Obituaries – Nov. 22, 2012
Kenneth Eugene Bennett
WATER VALLEY Kenneth Eugene Bennett, age 54, died Sunday, November 18, 2012 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford.
Born May 11, 1958 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Charles and Joyce Bennett, Kenny was a brick mason by trade and helped build several of the landmarks locally as well as in Memphis. Kenny loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his 4-year-old grandson, Brody Bennett.
A private memorial service will be held at the family home on Wednesday, November 21, from noon until 5 p.m. Seven Oaks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Kenny is survived by his wife, Jan Bennett of Water Valley; a son, Aron Bennett also of Water Valley; a daughter, Chelsea Ownby of Oklahoma; a daughter, Lenae Bennett and a son Joey Bennett, both from Texas; two sisters, Chris Nichols and Kim Bennett of Ozark, Ark.; four brothers, Charles Bennett of Angleton; Steve Bennett of Cleveland, Tenn., Rick Bennett of Stillwater, Okla. and Robbie Bledsoe of Butler, Penn.; four grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews and many other family members.
Carolyn Mays Hawkins
BATON ROUGE, LA—Carolyn Mays Hawkins was called to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on November 14, 2012. She was 75 years old. Here passing was the result of complications from diabetes.
Born in Water Valley, she was a graduate of Water Valley High School. After marriage, she and husband, Gerald, spent the next 56 years living and raising a family in Charlotte, North Carolina, Tulsa, Okla., and Baton Rouge. Carolyn thoroughly enjoyed playing tennis, watching college football, and Christian television.
The service will be conducted by her brother, Rev. Charles Mays of Sherwood, Ark. on Tuesday, November 27, at one o’clock in the afternoon in Vardaman First Baptist Church, Vardaman. Prior to the service there will be a visitation, begginning at 11 a.m.
Survivors include her husband, Gerald Hawkins of Baton Rouge; two sons, Jerry Hawkins of Pensacola Fla. and Scott Hawkins of Baton Rouge; one daughter, Cheryl of Baton Rouge; one brother, Rev. Charles Mays of Sherwood, Ark.; a granddaughter, Crystal; and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Mays, and brothers and sisters, Rose, Ruby Lee, Ed, Jr., and Mary Ruth.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Vardaman Cemetery Fund, c/o Bob Hollingsworth, Vardaman, MS 38878.
Billy Dean McCullar
COURTLAND—Billy Dean McCullar, age 59, of Courtland died November 10, 2012, in Lafayette County.
Born in 1953 in Yalobusha County, he was a son of Shirley Reaves and Sylvia Langham McCullar. He served in the U.S. Army and returned to Water Valley and worked at BorgWarner. Fishing was his favorite passtime, and he enjoyed riding four-wheelers. He loved his family and was always there for them when anyone needed him.
The graveside service was held at eleven o’clock in the morning November 16 in Camp Ground Cemetery, with Calvin Phillips, Frank Cadena, Bill Vandergriff, and Casey Sims serving as pallbearers. Bro. Bill Forsyth conducted the service. Seven Oaks Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his daughter, Lacy M. Sarwat (Ala) of Collierville, Tenn.; his mother, Sylvia McCullar of Water Valley; four sisters, Jo-ann Vandergriff (Bill) of Carlsbad, New Mexico, Gail Fly and Patricia Sims, both of Water Valley, and Diane Cadena (Frank) of Batesville; and two grandchildren, Kaydin and Alex Sarwat.
Billy was preceded in death by his father, Shirley McCullar, and a twin brother, Bobby McCullar.
MaryLou Rice Burns Parish
MaryLou Rice Burns Parish, age 80, died Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at Yalobusha General Hospital.
Born October 2, 1932 in Webb, she was the daughter of the late Jackson Doyne and Leona Genail Rice. MaryLou retired with over 30 years of service as an English teacher and she was chosen “Star Teacher” twice during her career. She enjoyed poetry and literature and she loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.
Visitation is scheduled Saturday, November 24, from 11 a.m. until noon at Curtis-Locke Station Church in Panola County. A graveside service will follow at Curtis-Locke Station Cemetery with Bro. Andy Fewell officiating. Seven Oaks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
MaryLou is survived by her husband, Mack D. Parish, Jr. of Mendenhall; a son, David A. Burns (Amy) of Water Valley; two sisters, Edna Ruth Towles (Carl) of Cleveland and Thorvald Rice Roy of Memphis, Tenn.; one brother, Jackson Doyne Rice II (Jo Anne) of Brandon; and three grandchildren, Alden Stone Burns, Jackson Scott Burns and Elise Leona Burns.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. W. D. “Willie” Burns.
Bobby Potts
WATER VALLEY—Bobby Potts died November 12, 2012.
Born November 14, 1920, Mr. Potts was a son of the late Charlie Rufus Potts and Willie Vance Potts. He resided most of his life in Yalobusha County, was educated in the Water Valley Schools, and worked for Beat Two in Yalobusha County until he became disabled. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and he loved his family. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons, Mike Potts of Kileen, Texas and David Potts of Indiana; three brothers, Jimmy Dale Potts and Elvis Potts of Batesville, and Charles Lynn Potts of Water Valley; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers, Delma Gene Potts, Sr., Lloyd Potts, and Floyd Potts.
Regina LaSha Soileau
COFFEEVILLE—Regina LaSha Soileau, age 32, died Saturday, November 10, 2012, in Water Valley.
Born December 15, 1979, she was a daughter of the late Curtis Soileau and the late Mary Joyce Soileau Bardo. Gina enjoyed being outdoors and spending time with her family.
A memorial service was held in Woodland Hills Baptist Church at Water Valley Friday, November 16. Seven Oaks Funeral Home of Water Valley was in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include her children, Kayla and Austin Brindley of Bowling Green, Ky., Jaleah Brown, Jasmine Soileau and Quentin Ratliff, all of Coffeeville; a sister, Andrea Johnson of Bowling Green; a brother, Tyler Neighbors of Water Valley; four uncles, Terry Schmitz, James Schmiz, Tommy Schmitz and Randy Schmitz, all of Water Valley; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Billy Jack Welch
WATER VALLEY—Billy Jack Welch, age 50, died Wednesday, November 14, 2012, in Baptist Memorial Hospital at Memphis.
He was born December 4, 1961, in Water Valley, to Jack and Patricia Moore Welch. Billy Jack was a member of The Weasel Motorcylce Club and the Water Valley Church of Christ. He worked in Waste Water Management for Crown, Cork, and Seal, and he loved spending time with his family and friends.
A memorial service was held at two o’clock in the afternoon Saturday, November 17, in the fellowship hall of Water Valley Church of Christ.
Survivors include his wife, Anita Parker Welch of Water Valley; a son, Dustin Welch (Nicole) of Kouts, Indiana; two step-sons, Eric Schmitz and Andy Hood of Water Valley; two brothers, Scott Welch of Pontotoc, and Jeff Welch (Denise) of Water Valley; his parents, Jack and Patricia Welch of Water Valley; two grandchildren, Hannah Welch and William Welch; and a host of nieces and nephews.