North Mississippi Herald - Obituaries

Nancy Byars Thompson
WATER VALLEY: Nancy Byars Thompson, 65, died Wednesday, July 26, 2006, at Oxford in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi.
  Funeral services for Mrs. Thompson were held at ten o’clock in the morning Saturday, July 29, 2006, in the Chapel at Latham Funeral Home, with Bro. Jimmy Sockwell and Bro. R. W. Moffett officiating. Burial was in the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.
  She was born January 15, 1941 in Yalobusha County. Mrs. Thompson was a homemaker and she was a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Aubrey Ray Thompson, a son, Donald Lynn Thompson, and a brother, J. W. Byars.
  Survivors include: two daughters, Darby T. Shelton and Deborah T. Bell, both of Water Valley; three sons, Danny Ray Thompson and David Keith Thompson, both of Paris, and Daron Lynn Thompson of Water Valley; her mother, Elizabeth Byars of Water Valley; one sister, Lottie Faye Harmon of Paris; a brother, Harvey “Sonny” Byars of Corinth; ten grandchidlren; and nine great-grandchildren.

LaKendrith VaShawn Bishop, Jr.
  WATER VALLEY: LaKendrith VaShawn Bishop, Jr., infant child of Rosalind Bolden and LaKendrith Bishop, died July 24, 2006.
  Graveside services were held at eleven o’clock in the morning Wednesday, July 26, 2006, in the Bayson Chapel Church Cemetery, with Rev. Amos Sims officiating. Hodges Funeral Home of Oxford had charge of arrangements.
Survivors are: his mother, Rosalind Bolden and father, LaKendrith Bishop, both of Water Valley; two sisters, Jamilya Bolden and LaKendria Bishop, both of Water Valley; grandparents, Willie Rowsey and Christine Bolden, Patricia (John) Rockette, all of Water Valley, Jessie Crowder of Chicago; and great-grandparents, Joe Willie and Mable Holmes of Water Valley, Grace Bishop of Water Valley, Leslie Bishop of Batesville, Mr. and Mrs. Jessie Crowder of Water Valley; and a great-great-grandmother, Myrtle Bishop of Batesville.

Mildred Leora Wells McCain
  OXFORD: Mrs. Mildred Leora Wells McCain, 77, died Saturday, July 22, 2006, in Graceland Care Center at Oxford.
  Services for Mrs. McCain were held at eleven o’oclock in the morning Monday, July 24, 2006, in the Waller Funeral Home Chapel, Oxford, with Rev. Milton Boyd officiating. Burial was in Pine Flat Cemetery, near Oxford.
  A homemaker, Mrs. McCain was the widow of Thomas Orr McCain. She was a member of Pine Flat United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed Sunday School. She also enjoyed reading her Bible and her family.
  Survivors include: two daughters, Ann Potts of Water Valley and Carol Watts of Oxford; a son, Steve McCain of Paris; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
  Memorial may be made to the Pine Flat Cemetery Fund.

Nathan Edward Thomas
  MEMPHIS: Nathan Edward Thomas, 66, died July 14, 2006, in Methodist North Hospital.
  He was a retired truck driver and of the Baptist faith. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a devoted friend to many.
  He was preceded in death by: a son, Keith Thomas; his parents, Dudley and Thelma Thomas; two brothers, J. D. and William Earl Thomas.
  He is survived by: his wife of 50 years, Carolyn Thomas, sons, Michael and Phillip Thomas, and daughter, Kim Workman, all of Memphis; a brother, Joe Thomas of Southaven; a sister, Eleanor Ruth Nazaruk of Alexandria, Arkansas; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren,
Services were held Monday, July 17, 2006, at High Point Funeral Chapel, with interment at Memorial Park Cemetery.
  Memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Lisa Meeks Stutzman
  PARIS, TN: Lisa Meeks Stutzman, age 25, formerly of Water Valley, died at her home in Paris, Tennessee on Friday, July 28, 2006.
  A daughter of the late Grady Lane Meeks and Patricia Gail Langham Rushing, she worked as a waitress and was a Baptist.
  Visitation will be held at Seven Oaks Funeral Home Wednesday morning, August 2, 2006, from 11:00 a.m. until the 2:00 p.m. Funeral Service at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Broom Cemetery in Yalobusha County.
  Mrs. Stutzman is survived by: her husband, Brian Scott Stutzman of Paris, Tennessee; two daughters, Jasmine Kaliah Stutzman and Jalde Kensly Rogers, both of Paris, TN; and two sisters, Amanda Lee Rogers and Tina Marie Rushing, both of Water Valley.
  Preceding her in death were her father, Grady Lane Meeks, and her grandmother, Pauline Langham.

