Obituaries – Sept. 25, 2014

Raymond Lee Cox

WATER VALLEY—Raymond Lee Cox, age 89, of Water Valley died Monday, September 22, 2014, in the Mississippi State Veterans Home at Oxford.
Born May 17, 1925, in Charleston, Raymond was a son of the late Robert Lee and Margaret Fortner Cox. He was a member of the Yalobusha Historical Society, the American Legion, and First Baptist Church of Water Valley, where he was a member of the Grace Sunday School Class. Prior to becoming a member of First Baptist Church, he was a deacon at the Assembly of God Church and worked with the bus ministry. He enjoyed cooking and baking cakes to deliver to the children’s village, to shut-ins and anyone in need and he loved giving away Bibles. From 1994 until his health failed, Raymond helped raise money for the BMDMI (Baptist Medical Dental Missions International). He worked with the Water Valley High School Beta Club as they wrote their book about World War II veterans; obtaining materials, setting up interviews between the veterans and students, and doing much of the required “leg-work” needed for this project. Ten years ago he realized his long-time dream of earning his high school diploma through the GED program. Raymond dearly loved his family and friends.
    Visitation will be held Thursday, September 25, from 10 to 11 a.m. in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral service will follow visitation at eleven o’clock in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home, with Bro. R. W. Moffett and Dr. Randy Bain officiating. Burial will be in Pine Crest Memorial Cemetery in Yalobusha County.
    Survivors include daughters, Mary Sue Cox Jackson (Wayne) of Oakland, Sarah Cox Pullen (Paul) of Coffeeville, and Linda Cox Smith (Ken) of Tanner, Ala.; two sons, Stephen Lee Cox of Oxford and J. C. Cox (Stephany) of  Water Valley; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
    He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Sue Martin Cox; and one granddaughter, Pennie Pullen McKinney.
     Memorials may be made to the Baptist Medical Dental Missions International, Mechanics Bank, c/o Bro. Raymond Aven, P. O. Box 707, Water Valley, MS 38965-0707.

Margaret Early Lantrip

WATER VALLEY—Margaret Early Lantrip, age 82, died Wednesday, September 17, 2014, in Yalobusha General Nursing Home at Water Valley.
    Born October 22, 1931, in Yalobusha County, Mrs. Lantrip was a daughter of the late Ozzie and Helen Ford Early. She loved her Sylva Rena Baptist Church family and serving the Lord. Before her health failed she enjoyed cooking, cleaning, and working in her yard. Margaret was a devoted mother and grandmother and loved spending time with her family and friends.
    Visitation was held  Friday, September 19, from noon to 2 p.m. in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral followed visitation in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Shane Crawford officiating. Burial was in Sylva Rena Cemetery.
    Survivors included her daughters, Shelia Butts (Billy) and Brenda Newman (Ed), all of Water Valley; four grandchildren, Tiffanie Eubanks, Stephanie Banton, Elton Newman, and Cindy Newman; five great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
    In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Lantrip, Jr.

Mary Ellen Potts

WATER VALLEY—Mary Ellen Mixon Potts went home to be with her Lord on Monday, September 22, 2014.    
    She was daughter, sister, wife, momma, mammaw, aunt, and friend; she was this and so much more. Born October 16, 1929, she was a daughter of the late Thomas Lloyd and Sarah Ellen Stephens Mixon of Houston, Miss. She and her family moved to Water Valley during her sophomore year of high school, and she graduated from Water Valley High School in May, 1947. She was married to Ira E. “Bill” Potts on April 12, 1947, and celebrated 44 years of marriage before his passing in 1991. Mary Ellen was a member of Drivers Flat Baptist Church, where she and her husband were active members until failing health prevented them from attending. She served as pianist and Sunday school teacher for many years.     Though she was a member of Drivers Flat, for the past 14 years she attended Anchor Baptist Church with her son, Randy, where she was an active member of the Ruth Sunday School class. She enjoyed reading, gardening, taking care of others, and feeding an army of family and friends daily, until her passing.
    Visitation will be held Thursday, September 25, from 5-7 p.m. in Anchor Baptist Church. Her going home service will be held Friday, September 26, at eleven o’clock in the morning in Anchor Church, with Bro. Gerald Shook of Anchor, and Bro. Stacy Watkins of Drivers Flat, officiating. Burial will be in the Drivers Flat Baptist Church Cemetery, with Buster Potts, Joe Potts, John Potts, Randy Potts, Clinton Mooney, Mike Snider, Greg Eanes, and Carl Massey as pallbearers. Ricky Mooney, Jason Mooney, Michael Potts, Tommy Potts, Glenn Potts, Luke Potts, J.J. Potts, Nathan Massey, and Matthew Snider will serve as honorary pallbearers. Seven Oaks Funeral Home of Water Valley has charge of arrangements.
    Survivors include four daughters, Mary Katherine Mooney (Clinton) of Water Valley, Martha Ruth Massey (Carl) of Banner, Brenda Sue Snider (Mike) of Water Valley,  and Linda Lou Eanes (Greg) of Brandon; four sons, Rufus D. “Buster” Potts (Susie), James E. “Joe” Potts, John David Potts, and Randy Elton Potts, all of Water Valley; a daughter-in-law, Martha Helen Potts of Water Valley; nine grandsons; two granddaughters; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews, friends, and neighbors.
    In addition to  her parents and her husband, she was also preceded in death by a sister, Sarah Thomas “Tommy” Harris, and a son, Roy Lee “Buck”Potts.