John M. "J.M." Fancher, Jr. 95, of Greenwood, MS, died Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at his residence. Services will be 2p.m. Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Williams & Lord Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery. Rev. Charlie Jones will officiate. Williams & Lord Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Fancher was born to John M. Fancher, Sr. and Lois Grantham Fancher on January 7, 1922 in Black Hawk, MS. He served in the United States Army during World War II from 1942-1945 in the Pacific where he received two Bronze Stars while serving in the 7th Infantry Division. He was the first veteran in Leflore County to receive the Purple Heart for wounds in combat. He also served in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953 and received the Good Conduct Metal. He was a member of Christ Baptist Church in Greenwood.
Mr. Fancher owned and operated 82 Grocery from 1953 to 1983, and was a salesman for Donald Fancher Auto Sales. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jewel Chambers Fancher, several brothers, sisters and his parents.

Mr. Fancher is survived by his wife, Marie Ellis Fancher of Greenwood, MS; two sons, Robert "Bob" Fancher of Grenada, MS, and John M. Fancher III of Holcomb, MS; step-son, Kenneth Ellis of Carrollton, MS; six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Robert Fancher, John Fancher, Trey Elliott, Kenny Thompson, Les Sanders, Quay Starnes, Danny Cather and Emerson Starnes.
Military rites will be performed by American Legion Post #29 of Greenwood.