Linda Bell McMorrough
Linda Bell McMorrough, 53, a homemaker, passed away February 16, 1999, of an auto accident on Hwy 49 in Humphreys County.
Funeral services were held at First Presbyterian Church in Belzoni, Mississippi on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Belzoni City Cemetery in Belzoni, Mississippi. Rev. Richard Wiman officiated. Mortimer Funeral Home of Belzoni handled arrangements.
She was born in Humphreys County. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Belzoni, Ms.
Survivors include: husband, Billy McMorrough of Belzoni; 2 daughters, Lisa Morrison of Ridgeland and Laurie Cuevas of Madison; mother, Ellen Bell of Belzoni; 2 sisters, Rose Anthony of Belzoni and Dianne Kinkennon of Brandon; 1 brother, Joe Bell of Belzoni; and 3 grandchildren.
Bertie C. "B. C." Cotten
Bertie C. "B. C." Cotten , 84, a retired farmer, passed away February 20, 1999, of heart failure at her home in Humphreys County.
Funeral services were held at Stricklin King Funeral Home in Yazoo City, Mississippi on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Cypress Gardens Cemetery in Yazoo City, Mississippi. Stricklin King Funeral Home of Yazoo City handled arrangements.
Mr. Cotten was a native of Sallis, MS. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Survivors include: wife, Annie M. Cotten of Yazoo City; 2 daughters, Joann C. O’Nale of Tomball, TX and Sheila C. Self of Camden, ARK; 2 sons, William L. Cotten of Pleasant Grove, AL and Wayne R. Cotten of Terry, MS; 4 sisters, Leona Greenfield of Portland, OR, Neva Langley of Greenwood, MS, Velma Bowlin of Mt. Olive, MS, and Ruby Bontos of Boston, MASS; 2 brothers, John Henry Cotten of Louise, MS and Troy L. Cotten of Portland, OR; 11 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and 1 great great grandchild.
OMA DELL GARDNER
Mrs. Oma Dell Gardner, 92, died Tuesday, July 6, 1999 at Humphreys County Memorial Hospital in Belzoni of congestive heart failure.
Services were held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Wilson & Knight Chapel in Greenwood with burial in the Itta Bena Cemetery. Reverend Phillip Dearman and Reverend Kevin Griffith officiated. Wilson & Knight Funeral Home in Greenwood handled the arrangements.
Mrs. Gardner was born in Clay County near West Point, MS in the Big Springs Community. She attended Clay County Schools until she moved to Itta Bena in 1926. She is a longtime resident of Swiftown where she attended Swiftown United Methodist Church. Mrs. Gardner owned and operated Gardner Grocery in Itta Bena and worked 17 years with the Cafeteria Department of the Leflore County Schools.
Mrs. Gardner is preceded in death by her husband, I. T. Gardner, Sr. and two sons, Issac T. Gardner, Jr. and George Cyrus Gardner.
Survivors include her daughter, Ruby Dell Aust of Swiftown; her son, Oscar Lee Gardner of Morgan City; four sisters, Rena Mae Gardner and Myrtle Ramsey both of Greenwood, Eloise Davis and Virginia Lou Ballard both of Mobile, AL; a brother, Cyrus Edward White of Greenwood, fifteen grandchildren, thirty-one great grandchildren, and eleven great great grandchildren.
Pallbearers were her nine grandsons, Ike Gardner III, Barry Gardner, Steve Gardner, Kevin Gardner, David Gardner, Paul Gardner, Jerry Gardner, George Gardner and Ricky Aust.
Memorials may be made to the MS. Chapter of American Cancer Society.
EDDIE GRIFFIN
Eddie Griffin, 79, of Indianola, died Monday, July 5, 1999, of heart failure at Beverly Health Care Center in Ruleville.
Services were held Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Oak Grove M. B. Church in Inverness with burial in Riverside Memorial Garden in Indianola. Rev. James Cobbs officiated.
Survivors include one son, Walter Griffin of Indianola; one son-in-law, Ollie Hooker of Ashland, Ohio; one daughter, Callie Hooker of Ashland, Ohio; three sisters Rebecca Woods and Juanita Terrell both of Chicago, IL and Frankie Mae McAllister of St. Louis, Missouri.
JOHN BENNETT MURRAH
John Bennett Murrah, 43,of Oak Grove, LA, a truck driver for Cajun Gold Catfish, died July 6, 1999 at East Central Hospital in Lake Providence, LA of heart failure.
