John William Ivey, 80, of Belzoni, passed away Thursday, October 27, 2016 at Select Specialty Hospital in Jackson. John was born in Decatur County, Tennessee and was the son of Lela Bertie and Perry Logan Ivey. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Belzoni where he was very active and served as deacon.  He also served as deacon and church clerk while he was a member of Palestine Baptist Church in Raymond.

John retired in 1996 from Kansas City Southern Railways after 41 years of service as the administrative assistant in the superintendent's office. Over the course of his career, several mergers took place in the railroad industry to include GM&O Railways, ICG Railways, and Mid-South Railways. After his retirement, he and his wife moved to Belzoni.

John was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Lloyd Ivey. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 59 years, Mary Joyce DePoyster Ivey of Belzoni; son John William Ivey, Jr. of Jackson; daughters, Jeri Flowers and husband John of Germantown, Tennessee, Judy Earrey and husband Mike of Columbus, Mississippi; and grandchildren, Mary Lexis Earrey, Anna Russell Earrey, both of Columbus, Mississippi, Adams DePoyster Flowers and Lela Francis Flowers, both of Germantown, Tennessee.

The family will receive friends Saturday, October 29 ^th from 2:00 p.m. until the 3:00 p.m. funeral service at First Baptist Church in Belzoni. Interment will be Sunday, October 30 ^th at 2:00 p.m. in Pleasant Hill Methodist Cemetery in Decaturville, Tennessee. Burton Funeral Home of Indianola is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 654, Belzoni, Mississippi 39038.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.burtonfuneralhome.net