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Jan. 10, 2008

Barbara Ann Blakely

WATER VALLEY: Barbara Ann Blakely, age 61, passed away Saturday, January 5, 2008, at her home in Water Valley.

  Born September 20, 1946, in Pontotoc, Mrs. Blakely was a daughter of Margie Walker Jones and the late Hardin Jones. She was a member of Anchor Baptist Church in Lafayette County.

  The funeral service was held in Anchor Baptist Church, located on Highway 7, North of Water Valley, at ten o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, January 9, with Dr. Gerald Shook officiating. Committal was in the Anchor Cemetery in Lafayette County, with Danny Briscoe, Keith Brown, Mark Brown, Jeff Nelson, Mike McPhail, Chris Lee, Jim White, and Ronnie Crenshaw serving as pallbearers. Seven Oaks Funeral Home of Water Valley has charge of arrangements.

  Survivors include: her husband, David Blakely of Water Valley; three sons, Shane Blakely of Southaven, Jason Blakely and Andrew Blakely, both of Water Valley; twelve foster sons; her mother, Margie Walker Jones of Oakland; one sister, Connie Henderson of Water Valley; and one brother, Tim Jones of Oakland.

Louise Vines Champion

WATER VALLEY: Louise Vines Champion, age 92, passed from this life on Wednesday, January 2, 2008, in Yalobusha General Hospital at Water Valley.

  Born in Calhoun County, Mrs. Champion was a daughter of the late Dodie and Nona Tutor Vines. Mrs. Champion was also preceded in death by: her husband, Herman Daniel Champion on September 19, 1999; a sister, Tera Waugn; and a half-sister, Marie Higginbotham. She was a retired nurse, who had worked for Yalobusha General Hospital in Water Valley. Mrs. Champion was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Yalobusha County.

  The funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 5, in Bethel Baptist Church, conducted by her pastor, Bro. James Edwards. The committal was held in Bethel Cemetery. Seven Oaks Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.

  Mrs. Champion is survived by: her daughter, Bessie Faye Tutor (Atlas Earl) of Water Valley; a son, Danny Champion (Lily) of Memphis; a half-sister, Carlene Mason of Minnesota; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Tracey Denise Jenkins

WATER VALLEY: Tracey Denise Jenkins was born March 18, 1973, in Yazoo City to Alfred and Inez Jenkins. She was the third child born to this union. At a young age, Tracey accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal savior and joined the Oak Grove C.M.E. Church in Water Valley. During that time she was a member of the Oak Grove Church choir.

  “Head” as Tracey is affectionately known by her family, loved people and people dearly loved her. She wore a beautiful smile that could not be replaced by anyone. Tracey was always there to lend a helping hand to her family and friends. She enjoyed traveling to her sons’ ball games and being a part of their lives.

  A 1993 graduate of Water Valley High School, Tracey furthered her education career by attending Northwest Mississippi Community College. At the time of her death she was employed at The Department of Human Services and Yalobusha General Hospital.

  At approximately two o’clock in the afternoon on December 31, 2007, Tracey went home to live with her Lord and Savior at the age of 34.

  She leaves to cherish her memory: two sons, Shonquayle Deshun Jenkins and Delain Cortez Harris, both of Water Valley; her loving parents, Alfred and Inez Jenkins of Water Valley; four sisters, Sharon Denise Jenkins, Quina Jenkins, Jamaica (Jack) Pritchard, all of Water Valley, and Shelia (Errussell) Woodall of Taylor; two brothers, Alfred Jenkins, Jr. and Jerome Jenkins; two grandmothers, Ms. Nancy Benson of Water Valley and Ms. Inez Newman of Louis; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Tracey will truly be missed by her friends and acquaintances.

  One brother, Johnathon Jenkins, preceded her in death.

Terry Wayne Lindsey

OXFORD: Terry Wayne Lindsey, 46, died Saturday, January 5, 2008, at his residence in Oxford.

  Mr. Lindsey had lived in the Oxford area his entire life. He was a retired lieutenant with the Oxford Fire Department and a member of the Mississippi Firefighters Association. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing and spending time with his friends and family. Mr. Lindsey was a fan of NASCAR and a golfer. He was a member of the North Oxford Baptist Church.

  The funeral service was held at one o’clock in the afternoon Tuesday, January 8, in North Oxford Baptist Church with Bro. Johnny Flynt officiating. Interment was in the North Oxford Baptist Church Cemetery. Coleman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

  Survivors include: his wife, Pam Lindsey of Oxford; two sons, Alexander R. Lindsey and Todd C. Lynch, both of Oxford; a brother, Larry R. Lindsey of Oxford; two sisters, Suzanne Young and Stacy Lindsey, both of Oxford; his grandmother, Mrs. D. C. “Bill” King of Oxford; and an aunt, Peggy Kitchens of Oxford.

  His parents, Ross and Sue Lindsey, preceded him in death.

