Jesse Mike Amis, Sr.

Jesse Mike Amis, Sr., age 78, of Batesville, MS, passed away at his home Friday afternoon 4/29/16. Memorial service will be 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church in Batesville, MS with the family receiving friends Monday evening from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. at the church also. Mike was born April 4, 1938 in Newton County, Mississippi to the late Morris Parker and Sarah Ezelle Amis. Mike was the ninth of ten children, and he is preceded in death by five brothers: Jim, John, Mack, Frank, and Reese, and two sisters: Frances Amis Buntyn and Winifred Amis Buntyn. He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Frances Banks Amis and two sisters, Mrs. Sue Amis Spears (Buddy) of Union, Mississippi and Mrs. Glenda Amis Bishop (Truman) of Conehatta, Mississippi. He was the adored father of Lacy Amis Basinger (David) of Grenada, Jesse “Jay” Mike Amis, Jr. (Rhonda) of Batesville, and Parker Noble Amis (Betsy) of Houston, Texas. He was the proud grandfather of Brennan, Meredith, Maryfran, and Jessi Basinger of Grenada, Cate Amis of Batesville, and Charlie and Henry Amis of Houston, Texas. Mike graduated from Sebastopol High School in 1956, Delta State University in 1960, and completed graduate work at the University of Mississippi and Harvard Business School. During his time in college, he served in the Mississippi National Guard as Master Sergeant and was a member of various academic fraternities and organizations. After earning his degree, he moved to Batesville where he was employed as a teacher at Batesville High School. He met Frances Banks on New Year’s Eve in 1961. They married in 1963, and he went to work for her father, Oren Banks, as a salesman for Brasell’s John Deere Company, Inc., where he later became co-owner and manager. He served as the state campaign manager for Governor Cliff Finch and moved his family to Jackson when he was appointed Director of Mississippi Agricultural and Industrial Board and Chairman of the State Welfare Board during Governor Finch’s administration. He accepted a position of the assistant to the president of Northwest Community College and moved his family back to Batesville where he became the owner of Dixie Nursing Care. He retired in 2011. A devoted member of the First United Methodist Church of Batesville, Mike was a long-time Sunday school teacher, served as Chairman of Administrative Council, as well as on many other various committees, and he was a member of the North Mississippi Emmaus Community and Promise Keepers. He was also heavily involved in the Batesville community. He was elected Alderman-at-Large, he served as President of Batesville Jaycees and as a national officer, he was a member of the South Panola School Board, he served as President of Panola Country Club, and he acted as Master of Ceremonies for many civic events. Mike was the first Batesville Junior Auxiliary Charity Ball King. He, along with his wife, Frances, loved and enjoyed a large circle of close friends. He was an avid Mississippi State Bulldogs fan and an active member of the Bulldog Club. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be sent to the First United Methodist Church, 119 Panola Ave., Batesville, MS or Explorers Bible Study, P.O. Box 425, Dickson, TN 37056-0425.