June 5, 1953 – Dec. 6, 2013

 

NATCHEZ — Funeral services for Paul Douglas “Buster” Etheridge, 60, of McComb, who died Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, after a long and courageous battle with cancer, will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, at Smith Family Funeral Services.

Burial will follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery under the direction of Jones Family Funeral Services.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Etheridge was born June 5, 1953, in Natchez, the son of Edna Etheridge.

He grew up in Natchez and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. He was in the construction business most of his working years.

After moving to McComb, Etheridge continued in construction and later became a security guard at Edgewood Mall until his health forced him to retire.

He loved to tinker with things and take things apart just to put them back together, and he especially enjoyed working on old radios. He loved old black-and-white television shows, such as Andy Griffith, Gun Smoke, Bonanza and The Real McCoys.

He enjoyed joking with people and was always ready to help anyone. He had a really sweet and caring heart, and he tried to be positive during his illness and strong for those he loved. When asked how he was feeling, he would say, “I’m fine, just fine.” Now, Buster, you are “fine, just fine.”

Buster was a member of Central Baptist Church of McComb. He depended on his Savior, Jesus Christ, for his strength and courage during very difficult times. He’s now in the presence of his Lord, without pain and suffering. Praise God!

He was married to the love of his life, Kimberly King Etheridge. Kim was such a source of love, strength and support during their marriage and his illness.

On April 15, 2005, came the joy of his life — his daughter, Trisha Irene Ehtheridge. She took his heart that day and never let go. His “girls” gave him great happiness, and Buster was so grateful to God for the years he was able to be with them. The doctors gave Buster eight months to live, but God gave him eight years. Grace, grace, God’s grace!

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Edgar and Ottie Lee Thornton; paternal grandparents, Phineo and Zella Etheridge; several aunts, uncles and cousins, Merwin Scruggs and Roger Etheridge.

Survivors include his parents; his wife; his daughter; two sisters, Dianne McKnight and husband, Randy, of Colombia, Tenn. and Kaye Richardson, of Knoxville, Tenn.; one brother, Don Etheridge and wife, Priscilla, of Nashville; one nephew, Paul Pearson and wife, Annie, of Maryville,Tenn.; one niece, Stephanie Bricker and husband, Rich; two great-nephews, William and Charles Bricker, of Knoxville; stepmother, Rose Etheridge, of McComb; very special aunt, Jessie Lee Etheridge, of McComb; a number of cousins; wonderful in-laws, Mike and Stella King of Mo., and Jerri Hanson, of Chicago.