Obituaries – Aug. 13, 2009
Ella Watson Ferguson
OXFORD – Ella Watson Ferguson, age 92, died Thursday, August 6, 2009, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.
Born in Lafayette County, Mrs. Ferguson lived her entire life in the Oxford area. She retired as a research animal caretaker from the University of Mississippi. She was a member of Temple Heights Baptist Church in Oxford, where she was a member of the WMU. Mrs. Ferguson took pleasure in gardening, especially growing all types of flowers. She enjoyed working puzzle books and spending time with her family and friends.
Funeral services were held in Coleman Funeral Home Saturday, August 8, at two o’clock in the afternoon, with Bro. Brett Williams officiating. Interment was in Eastover Cemetery, Highway 30, Oxford. Coleman Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.
Survivors include three sons, Floyd B. Ferguson, Harvey H. Ferguson, and Gary B. Ferguson, all of Oxford; two daughters, Barbara K. Hazlerig of Oxford and Elizabeth Grubbs of Thaxton; three sisters, Polly Baker of Omaha, Neb., Mary Percell of Yocona, and Alice J. Beaver of Oxford; one brother, Paul Watson of Atoka, Tenn.; 23 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Ferguson was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert C. Ferguson; her parents, George and Effie Watson; a daughter, Bertha Mae Ferguson; a son, Dewey C. Ferguson; two brothers, Leland Watson and Chesley Watson.
Memorials may be made to Temple Heights Baptist Church of Oxford.
Thelma Peeples Montgomery
OXFORD – Thelma Peeples Montgomery, age 90, died Friday, August 7, 2009, in Yalobusha County Nursing Home at Water Valley.
Born in Tula, Mrs. Montgomery had lived in the Oxford area her entire lifetime. A retired homemaker, she had been a foster grandparent at the North Mississippi Regional Center for 19 years. She enjoyed all types of gardening, particularly flowers. Mrs. Montgomery “never met a stranger” and especially enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. She was a member of Tula Baptist Church.
Funeral services were held Monday, August 10, at two o’clock in the afternoon in the Coleman Funeral Home Chapel, with Bro. Freddie Moorman officiating. Interment was in the South Oxford First Congregational Methodist Church Cemetery, South Lamar Blvd., Oxford. Coleman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include four sons, Waymon (Frances) Montgomery and Noel (Pat) Montgomery, both of Oxford, Bill (Tina) Montgomery of Lachine, Mich., and Terry (Jackie) Montgomery of Tupelo; one daughter, Mary Hellon (Jim) Sollie of Madison, Wis.; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Montgomery was preceded in death by her husband, William Milton Montgomery; her parents, Joe and Florence Peeples; three sisters, Clister Jo Bland, Atha White and Clarice Bland; four brothers, Floyed Peeples, George Peeples, Cody Peeples, and Willy Boyd Peeples.
Memorial may be made to Community Hospice, P. O. Box 1028, Verona, MS 38879.
James Ivory Taylor
COURTLAND: James Ivory Taylor, 59, of Courtland, died at his home Sunday, August 2, 2009.
The funeral was held Friday, August 7, at noon in Shiloh M.B. Church, Courtland, with Rev. Carl Brown officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with Cooley’s Mortuary in charge of arrangements.
Born December 8, 1949, at Oakland, Mr. Taylor was a son of the late James T. Taylor and Eather Mae Williams Taylor. He was a self-employed truck driver. Mr. Taylor was a member of Persimmon Hill M.B. Church, Enid.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanette Taylor of Courtland; two daughters, Regina Taylor and Carolyn Hope, both of Courtland; a son, Brian Taylor of Courtland; two brothers, Levi Taylor of Greenville and Joe Taylor of Memphis; and his mother, Eather Mae Taylor of Courtland; and six grandchildren.
Anna Belle Morgan Sager
WATER VALLEY: Mrs. Anna Belle Morgan Sager, 94, passed from this life Saturday, August 8, 2009, at her residence in Water Valley.
She was born in Campbellsville, Ky., to the late Henry L. and Malissa Bryant Morgan. Although she occasionally worked outside the home in various local businesses, she was primarily a homemaker and an excellent cook. Mrs. Sager was exceptionally dedicated to her family, loving and caring for five generations during the course of her life. She was a long time member of First Christian Church of Water Valley. She served as a vacation Bible school teacher and craft instructor. She and her husband, Cecil, served as youth leaders in the Christian Endeavor (CE) program. Mrs. Sager loved the church and she spent her life faithfully serving her Lord. Mrs. Sager was a former member of the Water Valley PTA and the Water Valley Home Demonstration Club.
Survivors include her daughter, Marilyn S. Blankenship of Water Valley; a grandson, Kevin Herrera of Water Valley and his wife, Gail; a great-grandson; a step-granddaughter; two step-great-great-grandchildren; several sisters-in-law; several brothers-in-law; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by: her husband, Cecil Warren Sager, Sr.; a son, Cecil Warren Sager, Jr.; a sister, Lyda M. Martin; and five brothers, George L. Morgan, Clifford Odell Morgan, Clarence E. Morgan, Cecil R. Morgan, and Stanley E. Morgan.