Obituaries – Dec. 13, 2012
Sandra Gail Anthony
BATESVILLE—Sandra Gail Anthony, age 62, passed away Monday morning, December 2, 2012, in Tri-Lakes Medical Center at Batesvile.
The funeral service was held at two o’clock in the afternoon Thursday, December 6, in Wells Funeral Home, with Dr. Paul Middleton presiding. Interment followed in Chapel Hill Cemetery, Pope, with Mason Anthony, Sammy Anthony, Terry Anthony, Waylon Banks, Don Bynum, Jr., Austin Cowsert, and Daniel Sanford as pallbearers. Connor Anthony served as an honorary pallbearer.
Born in Chicago, August 17, 1950, Mrs. Anthony was a daughter of the late George Raymond and Martha Virginia Roberts Bynum. She had retired from her career as a cosmetologist after serving the public for many years in the Panola County area. Mrs. Anthony was a member of Calvary Baptist Church at Batesville. Everyone who knew her will remember her as a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and most of all, she was a true friend.
She leaves, her husband of 45 years, Jimmy D. Anthony, Sr.; a daughter, Tammy Anthony Cowsert of Pope; and son Jimmy D. Anthony, Jr., also of Pope; three brothers, Donald Bynum of Water Valley, Larry Bynum of Chicago, and Ronald Terry Bynum of Senatobia; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Daniel Edward Bynum.
Henry Gordon Downs
BATESVILLE—Henry Gordon Downs, 89, passed away Tuesday, December 2, 2012, in Tri Lakes Medical Center at Batesville.
Services were held Thursday, December 6, in Dickins Funeral Home with Bro. Hal C. Johnson officiating. Burial was in Pisgah Cemetery.
Born December 15, 1922, in Panola County, Mr. Downs was a son of the late William Henry Downs and Allie Mae Beckham Downs. He was a retired farmer and a member of Pisgah Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Minnie Bell Johnson Downs.
Survivors include one son, Donald Gordon Downs (Melissa) of Batesville; and two grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to Pisgah Cemetery, 1342 Crouch Rd., Batesville, MS 38606.
Opal Workman Hales
SARDIS—Opal Workman Hales, 90, died December 6, 2012, at her daughter’s home in Saltillo.
Born in Harrisburg, Ark., on May 28, 1922, she was a daughter of the late Robert F. Workman and Lola Burrow Workman. Mrs. Hales married Raymond Hales in 1941 and spent most of her life in the Mississippi Delta, living in Sledge, Marks, Lambert and Sardis. Mrs. Hales helped manage and work the family farm, worked as a seamstress in a clothing factory, and served as a nanny for two grandsons in Sardis. She ended her career as an adult caregiver at the age of 82.
She was independent and a giving person. During all this time her home-spun wisdom, determination, strength of character, and love guided her. Her children and grandchildren are like those in Proverbs 31 who know they are blessed by being loved and nurtured at the hands of a Godly woman. The work ethic and Christian values passed down in her family will always be cherished. Because of this heritage, her children and grandchildren have all grown up to love God, family and others. She was a member of Sardis First Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Hales was preceded in death by one brother, David Workman, and a sister, Geneva Davis.
Survivors include three daughters, Carolyn (Bobby) Crouch of Saltillo, Linda (Jimmy) Crouch of Pontotoc, and Brenda Hales of Sardis; one son, Dr. Randy (Margaret) Hales of Minden, Louisiana; seven grandchildren, Rodney, Michael, Chuck, Nathan, Christy, Jonathan Crouch, and Bethany Hales Sharp; 18 great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces. Other survivors include her sister, Lorena Branson of Sardis, a brother, Robert F. (Mabel) Workman, Jr. of Sledge, a sister-in-law, Joyce Workman of Crenshaw.
Services were held at two o’clock in the afternoon, Sunday, December 9, in Wells Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Howard Beam officiating. Interment followed in Longtown Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 108 West Lee St., Sardis, MS 38666.
Joe David Gentry
WATER VALLEY—Joe David Gentry, 71, passed away on Monday, December 3, 2012, at his home in Water Valley.
The funeral service was held Saturday, December 8, 2012, at two o’clock in the afternoon in Waller Funeral Home, with Rev. James Pinkerton officiating. Burial followed in Philadelphia Cemetery.
Mr. Gentry had worked at Binswanger Mirror in Grenada.
He is survived by his guardians, Aubrey and Judy Davis of Senatobia (formerly of Water Valley), and a nephew, James Carroll of Oxford.
For additional information, or to sign online guestbook, visit Waller’s website www.wallerfuneralhome.com or call (662) 234-7971.
Johnny Carl Gray
CALHOUN CITY—Johnny Carl Gray died November 28, 2012 in Baptist East Memorial Hospital at Memphis.
Born September 12, 1960, Mr. Gray was a son of the late Eddie Gray, Sr. and Lucille Gray. He attended Coffeeville High School. Johnny was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother. He loved the outdoors and never met a stranger. He accepted Jesus as his savior at an early age and was a faithful member of Martin Street Church of Christ in Water Valley until his health failed.
