Edward Labry, Jr

Edward Allison Labry Jr., well-known businessman and outdoorsman, passed away October 14th, 2022, in the presence of his loving family.

He was born August 28, 1934, in Shreveport, LA, to the late Edward Allison and Retha R. Labry. Educated in several high schools in the south, he attended Duke University on a full scholarship, graduating from the University of Alabama in1957.

After a career of thirty-two years with Metropolitan Life Insurance, Ed retired in Bolivar and entered into business with his wife Bettye. He served for over thirty years with Ducks Unlimited in various positions and was President of the National Wild Turkey Federation in Tennessee for three years. Known throughout the mid-south as a hunter and conservationist, he made numerous talks and appearances in several states on behalf of conservation.

Active in the community and civic affairs, he served as President of Bolivar Rotary Club from 1993-1994 and as President of Metropolitan Life Veterans Association from 1995-1996. Ed was a member of First United Methodist Church in Bolivar and known for his work there with the youth. A member of the West Tennessee Emmaus Community, he loved serving adults and youth. He later become an active member of First United Methodist Church in Jackson.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Bettye R. Labry; son, Edward Allison Labry III and his wife, Kim of Memphis, TN, their daughter, Margaux, and his daughters, Holly and Allison Labry; son, Benjamin Caldwell Scott Labry and his wife, Lynn, of Nashville, TN, and their children, Mary, Lauren and Benjamin Labry Jr.; daughter, Margaret Hoyt and her partner Mary Kay Pollard, of Tuscaloosa, AL, and Margaret’s son, Austin Hoyt, Jr. and his wife Blaire;
daughter; Sylvia Roberts of Nashville, TN, and her children, Margaret Roberts, and Marshall Roberts, Jr. and his wife, Katie, and their son, Roman; and three stepdaughters, Tracy and her husband, August James Giovanetti III of Memphis, TN, Melissa Kay Harrell of Jackson, TN and her daughter, Ellie, and Elizabeth Pendergrass and her husband, Taylor, of Jackson, TN, and their children, Mary, Brady, Hank, and Elizabeth Jane Pendergrass.

SERVICE: A Celebration of Life for Ed will be Tuesday, October 18th, at 5:30 p.m. at the New Southern Hotel, 118 E. Baltimore Street, Jackson, TN 38301. Visitation with family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until the service time at 5:30 p.m. Please attend to celebrate a well-loved man.

Honorary pallbearers are Roger Helling, Doug Gaines, Paul Gaines, Mike Butler, and Steve Davies.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers please make a contribution to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org , or to the West Cancer Foundation, 7945 Wolf River Blvd, Germantown, TN 38138 or https://westcancerfoundation.org .

Arrington Funeral Directors 148 W. University Parkway Jackson, TN 38305
731-668-1111 arringtonfuneralgroup.com