George Edward Samuels
  George Edward Samuels, 81, died at his home in Oxford Saturday, July 29, 2006.
  Born December 28, 1924, in Crenshaw, Mr. Samuels was a son of the late Frank Luther and Mary Lenora Osborn Samuels. He was a meat cutter and also worked at Meek’s Auto Sales as a salesman. He was a Navy Veteran of World War II, a member of the VFW and the American Legion.
  Funeral services were held at two o’clock in the afternoon Monday, July 31, 2006, in Dickins Funeral Home, Batesville. Interment was in Cold Springs Cemetery, Batesville.
  Survivors include: his wife, Bobbie Kelley Samuels of Oxfod; a daughter, Donna Rhyne of Water Valley; three sisters, Connie Tubbs of Sardis, Tina Hanks of Batesville, and Mary Simmons of Olive Branch; and one grandchild.

Irene S. Wright
  WATER VALLEY: Irene S. Wright, age 93, passed away Monday, August 7, 2006, in Yalobusha County Nursing Home in Water Valley.
  Mrs. Wright was married to Robert W. Wright, who preceded her in death on April 12, 1994. She was a retired nurse at Yalobusha County Nursing Home in Water Valley. She was also a charter member of First Assembly of God in Water Valley.
  Funeral services were held in Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 9, 2006, with Rev. Carl McClain and Rev. Dean Wright presiding. The commital was held in Oak Hill Cemetery with Randy Wright, Shannon Wright, Shea Wright, Tracy Wright, Jonathon Wright, and Paul Carroll serving as pallbearers.
  She is survived by: three sons, Dan Wright of Paducah, Kentucky, John L. Wright of Horn Lake, and Dean Wright of Tunica, eleven grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren.
  In addition to her husband, Mrs. Wright was preceded in death by: her parents, John W. and Leman Carroll Stewart; a son, Gearrell Wright; a sister, Farry Stewart; and four brothers, Albert Stewart, Robert Stewart, Ruel Stewart, and Howard Carroll.

Eugene C. Hughes
  WATER VALLEY: Eugene C. “Cleo” Hughes, age 85, passed away Monday, July 31, 2006, at Oxford in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi.
  He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a teacher, coach, and principle in the Shelby County and Memphis School Systems for 32 years. He received his B.S. from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Education from the University of Mississippi. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Water Valley.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 3, 2006, in First Baptist church, with Dr. Randy Bain officiating. The committal was held in Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley.
  He is survived by his wife: Bessie Mae Mize Hughes of Water Valley; a daughter, Terry Hughes McQueen of Houston, Texas; a brother, Henry Theo Hughes of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and three grandsons.
  Mr. Hughes was preceded in death by his parents, Frank L. and Willie Rounsaville Hughes; a sister, Lavern Hughes Hood; and four brothers, Bobby Gene Hughes, Robert Lenden Hughes, Edward Franklin Hughes, and James Leon Hughes.

Sadie Rachel Williams
  WAVERLY, TN: Sadle Rachel Williams, 92, of Waverly, Tennessee, formerly of Water Valley, passed away in the Three Rivers Hospital at Waverly on August 2, 2006.
  She was a retired nurse with Methodist Hospital in Memphis and a member of Cherokee Baptist Church of Memphis.
  Funeral services were held in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home at two o’clock in the aftenroon Friday, August 4, 2006.
  Mrs. Williams is survived by one son, Lewis Williams of Waverly, Tennessee.
  She was preceded in death by: her parents, Tomas McCullar and Sadle Tarver McCullar; and her husband, Andrew Webster Williams on February 21, 1991.

