North Mississippi Herald - Obituaries

Marvin Davidson
  WATER VALLEY: Marvin Davidson, 29, of Water Valley died Thursday, October 26, 2006, in Oxford of natural causes.
  Mr. Davidson was a domestic.
  Funeral services for Mr. Davidson will be held Thursday, November 2, 2006, at one o’clock in the afternoon in the Church of God in Christ Church, Water Valley, with Eddie Robinson & Son Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Burial will be in Guest Cemetery at Oakland.
  No survivors are listed.

Olive Ann Hill
WATER VALLEY: Olive Ann Hill, age 75, of Water Valley, died Thursday evening, October 26, 2006, in Yalobusha General Hospital at Water Valley.
  A daughter of the late Peerlie S. and Leula M. McCain, Mrs. Hill was retired from BorgWarner Automotive, where she had worked for 25 years. Mrs. Hill was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Water Valley.
Funeral services for Mrs. Hill were held Sunday, October 29, 2006, at two o’clock in the afternoon in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home, under the direction of Reverend Barry Dickerson. Interment followed in Oak Hill Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were: Robbie Parsons, Gil McMahen, Bennie Cole Taylor, Tom Hill, Stoney Moorhead, and Gary Williamson.
  Mrs. Hill is survived by: her husband, Wayland Dean Hill, Sr. of Water Valley; a daughter, Deborah Ann Hill of Ocean Springs; one son, Wayland Dean Hill, Jr., and his wife, Glenda, of Vicksburg; sisters, Ila Mae McMinn and Betty Jean Smith, both of Water Valley; brothers, Sammie Joe McCain of Magdalena, New Mexico, and Jerry McCain of Hernando; and two grandsons.

Mary Lou Williams
  WATER VALLEY: Mary Lou Johnson Williams, age 69, passed away Monday, October 30, 2006.
  She owned Williams’ Flowers and Gifts in Water Valley. Mrs. Williams was a past president of The Garden Clubs of Missisisppi, Incorporated; Executive Board of the Garden Clubs of Mississippi as Hills & Delta District Director and 3rd, 2nd, and 1st Vice President; served on the Regional Council of the Deep South of the National Council of Garden Clubs and Alternate Delegate of the Deep South Region; National Garden Clubs Jr. Garden Chairpman; President of The Garden Club of Water Valley; Board of Directors of the Water Valley Chamber of Commerce; President of the Water Valley Junior Auxiliary; President of the Water Valley American Legion Auxiliary; President of the Water Valley PTA; Charter President of the Water Valley Pilot Club; District Membership Leader for the Louisiana-Mississippi Division of Pilot International; life member of the Water Valley Junior Auxiliary; Outstanding Personalities of the South; and served on Northwest Girls Scout Council. She was a graduate of the University of Mississippi, and a member of the Phi Mu Sorority. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Water Valley, where she served in various leadership and teaching positions with special interest on the youth.
  Visitation will be held at Seven Oaks Funeral Home Wednesday evening, November 1, 2006, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held in Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home at two o’clock in the afternoon Thursday, November 2, 2006, with Dr. Randy Bain, Rev. Raymond Aven, and Rev. Jim Allen officiating. The committal will be held in Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley.
  She is survived by: her husband, Harold G. Williams, Sr. of Water Valley; one daughter, Kathy Johnson Williams of Oxford; one son, H. Grey Williams, Jr. of Water Valley; one granddaughter; and her granddaughter’s mother, Kim Williams of Water Valley.
  Mrs. Williams was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon B. and Maifred Reese Johnson.

James Bankston
  WATER VALLEY: James Bankston, age 53, of Water Valley, died on Thursday, November 2, 2006, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.
  Mr. Bankston was a member of O’Tuckolofa Baptist Church, He enjoyed music, art and was a collector of all types of knives. He spent his time listening to gospel music and praising the Lord.
  Funeral services were held Tuesday, November 7, 2006, in Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home, under the directior of Rev. Donald Miller. Interment was in Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Calhoun County, with Dan Phillips, Lanny Phillips, Johnny Ernest, Ben Potts, David Dorfman, and Josh Bankston as pallbearers.
  Survivors include: a daughter, Deborah Kay Bankston of Water Valley; two sisters, Marjorie Potts of Oxford and Wanda Britt of Memphis; and one brother, Bobby Bankston of Oxford.
  Preceding Mr. Bankston in death were: his wife, Wanda Sue Bankston (March 28, 2003); a son, David Gene Bankston; his father, James Louis Bankston, and his mother, Mary Eloise Beard Bankston; and a sister, Linda Joyce Bankston Britt.

