C.B. Sledge, Sr.JacksonCollie Britain "C.B." Sledge, Sr., went to Heaven on Wednesday, August 16th, 2017. Surrounded by his family, he passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus. He lived a purposeful and enchanted life, influencing people of all ages well into his years. He was loved and cherished by his family and friends. C.B. was born on Friday, July 16th, 1926, at his home in Martin, Louisiana. The middle child of 5, he was raised on a small farm, a place which served as the beginnings of his incredible work ethic that moved and inspired so many throughout the years. He graduated from Martin High School, and enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was in the midst flight training when WWII ended. He enrolled at Louisiana State University where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order and ultimately graduated with a Masters in agriculture. It was there that he met a girl from New Orleans, Evelyn Jones. He fell in love with her, marrying her in 1949. She was the love of his life for 68 years. They married on July 16th-- C.B.'s birthday- which he always jokingly and affectionately mentioned "one anniversary I just am not going to forget!" Their marriage proved as a decades-long story of success, a true example of unconditional love to those who knew them. C.B. was a community leader, being elected to the Tangipahoa Parish Louisiana School Board from 1958 to 1970, serving as president of the board during that time. He had a successful, diverse career, owning and operating businesses that spanned from agriculture to finance. He did not truly retire until he was 87, always citing that the ability to work is "a gift." He also loved the outdoors, and enjoyed taking his children and grandchildren deer hunting and squirrel hunting throughout his life. He was the patriarch of a family that he loved, rarely ever missing an event for a child, grandchild, or great grandchild. The family tradition was that before any momentous event, C.B. would lead everyone in prayer. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and mentor. C.B. was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. C.B. was preceded in death by his parents, Charley Marklin Sledge and Valerie Dupree Sledge; as well as his brother and sister, Truett and Dorothy. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Jones Sledge; his brother, Jimmy Sledge; his sister, Yvonne Baker; his three sons; Collie Britain "Brit" Sledge, Jr. (Dorothy), Taylor Marklin "Mark" Sledge(Lisa) and Dr. Charles Chapman "Chappy" Sledge(Cynthia); seven grandchildren; Collie Britain Sledge III, Clayton Brady Sledge, Rebecca Sledge Johnson, Caroline Sledge Crespino, Taylor Marklin Sledge Jr., Travis McNabb Sledge, and Emily Catherine Sledge; as well as seven great-grandchildren. Services will be held at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Visitation will be Saturday, August 19th from 9:30 to 11:00 AM, with the funeral service at 11:00 AM. If desired, in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Hospice Ministries or to Gateway Rescue Mission in Jackson, MS.