Obituaries – Feb. 21, 2008

John Keith Carter

  WATER VALLEY: John Keith Carter, 87, Major, U.S. Air Force Retired, died Friday, February 15, 2008, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.

  The memorial service was held Monday, February 18, at two o’clock in the afternoon in Waller Funeral Home Chapel, at Oxford, with Reverend Joe Lovelady officiating.

  Mr. Carter was a pilot for the United States Air Force for 32 years, serving in World War II and the Korean War, and was a prisoner of war. He retired as a Major in the Air Force in 1963 and lived in California for 46 years, before moving to Oxford in August of 2006. He married his wife, Carolyn, 30 days after moving to Oxford. He attended North Oxford Baptist Church and enjoyed playing golf three days a week.

  He is survived by: his wife, Carolyn Carter of Water Valley; two daughters, Patricia Ann Corbin of Wallawalla, WA and Susan Carol Sanders of Kemersville, NC; one son, John K. Carter, Jr. of Fort Jones, CA; one sister, Emily Boswell of Greensboro, NC; two grandchildren; and three  great-grandchildren.

  The family asked that memorial contributions in Mr. Carter’s memory be made to North Oxford Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 1700, Oxford, MS 38655.

  In honor of Mr. Carter’s service to his country the flag of the United States Air Force is being flown at Waller Funeral Home.

Annie McCormick

    OXFORD: Mrs. Annie McCormick, 78, of Oxford died Wednesday, February 13, 2008, in the Graceland Care Center at Oxford.

  Born January 10, 1930, in Oxford, she was a daughter of the late Vester F. and Macy Potts McClain. Mrs. McCormick was also preceded in death by her husband Daniel Dudley McCormick on November 18, 1989. She was a homemaker and a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Oxford.

  The funeral service was held at two o’clock in the afternoon Friday, February 15, in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley, with Rev. Shannon Davis officiating. Burial followed in Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley, with Travis York, Joe Dettor, Johnny Dettor, Billy Alexander, Jake Pierce, and Roy Hollinger serving as pallbearers.

  Mrs. McCormick is survived by her sister, Ruthie Pierce of Oxford.

Betty S. Melton

  WATER VALLEY: Betty S. Melton, 55, of Water Valley died Saturday, February 9, 2008, in the North Mississippi Medical Center at Tupelo.

  Born September 9, 1952, Mrs. Melton was a daughter of the late James Arthur and Betsy Charlene Weeks Hollinger. She was a homemaker and a Baptist.

  The funeral service was held at eleven o’clock in the morning Wednesday, February 13, in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home, with Rev. Donald Miller officiating. Burial was in Mt. Liberty Cemetery with James Hollinger, B. J. Hollinger, Andy Hollinger, John Hollinger, Terry Hollinger, and Wayne Hollinger serving as pallbearers.

  Survivors include: her husband, James L. Melton, Jr. of Houston; a daughter, Teresa Smith of Water Valley; two sons, Michael Hollinger of Houston and Billy Hollinger of State Line, Mississippi; two sisters, Diane Musgraves and Peggy Edwards, both of Stevenson, Washington; four brothers, James Hollinger of Water Valley, Andy Hollinger of Houston, Chestine Hollinger and Aubrey Hollinger, both of Batesville; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

John F. Swearengen

   SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Colonel John F. Swearengen passed away on February 13, 2008, in San Antonio. Colonel Swearengen was born July 23, 1932, in Oakland, Mississippi to William Erwin and Esther Frost Swearengen.

  He graduated from Mississippi State College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1954. Colonel Swearengen entered active duty in the Air Force on  March 30, 1955 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He was a command pilot, a Vietnam veteran and served for 30 years.

    He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jo Anne Swearengen of Universal City, four children, and five grandchildren.

    Services were held Friday, February 15, at Porter Loring Mortuary North Chapel. Interment with Full Military Honors followed in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Annie Ruth Gray White

  OXFORD: Annie Ruth Gray White, 69, a native and resident of Oxford, died at 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 13, 2008.

  She was born February 20, 1938 in Batesville, a daughter of the late Willie and Myrtle Gray. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Lori A. Self of Crowder. Mrs. White was a volunteer grandmother for the North Mississippi Regional Center. She was also a member of First Baptist Church in Water Valley.

  Survivors include: three sons, James A. White, Jr. and his wife, Natalie, of Hernando, Williard D. White of Oxford, and Michael E. White of Southaven; one daughter, Kathy Wilkinson, and husband James, of Grenada; nine granddaughters; three grandsons; and eight great-grandchildren; three brothers and one sister, Albert Gray of Batesville, Ray Rhyne of Water Valley, Dwight Rhyne and his wife, Donna, also of Water Valley, Rita Motts and, husband Ray, of Paris; and a host of nieces and nephews.

  The funeral service was held Saturday, February 16, 2008, in the Crowder Baptist Church. Burial was in the Crowder Cemetery. Memorial bequests may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital or LeBonheur Children’s Hospital.