  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the North Oxford Youth Program, P. O. Box 1700, Oxford, MS 38655.

William H. Milam

WATER VALLEY: William H. Milam, Jr., age 88, passed from this life on Tuesday, January 1, 2008, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.

  He was born to the late William H. and Norine Elizabeth Young Milam, Sr. in Charleston. Mr. Milam was also preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Hattie Mae Regel Milam in March of 2003, and a brother, Edgar Powell Milam. Mr. Milam was a retired Air Conditioner and Refrigeration Technician, who worked for the Memphis Hide Company in Memphis. He was a member of Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church of Yalobusha County and was an elder in the church for 50 years. Mr. Milam was a founding member and fundraiser for the Sylva Rena Volunteer Fire Department. He served on the Board of Directors of Billy’s Creek Rural Water Association and the Sylva Rena Community Center.

  The funeral service was held at eleven o’clock in the morning Friday, January 4, in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home and was conducted by Bro. James Swisher. The committal was held at two o’clock in the afternoon in Memphis Memory Gardens.

  Survivors include: two daughters, Mary Griffin of Columbia, South Carolina and Helen Swisher of Lake Jackson, Texas; two sisters, Betty Wolfe of Vicksburg and Linda Cole of Charleston; two brothers, Dan Milam and Jack Milam, both of Charleston; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; and extended family John (like a son) and Ginny Wood of Water Valley.

Billy Joe Sims

WATER VALLEY: Billy Joe Sims, age 56, passed away Saturday, January 5, 2008, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.

  Born October 3, 1951, in Batesville, Mr. Sims was a son of the late John Wesley and Adrian Virginia Crawley Sims. He served in the United States Navy and was a one hundred percent disabled veteran.

  Visitation will be held in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley Wednesday, January 9, 2008, from 2 until 3 p. m. The funeral service will be held in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home at three o’clock, Wednesday, January 9th, with Reverend C. H. Newcomb and Reverend David Ross officiating. The committal will be held in the Camp Ground Cemetery in Lafayette County, with Stacy Sims, Steven Michelletti, Bo Prince, Brad Jenkins, Jr., Chris Jenkins, and William Beard, II, serving as pallbearers.

  He is survived by: his wife, Patricia Sims; a daughter, Samantha Sims; a son, Casey Sims; two brothers, Robert Sims and James Sims, and two grandchildren, all of Water Valley.

David Thacker, Jr.

SARAH: David Thacker, Jr., 65, died Wednesday, December 26, 2007, in Baptist Memorial Hospital at Memphis.

    The funeral service was held at two o’clock in the afternoon Saturday, December 29, 2007, in the Chapel of Wells Funeral Home at Batesville. Interment was in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery at Sardis.

    Born March 9, 1942, Mr. Thacker was a son of the late David and Leona Dykes Thacker, Sr. He was an E.V.S. employee of Fitzgeralds Casino.

    Survivors include: his wife, Kathy Sullivan Thacker of Sarah; four daughters, Stacey  C. Russell of Water Valley, Michelle Wortham of Grenada, Darlene Newton of West Memphis, Arkansas, and Meagan Shanks of Horn Lake; four sons, Leroy Thacker of Pontotoc, Gary Thacker of Water Valley, Chris Thacker of Grenada, and Perry Thacker of West Memphis, Arkansas; three sisters, Bobbie Thacker Stuart of Askew, Patsy Thacker Mitchel of Crenshaw, and Judy Thacker Mayo of Sarah; three brothers, Paul Thacker of Olive Branch, Robert Thacker of Crowder, and Stanley Thacker of Strayhorn; 12 grandchildren;; and one great-grandson.

Mildred T. Williamson

WATER VALLEY: Mildred T. Williamson, age 98, passed away Sunday, January 6, 2008, in the Yalobusha County Nursing Home at Water Valley.

  Born December 27, 1909, in Yalobusha County, Mrs. Williamson was a daughter of the late George and Annie Mae Hardy Trayser. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Water Valley.

  The funeral was held at one o’clock in the afternoon Tuesday, January 8, 2008, in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home, with Rev. Freddie Moorman and Rev. Brad Sartor officiating. Committal was in Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley with Wally Williamson, David Williamson, Bill Williamson, Sonny King, Brett Bonner, George Sheldon, John Caldwell, and Brad Van Winkle serving as pallbearers.

  Survivors include: a daughter, Geanie (Crip) Tyler of Water Valley; two sons, Taylor G. (Marjorie) Williamson and George W. “Tuffy” Williamson, both of Water Valley; ten grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and eleven great-great-grandchildren.

  Mrs. Williamson was preceded in death by her parents, George and Annie Mae Hardy Trayser; her husband, Arthur Gilbert Williamson (2-5-1972); three brothers, Shofner Trayser, Fred Trayser, and Frank Trayser; four sisters, Della T. Holcombe, Melissa T. Thompson, Louise T. Brown, and Viola T. Sartor; and her daughter-in-law, Minnie Williamson.

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