Mertie K. Robinson
ABERDEEN - Mertie K. Robinson, 99, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, at the Pioneer Community Hospital of Aberdeen. She was born May 25, 1903, in Tuscaloosa County, Ala., to James Mid and Sarah Frances Cunningham Killingsworth. In 1943 she moved to Aberdeen and managed the West End Grocery with her family. In 1946 her family managed the Liberty Cash Grocery. In June 1956 they opened the Shelaine Motel and in 1960 the Shelaine Restaurant, where she continued to be actively involved. She was a member of the Aberdeen First Baptist Church for 50 years and was active in the Sunday school and other church activities. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for 50 years and served as Worthy Matron for three terms. She was a longtime member of the Twilighters Home Demonstration Club. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, flowering gardening and traveling with her grandchildren.
Services will be at 3 p.m. today at the Tisdale-Lann Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Mark Stokes and the Rev. R.D. Cline officiating. Burial will be in the Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery in Aberdeen.
Survivors include a son, James Fred Robinson and his wife, Viola, of Aberdeen; a granddaughter, Viola Ann Violet of Hollywood, Fla.; a grandson, Fred Robinson Jr. of Ridgeland; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Hubert B. Robinson; an infant son, William Robinson; four brothers; and two sisters.
Pallbearers will be the deacons of the First Baptist Church.
Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Robert Coghlan, Bill Grace, Joe Wright, Bob Patterson, John Gilbreath, Robert Taylor, Ellis Harris and Richard Booth.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to service time today.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 545, Aberdeen MS 39730.
Clara Bell
EUPORA - Clara Peeples Bell, 95, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at the Beverly Health Care in Eupora. A native of Choctaw County, she was the daughter of Will and Emily Tedder Bell, and the widow of the late Shed H. Bell Sr. She was a homemaker, a retired dietitian for the Webster County Hospital and a retired factory worker for Well-Lamont. She was a member of LaGrange United Methodist Church.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Wise Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Riley Burton officiating. Burial will be in Eupora City Cemetery.
Survivors include a son, Shed H. Bell Jr. and his wife, Vicki, of Eupora; a brother, Johnny Bell of Eupora; a grandchild, Joe Harold Bell of Oxford.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Beatrice Yearber
MARIETTA - Beatrice Hughes Yearber, 87, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at Daniel Health Care in Fulton. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by McMillan Funeral Home of Booneville.
Mary Lucille Young
HOLLY SPRINGS - Mary Lucille Young, 87, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, at Graceland Care Center in New Albany. She was born Aug. 21, 1915, in Union County to Earlin Lee Willhite and Pearl Pannell Willhite. She was the widow of James Dale Young. She was a homemaker and a member of Temperance Hill Baptist Church.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Holly Springs Funeral Home with Bro. Malcom Brock and Bro. Tony Smith officiating. Burial will be in Byhalia Cemetery.
Survivors include four sons, Jimmy D. Young of Olive Branch, Charles R. Young of Vermillion, Ohio, Ronald E. Young of Hernando and Billy W. Young of Hattiesburg; a daughter, Bettye Cox of Hickory Flat; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Roger Bolden, Robby Smith, Tim Cox, Scott Young, Craig Young, Neil Young and Jeff Beasley.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today.
Jamie Grisham
BIRMINGHAM - Jamie Zinn Patterson Grisham, 72, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, at her home in Birmingham. She was born Sept. 2, 1930, in Robb to the late Charles Bennett and Claribel Zinn Patterson. She was a member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham and a member of the Joy Class. She was a retired special education teacher for the Birmingham City Schools.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at United Funeral Service Chapel in New Albany with Dr. Neal Schooly officiating. Burial will be in New Albany City Cemetery.
Survivors include her husband, William Robert Grisham; three daughters, Emma Grisham, and Clara Purvis and her husband, Jim, all of Atlanta, and Julie Grisham of Birmingham; two sons, Howard Grisham and his wife, Sheila, of Huntsville, Ala., and Collins Grisham and his wife, Beverly, of Hayden, Ala.; 10 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Claudell Raper
TRENTON, Tenn. - Claudell Chester Raper, 73, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003, at Trenton Hospital in Trenton, Tenn., after an illness of several months. He was born July 30, 1929, in Smithville to the late Cloys S. and Curla O. Davidson Raper. He was a graduate of Hatley School, Itawamba Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi. He married Barbara Ann Barrett on Oct. 6, 1958. He lived in Oswego, Ill., for more than 30 years and in Trenton, Tenn., for 16 years. He was employed by Caterpillar Inc. in Aurora, Ill., until his retirement. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during the Korean War. He enjoyed gardening, fishing and restoring cars.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at the E.E. Pickle Funeral Home in Amory with the Rev. Daniel Graves officiating. Burial will be in Camp Cemetery in Monroe County.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Ann Barrett Raper of Trenton, Tenn.; two sons, Charles Keith Raper and his wife, Lynne-Marie, of Sandwich, Ill., and Floyd Wayne Raper and his wife, Cindy, of Aberdeen; two daughters, Peggy Ann Dilley and her husband, Jim, of Broken Arrow, Okla., and Cindy Renae Brawner of Galesburg, Ill.; a brother, Leon Raper of Steens; seven grandchildren, Ben and Rachel Raper, Keri and Aimee Dilley, Amber Dilley, and Zack and Rya Raper.