James “Jim” D. Tutor
  WATER VALLEY: James “Jim” D. Tutor, age 55, of Water Valley died Thursday, November 2, 2006, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.
  Mr. Tutor was a retired truck driver, a Baptist, and served his country in the United States Army. He enjoyed writing poems and surfing the computer.
  Funeral services were held Sunday, November 5, 2006, at two o’clock in the afternoon in Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home, under the direction of Bro. Tim Ellis. Interment followed in Oak Hill Cemetery, with Michael Harmon, Kenneth Harmon, Allen Tutor, Kenneth Tutor, Terry Tutor, Clay Hunt, Richard Tutor, and Thomas Tutor as pallbearers.
  Mr. Tutor is survived by: his mother, Mable S. McCullar of Water Valley; sisters, Teresa Tutor of Water Valley, Brenda Moorhead of Water Valley, and Debra Tutor-Roberson of Batesville; brothers, Allen Tutor of Courtland, Thomas Tutor of Batesville, Kenneth Tutor and Richard Tutor, both of Tampa, Florida.
  Preceding Mr. Tutor in death were his father, Wayne Tutor, and a sister, Becky Tutor Self.

Joe Winter Holt
  WATER VALLEY: Joe Winter Holt, 59, of Water Valley died in University Hospital, Jackson, Wednesday, November 8, 2006.
  Mr. Holt was a self-employed carpenter and a member of First Christian Church of Water Valley. He was an avid Mississippi State football fan and loved basball and working with children in the summer youth league.
  Funeral services for Mr. Holt were conducted by Brother David Freeman in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home on Saturday, November 11, 2006. Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery, with Bill McMinn, Earl McMinn, Jim McMinn, Lee McMinn, Bob Ward, Jimmy Ward, Al Reed, and Bobby Cox serving as pallbearers.
  Survivors include: one brother, Jerry S. Holt, and his wife, Lou Ann, of Water Valley, and the light of his life, two nieces, Mandy Holt and Lee Ann Holt, both of Water Valley.
  Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Emmett Winter Holt and Margie Ward Holt.

Wayland Dean Hill
  WATER VALLEY: Wayland Dean Hill, Sr., age 82, of Water Valley died Sunday morning, November 12, 2006, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.
  A son of the late Alfred Bennette and Vattie Vearl Hill, he was a self-employed brick mason. Mr. Hill was a member of First United Methodist Church in Water Valley. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II.
  Funeral services will be held at ten o’clock in the morning Wednesday, November 15, 2006, in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home with Rev. Ken Corley and Rev. Barry Dickerson officiating. The committal will be held in Oak Hill Cemetery with Robbie Parsons, Jerry Wilbourn, Ben Hill, Tyler Hill, Ronnie Hill, David Childress, Steven Hill, and Ricky Hill serving as pallbearers. Gil McMahen, Rayford Wilbourn, Sr., and Buster Jackson will be honorary pallbearers.
  Mr. Hill is survived by: a daughter, Deborah Ann Hill of Ocean Springs; one son, Wayland D. Hill, Jr. and his wife, Glenda, of Vicksburg; three brothers, Edwin Earl Hill, Thomas Franklin Hill, and Jerry Hill, all of Water Valley; and two grandsons.
  In addition to his parents, Mr. Hill was preceded in death by: his wife, Olive Ann Hill, on October 26, 2006; two sisters, Mary Lou Childress and Betty Ann Williams; and three brothers, Alfred Bennette Hill (who died in WWII), Bobby Hensley Hill, and Billy Jack Hill.