He leaves his wife of 26 years, Ruthie Ann Gray; one daughter, Ja’Mirquile Gray of Calhoun City; a son, Darrick (Dana) Moore of Pittsboro; one granddaughter, Gabrielle Moore of Pittsboro; two grandsons, Terrence Pointdexter of Tupelo and Jaeden Brown of Pittsboro; a god-daughter, Kierra Kimble of Pittsboro; two sisters, May Nell Gray and Mittie Gee, both of Water Valley; a brother, Eddie (Clautina) Gray of Calhoun City; his mother-in-law, Devoria Glaspie of Calhoun City; father-in-law, Hosea Glaspie of Pittsboro; four sisters-in-law; four brothers-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Sarah Hall and Ella Sue Armstrong; one niece and one nephew.
The funeral service was held at noon Saturday, December 8, 2012, in the Water Valley Civic Auditorium, with Bro. Goodman officiating. Minister Antionette Goines was emcee. Burial was in the Church of Christ Cemetery at Water Valley with Lee Glaspie, Scottie Conley, Bobby Robinson, Jerry Glaspie, Joe Glaspie, and Wilbur Parker as pallbearers. Arrangements were by Belle Memorial Funeral Home of Bruce, Aberdeen and Amory.
Bobby Carr Johnsey
WATER VALLEY—Bobby Carr Johnsey, age 40, died Sunday, December 9, 2012, near his home in Water Valley.
Born August 22, 1972, he was the son of Bobby Carr, Sr. and Mary Lois Walters Johnsey. He had lived in the Water Valley area all of his life. A heavy equipment operator by trade, Bobby loved anything outdoors. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed his small farm with horses, chickens, and his faithful dog, Goliath. He won an award in Building Trades for construction, and was always a hands-on kind of guy. His friends and family were his greatest passion.
Visitation is planned for Wednesday, December 12, from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral service will begin at two o’clock in the Henry Chapel with Rev. Billy Childs officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery with Roger “Tojo” Morris, Shawn Davis, Jay Tucker, Robert Tucker, John Gordon, and Michael Womble serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Harry Womble, Wilbur Herring, Bobby Gene Walters and Larry Sprouse.
Survivors include his parents, Bobby and Mary Lois Johnsey, Sr.; a sister, Emily Johnsey Childs (Billy); two nieces; a great nephew; and a great niece, all of Water Valley.
Britain Arnold Wright
OXFORD—Sgt. Britain Arnold Wright, 30, died Monday, November 26, 2012, at Fort Gordon in Georgia.
A graveside service was held Tuesday, December 4, at eleven o’clock in the morning, in Friendship Cemetery, with Captain Heather Duff officiating. Visitation was held Tuesday in Waller Funeral Home.
Born in Memphis Britain served as Sergeant in the United States Army National Guard during Operation Iraqi Freedom III.
Survivors include his parents, Joy and Bill Wright of Oxford; a sister, Katelynn Wright Hadley (Joshua) of Oxford; and his grandmother, Reva P. Arnold of Oxford.
Memorial contributions in Sgt. Wright’s memory, may be made to Paws With A. Cause, 4646 South Division, Wayland, MI 49348.
In honor of Sgt. Wright’s service to his country, the flag of the United States Army, was flown at Waller Funeral Home.
Johnathon Holland
WATER VALLEY—Johnathon “Jade” Dewayne Holland, age 20, died Sunday, December 2, 2012, as a result of a motor vehicle accident.
Born July 28, 1992, in Oxford, Jade was a son of Jimmie Hollans. He had a great sense of humor, never met a stranger, and everyone he met walked away as his friend. He was a good mechanic and enjoyed working on things. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and anything “John Deere.” Jade loved spending time with his family and friends.
Visitation was Saturday, Dec. 8, from 8 until 10 a.m. in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral service began immediately following visitation in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks.
Survivors include his mother, Jimmie Hollans of Water Valley; sisters, Tuesday Holland Bishop of Water Valley and Jewel Burnett of Brookhaven; his grandparents, Carol Holland and John Holland (Emily) all of Water Valley; aunts, Bernadette Riddell of Oxford, Angelena Tidwell (Glen) of Oxford, and Pattee Miceli of Walnut Grove; a niece and nephew, and cousins.
Kristofer Riddell
WATER VALLEY—Kristofer Aurther Riddell, age 14, died Sunday, December 2, 2012, as a result of a motor vehicle accident.
Born September 18, 1998, in Grenada, he was a son of Bobby and Bernadette Riddell. He had a big heart and loved everyone. He loved to skateboard, ride 4-wheelers, mud ride and hang out with his family and friends.
Visitation was held Saturday, December 8, from 8 until 10 a.m. in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral service began immediately following visitation in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home.
Kristofer is survived by his mother, Bernadette Riddell of Water Valley; his father, Bobby Riddell of Clarksdale; his sister, Shonna Holland of Water Valley; a brother, Joshua Dyer of Water Valley; his maternal grandparents, Carol Holland and John Holland (Emily), all of Water Valley; paternal grandparents, Bobby and Mary Riddell of Clarksdale; aunts, Jimmie Holland of Water Valley, Angelena Tidwell (Glen) of Oxford, and Pattee Miceli of Walnut Grove; nieces and cousins.