He was preceded n death by his parents and a brother, Douglas Raper.
Pallbearers will be J.C. Thompson, Chad Thompson, Randy Raper, Darrell Raper, Gary Raper and Zack Raper.
Visitation will continue at the funeral home until service time today.
Gloriana Humphreys
WIGGINS - Gloriana Gay Humphreys, 66, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003, at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. She was born Nov. 24, 1936, in Toro, La., to Hoy Evans and Maggie Brown Evans. She was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Holly Springs Funeral Home. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery in Holly Springs.
Survivors include her husband, Mike Humphreys of Holly Springs; three sons, Gary Humphreys of Holly Springs, Robert Humphreys of Stuttgart, Germany, and Randy Humphreys and his wife, Carol, of Corinth; a brother, Ivy L. Evans of Corinth; a sister, Mary Smallwood of Elizabethtown, Ky.; three grandchildren, Michael Humphreys, Jessica Humphreys and Anna Jo Humphreys.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Anna Belue
IUKA - Anna Belue, 82, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003, at the Desert Life Care Center in Tucson, Ariz. She was a former resident of Michigan City, Ind. She was a member of the Salvation Army and a homemaker.
Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel in Iuka with Robert Belue III officiating. Burial will be in Sardis Cemetery in Iuka.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Belue Sr. of Tucson, Ariz.; four sons, Robert Belue Jr. of Camarillo, Calif., Robbin Belue of Niagara Falls, N.Y., Roger Belue of Orlando, Fla., and David Belue of Denver, Colo.; a brother, Mike Shipley of North Dakota; a sister, Angeline Fries of Michigan City, Ind.; 13 grandchildren.
Her sons will serve as pallbearers.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Bea Sellers
SARDIS - Bea Harlow Sellers died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, in Robinsonville. She was born Dec. 12, 1942, in Pontotoc to A.B. and Ruby Walls Harlow. She was a medical assistant for Dr. H. Kathawala in Memphis and a member of the First Baptist Church in Sardis. She was the widow of James H. Sellers.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church in Sardis with the Rev. Ricky Haynes and the Rev. Jerry Stafford officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Sardis. Wells Funeral Home of Batesville is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include two daughters, Sherry Washington Pilkinton and Belinda Washington Hobbs of Memphis; two stepsons, Ronnie Sellers of Senatobia and Todd Sellers of Sardis; three brothers, Rudolph Harlow of English, Ind., and Travis Harlow and Clifton Harlow of Pontotoc; two grandchildren; seven stepgrandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today.
Joe Montgomery
PONTOTOC - Joe Montgomery, 73, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Hodges Funeral Home of Pontotoc.
Willie Harrell
VERONA - Willie Harrell, 69, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Hodges Funeral Home of Pontotoc.
James Cletis Taylor
RIPLEY - James Cletis Taylor, 79, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, at his residence. He was a retired farmer and school bus driver. He was a member of the Emmanuel Holiness Church and a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.
Services will be at 10 a.m. today at the Ripley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Trent Spencer and the Rev. Joe Street officiating. Burial will be in the Peoples Cemetery.
Survivors include a daughter, Shirley Hodum and her husband, Charles Eugene, of Collierville, Tenn.; a son, J. Eugene Taylor and his wife, Lillian of Ripley; two sisters, Inez Box and her husband, Dabney of Blue Mountain and Jan Huebschman of Ripley; a brother, Gerald Taylor and his wife, Norma, of Ripley; two grandchildren, Pam Hakim and her husband, Larry, of Oxford, and Charles Taylor Hodum of Collierville, Tenn.; three great-grandchildren, Hannah Hakim, Lawrence Hakim and James David Hakim, all of Oxford.
Pallbearers will be Duane Reaves, Johnny Reaves, Dee Box, Phillip Box, Joey Taylor, Mike Bridges, Jimmy Mitchell, Neil Childers, Raymond Childers, Tommy Childers and Kevin Huebschman.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Bro. Arthur C. Mhoon
EUPORA - Bro. Arthur C. Mhoon, 72, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, at the Beverly Health Care Center in Eupora. He was born Dec. 8, 1930, in Calhoun County to Luther and Etta Mae Williams Mhoon.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Union Grove M.B. Church with the Rev. George Lowe officiating. Carter's Funeral Home of Houston is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include five brothers, Jessie Mhoon of Cleveland, Ohio, Luther J. Mhoon of Bellefontaine, Isiah Mhoon of Calhoun City, Luther E. Mhoon of Hempstead, Long Island, N.Y., and Joe L. Mhoon of Bellefontaine; five sisters, Lucille Steele of Toledo, Ohio, Louise Jennings of Bellefontaine, Armoree Mhoon of Eupora, Zeporah Spencer of Bellefontaine and Virgie Gary of Roanoke Rapids, N.C.; several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Untawan Vance
ASHLAND - Untawan Vance, 19, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003, as the result of an automobile accident. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Foster and Son Funeral Home of Ripley.