\Charles Hubbard Burgess
  WATER VALLEY: Charles Hubbard Burgess, 65, a long time resident of Water Valley, died October 11, 2006, at his residence of heart failure.
  Retired, Mr. Burgess was a very skillful and well known mechanic.
  Survivors include: his mother, Leona Burgess of Water Valley; three brothers, Norwood Burgess, Alton Burgess, and Lamar Burgess, all of Water Valley; three sons, Thomas Wayne Winfield of Pope, Dwight Burgess of Water Valley, and Hubbard Fitzgerald Burgess of Jacksonville, Florida; four daughters, Linda Carol Parker of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Anita Cheirl Nicholson of Coffeeville, Cynthia Denise Johnson of Santa Ana, California, and Latonia Smith of Water Valley; 13 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; three nieces; two nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
  His father, Carnis Charles Burgess, and one sister, Colleen Burgess, preceded him in death.
  Funeral services were held October 16, 2006, in Pleasant Green M.B. Church at Water Valley, with Pastor Preston Gleeton officiating. His remains were laid to rest in the Pleasant Green Cemetery.

Vera Katherine Keel
  WATER VALLEY: Mrs. Vera Katherine Keel, age 81, of Water Valley died Monday, November 13, 2006, in the Tupelo Hospital.
  Mrs. Keel was a daughter of the late James V. Raley and Pearl Martin Raley. She was a member of Sand Hill Church.
  Visitation will be held at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15, 2006.
  Funeral services will be held at two o’clock in the afternoon Thrusday, November 16, 2006, in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home, under the direction of Rev. Virgil Nelson, Jr. Interment will follow in Keel Cemetery in Lafayette County.
  Mrs. Keel is survived by: her daughter, Barbara Ann Raley of Water Valley; four sons, Charles Arnold Keel, James Virgel Keel, John Russell Keel, and Billy Wayne Keel, all of Water Valley; eight grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
  Preceding Mrs. Keel in death, in addition to her parents, were: her husband, Charles Arnold Keel (October 17, 1982); a sister, Mary Vivian Simpson; and brothers, Claude Raley and Raymond Raley.

Willie Higdon
  Willie Higdon died Tuesday, November 13, 2006. At press time funeral services were incomplete. For visitation and funeral details contact Seven Oaks Funeral Home at 473-2363.

J. E. Canterbury
  GRENADA: J. E. Canterbury, age 76, died November 24, 2006, in Methodist Central Hospital, Memphis.
  Funeral services for Mr. Canterbury were held at three o’clock in the afternoon Sunday, November 26, 2006, in the Chapel of National Funeral Home in Grenada., with Bro. Gene Foshee and Dr. Clarence Cooper officiating. Burial was in Grenada Memorial Gardens.
  Mr. Canterbury was a member of Airport Baptist Church, where he served as Chairman of Deacons, Training Union Director, Sunday School Director and Song Leader. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean Conflict. He was preceded in death by: his parents, Eulyus Arthur Canterbury and Ina Gann Canterbury; his first wife, Helen Canterbury; one sister, Ann Robinson; and one son, Lee Canterbury.
  Survivors include: his wife, Frances Canterbury of Grenada; four sons, Ken Canterbury, Keith Canterbury, and John Canterbury, all of Coffeeville, and Terry Canterbury of Greenwood; step-daughters, Linda Ward and Cindy Flowers, both of Grenada; one step-son, James Tribble of Water Valley; a sister, Betty Fason of Eupora; one brother, Robert Canterbury of Tom Nolen; three grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Virginia Simmons Cook
  SOUTHAVEN: Virginia Simmons Cook, age 79, of Southaven died Sunday, November 26, 2006, at her home.
  The daughter of the late Wadie M. and Irene Davis Simmons, she ws the greatest mom in the world and a retired Insurance Clerk with Craddock Ins. Agency. Mrs. Cook was a member of Parkway Village Baptist Church in Memphis.
  Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 29, 2006, in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley from 1:00 p.m. until service time. The funeral service will be held at two o’clock in the afternoon with Rev. James West presiding. The committal will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.
  Mrs. Cook is survived by: a daughter, Semra Cook Parks of Southaven; a son, James Marcus Cook of Memphis; and three grandchildren.
  Along with her parents, Mrs. Cook was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, James L. Cook, Jr., August 28, 2005, and her sister, Madie Simmons Raley.

