Harvey Kimzey Ashe's banking and political careers ran concurrently during decades of change for both, and he willingly lent his leadership to these arenas and many more during the 54 years he made Tunica his home.

A former mayor from 1989 through 1993 and an alderman for 24 years prior to his election as mayor, Ashe, who died at home Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at the age of 85, was active in almost every aspect of community life. Ashe and his wife of nearly 60 years, Louis, moved to Tunica on August 1, 1956, when he accepted a position with Planters Bank here.

After five years, Ashe moved over to the new Tunica County Bank, where he served as vice president and president until his retirement in June 1993. During his tenure, the bank underwent two name changes, first to Northwest Bank and then to today's Citizens Bank & Trust.

Born May 14, 1925 in Strayhorn, Miss., Ashe served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, then began his banking career at Merchants National Bank in Vicksburg. He also was employed by the Chamber of Commerce in Senatobia for a year before moving to Tunica.

In Tunica, he was a member and elder of Tunica Presbyterian Church, a member of Tunica Lions Club, Tunica Rotary Club, Robert Andrews Lodge, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Arkabutla chapter of Eastern Star. He served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Northwest Mississippi Community College, was a Rotary Paul Harris fellow, and had received the Lions Club's Melvin Jones Award.

After his retirement, Ashe was named to the boards of the Diamond Lakes Utility District and the Paul Battle Arena and Exposition Center. He and Louis, who would have celebrated their sixtieth anniversary on September 16, were avid followers of Tunica Academy football and supporters of the school.

Services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 11, at Tunica Presbyterian Church, with Dr. Paul Husband officiating. Visitation was Friday, September 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Nowell Memorial Funeral Home in Tunica. Deacons of Tunica Presbyterian Church will serve as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Mike Boren and all the members of Tunica's unofficial morning coffee club at Blue & White Restaurant.

Ashe is survived by his wife, Louis Bell Ashe of Tunica; three daughters, Dale White (Bob) of Marietta, Ga., Martha Ashe (Dave Velten) of Bolton, Mass., and Betty Ashe of Antioch, Tenn; a sister, Laura Laughlin of Calhoun City; a sister-in-law, Byrlie Mae Ashe of Strayhorn; four grandchildren; and a brand new great-grandchild, Robert McCullough White, born September 9.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Benford Ashe and Howard Ashe, and a sister, Mabel Key.