Howard Wayne Hemphill Jr., 77, of Clarksdale, MS, formerly of Greenwood, died on Wednesday, June 9 ^th , 2021 at The Blake in Oxford. A graveside service will be held on Sunday, June 13 ^th , at 3:00 PM at Evergreen Cemetery in North Carrollton, MS, with the Rev. Glenn Seefeld officiating.

Howard was born on July 6 ^th , 1943 to Carrie Newby Griffin and Howard Wayne Hemphill in Hickory, MS. He grew up in California, attended Mississippi State University where he played basketball under Babe McCarthy and was a member of the 1963 team that played in the "Game of Change". Howard met his wife of 45 years, Vivian "Sis" Redditt of Greenwood, while both were still in college.  He had a career in agricultural finance, retiring after serving as the first program director for the Delta Regional Authority, and he was a member of First United Methodist Church in Clarksdale.  Howard was a humble, kind and loving man who prioritized his family and had a special place in his heart for the MSU Bulldogs.  He is preceded in death by his wife, "Sis" Redditt Hemphill, and his parents.

He is survived by his two daughters, Newby Cook (Bill) of Greenwood, MS, and Kelly Connell (Ted) of Clarksdale, MS; sister, Octavia Hayes (Mike) of Chula Vista, CA; and grandchildren, Reed Cook (Callie) of Washington, DC, Raines Cook (Meagan) of Jackson, MS, and Sykes Connell of Clarksdale, MS.

Pallbearers will be Bill Cook, Raines Cook, Reed Cook, Ted Connell, Will Redditt, and Howard Alderman.  Honorary Pallbearer will be Mike Hayes.

Wilson and Knight Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.