Services were held Thursday at 3:00 at First United Methodist Church in Belzoni with burial in the Belzoni City Cemetery. Rev. Phillip Dearman and Rev. Rick Glidewell officiated. Mortimer Funeral Home handled the services.
Mr. Murrah was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Belzoni.
Mr. Murrah is preceded in death by his father, John Murrah.
Survivors include his wife, Gina Murrah, his daughter, Kaci Murrah, and his son, Jason Murrah all of Oak Grove, LA; his mother, Elsie Murrah of Belzoni; one sister, Ann Mangram of Ope Lika, AL; and one brother, James Murrah of Kodak, TN.
HELEN LOUISE BECKWITH
Helen Louise Beckwith, 69, a homemaker, died Saturday July 3, 1999 at Delta Regional Medical Center in Greenville of heart failure.
Services were held Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at Mortimer Funeral Home Chapel in Belzoni with burial in the Gooden Lake Cemetery.
Mrs. Beckwith was a Baptist.
She was preceded in death by her husband George Beckwith.
Survivors include eight daughters, Dixie Pickell, Janice Foster, Cammie Bennett all of Belzoni, Alisa Hughes, Rose Hester both of Byhalia, Mary Taylor of Anderson, SC, Becky Jackson and Connie Self both of Isola; six sons, Yancy Beckwith of Greenwood, Stanley Marshall of Louise, Paul Beckwith, Ed Beckwith and Jimmy McNair all of Belzoni, and Gary Beckwith of Greenville; one nephew, Joe Griffin of Belzoni; and 25 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
PETE GRISHAM
Belzoni, MS - Pete Grisham, 71, a retired farmer, died October 31 at South Sunflower County Hospital in Indianola of pulmonary disease.
Services were held Thursday, November 2 at Gooden Lake Baptist Church in Belzoni with burial in Greencrest Cemetery. Mortimer Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Mr. Grisham was preceded in death by his daughter, Doris Grisham McLendon.
Survivors include, his wife, Dorothy Clegg Grisham of Belzoni; two sons, Joe Grisham of Isola, MS and Billy W. Grisham of Yazoo City, MS; two daughters-in-law, Barbara Grisham of Isola and Teresa Grisham of Yazoo City; one son-in-law, Bobby Joe McLendon of Belzoni; one sister, Mary Copeland of Paragould, Ark.; eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
MANDY TOY RODGERS
Belzoni - Mandy Toy Rodgers, 69, a domestic and factory worker, died Friday, November 3, 2000, in her home of heart failure.
Services will be held Thursday, November 9 at 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Olive M. B. Church in Isola with burial in Mt. Olive Cemetery in Isola. Visitation is today from 12 noon until 5:00 p.m. and family hour will be tonight from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Belzoni. Smith Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Survivors include, her husband, Mr. Ollie Rodgers; 1 daughter, Mary Toy of Belzoni; 2 brothers, Willie Toy and Andrew Toy, both of Belzoni; 3 sisters, Sally Mae Mallard Lloyd, Wilella Brown and Sarah Young, all of Belzoni; 1 very special aunt, Hattie Madison of Memphis; 1 grandson, Terry Toy of Belzoni; and 3 great grandchildren.
LUE ANN SIMMONS DAVIS
Indianola, MS - Lue Ann Simmons Davis, 54, died March 28, 2001.
Services were held April 1, 2001, at Mt. Beulah M. B. Church in Indianola, MS, with burial in Humphreys County Memorial Cemetery in Belzoni. Rev. E. T. Goodman officiated. Byas Funeral Home of Indianola, MS, handled arrangements.
Mrs. Davis was born August 16, 1946, to Fitz and the late Jessie Simmons in Humphreys County, Mississippi. She was a member of Mount Beulah Church in Indianola, MS. She was united in marriage to William “Bill” Earl Davis for 29 years. She was a teacher and taught in the Indianola Public School District for 30 years. She was dedicated to her work, whether that was teaching at Merritt Middle School, musician at various churches, her club-The Regalettes or her family and friends.
Mrs. Davis was preceded in death by one son, Gregory Davis; one sister, Freddie Mae Moore; and one brother, Robert Simmons, Sr.
