Jerry Carlisle

Jerry Lee Carlisle was born January 3, 1939, in Meridian, Mississippi to parents Pinkie Lorenzo and Naomi (Riley) Carlisle.

Jerry grew up in Enterprise, Mississippi with his brothers and sister in the home his mother shared with her sister and brother-in-law, Bertha and Calvin Dearman. He enjoyed a boyhood filled with chores, fishing, hunting, Boy Scout hikes and camping trips.  In high school he played clarinet in the band and was a member of FFA and the Science Club.  He played baseball, boxed Golden Gloves, and was fullback on the undefeated Enterprise High Bulldogs football team.  He also found time to work at the nearby Johnson Chevrolet dealership.  Graduating in 1956, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.  On December 23 of that year, he married Eloise Overby in the Pine Hill Baptist Church.  From 1957 to 1964, his USAF assignments were as a radar specialist in remote Alaska; Syracuse, New York; Denver, Colorado; Key West, Florida; and Crystal Springs, Mississippi.  Jerry worked for 37 years as an adjuster in the insurance industry in Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas.  He completed his work with eight years of catastrophe duty with the Small Business Administration helping restore communities following devastating hurricanes.

Jerry trusted Christ as a boy and was baptized in the Enterprise Baptist Church.  Ordained as a deacon in his twenties by the Florida Boulevard Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he taught Fourth Grade Sunday School for more than 25 years.  He also led Royal Ambassadors, a missions education ministry for boys and young men, for more than ten years.  A member of Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury for the past 29 years, he was a key leader in the church’s relocation, which resulted in exponential growth by the congregation.  He loved his Pecan Plantation golf buddies very much.

Jerry Carlisle loved his wife and his children, caring for them and supporting them in every endeavor.  He was the favorite uncle of every niece and nephew.  He adored his grandchildren and doted on his great-grandchildren.  His ready smile and consistent kindness invited friendships and earned trust in every part of his life.

The family is grateful for the hospitality of First Baptist Church of Burleson and Pastor Ronny Marriott in hosting the funeral service.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife Eloise Carlisle, children Dr. Jerry Carlisle and his wife Dedi and Amy Carlisle Harvison and her husband Mark; grandchildren Randal (Bo) Ketchum and his wife Tiffany, Laura Harvison, Dr. Elyse Griffin and her husband Jeffrey, Collin Carlisle and his wife Dr. Kerrie Carlisle, Caleb Carlisle and his wife Jessica; great grandchildren Trey Ketchum, Tucker Simms, Sydney Forosisky, Elliott Griffin, Troy Griffin, Cavan Carlisle, Colter Carlisle, Brenley Grifin, Cooley Carlisle, Rowan Carlisle and Caden Carlisle.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Lamar, P.L. and Wayne Carlisle; sister Doris Little and great granddaughter Emma Kate Griffin.

Pallbearers are Collin Carlisle, Caleb Carlisle, Jeffrey Griffin, Bo Ketchum, Jim Moss and Tom Taylor.

There will be a funeral service Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 1:00 P.M located at First Baptist Church of Burleson, 317 W Ellison St., Burleson, Texas 76028 with Dr. Jerry Carlisle officiating. Visitation will follow the funeral service.

Jerry will be laid to rest with military honors at 1:15 p.m., Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at the DFW National Cemetery, Dallas, Texas.

Those wishing to make Memorial Gifts can direct them to the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation (missionsfoundation.org), 7557 Rambler Road, Suite 1200, Dallas, TX 75231-2388.  Please designate your gift “Carlisle Memorial.”