Scarlet Lawrence Akins
Scarlet Lawrence Akins, 27, of Memphis, journalism instructor and publication specialist for Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, died Aug. 4 at Germantown Methodist Hospital in Memphis. One day before her 28th birthday, Akins lost her battle against malignant melanoma.
A graduate of Collierville High School in 1997, Akins received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 2001 from the University of Mississippi. While at Ole Miss, she pledged Kappa Alpha Theta, holding numerous positions within the sorority, both as a student and as alumna. She furthered her education at Ole Miss, earning a Masters of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication in 2003. At The University of Mississippi she served as a graduate teaching assistant.
Akins moved to Atlanta, where she served as an assistant editor for Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Magazine and later as the editor of European Homes and Gardens magazine.
In 2005 she returned to teaching, accepting a position as an English instructor with Memphis City Schools. In August of that same year, she joined the Northwest faculty as journalism instructor and served as adviser for the college’s newspaper and yearbook.
Akins leaves her husband Jody Akins of Memphis and an infant daughter Madison Grace Akins. Other survivors include her parents Cheryl and Vann Moore and Steve and Vicki Lawrence; her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lawrence and Dr. and Mrs. Steve Bledsoe; her borthers Reese Taylor Lawrence and V. Davis Moore, II; her aunts, Renee Hust and Leigh Pleasant, and her many cousins.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Scarlet Lawrence Akins was held on Saturday, Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. at St. George’s Episcopal Church on Poplar Avenue in Germantown, Tenn.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Scarlet Lawrence Akins Foundation. Checks can be sent to the following address: 1328 Broadstone Lane, Cordova, TN 38016. Please specifically earmark your donation to one of Scarlet’s three preferred charities: the Scarlet Lawrence Akins Journalism Scholarship through the Northwest Mississippi Community College Foundation, the Kappa Alpha Theta Scholarship Fund, or the Church Health Center.

Erma S. Carr
  CLEVELAND, TN: Erma S. Carr, age 79, a resident of Cleveland, Tennessee passed away Sunday, July 23, 2006, in a Cleveland hospital. She was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Mrs. Carr was a daughter of the late Harve Skelton and Pearl Kyser Skelton and wife of the late James C. Carr.
  She is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, Harvey Carr of St. Augustine, Florida, and David Carr and wife, Dorean, of Ooltewah, Tennessee; daughters and son-in-law, Sue Carr of Cleveland, Carolyn Willis of Maryville, Tennessee, Becky Draper, and husband, Chris, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; seven grandchildren; and one great grandchild; one brother, Clyde Skelton of Utica; five sisters, Ruth McMullen of Coldwater, Edna Walker of Olive Branch, Laverne Griffin, Eldean Kimbriel and Ann McLaughlin, all of Searcy, Arkansas.
  Graveside services were held at ten o’clock in the morning Wednesday, July 26, 2006, at Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with Pastor Truitt Cockrell and Dr. Reed Wright officiating. A white dove release ceremony concluded the service. Fike Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Youth Group, 7619 Blue Springs Rd., Cleveland, TN 37311.
  You are invited to send a message of condolence and view the Carr family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.

Effie Ford
  Miss Effie Ford died Monday afternoon, August 14, 2006.
  Funeral arrangements were incomplete at press time. Seven Oaks Funeral Home has charge of arrangements and you may call 473-2363 for details of visitation and funeral arrangements.

Elfie F. Jones
  ATLANTA, GA: Elfie F. Jones, formerly of Water Valley, passed away Wednesday, August 9, 2006.
  A graveside service was held in Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley at three o’clock in the afternoon Saturday, August 12, 2006, with Rev. Randy Bain presiding. Seven Oaks Funeral Home of Water Valley had charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Jones is survived by one son, Mr. and Mrs. D. O. Jones of Red Oak, Texas, and a daughter, Gilda L. Jones of Atlanta, Georgia.

Ralph E. Williams
  WATER VALLEY: Ralph E. Williams, age 82, of Water Valley died at his home in Yalobusha County on Wednesday, August 9, 2006, following a lengthy illness.
  Mr. Williams was a retired self-employed businessman and was a member of Emanuel Baptist Church of Grenada. He was the husband of Ramona Cowsert Williams of Water Valley.
  Graveside services were held at Turkey Creek Cemetery, with Dr. Clarence Cooper, Minister of Emanuel Baptist Church, officiating. Seven Oaks Funeral Home of Water Valley had charge of arrangements.
  In addition to his wife, Ramona, he leaves one daughter, Anita Havens of Water Valley; one granddaughter; and one great-granddaughter.
Preceding Mr. Williams in death were his parents Aubrey S. and Nona Vanlandingham Williams.

Marguerite Williams
  Mrs. Marguerite Williams died Tuesday, August 15, 2006, in Yalobusha County Nursing Home.
  Funeral arrangements were incomplete at press time. Seven Oaks Funeral Home has charge of arrangements and you may call 473-2363 for visitation and funeral details.

Marguerite Williams
  WATER VALLEY: Mrs. Marguerite Williams, age 90, of Water Valley, died in Yalobusha County Nursing Home on Tuesday, August 15, 2006. Mrs. Williams was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Christ of Water Valley.
  Funeral services for Mrs. Williams were held in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at eleven o’clock in the morning Friday, August 18, 2006. Interment followed in Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley.
  Mrs. Williams leaves: a daughter, Janette Shipp of Oxford; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her husband, R. L. Williams, and her parents, Onie and Annie Rose Hardy Harvey.