Survivors include, her husband, William “Bill” Earl Davis; one daughter, Wendy F. Davis; two grandsons, Daniel and Myles, both of Detroit, MI; her father, Fitz Simmons, Sr. of Belzoni; two sisters, Clemetine Pitchford and William Etta (Phillip) Simmons, both of Detroit, MI; four brothers, J. C. (Nancy) Simmons, Sr. and Fitz (Sylvia) Simmons, Jr., both of Detroit, MI, Eddie (Susie) Simmons, Sr. of Belzoni, and Terry (Zarita) Simmons of Buffalo, NY; and a host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
TINEY LEE WIGLEY
Belzoni, MS - Mrs. Tiney Lee Wigley, 78, a domestic, died May 21, 2001, of heart failure at Humphreys County Memorial Hospital.
Funeral services were Sunday, May 27, 2001, with burial in Beautiful Zion Cemetery in Belzoni. Rev. Eddie Barnes officiated. Smith Funeral Home officiated.
Survivors include, her husband, Mr. Wilson Wigley, Sr. of Belzoni; three sons, Earl Henry Wigley of Belzoni, Wilson Wigley, Jr. and Cardell Wigley, both of Detroit, MI; four daughters, Della Dodd and Sarah Daniel, both of Belzoni, Ruthie Henderson and Wilma Keys, both of Detroit, MI.
ELLA HIGH SMITH
Silver City, MS - Ella High Smith, 87, a retired post mistress, died January 7, 2002, of heart failure, at Lafayette General Medical Center in Lafayette, LA.
Funeral services were held January 9, 2002, at First Baptist Church in Belzoni, with burial in Greencrest Gardens. Dr. Billy McKay and Rev. George Johnson officiated. Mortimer Funeral Home of Belzoni handled arrangements.
Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband, Sebron A. Smith.
Survivors include, one daughter, Rebecca Lee Claude of Irving, TX; two sons, Sebron David Smith of Kensington, MD, and Harry Eugene Smith of Lafayette, LA; one sister, Ester Lee Turner of Marietta, GA; three brothers, David Lewis High of Tuscaloosa, AL, Nealy High of Bentonia, MS, and James High of Waynesville, NC; and two grandchildren.
FRANCES OWENS HOLCOMB
Belzoni, MS - Frances Owens Holcomb, 80, a retired inspector for Jockey International, died January 10, 2002, of heart failure, at Humphreys County Memorial Hospital.
Funeral services were held January 12, 2002 at Eastside Baptist Church in Belzoni with burial in Belzoni City Cemetery. Rev. Kevin Griffin and Rev. George Johnson officiated. Mortimer Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Mrs. Holcomb was born in Holly Springs, MS and was a member of the Eastside Baptist Church in Belzoni. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert William Holcomb.
Survivors include, one daughter, Shirley Chisolm of Belzoni; one sister, Gladys Dodson of Pearl, MS; one grandchild, Terri Cruse of Raymond, MS; and two great grandchildren, Jacob and John Harmon Cruse of Raymond, MS.
GEORGE EVANS BAIRD, JR.
Inverness, MS - George Evans Baird, Jr., 86, a retired farmer, died January 9, 2002 at South Sunflower County Hospital in Indianola, MS.
Funeral services were held January 11, 2002 at All Saints Episcopal Church in Inverness, MS with burial in Hickory Grove Cemetery.
Mr. Baird was born to George Evans Baird, Sr. and Daisy Duncan Baird. He was a graduate of Mississippi State University and a World War II Army veteran. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers. He was a communicant of all Saints Episcopal Church.
Survivors include, his spouse, Rene Williams Baird of Inverness, MS; one daughter, Suzanne Baird Reese of Jasper, AL; five sons, George E. Baird, III and William F. Baird, both of Greenville, MS, Donald D. Baird of Siloam Springs, MS, David P. Baird of Indianola, MS, and James C. Baird of Inverness, MS; one sister, Sue Baird Quarm of Rolling Fork, MS; eighteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Central Delta Academy or a church of the donor’s choice.
GRACE T. WESTBROOK
Utica, MS - Grace T. Westbrook, 81, a homemaker, died January 13, 2002, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Vicksburg, MS.
Funeral services were held January 15, 2002 at Stricklin-King Funeral Home in Yazoo City, MS, with burial in Central-Holmes Cemetery in Yazoo County. Stricklin-King Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Survivors include, three sons, Kenneth Westbrook (Linda) of Gainesville, FL, Paul Westbrook (Barbara) of Weatherford, TX, and Johnny Westbrook (Deborah) of Belzoni; and one daughter, Linda Ferguson (Jim) of Utica, MS.
