Obituaries – Dec. 19, 2013
Jewel Buford ‘Boots’ Bell
WATER VALLEY—Jewel Buford “Boots” Bell, age 78, died Monday, December 16, 2013, at his home in Water Valley.
Born April 6, 1935, in Yalobusha County, Mr. Bell was a son of the late Wilbur and Ruth Goforth Bell. Boots worked for many years as a diesel mechanic for Ford Motor Company, and later owned and operated a heavy equipment, dirt and dozer business. He enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family, grandchildren, and friends. Boots was a member of O’Tuckolofa Baptist Church in Water Valley.
Visitation is planned for Thursday, December 19, from 10 until noon in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral service will be held immediately following visitation in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home, with Rev. Raymond Aven officiating. Burial will be in Pine Crest Memorial Cemetery in Yalobusha County.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Bula Faye McCain Bell of Water Valley; three daughters, Brenda Bell and Linda Melton Potts (James), both of Water Valley, and Nell Bell Ray (Ronald) of Grenada; one son, Earl Bell (Mary) of Jacksonville, Fla.; one sister, Louise Zachary of Hernando; a brother, Noel Lee “Pug” Bell (Holly Field) of Coffeeville; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Jean Dennis
FORT WORTH, TEXAS—Jean Dennis entered the Golden Gates of Heaven December 11, 2013, at the age of 89,
Born and raised in Water Valley, she attended Miller-Hawkins Business School in Memphis, and Delta State University in Cleveland. She worked for the Federal Government five years and devoted the remainder of her life to her husband and children as a loving spouse, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
During World War II, Jean met and married Gordon Dennis while he was stationed in Grenada. After the war Jean and Gordon settled in Mineral Wells, Texas, where Gordon later entered the ministry. Jean served with Gordon in United Methodist Churches in Venus, Cross Plains, Fort Worth, and Temple, Texas; in addition to his administrative positions for the United Methodist Central Texas Conference in Cleburne, Brownwood, and Forth Worth. After much research work, Jean helped obtain a historical marker for the First United Methodist Church in Temple. She was a former Cub Scout Leader, Sunday School teacher, church youth sponsor and was involved in United Methodist Women. Playing bridge was one of Jean’s favorite past times. She loved to cook for her family and friends who enjoyed Southern recipes passed down from her mother.
Jean became involved in community theater at the age of 65, where she was originally in the dance chorus and later had several performing and speaking roles including Big Mama in Cat on a Hot Ten Roof.
As a breast cancer survivor Jean always maintained a positive attitude about life and often told stories of her earlier years and how her extended family combined resources to overcome the adversity of the Great Depression and the lasting impact it had on her values. Jean will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Rev. Gordon Dennis; a son, Jim Dennis; her father, Jim Kennedy; stepfather, Sayle Womack and mother, Nadie Kennedy Womack.
The funeral service was held Monday, December 16, at ten o’clock in the morning in First United Methodist Church, Temple, Texas. Visitation was Sunday, December 15 from 2-4 p.m. in Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Temple.
Survivors include sons, Hal Dennis (Perla) of Fort Worth, and David Dennis (Judy) of Bedford, Texas; grandchildren, Buddy, Phillip, and Trey; two great grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends.
Memorials are requested in lieu of flowers to First United Methodist Church of Temple, 102 N. 2nd, Temple, TX 76501, or the charity of your choice.
Charles Laten Howell
OAKLAND—Charles Laten Howell, age 86, passed away at his home in Oakland Saturday morning, December 14, 2013.
The funeral service was held Tuesday, December 17, at two o’clock in the afternoon, in Wells Funeral Home Chapel, Batesville, with Rev. Eugene Walden officiating. Interment was in Forrest Memorial Park.
Born August 27, 1927, in Columbia, Tenn., Mr. Howell was a son of the late Clarence Elmer and Luriene Bell Howell. Charles worked in the metal industry as a tool and die maker. He served his country in the U.S. Navy, was a Mason and a member of the Spring Hill Baptist Church at Oakland.
He leaves his wife, Virginia Smith Howell of Oakland; a daughter, Sharen Howell McKee (William) of Memphis; one sister, Lois Howell Ramsey of Memphis; three brothers, Jerry Howell of Sommerville, Tenn., Edward Larry Howell of Millington, Tenn., and John Carlton “Pete” Howell of Oxford; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Charles Laten Howell, II, and his late wife, Alberta Cook Howell.