Larry “Sleepy” Eldon Guyton

Larry Eldon Guyton

Brandon, MS

Larry “Sleepy” Eldon Guyton, age 77, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife and daughters, at his home in Brandon, Mississippi, on Thursday, July 18, 2024. Born on January 17, 1947, in Columbus, MS, he was the eldest of the three sons of Katherine Morton Guyton and Eldon Eugene Guyton. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved sister-in-law, Charlyn Odom Ogden, his brother-in-law, Colonel Butch Ogden, and his niece, Katie Ladd Ogden. Larry was a graduate of S.D. Lee High School in Columbus, MS in 1965 where he was a letterman/all-star in both baseball and basketball. He was voted Most Athletic and Class Favorite along with many other awards and accolades including being named a Parade All American for basketball. 

Larry went on to attend The University of Alabama on a full baseball scholarship from 1965-1969 where he was a letterman and, therefore, a member of Alabama’s prestigious A Club. He was a pitcher and first-baseman on the 1968 SEC Championship team which was coached by Hall of Famer, Joe Sewell. Larry greatly enjoyed being able to attend the 50th reunion of this special team in Tuscaloosa in 2018. He graduated from Alabama with a degree in Business and Marketing in 1969. While working full time in finance, he continued his education by earning a Master’s Degree in Business from Mississippi College.

After dating for 8 years, Larry married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Sally Odom Guyton, at First Baptist Church in Columbus in 1971. Larry and Sally made their home in Jackson, Mississippi. Larry enjoyed playing church softball with friends for many years. He worked with Commercial Credit Corporation, UniFirst Savings and Loan, GreenTree Financial, and retired from Baker Donelson Law Firm. Despite all his accolades and accomplishments, Larry was most proud of his title of Daddy to his daughters, Caroline and Mary Katherine. His joy was found in supporting not only his daughters, but their friends as well. He was consistently thoughtful and always celebrating others by sending newspaper clippings and cards in the mail. One of his favorite titles was being called Papaw by his grandchildren who adored him. He took great pleasure in spoiling all of them and bragging about them to anyone who would listen. The way Larry lived his life was a true example of his faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His life showed the Fruits of the Spirit daily. 

Larry leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity, patience, kindness, and gentleness. He is survived by his loving wife, Sally Guyton. Together for 61 years, Larry and Sally began dating when they were teenagers. They recently celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary. Their devotion to one another was even more evident in the last few years as Sally took amazing care of her love, Larry. He is also survived by his daughters Caroline Blanks (Brad) and Mary Katherine Segrest (Chad), his grandchildren, Abby Blanks, Thomas Blanks, Camp Segrest, and Nash Segrest, his two brothers, Michael “Mickey” Guyton (Tami), James “Packy” Guyton, his brother-in-law Chuck Odom (Toula), his nephew Robert Ogden (Crissy), and his great-nephew Alexander Ogden. In addition to his family, Larry also leaves behind countless friends who he loved dearly. The family would like to acknowledge and thank his hospice nurse, Kally McGraw RN with Compassus, for her excellent and compassionate care at the end of his life.

A visitation will be held at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS 1:30 -2:45pm Sunday, July 21, 2024, with funeral service to follow in the chapel. Larry will be laid to rest at Lakeland Place Memorial Park in Brandon, MS. 

If you are unable to attend you may livestream Mr. Guyton's funeral service at the following link: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=41e97d3b-98a5-4dd9-89fd-b8edb0cf9247