Steven “Steve” Carleton Wooten, 75, of Star, MS, died August 11, 2020, peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
He was born in Brookhaven, MS, on February 14, 1945, a son of the late Claude and Lorena Wooten.
Steve was a content man who delighted in and appreciated the simple activities of life--farming,
playing trucks and cars, baseball, corncob jail, tag, and being with friends from church.
He enjoyed growing up with his three siblings in the New Prospect Baptist Church community of Brookhaven.
Steve graduated from Brookhaven High School in 1963. Following high school, he attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College
and Mississippi State where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. After college, Steve attended New Orleans Theological Seminary
and Mid-America Seminary. In 1976 the Lord extended to Steve a call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Obediently until his death, Steve followed that calling.
Throughout his years in ministry, he served many churches which most recently included The Bible Baptist Church in Star. Steve enjoyed taking many
mission trips to the Philippines and had a love for the Filipino people.
While the highlight of Steve’s spiritual life was being called a son of God, marrying his best friend and the love of his life Sandra Gradene Smith on August 26, 1967,
was the highlight of his physical life. He explained their nearly 53 years of marriage as an act of God’s immeasurable grace! Throughout their marriage,
God blessed Steve and Gradene with nine wonderful children: three sons and six daughters. His work ethic was unrivaled, and with God’s leading,
Steve started his own business, Electro-Mech, Inc in Richland, MS. His life was indeed filled with miracle after miracle.
He is survived by his “bride” as he lovingly called her, Gradene Wooten, eight children, Jason and Kristie Wooten, Shannon and Dana Wooten,
Rachel and Scott Beasley, Leah and Buddy Pinkham, Josh and Haley Wooten, Joanna Hughes, Melissa and Jason McCoy, and Lydia and Justin Russell;
a sister-in-law, Helen Nunnery, a sister, Gwen Jeffries, a brother, Howard and Donna Wooten; also to include 30 grandchildren, one great-granddaughter to arrive in December,
nieces, and nephews, cousins, and countless friends. Other than his parents, Steve is preceded in death by his brother Gordon Wooten, brother-in-law Sonny Jeffries,
and an infant daughter, Elizabeth Wooten.
Public visitation will be from 9:00 until 11:00 on August 14, 2020, in the chapel of Riverwood Family Funeral Services located in Brookhaven, MS.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private celebration of life service followed by a graveside service will be officiated by Thomas Ray Floyd and Bill Smith.
Pallbearers will be Miles Corley, Larry Grace, Bryson Hughes, Buddy Pinkham, Levi Pinkham, Justin Russell, Brady Wooten, and Smith Wooten.
The family would like to express sincere thanks and gratitude to the amazing staff at the University of Mississippi Medical Center,
the supportive employees at The Transplant Pharmacy, and the encouraging staff at Baptist Hospice.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to either:
- Gideons International - Call 866-382-4253 or donate online at https://www.gideons.org/
- Lighthouse Children’s Home - Call 662-289-9629 or donate online at https://lighthousechildren.com/who-we-are/mission.html
For further information, please contact Riverwood Family Funeral Services, 76 Hwy 51 South, Brookhaven, MS at 601-833-6680 or www.riverwoodfamily.com.
