Obituaries – Sept. 8, 2011
Wilma Jean Shafer Freeman
TUPELO—Wilma Jean Shafer Freeman, 81, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, September 4, 2011, at her daughter’s residence in Union County.
Born May 7, 1930 in Wilson County, Tenn., Mrs. Freeman was a daughter of the late William Edgar Clemons and Willie Marion Hesson Clemons. She accepted Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of West Main Church of Christ in Tupelo, where she participated in the Ladies Bible Class and the Sunshiners Group. She worked in Retain until her retirement. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling, crocheting, and reading.
The funeral service was held at ten o’clock in the morning Tuesday, September 6, 2011, in the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors, with Ministers Doug Greenway and Charles Tharp officiating. Burial followed at two o’clock in the afternoon in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens, south of Water Valley, with her grandsons and grandsons-in-law as pallbearers.
Survivors include her children, Patricia Hall (James) of Etta, Thomas Shafer (Dorothy) of Banner, Michael Shafer (Rener) of Etta, Nancy White (Michael) of Tupelo, Pearley Freeman (Ginger) of Columbus, Wince Freeman (Gloria) of McComb, and Sue Ottis (John) of McComb; 39 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; one sister, Dimple Laine (Frank) of Lebanon, Tenn.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Thomas R. (Bobby) Shafer in 1991, and her husband of nine years, Wince (Jim) Freeman, in 2004; a daughter, Geraldine Escobar; a son, Jimmy Freeman; two sisters, Zonie Oldham and Dorothy Howard; and three brothers, Claude, Clyde and Bill Clemons.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1378 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104. Condolences may be emailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net
Nell Stone Mills
PHOENIX, AZ—Nell Stone Mills passed away peacefully in her sleep after a long illness on August 29, 2011, in Phoenix, Arizona.
The funeral service was held at two o’clock in the afternoon September 3, in Shiloh Community Church in Phoenix.
Mrs. Mills worked at many jobs through her life — as a security guard at Ole Miss in Oxford, working for American Express and Honeywell in Phoenix were her favorites and the ones that she really enjoyed. She made many friends, as she loved to talk to anyone at anytime about anything.
She is survived by four children, Deonne Bartels, Paula Hetland-Sachs, Sam Mills, and JoNell Mills, six grandchildren, and one great-grandson, all of Phoenix; one sister, Juanita Howie of Memphis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by Ray Stone of Jefferson Oregon, and Doris Stone of Southaven.
Frances Delia “Billie” Rotenberry
WATER VALLEY—Frances Delia “Billie” Rotenberry, age 97, died Sunday, September 4, 2011, in Yalobusha General Hospital at Water Valley.
Born April 10, 1914 in Russellville, Ala., Mrs. Rotenberry was a daughter of the late Thomas Andrew and Nancy Fischer Dubois. She lived most of her adult life in Coffeeville. Mrs. Rotenberry was a former member of the Yalobusha County Historical Society and the Yalobusha County Homemaker’s Club.
She was a devout Christian and a member of First Baptist Church of Coffeeville. Her vocation was a homemaker, but first and foremost she was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She was matriarch of a large and loving family. She was an accomplished and talented artist and a published author. Her hand painted Christmas ornaments adorn Christmas trees throughout the world as collectors sent her ornaments to friends and family throughout the United States and other countries.
Visitation was held Tuesday, September 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral service will be held at ten o’clock in the morning Wednesday, September 7, in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home. Burial will be in the Coffeeville City Cemetery, with Bob Hutchins, Scott Hancock, Ricky Harbin, Beau Weems, Billy Rotenberry, Thomas Few, Clay Ashford, Mike Sudduth, Taylor Litten, and Kaven Brick, serving as pallbearers.
Billie is survived by her legacy of eight children, Bobby Hutchins (Bobbie) of Oxford, Sharon D. Harbin of Grenada, Nancie Edwards (Dennis) of Olive Branch, Karen Hancock (Allen) of New Albany, Robin Stewart of Memphis, Candy Tallant (Phillip) of Water Valley, Lynn Loftin of Coffeeville, Bill Rotenberry (Shelly) of Coffeeville; 17 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves a close circle of friends and neighbors.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Rotenberry, and one son, Cliff Rotenberry.
The family requests that any memorials be made to the charity of their choice.
Condolences may be made at www.sevenoaksfuneralhome.com
Mary Sayles
WATER VALLEY—Mrs. Mary Sayles, 87, died Sunday, August 28, 2011, in Yalobusha County Nursing Home.
Born October 6, 1924, Mrs. Sayles was a daughter of the late John Henry Few and Mattie Ross Few. She was married to John W. Sayles on November 1, 1942. She worked for the Civil Service in Montebello, California and Washington, D.C., returning to Water Valley after retiring with many years of service. Mrs. Sayles was a member of Woodland Hills Baptist Church in Water Valley. She loved gardening, canning vegetables, and attending church.
A graveside service was held in Memorial Park Cemetery at Memphis at eleven o’clock in the morning on August 31, with Bro. Ken. Izzard officiating. High Point Funeral Chapel of Memphis was in charge of the service.
She is survived by her husband, John W. Sayles, of Water Valley, and a sister, Audra Hardaway of Water Valley, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Sayles was preceded in death by three sisters, Chessie Martin and Sally Wade of Water Valley, and Ilene Kirkland of Memphis, and one brother, Russell Few of Water Valley.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Woodland Hills Baptist Church, 1710 North Main Street, P. O. Box 801, Water Valley, MS 38965.
Kathleen Brassell Wright
BATESVILLE—Kathleen Brassell Wright, 61, retired line operator, died August 23, 2011, at her residence in Batesville.
The funeral service was held Saturday, August 26, in Eureka AME Zion Church. Burial was in the church cemetery, with Hodges-Freeman Funeral Home, Oxford, in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include her spouse, James “Tot” Wright of Batesville; a daughter, Mildred Brassell of Batesville; two sisters, Wanda Oliver and Effie Wright, both of Batesville; two brothers, Larry Brassell of Water Valley and Robert Lee Brassell of Elaine, Ark.; and one grandchild.