prine on May 4, 1934, in Morgantown, Marion County, Mississippi. He grew up in the Bunker Hill community of Marion County and graduated from Bunker Hill High School in 1953.

John began his military career in December 1951 when he enlisted in the Mississippi Army National Guard ‘s 193rd Transportation Company in Columbia, Mississippi. He transferred to the 3656th Ordnance Company at Camp Shelby, Mississippi in February 1955. In August 1969, he transferred to the 114th Area Support Group in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. While a member of the 114th Area Support Group, he served as the unit’s First Sergeant and was appointed in May 1972 to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Two. He retired from military service at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Five on May 3, 1994. In a civilian capacity, he was employed by the Mississippi Army National Guard at Camp Shelby from 1954 until 1998.

He was a long-time member of Rawls Springs Baptist Church. He served on many committees and worked with the youth for several years. He was a deacon and served as the chairman of the deacons and as a church trustee. He served as the moderator of the Lebanon (Pine Belt) Baptist Association. John, along with other community leaders, chartered the Rawls Springs Utility District that provides water and sewer service to the community. Additionally, he was instrumental in the community receiving natural gas service and the establishment of the volunteer fire department. He served as the chief of the volunteer department for several years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Lee and Mabel (Bryant) Prine, his brothers Jimmy Roy and Isaac Marion, and sister, Alice Hinds. He is survived by his wife, Paula (Shotts) Prine, son, John Mark (Judy) Prine all of Rawls Springs, grandson, John Joshua Caleb Prine of Brandon, granddaughter, Mary Grace Prine, of Rawls Springs, sister, Lovis Mae (Tiny) Hicks of Hattiesburg, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of John Prine to the Rawls Springs Cemetery Fund, 55 Rawls Springs Road, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39402, or the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, Building 850, Camp Shelby, Mississippi 39407.