Obituaries – Nov. 21, 2013
Alice Early Eubanks
WATER VALLEY—Alice Early Eubanks, age 92, died Monday, November 11, 2013, in the Senatobia Convalescent Center at Senatobia.
Born December 11, 1920, in Yalobusha County, Mrs. Eubanks was a daughter of the late James Ozzie and Helen Ford Early. Before retiring, Alice worked as a sales clerk in the fine jewelry department of Goldsmiths in Memphis. She was a member of Sylva Rena Baptist Church in Water Valley and enjoyed cooking, flower gardening, and spending time with family and friends.
Visitation was held Thursday, November 14, from 5 until 7 p.m. in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral service was held at one o’clock in the afternoon in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home, with Bro. David Roberson officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery at Water Valley, with Danny Wayne Edwards, Scott Russell, Larry Sprouse, Chip May, Walt Hardy, Bob Moore, Jack Biggers, Tommy McCain, and Dwain Dean as pallbearers.
Survivors include: her sister, Margaret Lantrip of Water Valley; four grandchildren, Terry Glenn Eubanks of Springfield, Mo., Denise Anglin (Johnny) of Senatobia, Paul Anthony Eubanks (Crystal) of Dothan, Ala., and Alice Nicole Eubanks (Keith) of Byhalia; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Foster Ray Eubanks; two sons, Foster Ray Eubanks, Jr. and Tommy Kent Eubanks; two sisters, Dorothy Edwards and Mary Elizabeth Early; and one brother, James Herbert Early.
Carol L. Gary
OXFORD—Carol L. Gary, age 43, died November 8, 2013, in Oxford.
Mrs. Gary was born December 7, 1969, in Coffeeville. She was principal of Davidson Elementary School at Water Valley.
Visitation was held Friday, November 15, in Eddie Robinson Funeral Home.
The funeral was held Saturday, November 16, at eleven o’clock in the morning, in the Water Valley Civic Auditorium. Burial was in the Rocky Mountain Cemetery.
She is survived by her husband,Patrick Gary, of Oxford.
Patrick Earl Gary
OXFORD—Patrick Earl Gary, Jr. of Oxford, age 12 years old, died November 11, 2013.
The son of Patrick Earl Gary, Sr. and the late Dr. Carol Gary, he was born November 11, 2000. Patrick was a student at Oxford Middle School.
Visitation was held Friday, November 15, in Eddie Robinson Funeral Home. The funeral service was held at eleven o’clock in the morning, Saturday, November 16, in the Water Valley Civic Auditorium. Burial was in Rocky Mountain Cemetery.
He is survived by his father, Patrick Earl Gary, Sr. of Oxford.
Ernest T. Green
RALEIGH, N.C.—Ernest T. (Ted) Green died Thursday, October 24, 2013 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Born in Water Valley, September 16, 1928, he was a son of the late E. T. “Pete” Green and Mrs. Lois Green.
Ted attended school in Water Valley, graduating in 1946. He served two years in the U.S. Army. He received a degree from Mississippi State University in Electrical Engineering.
Survivors include two brothers, Tom Green (Lou) of Denham Springs, La., and David Green (Betty) of Southaven; a sister, Mrs. Katherine Taylor of San Antonio, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.
Kenneth Edwin Latham
PARIS—Funeral services for Kenneth Edwin “Punk” Latham, 87, of Paris will be held Thursday, November 21, in the Paris Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. Thursday in the church. National Funeral Home of Grenada has charge of arrangements.
Punk died Tuesday, November 19, at his home in Paris.
Born November 10, 1926, he was a son of the late Rube Franklin Latham and Vernia Mae Harmon Latham of Paris. Punk retired from the Big Yank Garment Factory. He was a member of Paris Methodist Church.
Mr. Latham is survived by his wife of 62 years, Pencie Hall Latham of Paris; two daughters, Linda Latham Potts (Lynn) of Paris and Ginger Latham Dykes (Greg) of Oxford; two sisters, Evelyn McNeely and Doris Babb, both of Memphis; and one granddaughter, Erin Dykes Hurt.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Paulette Smith, and a brother, Edd Latham.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Paris Methodist Church or the Paris Cemetery fund.
Clara B. Moody Smith
COFFEEVILLE—The funeral service for Clara B. Moody Smith, 92, was held Friday, November 15, 2013, in the Mt. Moriah District Association Building, with Pastor Richard Smith and Rev. Clemmie Smith, Jr. officiating.
Serving as honorary pallbearers were Donald Smith, Nathaniel Kee, Ulyess Washington, Charles Wilson, Raymond Rankins, and Elroy Smith. Tydrelle Jones, Kelsey Smith, Dadrian Cosby, Kevin Kee, Kendrick Smith, JorDon Smith, Charlton Wilson, Marlo Lamela, and Gerome Baddley were active pallbearers. Interment was in Coffeeville Cemetery.
Born May 20, 1921, in Yalobusha County, Mrs. Smith was a daughter of the late William Henry and Florence Rebecca Johnson Moody. She was 92 years old. Along with her family, she lived in several rural areas in the county before settling in Coffeeville.
Mrs. Smith was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church and later Smith Chapel Missionary Baptist Church until her death. As a member of Smith Chapel, Clara served as a Sunday School teacher, member of the hospitality ministry, and an usher. She gave her service as an usher freely throughout the district and community, without regard to denomination or affiliation.
She was a quick learner and an avid reader. Even continuing into her golden years, she read everything from pop culture to do-it-yourself manuals to nutrition and natural remedies, and several devotionals daily, especially the Bible.
Clara was united in holy matrimony to Clemmie Smith on April 11, 1945. After marriage, the couple made their home in Spokane, Washington. Soon after beginning their family, Clemmie was discharged from the military and they relocated to the family home site just outside of Coffeeville. She was a stay-at-home mother, but no one could say she was not a working mother. “She never ate the bread of idleness.” (Proverbs 31)
After her last child entered school, Clara decided to try working publicly. Oddly, she worked as a Nutrition Aide for the Yalobusha County Extension Service. This was second nature to her as she had been performing many of the tasks for her own family for years.
She is survived by five daughters, Dorothy (Nathaniel) Kee of Coffeeville, Autrey (Ulyess) Washington of St. Rose, La., Vickie Cosby of Bogart, Ga., Lillian (Charles) Wilson, and Clara Benita (Raymond) Rankins of Kenner, La.; two sons, Rev. Clemmie (Ishi) Smith, Jr. of Houston, Texas, and Donald (Claver) Smith of Natchez; a stepson, Elroy Smith of Coffeeville; a step-daughter, Mildred Leigh of Dayton, Ohio; and one grandson whom she raised, Tydrelle Jones; 13 grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clemmie G. Smith, Sr.; her parents; five brothers, Wilton, Elmer, Fred, Curtis, and Willie; three sisters, Edna, Mae, and Mamie; a stepson; a son-in-law; and a grandson.
Billy Walton
MEMPHIS—Billy Walton, age 82, died Sunday, November 17, 2013, at his home in Memphis.
Born December 23, 1930, in Leflore County, he was a son of the late Matteson and Alice Pulley Walton. Billy served in the United States Army and upon his discharge, he owned and operated a shoe-shine service. He attended New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ at Coffeeville. He enjoyed cooking, fishing, and spending time with family and friends.
Visitation will be held in the New Jerusalem C.O.G.I.C. in Coffeeville on Saturday, November 23, from 10 a.m. to noon. The funeral service will begin immediately following visitation and will also be held in the church, with Pastor Lloyd Walton officiating. Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley has charge of arrangements.