Artis Loyd
EGGVILLE - Artis L. Loyd, 74, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at his home. He was born Dec. 20, 1929, to the late Vanie and Beulah Loyd. He was a veteran of the Korean conflict, serving as a master sergeant with the 24th Division, 3rd Engineers, in Japan and Germany. He was a Master Mason with Center Star Lodge No. 322. He was a member and deacon of Auburn Baptist Church, where he was a Sunday school teacher for 12 years and a youth leader for four years.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with the Rev. Tyson Curbow and the Rev. Bobby Burt officiating. Burial will be in the Eggville Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Mary Frances Dickerson Loyd of Eggville; a son, Artis LuVan Loyd Jr.; a daughter, Mary E. Witte and her husband, Ron; three grandchildren, Stacie Brown and her husband, Ronald, Tiffany Parker and her husband, Jason, and Jeanne Beth Loyd, all of Eggville.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Vernon Loyd.
His nephews will serve as pallbearers.
Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Young, the J.R. Brocks Sunday School Class, Dr. C.K. White and Ray Witte.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Mooreville/Eggville Volunteer Fire Department.
M.W. Baggett
CORINTH - Marcus Willard "M.W." Baggett, 78, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. He was a member of Antioch Baptist Church. He was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II, a life member of the American Legion Post No. 6 40&8, and a life member and past commander of the VFW. He was retired police chief, serving from 1978-1982, and a member of the Retired Police Officer's Club. He was a carpenter and a past member of the Corinth Pistol Team. He enjoyed reading, watching ball games, and spending time in his yard with his buddy, Matthew Bobo. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Magnolia Funeral Home's Chapel of Memories with the Rev. Pete Wooley and the Rev. Trent Netherly officiating. Mike Shipman will deliver the eulogy. Burial will be in Forrest Memorial Park Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Marie Jones Baggett of Corinth; two daughters, Meleesa Baggett Jolly and her husband, Terell, and Mitzi Baggett Wallin and her husband, Melvin, all of Corinth; a brother, Bilbo "Short" Baggett of Jumpertown; four grandchildren, Mark Hoover, Chad Jolly, Jared Wallin and Tyler Wallin, all of Corinth; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Alfred Baggett; his mother, Mary Magdeline Shelton Baggett; a daughter, Marcia Baggett Hoover; four brothers, Joe, Daniel, Dewitt and Autry Baggett; and three sisters, Gladys Lancaster, Hazel Lancaster and Mamie Latch.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to service time Wednesday.
Reginald Hollis
MANTEE - Reginald Wayne Hollis, 83, formerly of Vardaman, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. He retired from the U.S. Navy on Aug. 22, 1960. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict, and a Pearl Harbor survivor. He was also a farmer, factory worker, and in the feed and fertilizer business. He was a Baptist.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Parker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Vardaman with the Rev. Mark Jones officiating. Burial will be in New Liberty Cemetery in Vardaman with full military honors.
Survivors include his wife, Willene Martin Hollis of Mantee; three sons, Larry W. Hollis and his wife, Elaine, of Pensacola, Fla., Kenneth Hollis and his wife, Becky, of Ranger, Texas, and Steve Hollis and his wife, Myra, of Starkville; six grandchildren, Jonathan Wayne Hollis, Lisa Carol Pate, Thomas Jason Hollis, Stephanie Holly, Megan E. Hollis and Kristin Lynn Hollis; two graet-grandchildren, Jennifer and Ashley Pate.
He was preceded in death by a brother, William Thomas Hollis.
Pallbearers will be members of the military.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jonathan Wayne Hollis, Thomas Jason Hollis, J.T. McAdory, Ellis Lee, Guthrie Hunter, Bill Haines, J.T. Perkins and Stanley H. Kilgo.
Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mantee Baptist Church Building Fund.
Don N. McLemore
LEXINGTON - Don N. McLemore, 56, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, at University Medical Center in Jackson. He was born Oct. 25, 1946, in Holmes County to Roger McLemore and Ophelia Williamson McLemore. He was a draftsman and office manager for Williams, Williams and Clark. He is a 1965 graduate of Lexington High School and a graduate of Holmes Community College. He was a member of Oregon Memorial Church in Lexington, where he was a steward and a Sunday school teacher.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Southern Funeral Home Chapel in Lexington with the Rev. David Farlery and Bro. Mike O'Brien officiating. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Lane Maxcy McLemore of Lexington; his mother, Ophelia Williamson McLemore of Lexington.
Pallbearers will be Ronnie Rouse, Zacky Killebrew, James Edward Killebrew, Larry Killebrew, Louis Ferrell, Jim Beville, Wayne Morrison and Ronnie Chisholm.
Wallace Buggs
HOULKA - Wallace Buggs, 50, died Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003, at his home. He was a native of Chickasaw County and the son of Odell Buggs and the late Mike Buggs. He was a member of Thompson Chapel CME Church and Sanctuary Masonic Lodge No. 143.
