John Stephens “Steve” Worley passed away on February 10, 2022 at Baptist Hospital, surrounded by family.
Over the course of his life, Steve was many things - a husband, a father, a grandfather, a farmer, a businessman, an Army officer, a sportsman - but first and foremost, he was a Christian. His family takes comfort in knowing he is in Heaven.
Steve was born on June 5, 1937 in Electric Mills, MS, to Mary Alice and Doak Worley. In 1939 he moved with his family to Highlands Plantation in Sumner, MS, where he lived the majority of his years.
Steve was a 1959 graduate of Mississippi State University. An ROTC cadet, it was at State where he met the love of his life, Patricia Lester, a red-haired majorette from Greenville.
After graduation, 2nd Lieutenant Worley was stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, where he and Pat welcomed their first son, John. In 1961, Steve was sent to West Berlin, Germany, at the height of the Berlin Wall crisis. There, Steve led an artillery battalion slated to fire some of the opening shots of a potential war with the Soviet Union.
With a crisis safely averted, Steve returned home to Sumner, where he resumed farming and welcomed his second son, Wade. At Highlands Plantation, Steve owned and operated an agricultural business, growing cotton, soybeans, and other commodities.
He and Pat were members of the Sumner Presbyterian Church, where they served in various leadership roles. Avid travelers, they enjoyed trips around the United States and abroad - though none more so than a football weekend in Starkville. In 2005, Pat and Steve retired to Ono Island in Orange Beach, AL. After 10 years, they returned to Madison.
Steve had a deep passion for the outdoors and enjoyed spending time in the woods or on the water, especially when he could pass on this love to his sons and grandsons.
Steve is preceded in death by his son, Wade. He is survived by his wife, Pat, son John and his wife Patrice of Madison, MS, grandsons Stephen and wife Morgan Worley of Mobile, AL, Patrick and wife Sarah Worley of Houston, TX, Hugh and wife Jaycee Worley of Jackson, MS, and Cooper Worley of Jackson, MS, as well as one great-granddaughter, Elliott Ann Worley of Houston, TX.
There will be a visitation at 1:00 and a memorial service at 2:00, on Tuesday, February 15 at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Jackson. Memorials may be made to Briarwood Presbyterian Church or to a charity of your choice.
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