MELVIN OWEN PEARSON
Belzoni, MS - Melvin Owen Pearson, 64, a farmer, died January 13, 2002, of cancer, at his residence.
Funeral services were held January 15, 2002 at First Methodist Church in Belzoni with burial in Greencrest Memorial Gardens. Rev. Phillip Dearman officiated. Mortimer Funeral Home of Belzoni handled arrangements.
Mr. Pearson was born in Darlove, MS. He was a member of the First Methodist Church in Belzoni. He was a member of the Farm Bureau Committee and the Humphreys County Farm Services Agency Committee.
Survivors include, his wife, Linda Ducrest Pearson of Belzoni; two sons, Danny Pearson and Richie Pearson, both of Isola, MS; two sisters, Cissy Little of Big Fork, MT, and Gwen Bridgers of Rogers, AR; one brother, Mitchell Pearson of Belzoni; and seven grandchildren.
AZZIE LEE POWELL
Belzoni, MS - Azzie Lee Powell, 87, a domestic, died January 12, 2002, of heart failure, at Humphreys County Memorial Hospital in Belzoni.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 19, 2002, at 1:00 p.m., at White Star M. B. Church in Belzoni with burial in Humphreys County Memorial Garden. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, January 18, 2002, from 12 noon until 5:00 p.m., at Smith Funeral Home in Belzoni. Rev. Jacob Rush will officiate. Smith Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Survivors include, three sons, Elijah Powell and George Powell, Jr., both of Belzoni, and John Powell of Markham, IL; one daughter, Myrtle Powell Allen of Lansing, MI; and one brother, Daniel Green of Memphis, TN.
MARY NELL HODGES
Belzoni, MS - Mary Nell Hodges, 68, a homemaker, died January 2, 2002, of heart failure, at Greenwood Leflore Hospital.
Services were held January 4, 2002, at Mortimer Funeral Home with burial in Greencrest Memorial Gardens of Belzoni, MS. Rev. Kevin Griffin officiated. Mortimer Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Mrs. Hodges was born in Covington, MS. She lived in Belzoni most of her life and was a member of Eastside Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor Wayne Hodges, and two grandchildren.
Survivors include three daughters, Barbara (Joe) Grisham of Isola, MS, Shirley Youngman of Eupora, MS, and Vickey (Anthony) Toups of Belzoni; two sons, David (Angela) Hodges of Baldwin, MS, and Kenny (Sandra) Hodges of Belzoni; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
THELMA P. FORD
Peoria, Illinois - Thelma P. Ford, 67, a homemaker, died January 1, 2002, of acute renal failure.
Funeral services are today, January 9, 2002, at 1:00 p.m. at New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ in Louise, MS with burial in Goshen Cemetery. Elder Willie Smith will officiate. Smith Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Survivors include, two sons, Tommy Ford, Jr. of Peoria, IL and Ronnie Ford of Louise, MS; and one sister, Annie Bell Mitchell of Louise, MS.
JOHNNIE PAULINE MORGAN
Belzoni, MS - Johnnie Pauline Morgan, 73, a domestic, died January 6, 2002, of heart failure, at Humphreys County Memorial Hospital in Belzoni.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 12, 2002, at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary M.B. Church in Midnight, MS with burial in Love Feast Cemetery in Louise, MS. Visitation will be held Friday, January 11, 2002, from 12 noon until 5:00 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Belzoni. Smith Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Survivors include, three sons, Joe Nathan Holman of Winterhaven, FL, James Holman of Jackson, MS, and George Holman, Jr. of Belzoni; six daughters, Georgia Holman of Jackson, MS, Mable Holman, Johnnie Mae Toy, Earlene McCormick, Carrie Holman and Charlene Holman, all of Belzoni; two brothers, James Robinson, Jr. and Leon Robinson, both of Jackson, MS; and three sisters, Pearlie Mae Wallace of Chicago, IL, Annie Lee Herron and Myrtle Lee Hannah, both of Jackson, MS.
LEE BELL, JR.
Belzoni, MS - Lee Bell, Jr., 63, a custodian, died of heart failure December 20, 2001, at University Medical Center in Jackson, MS.
