Charles David “Buddy” Meeks, 79
March 10, 1947 – March 24, 2026
Mr. Charles David “Buddy” Meeks, of Blue Mountain, peacefully departed this life on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at North Mississippi Medical Center, surrounded by the love of his family, following a brief and unexpected illness.
Funeral service honoring Buddy’s life will be at 2 PM Friday March 27, 2026 in the heritage chapel of the Ripley Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6 PM until 8 PM Thursday evening March 26, 2026, at Ripley Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Concord Baptist Church Cemetery.
Born on March 10, 1947, in the Whittentown Community of Ripley, Mississippi, Buddy was the son of the late Kye P. Meeks and Lottie Waldon Meeks. He attended Shady Grove School and later Ripley High School. In his younger years, he worked alongside his family on the farm, learning the value of hard work and dedication—traits that would define his life. He later turned his talents toward a lifelong career as a mechanic, a trade he truly loved and took great pride in.
In 2002, Buddy married his dear wife, Linda, gaining not only a partner in life, but also a daughter, a son, and grandchildren whom he cherished dearly. After twenty years of faithful service, he retired in 2013 from Blue Mountain Production Company. Yet even in retirement, Buddy never slowed down. For over two decades, many will fondly remember climbing aboard a wagon behind his well-kept green and yellow tractor at Pumpkin Patch Farms, where he brought smiles and laughter to countless children in search of the perfect pumpkin.
In his later years, Buddy enjoyed the simple pleasures of life—collecting his chosen firearms, loading ammunition, watching westerns and football, and spending time riding his John Deere tractor or lawnmower. He was a man who found joy in the everyday, content with the life he had built.
Buddy had a generous heart and a giving spirit. He deeply enjoyed participating in benefit auctions to help those in need and was always willing to continue the roll of the family mechanic, being the only one to ever work on his children and grandchildren’s vehicles. He was a familiar face at Mid-South Auctioneers events, often found sitting in a lawn chair, patiently waiting for just the right John Deere to come up for bid. Above all, he treasured time spent visiting with family and friends, especially his dear friends, Bobby Rainey and Billy Ray Vance.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Linda Bullock Fryar Meeks; two daughters, Barbara Scott (Robert) and Christi Meeks-Orman (John); two sons, Clay Meeks (Sharon) and David Meeks (Angie); along with ten grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren, all of whom were the pride and joy of his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Leroy Meeks, Paul Meeks, Bobby Meeks, and Billy Meeks; two sisters, Nylene Stroupe and Jane Cornelius; and one son, Jason Fryar.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Bradley Hatcher, Tippah County Ambulance Service, Tippah County Hospital, the CCU staff at North Mississippi Medical Center, and NMMC Hospice for the compassionate care shown to Buddy over the past several years.
Buddy’s life was a testament to hard work, kindness, and quiet generosity—a man who never asked for much, but gave so much to those around him. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the blessing of knowing him.
Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with Buddy’s family.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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Visitation
Thursday
March 26, 2026
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Heritage Chapel of Ripley Funeral
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Funeral Service
Friday
March 27, 2026
2:00 PM
Heritage Chapel of Ripley Funeral
