Walter Kermit Arledge

Published 7:00 am Thursday, August 9, 2018

Walter Kermit Arledge departed this life on July 30, 2018, at age 92.  He was born July 1, 1926, in Poplarville, MS  to Dr. Horace John Arledge, DDS, and Mrs. Ida Bilbo Arledge.  His parents were founders of the First Baptist Church of Poplarville, and preceded him in death.  He is also preceded in death by his brother H.J. Arledge of Houston , TX; Muriel Arledge Reagan of Tylertown; and Elizabeth Arledge Russell of Petal, MS.

Kermit served in WWII in the Army Air Corp in Panama.  He attended Pearl River Junior College and married Frances Byrd of Poplarville.  Kermit and Frances moved to New Orleans where they raised two sons, Kermit Jr. and Donald Barry.  Frances and Kermit Jr. preceded him in death.

Kermit married his second wife, Jerri Seymour of Houston, TX where they lived several years.  Jerri preceded him in death.

Subsequently, Kermit married Leta Ashe of Poplarville, with whom he had attended Poplarville High School.  They were members of First Baptist Church of Poplarville, where Kermit served as a deacon.  They resided in Poplarville on Sweet Gum Street.  Leta died in 2013.  Kermit remained in their home until he entered Pearl River County Hospital and Nursing Home.

Kermit is survived by his son, Donald Barry Arledge of Tacoma, Washington; He is also survived by his nieces and nephews;  Jon Arledge, of League City, TX; Carol Reagan Thomas of Winona, MS; Gail Russell Karwoski of Austin, TX; Amy Regan Vincent of Troy, AL; John Paul Russell of Mobile, AL; David Regan of Tylertown, MS; and Jette Reagan McDougal of Zackery, LA.  Kermit is also survived by numerous great nieces and nephews as well as great, great nieces and nephews.

Kermit donated his body for medical research at the University of Mississippi. A memorial celebration with military honors will be held at First Baptist Church of Poplarville, Mississippi, August 12, 2018, at 2PM.