Luther Michael Baker
Graveside services for Luther Michael Baker will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Magnolia Cemetery with the Revs. Charles Robbins and Charles Cottenbrook officiating. James F. Webb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Baker, 51, of Jefferson, Ga., formerly of Meridian, died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, in Jefferson.
Survivors include his sons, Matt Baker of Troy, Ala. and Michael Baker of Jefferson; a daughter, Shelby Baker of Indiana; step-sons, Chance Baker and Cole Baker, both of Jefferson; sisters, Mary Crawford and her husband, Raymond, and Sandra Walters, all of Meridian and one granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther Franklin Baker and Margie Baker and a brother, Luther F. Baker Jr.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to a Trust Fund for Michael Baker, C/O Mary Crawford, 5226 16th Ave. Meridian, MS 39301.
Visitation will be Saturday one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Rickie Clark Jr.
Disabled
Services for Rickie “Dewayne” Clark Jr. will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Stephens Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bill Webb officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery in Neshoba County.
Mr. Clark, 34, of Meridian, died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center. He enjoyed playing guitar, video games, hunting and fishing with his family.
Survivors include his father, Rickie D. Clark Sr. of Meridian; sisters, Alicia Rigdon and her husband, Chris, of Collinsville; paternal grandparents, Olen and Vennie Lee Clark of Meridian; maternal grandfather, James H. Jones of Meridian; aunts, Anita Holder of Meridian and Sandra Smith of Collinsville; uncles, Robbie Clark of Collinsville and Blake Clark of Meridian; nephews, Brock Heiser and Kameron Heiser; a niece, Ashton Hieser, all of Collinsville and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Gay Crocker; grandmother, Gladys Jones and his best friend, Jimmy Dean.
Pallbearers will be Robbie Clark, Blake Clark, Blake Thomas, Chris Rigdon, Shannon Smith and John Holder Jr.
Visitation will be today from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Marzen Knighton
Retired Binswanger Glass Co.
Services for Marzen Knighton will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church with the Rev. Bennie Hopkins officiating. Burial will be in Meridian Memorial Park Cemetery. Berry and Gardner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Knighton, 91, of Meridian, died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, in his home.
Visitation will be Saturday from noon until service time at the church.
Otha Sevan Denham, Sr.
Services for Otha Sevan Denham, Sr. will be held today at 10 a.m. at Highland Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Carl White officiating. Burial will be in Lakewood Memorial park Cemetery in Jackson at 3 p.m. Barham Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Denham, 95, of Meridian died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007, at Aldersgate.
He was a member of Highland Baptist Church and also a longtime member of Parkway Baptist Church in Jackson. He retired at age 92, after working 73 years as a door to door home mercantile salesman.
Survivors include his children, Otha Sevan Denham, Jr., and wife Carol of
Burlington, Ky., Miriam Gober and husband, Wayne of Union, Ky., Dianne Davis and life partner, Karen Sills of Lafayette, Ind., Franklin Denham and wife, Deborah, of Meridian; grandchildren, Timothy Denham of Tucson, Ariz., Stephanie Hall and Renee Riddle both of Union, Ky., Cameron Gober, of Baton Rouge, La., Angie Davis of Chicago, Tracy Cahee, West Lafayette, Ind., Shellie Denham of Flowood, Lauren Denham and Ragan Denham, both of Meridian, and 5 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Denham.
Memorials may be made to Highland Baptist Church Music Ministry.
Visitation will be today one hour prior to service at the church.
Mary E. Johnson Boswell
Homemaker
Services for Mary E. Johnson Boswell will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Barham Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Haskill McMullen officiating. Burial will be in Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Boswell, 91, of Meridian, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at Guardian Angel Hospice. She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend to many.
Survivors include her sister, Ruby Reese of Meridian; step-brother, Lester White and his wife, Peggy, of Meridian; a daughter-in-law, Marjorie Boswell Tester and her husband, John, of Pensacola, Fla.; grandchildren, Butch Boswell and his wife, Edith, of Meridian and Kathy Davis of Pensacola; great-grandchildren, Carrie Boswell Ainsworth of Madison and Hunter Davis of California, Chase Davis of Pensacola and Braxton Boswell of Meridian; great-great-grandchild, Alexa Kate Ainsworth of Madison and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Red Boswell and a son Jimmie Boswell and several siblings.