Services will be at noon Wednesday at Thompson Chapel CME Church with Elder Glenn Huggins officiating. Burial will be in East County Line Cemetery. Hodges Funeral Home of Pontotoc is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his mother, Odell Buggs of Houlka; a sister, Bobbie Ruth Naugles and her husband, Curtis, of Indianapolis, Ind.; three brothers, Robert E. Buggs and his wife, Lyla, of Kalamazoo, Mich., Tommie J. Buggs and his wife, Jean, of Bronx, N.Y., and Henry L. Buggs and his wife, Ernestine, of Houlka.
Pallbearers will be the Masonic Brothers of Sanctuary Lodge No. 143.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and the family hour will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today, both at the funeral home. The body will lie in state at the church one hour before services.
Mae Sullivan
OKOLONA - Mae Bryant Sullivan, 86, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. She was born Aug. 3, 1916, in Pontotoc County to the late Fred C. and Lottie Gertrude Duke Bryant. She was a retired homemaker and a member of Egypt Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and working in her flower garden.
Services will be at 1 p.m. today at the Okolona Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Larry Jeffries and Bro. Jim Ray officiating. Burial will be in Boone's Chapel Cemetery. Lee Memorial/Okolona Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include a daughter, Nancy Sullivan Ellis and her husband, James "Skeet" Ellis, of Okolona; a sister, Mabelene Sullivan of Tupelo; two brothers, M.L. Bryant and his wife, Dessie, of Okolona and Richard "Red" Brynt of Tupelo; three grandchildren, Mitzi Ellis and Gary, Jimmy Ellis and Shelly, and Joe Ellis and Angela; three great-grandchildren, Maggie, Wade and Tori Ellis.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Sullivan, and her parents.
Pallbearers will be her nephews, Marvin Bryant, Richard Bryant, Bobby Bryant, Donnie Bryant, David Bryant and Lamar Hunt.
Honorary pallbearers will be Mickey Bryant, Cletone Pope, Gary Kilgo, and Jim, Joe and Wade Ellis.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to service time today at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Egypt Baptist Church, c/o Cindy Wedel, 2839 CR 406, Okolona MS 38860; or Boone's Chapel Cemetery Fund, c/o Bank of Okolona, P.O. Box 306, Okolona MS 38860.
Bertie Horner
CORINTH - Bertie Mae Wilkins Johnson Horner, 82, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at Corinth Health and Rehab. She was a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church. She was a retired employee of ITT. After retiring, she worked at Farmington Superette and Harlow's Donut Shop. She enjoyed working, cooking for her family, friends and church, quilting and traveling. She was a loving mother and devoted grandmother who cared deeply for her family and friends.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today at the Corinthian Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Charles Stephenson officiating. Burial will be in the Farmington Baptist Church Cemetery.
Survivors include a daughter, Shirley Rhodes and her husband, Eugene; a son, James Johnson and his wife, Maxine, of Memphis; three stepchildren, Gerald Horner and his wife, Gean, and Linda Vandiver and her husband, Paul, all of Corinth, and Jack Horner and his wife, Gayle, of Montgomery, Ala.; four grandchildren, Craig Rhodes and his wife, Jan, and Sammie Johnson and his wife, Dena, all of Corinth, Cherrie Rhodes Plunk and her husband, Michael, of Pickwick, Tenn., and Darrell Johnson of Memphis; seven stepgrandchildren, Greg Horner and Chris Vandiver of Corinth, Bryan Horner of Guntown, April Vandiver Haddock of Huntsville, Ala., Jennifer Horner of New Albany, Christian Horner of Winter Park, Colo., and Lindsey Horner of Auburn, Ala.; three great-grandchildren, Bayley Rhodes, Cade Plunk and Cody Johnson; eight stepgreat-grandchildren, Colby Horner, Conner Horner, Brett Horner, Luke Horner, Katie Horner, Tristan Vandiver, Avery Haddock and Jordan Haddock; two brothers, Carl Wilkins and his wife, Ava Dean, and Gene Wilkins and his wife, Lucille; two sisters, Earlene Newcomb and Gladys Hudson, all of Corinth; a special friend, Carolyn Crouse of Auburn, Ala.; several nieces and nephews.
Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to service time today at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Ridgecrest Baptist Church Building Fund.
Jim Henry Armstrong
OKOLONA - Jim Henry Armstrong, 62, died Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003, at his place of business. He was born April 4, 1940, to the late Jimmy Lee Armstrong and Margaret Henry Armstrong. He was a member of the Eastern Star M.B. Church, where he served on the Board of Trustees. He was a former employee of the Parker Truck Line and IBCO. He was the owner of Armstrong Body and Paint Shop.
