Joseph Presley "Sonny" Ross, born June 27,1931, in Morgan City, Leflore County, Mississippi. Born the third child of a share cropper, he moved around a lot as a child and eventually settled in Ponchatoula. He joined the United States Marine Corp on September 6, 1950. He met and married Clara Nell Cutrer of Hammond on April 8, 1955. He retired from the Louisiana Department of Highway in 1983 after 30 years of service with the grade as Engineering Specialist 3. He died February 21, 2017 at North Oaks in Hammond, Louisiana.
Survived by his companion, Florance Gatlin; three sons, Steven E. Ross of Albany, LA, Darrell G. Ross and wife Paola of Grapeland, Texas, Lloyd D. Ross and wife Laura; two daughters, Sandra L. Ross Bourn and husband Donnye, Carolynn S. Ross Mazzeno and husband Byron all of Ponchatoula, LA; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father and mother Henry Taylor, Sr. and Lillie May Clardy Ross; his wife of 52 years, Clara Nell Cutrer Ross; son, Hunter Keith Ross; younger brother, Henry Taylor Ross, Jr.; and two older sisters, Hazel Ruth Ross Sibley and Mary Jane Ross Hawkins.
Visitation will be at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, Ponchatoula, on Saturday, February 25, 2017 from 9:00 am until the funeral service at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Parklawn Memorial Gardens in Hammond, Louisiana.
Arrangements entrusted to Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Homes of Hammond and Ponchatoula, Louisiana.
To view and sign the family guest book, please visit www.harrymckneely.com.