Pallbearers will be Joe Wilkinson, Fred Bean, Larry Whitehead, James Harold Miller, John Flanagan and John Tester.
Honorary pallbearers will be Willie Earl Gaines, Sam Boswell, Ricky Reese, Jack Hollaway, Pee Wee Russell and Brotherhood members of Carmel Baptist Church.
Visitation will be today from 5 p.m. -7 p.m. at the funeral home.
William C. Hearn
Retired
BUTLER, Ala. — Services for William C. “Billy” Hearn will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Bumpers Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. J.D. Weed officiating. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Butler.
Mr. Hearn, 66, of Butler, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian, Miss.
Survivors include his brother, Franklin Hearn; a sister, Judy Norrell; his mother, Doll Hearn; one niece and one nephew and several aunts and uncles.
Visitation will be today from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Hulon Fox Dewease
PHILADELPHIA — Services for Hulon Fox Dewease will be held today at 2 p.m. at McClain-Hays Funeral Service Chapel, with the Revs. Bennie Buckley and Mack Alford officiating. Burial will be in Good Hope Cemetery.
Mr. Dewease, 89, of Philadelphia, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at his home. He was a native and lifelong resident of the Good Hope Community in Neshoba County. He was a retired carpenter and had formerly worked for Perry Construction Company. He was a member of Good Hope Baptist Church.
Survivors include his son, Russell Dewease of Galt, CA; granddaughter, Leigh Carole Marshall of Philadelphia; grandson, Randy Watkins of Philadelphia; great-grandchildren, Kate Marshall, Maggie Marshall, Ben Allen Marshall, Lela Marshall, Jeremy Watkins; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorena Dewease; a son, Charles Dewease; and a great-granddaughter, Marli Watkins.
Lean Mae Hayes Manasco
QUITMAN — Services for Lean Mae Hayes Manasco will be held today at 2 p.m. at Wright’s Funeral Home Chapel, with the Revs. Brent Manasco and Jeff Smith officiating. Burial will be in Desoto Cemetery.
Mrs. Manasco, 93, of Quitman, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at Lakeside Living Center in Quitman.
Survivors include her sons, Eddie Ray Manasco and his wife, Peggy, Buddy Manasco and his wife, Angie, David Manasco and his wife, Paula; daughter, Deenie Smith; brother, Franklin Hayes; sisters, Ruby Long, Marie Lucas, Ottis Smith, Selma Schrimpshire; 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Manasco and a daughter, Syble Anderson.
Cecile O. Strickland
Arrangements were incomplete at Barham Funeral Home for Cecile O. Strickland, of Meridian, who died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007, at Queen City Nursing Center.
Cecile Ester Strickland
Graveside services for Cecile Ester Strickland will be held today at 2 p.m. at Andrew Chapel Cemetery, with Barham Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Strickland, 103, of Meridian, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007 at Queen City Nursing Home. She was employed as a seamstress. She was also a member of 5th Street Methodist Church.
Survivors include daughters, Lois Belvin of Meridian, Sarah Miller and her husband, Alden, of Tulsa, Oka.; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by three daughters, Annie Ruth Potocnak, Katie Merle Wallace and Adele Sanders.
The family requests memorials be made to the hospice of your choice.
Joe Leonard Thrasher
Retired
MCCOMB — Services for Joe Leonard Thrasher were held Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Jubilee Shores Methodist Church in Fairhope, Ala. Burial was in Silverhill Cemetery. Hartman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Thrasher, 67, of Loxley, Ala., died Friday, Dec. 29, 2006, at Mercy Medical Center in Daphne, Ala. he was born on Jan. 8, 1939 in Clifton, Tenn. He was the son of Nona B. and Gaston Marie Falls Thrasher of Lake City, Fla. He was an active member of Jubilee Shores Methodist Church in Fairhope.
Mr. Thrasher retired from Roadway Express Trucking Company with more then 30 years driving experience and had achieved the three million mile award without any driving offenses, which pub him in the elite driving class, which allowed him to have his name on his truck.
Mr. Thrasher was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was a Free Mason and was a craftsman brick layer, an avid Alabama fan, and he also enjoyed deer hunting and fishing.