Jack Phillip Craven
  WATER VALLEY: Jack Phillip Craven, age 85, of Water Valley passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2006, at Oxford in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi.
  The husband of Jean Walker Craven, he was a member of First Baptist Church in Water Valley. Mr. Craven served his country in the United States Navy and was a mail carrier for the United States Post Office in Water Valley for many years.
  Funeral services for Mr. Craven were held at ten o’clock in the morning Saturday, November 25, 2006, in the Henry Chapel at Seven Oaks Funeral Home, with Dr. Randy Bain officiating. Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley with Bob Chandler, Bill Williamson, Mike Edwards, Tommy Ashford, Terry Burns, Bobby Suratt, Steve Edwards, and Don York serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Sam Goodwin, Tommy Edwards, Curtis Berry, Larry Hart, Cary Hart, J. C. Womble, the First Baptist Men’s Sunday School Class members, and the WVHS Class of 1940.
  Mr. Craven is survived by: his wife, Jean Walker Craven; one daughter, Patricia Lee Craven of Kennesaw, Georgia; four sons, John Bruce Craven of Brandon, Clifford Andrew Craven of Grenada, Richard Henry Craven of Batesville, and James Bryan Carven of Mobile, Alabama; and nine grandchildren.
  Preceding him in death were: his parents, Clifford A. and Bertie Pilkington Craven; a daughter, Katherine “Kitti” Craven Binford (Febraury 19, 2005); brothers, Henry Craven, Brick Craven, and Johnny S. Carven; and sisters, Rivers Whiteaker, Mary Carven, and Cliffie Early.

Joyce Beshearers Griffin
  WATER VALLEY: Joyce Beshears Griffin, age 75, of Pine Valley died Thursday morning, November 23, 2006 (Thanksgiving Day), at her home.
  The daughter of the late Fred and Ruby Reynolds Beshears, she was retired from Motts of Water Valley. Mrs. Griffin was a member of the Coffeeville Church of Christ.
  A graveside service was held on Friday, November 24, 2006, at eleven o’clock in the morning in Ford’s Wells Cemetery with Bro. Ed Burns officiating.
  Mrs. Griffin is survived by: her daughter, Brenda Crawford of Conyers, Georgia; one brother, Miles Beshears of Pine Valley; and two grandchildren.

Eva Mae Gurley
  POPE: Mrs. Eva Mae Gurley, 60, died November 18, 2006, in Tri-Lakes Medical Center, Batesville.
  She was born March 29, 1946, in Bruce and her parents are the late Charles Edward and Willard Estoria Hill Melton. Mrs. Gurley was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. A homemaker, she formerly worked at BorgWarner in Water Valley and as a merchant.
  Funeral services were held at eleven o’clock in the morning Monday, November 20, 2006, with Rev. Billy Hill officiating. Burial was in the Haven Hill Cenetery at Coffeeville, with Kurt Coghill, Bill Gray, Tony Reeves, Micky Reeves, Thomas Gurley, and Marty Bardo as pallbearers. Parker Memorial Funeral Home at Bruce had charge of arrangements.
  Survivors include: three sons, Eddie Wayne Bardo, James Edward Bardo, and Elvis Bardo, Jr., all of Pope; two step sons, Walter Douglas Gurley, Jr. of Paris and Thomas Dallas Gurley of Batesville; two step-daughters, Rhonda June Herron of Batesville and Cecelia Celine Bell of Tula; one brother, Homer Melton of Coffeeville; one grandson; eight step-grandchildren; and eight step-great-grandchildren.

Owen Rochard Hagan
  PARIS: Owen Richard “Dick” Hagan died Tuesday, November 21, 2006, at his residence in Paris.
  Mr. Hagen had lived in this area approximately four years, after moving from Caledonia, Illinois. He was a retired technician from Motorola in Illinois and had owned his own body shop. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp. Mr. Hagen was a member of the “Polka Medicine Show”. He attended Faith Baptist Church in Water Valley.
  A graveside memorial service was held Tuesday, November 28, 2006, at one o’clock in the afternoon in the Veterans Garden of the Garden of Memories Cemetery located at Coleman Funeral Home in Oxford. Coleman Fuenral Home had charge of arrangements.
  Mr. Hagen is survived by: his wife, Carol Hagen of Paris; six daughters, Cheryl Ann Hagen, Gena Hagen, and Janice Hagen, all of Wisconsin, Tammy Hagen of Illinois, Christina Ferguson of Tennessee, and Rosanna Donnini of Naperville, Illinois; three sons, Owen Hagen, Jr. of Wisconsin, Lance Hagen of Florida, and Raymond Donnini of Bowling Brook, Illinois; one brother, Hal Hagen of Wisconsin; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
  His parents, Orien and Emma K. Hagen preceded him in death.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Owen Hagen Funeral Fund, P. O. Box 160, Oxford, MS 38655.