Effie Phillips Ford
  OAKLAND: Mrs. Effie Phillips Ford, age 83, of Oakland died in Hermitage Gardens of Oxford on Monday, August 14, 2006. She was a retired federal Employee with ASCS. Mrs. Ford was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, The Homemakers Club of Oakland, and the United Methodist Church of Oakland.
  Funeral services were held in the United Methodist Church of Oakland Thursday, August 17, 2006, at ten o’clock in the morning. Interment was in the Oakland Cemetery, with James Roberts, Richard Ross, Paul Ross, Tommy Ross, Walt Moore, Will Grant, David Herron, Wade Holland, and Mike Robinson serving as pallbearers. Seven Oaks Funeral Home of Water Valley had charge of arrangements.
  Survivors include: her sons, Gerald and Annette Ford of Oakland and Lee and Marie Ford of Kosciusko; a brother, Fred Louie Phillips of Memphis; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
  Preceding Mrs. Ford in death were: her husband, Roy Harold Ford (March 1996); parents, Thomas Elz Phillips and Donnie Smith Phillips; two sisters, Elaine Phillips and Ruth Phillips Vinson; and three brothers, Harvey Phillips, Tom Phillips, and Bobby Phillips.

Ruby Faye Nelson
  SOUTHAVEN: Ruby Faye Gordon Nelson, devoted Christian, wife, mother, and homemaker, passed away Saturday, August 19, 2006, at her home in the presence of her friends and family in Southaven. Born in Water Valley, she was preceded in death by her father, Elmer H. Gordon, and her mother, Elvie Walker Gordon.
  Survivors include: her husband, Elton G. Nelson; sons, Elton J. Nelson of Horn Lake, Terry E. Nelson of Water Valley, and Wesley D. Nelson of Southaven, and their wives; five granddaughters; two great-grandchildren; a brother, James E. Gordon of Water Valley; and one sister, Virginia (Ginger) Donaldson of Arkabutla.
  Mrs. Nelson worked as a telephone operator for Southern Bell Telephone in Memphis after graduating from high school and before her marriage. After marrying Elton, she devoted herself to being a mother and homemaker. The Nelsons were married fifty-two years.
  She was an adamant Christian and devoted to her church and volunteering. She was always ready to help out in the community. She led a full life as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School helper and was pleased with her service with the BOLD Mission trips through the Northwest Baptist Association, where she participated in twenty missions around the United States. She was a charter member of Carriage Hills Baptist Church and loved her current church home, Trinity Baptist of Southaven. She had been WMU Director and a charter volunteer “Pink Lady” at Baptist Hospital—Desoto.
  In the community she had been a PTA officer, and a multi-year volunteer for both the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. She was a charter member in the Jaycettes, Southaven Chapter, and in the VFW Women’s Auxiliary. She served eighteen years, volunteering with the Civil Defense. Many young men will remember her a a wonderful Den Mother and Cub Scout Leader of Pack 347 in Southaven. Her presence and service to the community will be greatly missed.
  Funeral services were held Tuesday, August 22, 2006, in Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home at eleven o’clock in the morning. Committal was in Broom Cemetery in Coffeeville.

Sadie Catherine Snider Anthony
  WATER VALLEY: Sadie Catherine Snider Anthony, age 80, passed away Friday, August 25, 2006, at her residence in Water Valley.
  She was retired from Big Yank Corporation in Water Valley. Mrs. Anthony was a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Water Valley.
  Funeral services were held in Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home at four o’clock in the aftenroon Sunday, August 27, 2006. The committal was in Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley with Ronnie Snider, Michael Snider, William Turner, Don York, Larry Anthony, Bob Ford, and Gray Snider serving as pallbearers.
  She is survived by: four daughters, Kathy Warren of Water Valley, Sandra Haynie of Oxford, Teresa Reinemann of Batesville, and Ramona Anthony of Ocean Springs; three sons, Sammy Anthony of Water Valley, Jimmy Anthony of Ocean Springs, and Terry Anthony of Water Valley; two sisters, Mildred Nelson of Pope, and Jeanette Lipscomb of Huntsville, Alabama; two brothers, James “Buddy” Snider of Crawfordsville, Arkansas, and Edwin Snider of Metairie, Louisiana; 14 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
  Mrs. Anthony was preceded in death by: her husband, Alvis B. Anthony (May 10, 2002); her parents, Arthur Lister and Rachel Davis Snider; a brother, Leon Snider; and one granddaughter, Mary Kay Scanlon.