Survivors include his wife of five years, Thelma Thrasher; a daughter, JoElla Cupit and her husband, Ken, of Liberty; a brother, Jim Thrasher and his wife, Mary, of Lake City, Fla.; cousins, Connie Young of Winston Salem, N.C., Gerald Gary Davidson of Hampton, Ga. and Larry Falls of Atlanta; children by adoption, Kurt Thrasher and his wife, Sandra, of Meridian and Robin Thrasher Lewis and her husband, Dale, of Liberty; a step-daughter, Judy Duddy and her husband, J.T., of Foley, Ala.; step-sons, Lee Lane and his wife, Lisa, of Miami, Fla. and Doug Frank and his wife, Darlene, of Elberta, Ala.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Clarence Ray Kemp
MACON — Graveside services for Clarence Ray Kemp will be held today at 3:30 p.m. at Brooksville Cemetery, with Rev. Jim Garner officiating. Cockrell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Kemp, 69, of Brooksville, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus. He was born in Brooksville and worked at Deerbrook Company for many years as a hog farm manager.
Survivors include his son, Billy Ray Kemp; sister, Lucille Callie; and brother, Lynn Lynell Kemp.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be today from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. at the funeral home.
Nancy Guthrie
Services for Nancy C. Guthrie will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Barham Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Roy Dabbs officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Mrs. Guthrie, 66, of Meridian, died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center.
Survivors include her husband, Harold Guthrie of Meridian; children, James Edward Ward of Tenn., Tammy McNutt of Tupelo, Timmy Ward of Meridian; several grandchildren; step-children, Michael Evans of Mobile, Ala., Kay Dunnigan of Meridian, L.T. Guthrie of Mobile, Brandi Hurley of Jacksonville, Fla.; special granddaughters, Crystal Gray, Samantha Putt both of Tupelo; two brothers; and one sister.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Alma Collett; her father, Jesse Watson; Retha Murphy and James Anthony Ward.
Ralph Richardson
PHILADELPHIA — Services for Ralph Richardson will be held today at 11 a.m. at Faith Tabernacle Church, with the Rev. David Richardson officiating. Burial will be in Neshoba Cemetery with McClain-Hays Funeral Service in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Richardson, 64, of Philadelphia, died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, at Neshoba County General Hospital. He was employed as a farmer.
James Hardie Jones
Services for James Hardie Jones will be held today at 3 p.m. at Webb Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jim Williams officiating. Burial will be in Magnolia Cemetery.
Mr. Jones, 82, of Meridian, died Friday, Jan. 6, 2007, at Laird Hospital in Union. He was a WWII veteran serving in the U.S. Army. He was also a member of the First Church of God.
Survivors include his son, Edward Wayne Jones of Meridian; sister, Louise Light of Laurel; son-in-law, Neil Crocker of West Virginia; grandchildren, Alicia Rigdon, Ashley Jones, Jordan Jones, Jessica Carll; three great-grandchildren; and friend and caretaker, Margaret Jones of Bailey.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Emma and Abner Jones; wife, Gladys Jones; daughter, Gay Croker; and grandson, Ricky Dewayne Clark Jr.
Iva Faye Johnson Poole
Services for Iva Fay Johnson Poole will be held Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at James F. Webb Funeral Home Chapel, with the Revs. Jack Giles, Jason Gross, Gene Higginbotham and Hueston Adkins officiating.
Mrs. Poole, 81, of Collinsville, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center. She was a member of Suqualena Macedonia Baptist Church.
Survivors include her sons, Robert H. Poole of Suqualena, Ronald C. Poole of Collinsville, Wiley Ben Poole of Meridian; daughters, Wanda F. Chaney and her husband, Mike, of Little Rock, MS, Carol K. Freeman and her husband, Wayne, of Meehan, Christy G. Henson and her husband, Ralph, of Meridian; seven grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Poole; parents, Wiley C. And Matty Estes Johnson; twin sister, Ila Johnson Willis; brother, George Johnson; half-sisters, Lillian Hollisworth, Jewel Bell; half-brothers, Ernest Johnson, Clarence Johnson; step brothers, Stacy Castle and Floyd Castle.
Visitation will be today from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
