CENTREVILLE — Services for John Fletcher Rollins, 87, one of America’s Greatest Generation, of Centreville, who died Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Centreville Baptist Church with Dr. Jimmy Simeon officiating.

Graveside services will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery under the direction of Newman Funeral Home in Centreville.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. until service time Thursday, both at the church.

Mr. Rollins was born July 19, 1923, in Wilkinson County, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Fletcher Rollins. He was a graduate of William Winans High School and attended Perkinson Junior College where he played football. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a quartermaster on a troop carrier, the Sarasota. After returning home, he attended Millsaps College, graduating with a degree in history and economics. He met and married Dot Buchanan of Laurel.

They moved to Centreville where he was a forester/tree farmer and co-owned Rollins Timber Company along with his brother, Allen, which was started by their father more than 80 years ago. He was an active member of the Mississippi Forestry Association and was recognized as Mississippi Tree Farmer of the Year in 1975 and Wilkinson County Tree Farmer in 2003.

Mr. Rollins served as a Centreville alderman for 20 years. He was a Mason.

John was known for his generosity and love of sports. He was dedicated to Centreville Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and on a number of committees. His love and dedication to Centreville Academy was known by all.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A devoted husband and father, John is survived by his wife of 61 years; two daughters, Emily Rollins Nicholas of Madison and Sue Ellen Rollins Wells of Centreville; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Allen Rollins of Centreville and Edward Rollins of Brentwood, Tenn.

Pallbearers will be Emmette Knighton, Ben Havard, Drew Havard, Chas Evans, Patrick Stanton and Justin Wells.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Centreville Baptist Church deacons, the Rev. Fred Day, Lionel Slack and Mike McGregor.

The family requests memorials be made to Centreville Baptist Church, P.O. Box 428, Centreville, MS 39631 and Centreville Academy, P.O. Box 70, Centreville, MS 39631.