Services will be at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Eastern Star M.B. Church with the Rev. Ronald Cockrell officiating. Burial will be in the Okolona Cemetery. Williams Memorial is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Imogene Armstrong of Okolona; a daughter, Bridget D. Armstrong of Okolona; a goddaughter, Hazel Tucker and her husband, Eddie, of Verona; three sons, Jimmy Armstrong and his Wife, Amanda, of Tupelo, Calvin B. Armstrong and his wife, LaShonda, of Madison, and Frederick T. Armstrong and his wife, Pamela, of Verona; a stepsister, Hattie Bell of Muskegon, Mich.; two sisters-in-law, Earlene Leavy of St. Louis, and Shirley Coleman and her husband, James, of Chicago; two brothers, James Armstrong of Muskegon, Mich., and Isaac Armstrong and his wife, Willie Mae, of Jacksonville, Fla.; two brothers-in-law, James Doss and his wife, Kimberly, and John Doss; three aunts, Ara Armstrong of Tupelo, Girlene Huddleston of St. Louis and Jessie B. Dowsin of Tupelo; five grandchildren, Dezonte Pulliam, Brianna Armstrong, Ashton Armstrong, Sundaria Armstrong and Gabrielle Armstrong.
Visiation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. today and a wake will be from 6 to 7 p.m. today, both at the funeral home. The body will be placed in the church at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Velma Dennington
BELMONT - Velma Dennington, 83, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, as the result of an automobile accident. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Senter Funeral Home of Fulton.
Beatrice Yearber
MARIETTA - Beatrice Hughes Yearber, 87, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at Daniel Health Care in Fulton after a long illness. She was a retired employee of the Marietta lunchroom and a member of the Marietta Methodist Church. She enjoyed quilting, fishing and attending Marietta Senior Citizens meetings. She married James Carlton Yearber on July 4, 1936.
Services will be at 3 p.m. today at McMillan Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jeff Hughes and the Rev. Kevin Yearber officiating. Burial will be in Sumners Chapel Cemetery.
Survivors include a daughter, Florence Ann Blaylock and her husband, Charles, of Fulton; a brother, Jack Dempsey Hughes of Marietta; a granddaughter, Mitzie Blaylock of Fulton.
She was preceded in death by her husband; a sister, Maurine Hughes Stevens; two brothers, Gene Tunney Hughes and Max Schmeling Hughes; and her parents, Thomas and Elma Pounds Hughes.
Pallbearers will be Robert Young, Joey Hughes, Mike Hughes, Shane Hughes, Dallas Yearber, Paul Wade Sparks, Greg Sparks, Eric Sparks and Jerry Fowler.
Visitation will continue until service time today.
Kimberly Dickey
COLUMBUS - Kimberly Keys Dickey died Friday, Jan. 24, 2003, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle in Columbus. She was born Nov. 13, 1961, in Columbus to Bob and Beth Keys. She graduated from Heritage Academy and Mississippi University for Women. She is an active member of Evangel Assembly of God. She recently finished her active membership in the Junior Auxiliary of Columbus and she was a member of Vine and Olive Garden Club. She was also the recipient of the Women Helping Women Award presented by the Soroptimist Club of Columbus.
Services will be at 10 a.m. today at Evangel Assembly of God with Pastor Ron Delgado officiating. Burial will be in Friendship Cemetery in Columbus. Memorial Funeral Home of Columbus is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include her husband, Chris Dickey of Columbus; two sons, Matthew and Bradley Dickey of Columbus; her parents, Bob N. and Beth V. Keys of Columbus; a brother and sister-in-law, Bobby and Kimberly Keys of Atlanta, Ga.; a sister and brother-in-law, Kendyl Keys and David Reynolds of Albany, Ga.; a grandmother, Nelrose Vail of Montpelier; her mother-in-law, Gloria Dickey of Santa Monica, Calif.; a brother-in-law, John Dickey of Santa Monica; a sister-in-law, Diane Dickey of Santa Monica.
Pallbearers will be Jerry Turner, Guy Mackey, Toby Lott, John Fields, Kevin Faulkner, Ken Faulkner, John Ledbetter and John Dickey.
Honorary pallbearers will be Gene Garrick, Ronnie Herrington, Scott Jones, Bill West, Sid Perkins, Greg Rader, Boyce Adams, Robert Gibson, Dr. Jack Whitecar and Tammy Miller.
Idell Bivens
CALHOUN CITY - Idell Barker Bivens, 90, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at Calhoun Health Services. She was born March 12, 1912, in Derma. She was a homemaker and a member of Duncan Hill Baptist Church.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Pryor Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jimmy Vance officiating. Burial will be in New Liberty Cemetery in Vardaman.
Survivors include a daughter, Roma Bivens Alford and her husband, Larkin, of Greenwood; a brother, Arley Lavon "Booger" Barker of Slate Springs; five grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Okle Bivens; her parents, James Thomas "Jim" Barker and Minnie Mae Dye Barker; and a brother, James Allen Barker.
Buddy Ivy
BATESVILLE - Clarence L. "Buddy" Ivy, 67, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at his home in Batesville. He was born March 17, 1935, in Cleveland to Clarence Oscar and Eula Virginia Clifton Ivy. He was the retired service manager for Bluff City Buick of Memphis and Rebel Motors of Oxford. He was a member of Victory Baptist Church in Batesville.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Victory Baptist Church in Batesville with the Rev. E.K. Gordon, the Rev. Richard Mills and the Rev. Bobby Watson officiating. Burial will be in Forrest Memorial Park in Batesville. Wells Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy Shipp Ivy of Batesville; two daughters, Ann Ivy Ashley of Lake City, Fla., and Teresa Morel of Cordova, Tenn.; two stepdaughters, Joan Butler of Oxford and Susan Obert of Crestview, Fla.; three stepsons, Douglas Gooch of Naples, Fla., James E. Gooch Jr. of Houston, Texas, and John Robert Gooch of Ontario, California; two sisters, Mary Ivy Beam of Southaven and Betty Ivy Landwirth of Inverness; 14 grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today.