Funeral services were held December 29, 2001, at Green Grove M. B. Church in Belzoni. Smith Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Survivors include, his mother, Mrs. Clesta Bell of Belzoni; two brothers, Earl Bell and Jack Bell, both of Belzoni; and five sisters, Dollie Banks, Josephine Bell, Annie Bell and Mildred Bell, all of Belzoni, and Lillie B. Bell of Chicago, IL.
DEMPSY GILBERT (D. G.) RUTLEDGE, SR.
Yazoo City, MS - Dempsey Gilbert (D. G.) Rutledge, Sr., 75, a retired farmer, died December 24, 2001, of cancer, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, MS.
Funeral services were held December 27, 2001, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with burial in Glenwood Cemetery in Yazoo City, MS. Father P. J. Curley officiated. Stricklin King-Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Mr. Rutledge was born August 14, 1926 in Indianola, MS, to James D. and Ethel Bruce Rutledge. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Edi Rutledge.
Survivors include, his wife, Mary Rutledge, of Yazoo City, MS; two daughters, Diane Ballard of Yazoo City, MS, and Elaine Nanney of Pensacola, FL; two sons, Dempsy Rutledge, Jr. of Midnight, MS, and John Rutledge of Yazoo City, MS; ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Brian Nanney, Tim Dean, Marty Dean, Scott Arcement, Harold Fratesi, Dempsey Rutledge, III.
EVELYN THOMAS MORTIMER
Belzoni, MS - Evelyn Thomas Mortimer, 91, a homemaker, died December 26, 2001, of heart failure.
Funeral services were held December 28, 2001, at First Baptist Church of Belzoni with burial in Belzoni City Cemetery. Rev. George Johnson officiated. Mortimer Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Mrs. Mortimer was preceded in death by her husband, John Arthur Mortimer, Sr., and a son, Thornton Eugene Mortimer. She was a long time member of First Baptist Church in Belzoni and the Belzoni Garden Club. She devoted more than 40 years serving the American Heart Association.
Survivors include, one son, John Arthur Mortimer of Ridgeland, MS; two granddaughters, Noelle Mortimer Carter of New Orleans, LA, and Courtney Mortimer Downs of Memphis, TN; and two great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Tim Mortimer, Tom Turner, Dr. Mack Gorton, Mack Gorton, Carlton Gorton, Dr. Taddy Barham, Judge Allen Pepper, Mortimer Stroud, Bill Faulkner and John Bryan.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Belzoni, MS.
GEORGE I. RUSH
Isola, MS - George I. Rush, 81, a retired farmer and carpenter, died December 27, 2001, of cancer, at his home.
Funeral services were held December 29, 2001, at Card Funeral Home in Indianola, MS, with burial in Belzoni City Cemetery. Card Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Mr. Rush was born in Clarke County, Alabama but resided in the Isola community the past 64 years. He was a veteran of World War II and a member of American Legion Post 145. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Lucy Stewart Rush; a son, Jerry Glenn Rush; a sister, Bessie G. Weldon; and two brothers, Thomas A. Rush and Edward M. Rush.
Survivors include, his spouse, Thelma Russell Rush; two daughters, Sandra L. James of Belzoni and Rebecca Joyce Bradley of Indianola, MS; three sons, Bob I. Rush of Clarksdale, MS, Freddie S. Rush of Vicksburg, MS, and Jackie L. Rush of Belzoni, MS; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
VIRGIE ALDERMAN BOYD
Anguilla, MS - Virgie Alderman Boyd, 83, a homemaker, died of heart failure, on December 28, 2002, at her home.
Mrs. Boyd was born October 25, 1918 in Yazoo County to James and Emily Woods Alderman. She was a member of Straight Bayou Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hughley Newton Boyd.
Funeral services were held December 30, 2001, at Straight Bayou Baptist Church in Sharkey County with burial in Straight Bayou Cemetery. Dr. Daryl Covington officiated. Stricklin-King Funeral Home of Yazoo City, MS handled arrangements.
Survivors include, four daughters, Sue Smith of Byram, MS, Ruth Hodnett and Jane Hodnett, both of Straight Bayou, and Ginny Pace of Brandon, MS; one son, Hugh Boyd, III of Straight Bayou; one sister, Pearl Evers of Yazoo City, MS; eight grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
Pallbearers were Billy Hodnett, Dillon Hutchins, Skeeter Reed, Keith Howard, Bobby Hodnett, Devin Graves, Jason Pace, and Kenneth Pace, III.