Larry D. Potts, Jr.
  WATER VALLEY: Larry D. Potts, Jr., 29, died Saturday, August 26, 2006, in Batesville, from an accident.
  Funeral services will be held at two o’clock in the aftenroon Wednesday, August 30, 2006, in Memorial Funeral Home Chapel at Tunica with Rev. Felton Mason officiating. Burial will be in Cold Springs Cemetery, with Wayne Hollinger, Terry Hollinger, Wesley Greer, Steven Moore, Kyle Dean, Billy Green, and Eddie Redwine as pallbearers.
  Mr. Potts was employed as a technician by Tri-Lakes Refrigeration in Water Valley.
  Survivors include: a daughter, Amber Potts of Batesville; a son, Brandon Potts of Batesville; his mother, Dottie Carlisle of Tunica; his father, Larry D. Potts of Pope; and two sisters, Joy Redwine of Pope and Jackie Green of Water Valley.

Bruce D. Logan
  MEMPHIS: Bruce D. Logan, 68, died suddenly Saturday, August 19, 2006, in Memphis of an apparent heart attack.
Bruce was born May 15, 1938, in Newbern, Tennessee, and moved to Water Valley in 1980 to start an alternator/starter rebuilding business. He left Water Valley for a few years but had returned in 2003 after retiring.
  Graveside services will be held at two o’clock in the afternoon, Wednesday, August 23, 2006, at the Dyersburg Cemetery in Dyersburg, Tennessee.
  Survivors include: one daughter, Casey Logan Childress, and husband, Adam, of Water Valley; two sons, Dale Logan, and his wife, Kim, of Collierville, Tennessee, and Gene Logan, and his wife, Angie, of Niceville, Florida; eight grandchildren; a brother, Jerry Logan of Millington, Tennessee; two sisters, Nora Gardner of Lake City, Florida and Martha Wiggins of Huntsville, Alabama; six nieces; and one nephew.

Janie Lee Harris
  WATER VALLEY: Janie Lee Ford Harris, age 90, of Water Valley, died Saturday evening, August 26, 2006, in Yalobusha County Nursing Home.
  She was a member of Ford’s Well Church of Christ, was co-owner, along with the late Minnie Humpreys, of City Flower Shop in Water Valley until her retirement. In earlier years, she had operated her own Beauty Shop, at her home. The thirteenth of thirteen children, born to John Wilson Ford and Custus Lee Coker Ford, she was married for 53 years to Gerald Harris, who preceded her in death on December 5, 1989. Mr. Harris was Chancery Clerk of Yalobusha County for many years.
  Visitation will be at Seven Oaks Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 30, 2006, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be in Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home at eleven o’clock, Thursday morning , August 31, 2006, with Bro. Billy Sasser officiating. Interment will follow at Ford’s Well Cemetery with Frank Evans, Joe Newman, Andy Hall, Bob Pass, Dewitt House, and Billy Humphreys serving as pallbearers.
  Mrs. Harris leaves: two sons, Charles L. Harris and wife, Betty, of Water Valley; and William E. (Bill) Harris and wife, Betty, of Kendall Park, New Jersey; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
  In addition to her husband, Gerald Harris, and parents, John Wilson and Custus Lee Coker Ford, Mrs. Harris was preceded in death by seven brothers, Edward Lee Ford, Roy Patton Ford, James K. Ford, William Monroe Ford, Leo Ford, Loyd Ford, and John L. Ford; and five sisters, Annie Ford Guest, Callie Ford Magee, Eunice Ford Reeves, Margaret Ford Bingham, and Lena Ford.

Lester A. “Bubba” Tubbs
  WATER VALLEY: Lester A. “Bubba” Tubbs, 58, of Water Valley, died August 27, 2006, in a house fire in the Pine Valley Community.
  Born December 28, 1947, in Water Valley, he is the son of the late Les Tubbs and Myrtle Tubbs Livingston. He was a heavy equipment operator and a member of Hopewell Baptist Church. Mr. Tubbs also served in Vietnam, and was a member of the Diamond Back Biker Organization.
  A memorial service will be held Thrusday, August 31, 2006, at eleven o’clock in the morning, at Hopewell Baptist Church, 8004 CR 95, with Bro. Rick Glidewell officiating. Seven Oaks Funral Home of Water Valley has charge of arrangements.
Survivors inclue: his wife, Wilma Sue Tubbs; three daughers, Callie Odom, Becky Griffin and Katherine Newberry; one sister, Bess Simmons; his step-father, Robert Livingston; three grandchildren; three nephews; three great-nieces; and one great-nephew. All surviving family members live in Water Valley.