Thomas Arny Rhoden
COLUMBIA - Thomas Arny Rhoden, 90, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at the Marion County General Hospital. He was a native of Columbia. He graduated from Columbia High School in 1929 and earned B.S., B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Mississippi. During his lifetime he worked in various occupations. He was business manager of the Columbia Training School and manager of the Columbia Hospital. He began his military career at Georgia Tech, where he attained the rank of second lieutenant. He served in the U.S. Army until the end of World War II. He returned to Columbia, where he became a Gulf Oil distributor. He established a National Guard unit in Columbia and retired with the rank of colonel. He served as president of the Marion County Chamber of Commerce. For many years he was president of the PTA. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and a Sunday school teacher for 30 years. He was instrumental in the formation of the First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Marion County. He was an alderman for the City of Columbia. He was ad valorem commissioner of the State Tax Commission and later served six years as chairman. He was state director of the Federal Housing Administration for Mississippi. He founded a state-chartered bank. Appointed by both Democratic and Republican presidents, he served two terms as U.S. Marshal for South Mississippi. He was a Rotarian, a Lions Club member and a Mason. He was a regional leader of the Boy Scouts, president of the Community Chest and an active volunteer for Red Cross. He was one of the first five inductees into the State Democratic Party Hall of Fame. He was named Man of the Year by the Columbia Junior Auxiliary. He had long-lasting friendships with Sen. John Stennis and Gov. J.P. Coleman and was in close communication with them both. He was a devoted husband, a loving father and a selfless civic leader, and his wit and strength of character will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today at the First Baptist Church of Columbia with Dr. Wayne Vanttom officiating. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Colonial Funeral Home of Columbia is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Amy Rimes Rhoden, whom he married in 1935; a daughter, Rebecca Rhoden Kent and her husband, Allan, of Tupelo; three sons, Thomas H. Rhoden and his wife, Sharon, and Richard E. Rhoden and his wife, Tracey, all of Jackson, and James C. Rhoden and his wife, Karen , of Columbis; a half brother, John Hugh Rhoden and his wife, Cindy, of Lauren; eight grandchildren, Kevin Kent, Keith Kent, Kathryn Kent of Tupelo, Thomas Rhoden, Jeffrey Rhoden, Chad Rhoden of Jackson, Matthew Rhoden of Boston and Courtney Rhoden of Columbus; four great-grandchildren, Amanda Kent, Richard Kent, Jacob Kent and Anna Kent, all of Tupelo.
His eight grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.
Honorary pallbearers will be Judge Sebe Dale Jr., Dr. Jerry Fortenberry, Sedgie Griffith, Riley Berry, Frank Matulich and Charles Murphree.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Library, 900 High School Ave., Columbia MS 39429.
Elam Prather
FALKNER - Elam Prather died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Foster and Son Funeral Home of Ripley.
Josephine Gillard
FALKNER - Josephine Gillard died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Foster and Son Funeral Home of Ripley.
Velma Jones
AMORY - Velma C. Jones, 98, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at her home in Amory after a long illness. She was born June 26, 1904, in the Macedonia community of Lee County to the late John and Pernisia Bruce Caldwell. She lived in Amory since 1923. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church of Amory. She worked at the munitions plant in Prairie during World War II. She enjoyed raising violets.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Masonic Cemetery in Amory with Dr. Allen Simpson officiating. Pickle Funeral Home of Amory is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include a son, Robert Frank Jones of Amory; a daughter, Shirley Mathews and her husband, Gerald, of Lubbock, Texas; two grandchildren, Ken and Mike Matthews; a great-granddaughter, Mattie Louise Mathews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Jones, in 1959; her parents; three brothers, Chester Caldwell, Lester Caldwell and Merle Caldwell; and a sister, Lavelle Richey.
Visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Ethel Horton
JUMPERTOWN - Ethel Horton, 76, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at her home. She was of the Holiness faith and attended Blackland Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. She was a loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed listening to preaching and gospel music, and spending time with her family and friends.
Services will be at 1 p.m. today at McMillan Funeral Home Chapel in Booneville with Bro. Donny Cartwright and Bro. Scotty Downs officiating. Burial will be in Jumpertown Cemetery. Waters Funeral Home of Baldwyn is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include four daughters, Kara Nell Michaels and her husband, Bud, and Machelle Brumley and her husband, Brian, all of Jumpertown Ann Settlemires and her husband, Charles, of Rienzi, and Judy Smith and her husband, Gary, of Booneville; two sons, Randolph Horton and his wife, Phyllis, of Jumpertown, and Havis Horton and his wife, Brenda, of Rienzi; four sisters, Modean Stroupe, Maxine Davis and her husband, Troy, and Genell Windham and her husband, Matthew, all of Jumpertown, and Emma Holland of Booneville; three brothers, Herschel Cartwright and his wife, Bertha, of Booneville, Leonard Cartwright of Blackland community and John Bell Cartwright of Corinth; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Horton; her parents, Renzy Lee and Mary Knight Cartwright; two brothers, Roy Lee Cartwright and Robert Cartwright; and a grandchild, Sheila Horton.
