CARTHAGE — Thomas Edward Bingham, known as “Ed” by his many friends and family, passed away Friday, June 24, 2022, at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Kosciusko.
He was 92 years old.
Ed will be remembered for his love of law enforcement and his brother officers but, most importantly, his love for singing and playing gospel music for his nursing home ministry in song. He was a founding member of the Greenwood Church of God and held many positions while serving in this body of Christ.
He is preceded in death by his parents, B.T. Bingham and Lora Moore Bingham; siblings Lucille DeFreez, Corinne Williams, Dotty Peets Brewer, Doris Cole and the Rev. W.A. Bingham; his wife, Mary Elizabeth Bingham; daughter Patricia Ann Alford; and son Stanley I. Bingham.
He is survived by two sons, Thomas E. (Barbara) Bingham and Stance A. Bingham; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one sister, June Moore.
Ed’s law enforcement career started at the young age of 17. He entered the U.S. Army, serving two years in Japan as a military police officer.
Upon his return home and after a very short time of farming, he joined the Clarksdale Police Department. There as a sheriff’s officer, he had been accepted into the Mississippi Highway Patrol Academy. But in April 1954 he was shot multiple times in the line of duty, delaying his MHP school until 1956. That year started his career as an MHP trooper, and he remained until retirement in 1984 at the rank of District Inspector (D-David) or Captain.
After retirement he continued his nursing home ministry in music and song. In 1994 he was chosen Volunteer of the Year during Golden Age Inc.’s annual volunteer banquet.
His two sons would like to thank the Mississippi Highway Patrol Honor Guard, the Greenwood Church of God, and most importantly, the caretakers at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Kosciusko.
He will be missed by his family and many friends.
Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 pm Monday at Greenwood Church of God. Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church.
Interment will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery. Wilcox Funeral Home of Carthage is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials made be made to Greenwood Church of God, Library Fund.