Margarette Ann Hollingsworth Jones
  WATER VALLEY: Margarette Ann Hollingsworth Jones, age 79, of Water Valley died Monday, November 27, 2006, at her home.
  The daughter of the late Frank C. and Sarah Nonnee Hollingsworth, she was a retired teacher from the Water Valley School System and a retired Yalobusha County employee. Mrs. Jones was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Water Valley and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also a former member of The Garden Club of Water Valley.
  Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 29, 2006, in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held in Seven Oaks at ten o’clock in the morning Thursday, November 30, 2006, with Rev. Randy Bain presiding. The committal will be held in Oak Hill Cemetery with John Crow, Jr., Barron Caulfield, Jr., Eddie Magee, Dr. Michael Rhyne, Danny Ross Ingram, and Bill Finch serving as pallbearers.
  Mrs. Jones is survived by: one son, Dr. Andy Jones of Water Valley; and two granddaughters.
  She was preceded in death by her husband, L. A. Jones, Sr., on May 5, 1988.

Kenneth Dale Poteete
COFFEEVILLE: Kenneth Dale Poteete, 69, died Thursday, November 23, 2006, at his residence in Coffeeville.
  Mr. Poteete was a verteran of the U.S. Army, who had lived in this area the majority of his life. He was a retired owner of Dixie Drywall. Mr. Poteete was a member of the American Legion, a supporter of the Diamondback Motorcycle Club, a supporter of the MS State Troopers Association, an original member of Hell’s Angels, and a Baptist.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 2, 2006, at two o’clock in the afternoon in the Coleman Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be in the Veterans Garden of the Garden of Memories Cemetery located at Coleman Funeral Home. Coleman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Poteete is survived by: his wife, Sue Poteete of Coffeeville; two sons, Robbie Kendle Poteete of Memphis, and Brandon Poteete of New Orleans, Louisiana; his mother, Evelyn Poteete of Bruce; three sisters, Wanda Brown of Bruce, Janie Burfield of Senatobia, and Patrecia Browning of Water Valley; three brothers, James Michael Poteete of Whitefield, Ronald Earl Poteete of Bruce, and Gary Wayne Poteete of Coffeeville; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
  His father, Cleveland Verdo Poteete and his sister, Gloria Poteete, preeded him in death.
  In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Homeless Veterans Program, The Common Bond Association, Inc., 836 Medical Plaza, Jackson, MS 39204.

Everett Jackson “Jackie” Reynolds
  COFFEEVILLE: Everett Jackson “Jackie” Reynolds, age 29, of Coffeeville died Thursday, November 23, 2006.
  The son of Carrie Yount Reynolds and the late Everett Reynolds, he was a truck driver. He was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church in Coffeeville.
  A graveside service was held Sunday, November 26, 2006, at two o’clock in the afternoon in Bethel Cemetery with Bro. David Freeman officiating. Josh Washington, William Hale, James Hale, Michael Stricklin, Larry Dunn and Bobby Sullivan served as pallbearers. Seven Oaks Funeral Home of Water Valley had charge of arrangements.
  Mr. Reynolds is survied by: his mother, Carrie Yount Reynolds of Coffeeivlle; two sons, Cody Bryant of Water Valley and Everett Jackson Book of Bolgier, Louisiana; a sister, Veronica Sullivan of Grenada; two brothers, James Hale of Coffeeeville and Williams Hale of Tillatoba; a step-father, Buster Adams of Coffeeville; his fiance, Bernadette Ridell of Coffeeville; three step-children, Shona, Josh and Chris; three nieces and three nephews.