Her nephews will be pallbearers.
Her grandchildren will be honorary pallbearers.
Jennie Ruth Escher
BALDWYN - Jennie Ruth Escher, 75, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at the Baldwyn Nursing Facility after a long illness. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Waters Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Grace Russell
NEW ALBANY - Grace Spence Russell, 96, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at the Sunshine Nursing Home in Pontotoc. She was a former supervisor for the Irwin B. Schwabe Co. and a member of New Albany Church of Christ. She was the widow of Walter F. Russell.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today at United Funeral Service Chapel. Burial will be in Glenfield Memorial Park.
Survivors include grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to service time today.
Rev. Charles Ellis
PARRISH, Ala. - The Rev. Charles Thomas Ellis, 70, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at Baptist Medical Center Princeton in Birmingham, Ala. He served four churches in his ministry - Central Grove Baptist Church in Wren, West Marks Baptist Church in Marks, Hamilton Baptist Church in Hamilton and Parrish First Baptist Church in Parrish, Ala.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Parrish First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jack Maroon and the Rev. Scott Slayton officiating. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Lee Memorial Cemetery. Collins-Burke Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Anna Kate Ellis of Parrish, Ala.; his mother, Kate Ellis of Shannon; three sons, Andy Ellis and his wife, Kathy, of Columbus, and Tim Ellis and his wife, Kerry, and Philip Ellis and his wife, Suzy, all of Parrish, Ala.; a brother, T.L. Ellis of Shannon; six grandchildren, Shannon Ellis, Jamie Ellis, Chase Ellis, Camry Ellis, Zach Ellis and Timmy Odom.
Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. today at Parrish First Baptist Church.
Gladys Marlar
BURNSVILLE - Gladys Loretta Marlar, 88, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at her daughter's home in Tupelo. She was born Nov. 27, 1914, in Glen. She was a longtime resident of Tishomingo County and had lived in Burnsville for many years. She was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Burnsville.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel in Glen with the Rev. Ray Bennett and the Rev. Joseph Dixon Free Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Harmony Hill Cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Sandy A. Marlar of Tupelo and Carolyn Dixon Free of Lincolnton, N.C.; two grandchildren, Sheryll Warner of Nashville, Tenn., and Joseph Dixon Free III of Pageland, S.C.; two great-grandchildren, Rachel and Michael Warner; two sisters-in-law, Maysel Atchley of Florence, Ala., and Jane Marlar of Corinth; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Floyd Marlar; her parents, Frank and Mary Atchley; two brothers, Rollie and John David Atchley; and a sister, Beatrice Atchley.
Pallbearers will be A.B. Marlar, Carl Atchley, Joe Free, Mike Warner, Jimmy Ardis, A.T. Marlar, Fred Marlar and Danny Moore.
Visitation will be from noon to service time today at the funeral home.
Jerry Stark
UNION, Mo. - Jerald K. "Jerry" Stark, 61, died Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003, after a long illness. He was born Feb. 22, 1937, in Pontotoc. He had recently retired from the Chrysler Corporation in Pacific, Mo., with 34 years of service. He also was the owner of Stark Auto Sales in Union, Mo., for several years. He was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church. An avid outdoorsman, he especially enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Services were Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at Oltman Funeral Home Chapel in Union, Mo., with Father Midas officiating. Pricilla Stark delivered the eulogy. Burial was in Union Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Bernadette; two sons, Kenneth Stark of Chandler, Ind., and Nathan Stark with the U.S. Marine Corps in Okayama, Japan; a daughter, Pricilla Stark of the home; five stepdaughters, Elisha Wolfe, Monica Stokes, Melanie Portell, Tina Krupinski and Tammie Knight, and their families; a sister, Edna Twitty and her husband, Charles, of Tupelo.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Stark.
His sons-in-law and Russ Twitty served as pallbearers.
Velma Dennington
BELMONT - Velma Dennington, 82, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, in Belmont. She was born Feb. 23, 1920, to Walter and Mary Lou Duncan Rast. She was a member of Fairview Holy Church of Christ. She was employed at Golden Manufacturing Company for several years. She was the widow of William Elbert Dennington.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Fairview Holy Church of Christ in Belmont with Bro. James Toone and Mike Deaton officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery. Senter Funeral Home of Fulton is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include a daughter, Aarena Joyce Dennington of Madison; two sons, Dayton Dennington and his wife, Jennifer, of Tupelo, and Danny Dennington and his wife Gloria, of Prattville, Ala.; two brothers, Clifford Rast and Tulon Rast, both of Iuka; four grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Kim Wells, Joel Wells, Jimmy Eaton, Don Holcomb, Gene Deaton and Horace Long.
