Fallen Hero: Retired Staff Sergeant Jerry Edward Ables

Wesson, MS

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Funeral Home

Riverwood Funeral Home

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Obituary

Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:

Recognizing and 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 April 23, 2026, and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Staff Sergeant Jerry Edward Ables, age 76, Brookhaven, MS who served in the Company C, 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment has departed and gone to a better place with our Lord and Savior.

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, sacrifices, 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:

A celebration of life will be held for Jerry Ables of Wesson at 11:00 am, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Little Bahala Baptist Church, with visitation from 9:30 until the time of the service and burial at the Church Cemetery

A good and faithful servant has heard from his Master, “Well done”. Jerry Ables, age 76, met his Lord and Savior on April 23, 2026, at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson with his wife at his side as she has been for 43 years. His son, Jeremy Ables is currently serving our country in the US Navy aboard the USS Delbert D Black. Jerry’s legacy extends to his wife, son, precious grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, extended family, church family, and a wide circle of friends who will remember him for his resilience, love of the Lord, and music by singing his favorite hymns. He has been a lifelong member of Little Bahala Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon for over 29 years and served as choir director and Sunday school teacher for many years. He started an “at-home “Sunday School class to meet the needs of some of the elderly members to come together in a small gathering. They enjoyed the teaching and sharing of God’s word and the fellowship with each other. He touched the lives of many and will be remembered for his hard work, dedication, and his faith. He worked as a Machinist at Pepper’s Machine & Welding for many years. He also served in the Mississippi Army National Guard.

Jerry was born to Edward Eastman Ables and Annie Mae Castilaw Ables Durr on June 12, 1949. He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Judy Case and Joyce Durr McCartney. He is survived by his wife, Michele Tomia; son, Jeremy; grandchildren, Eastman & Aydabelle; their mother, Adriean; sisters, Georgia Myers (Hal) and Betty Johnson (Ruben); brother-in-law, Leston Case and his devoted puppy, Rudy.

Pallbearers are David Floyd, Robert Beard, Kenny Smith, Jerry Meador, Dicky Martin and Ray Allen

Honorary Pallbearers Hal Myers, Leston Case, and Bill Dungan.