Charlene Spight, a resident of Ripley, MS, was born on July 31, 1956 in Ripley, MS to Helen and Nathaniel Spight. She departed this earth on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at Baptist East Memorial Hospital in Memphis, TN.

She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church of Ripley, MS. In 1974, Charlene pursued an Accounting Degree from Jackson State University. Charlene worked at BiltRite Corporation for almost 30 years as a Line Inspector. During her time there she made numerous friends. Her favorite gathering with her co-workers was the company’s annual fish fry. She enjoyed sitting under the only shade tree within walking distance of her car and reminiscing with friends. Later in life, she transitioned to a career as a corrections officer for a private prison in Holly Springs, MS. She always said that monitoring inmates was like being in charge of a pre-school.

Charlene loved and cherished books. She enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, binge watching T.V., and a good meal. She also had a fondness for plants and flowers. Whenever she received a plant for Mother’s Day, she would begin to count the days until the plant realized she didn’t have a “green thumb.”

Charlene wasn’t the adventurous type, but she had a passion for road trips. She always told her daughter, “I’m just along for the ride.” Those road trips took her to speed boating along Lake Michigan, hopping trains from D.C. to Manhattan, exploring the Biltmore Estate and on several occasions being mistaken for a local by transits in New Orleans and Savannah, G.A.

She leaves to honor her sense of adventure: her daughter and best friend, Tiffany Spight of Cordova, TN; one brother, Lonnie (Marva Jean) Spight of St. Louis, MO; two sisters, Peggy Spight and Zelma (Frederick) Spears of Ripley, MS; one aunt, Willie Mae Hughey of Ripley, MS; three uncles: Tommy Hughey of Shannon, MS, George Spight of Detroit, MI, and Tommy Lee Spight of Aurora, IL; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her sister, Manie Louise Spight and her parents, Helen and Nathaniel Spight.

Visitation will be held Friday, November 3, 2017 from 12 noon – 6 pm at Foster and Son Funeral Home of Ripley, MS.  Service will be held Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 11 am at St. Paul United Methodist Church of Ripley, MS. The body will lie in state one hour prior to service.  Interment will follow at Ripley Cemetery in Ripley, MS.  Services entrusted to Foster and Son Funeral Home of Ripley, MS. To view and sign the guest registry, please visit www.fosterandsonfuneralhome.com.

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