James Gentle is an honorary pallbearer.
Visitation will be at the church until service time.
Willie Harrell
VERONA - Willie Harrell, 69, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at his home. He was a native of Pontotoc, and the son of Steven and Eula Harrell. He was formerly of Chicago.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Progressive Community Center-The Peoples Church in Chicago with Dr. John Hobbs officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Chicago. Hodges Funeral Home of Pontotoc is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Lela Harrell of Verona; three daughters, Christine Jones and his wife, Warren, of Chicago, Wilela White and her husband, Cedric, of Tupelo, and Patricia Dangerfield and her husband, Jeffery, of Chicago; three sons, Robert Harrell and his wife, Mary, of Dale City, Va., Brandon Cooper Harrell and Donte Cooper Harrell, both of Verona; two brothers, Thomas Harrell of Chicago, and Richard Harrell and his wife, Jan, of Hillside, Ill.; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two special friends, Dale Jones and Roger Cole, both of Verona.
Visitation will be from noon to 5 p.m. today at the funeral home and 6 to 8 p.m. at Mt. Zion M.B. Church in Verona.
Fannie Gray
BOONEVILLE - Fannie Alma Calton Gray, 94, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at Landmark Nursing and Rehab Facility. She was a homemaker and the widow of George B. Gray. She was a member of Carolina Methodist Church.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at McMillan Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Horace McCombs officiating. Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery.
Survivors include a son, J.R. Gray of Booneville; a sister, Ada Gilley of Booneville; 16 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two sons, James Gray and Billy Gray; a grandson, David Gray; and several sisters and brothers.
Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today and until service time Thursday.
William Butler
William O'Neil Butler, 80, died Tueday, Jan. 28, 2003, at his home in Tupelo. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by E.E. Pickle Funeral Home of Amory.
Lucille Elliott
MT. VERNON - Lucille Clayton Elliott, 94, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at the Sunshine Rest Home in Pontotoc after a long illness. She was a lifelong resident of the Mt. Vernon community and the daughter of the late Robert and Mattie Clayton. She worked first for Reed Manufacturing and later, along with her husband, the late John F. Elliott, as owner of Elliott Grocery. She was a member of Mt. Vernon Christian Church. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and fishing.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with Dr. Eldridge Fleming and the Rev. Terry Pierce officiating. Burial will be in Lee Memorial Park.
Survivors include two daughters, Martha "Mert" Hester and Wilna "Billie" Ballard, both of Tupelo; three grandchildren, Mike Ballard and his wife, Cathy, Donna Hankins and her husband, Chuck, and Donese Sudduth and her husband, Tommy, all of Tupelo; five great-grandchildren, John Michael Ballard, Bradley Ballard, Kelly Ballard, Clay Sudduth and Jay Sudduth; a great-great-grandchild, Caleb Ballard; two sisters, Cleo Herring and Otis Vinson; a brother-in-law, Elton Elliott.
Pallbearers will be Bill Elliott, Charles Elliott, Jeff Wade, Gwyn Whitaker, Jerry Clayton and Joe Clayton.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Harold McNeil
CORINTH - James Harold "Mack" McNeil, 69, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at the Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Cutshall Funeral Home West in Glen.
Rev. Melvin Adams
BALDWYN - The Rev. Melvin Adams, 49, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Booneville. He was a member and associate pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church. He was an employee of Bauhaus.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Mt. Olive Baptist Church with Pastor Wayne Myles officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Beasley Funeral Home of Verona is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, JoAnn Adams of Baldwyn; five sons, Melvin Diggs Jr. of Grand Rapids, Mich., Tyrone Hampton of Aberdeen, and Lydell Hampton, Lennie Adams and Brent Adams, all of Amory; his mother, Melvina Adams of Amory; three sisters, Annie Freeman, Carolyn Gaston and Jennifer Adams, all of Amory; four brothers, Donnell Adams of Hattiesburg, Frederick Adams of Amory, Marvin Adams of San Antonio, Texas, and Frankie Adams of Nashville, Tenn.; six grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home. The body will be placed in the church one hour before services.
Carson Helms
COURTLAND - Carson Helms, 78, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at his home in Courtland. He was born Jan. 29, 1924, in Panola County to John I. and Gertrude Fowler Helms. He was currently employed as an engineer for McBride Engineering, where he had worked for 34 years. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II. He served as a Panola County deputy sheriff from 1964 to 1967.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Wells Funeral Home Chapel in Batesville with the Rev. George Buell and the Rev. Clay Baker officiating. Burial will be in Eureka Private Cemetery in Courtland.
Survivors include a daughter, Janice Helms Wardlaw of Madison; five sons, Ron Helms, Clay Gaines and Danny Gaines, all of Courtland, Edward "Earl" Nelms of LaVonia, Ga., and Falcom Helms of Pope; a sister, Freddie Hentz Johnson of Courtland; two brothers, Milton Hentz and Bobby Hentz, both of Courtland; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today.
Clovie L. Thorn
GREENWOOD SPRINGS - Clovie L. Thorn, 88, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Senter Funeral Home.
