Obituaries – Oct. 16, 2014

Loyd James Connell

WATER VALLEY — Loyd James Connell, 88, died Sunday, October 12, 2014, in Yalobusha General Nursing Home at Water Valley.
    The funeral service will be held Wednesday, October 15, beginning at eleven o’clock in the morning, in the chapel of Waller Funeral Home at Oxford, with Rev. Phillip Umberger officiating. Burial will follow in Acree Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be help prior to the service from 9:30-11 a.m. in the funeral home.
    Born in Sumiton, Ala., Mr. Connell was a son of the late James Warner and Gladys Gertrude Alcorn Connell. He has been preaching the gospel since 1964 and was a founding member and pastor of Acree Hill Church. Mr. Connell served our country in the United States Army during World War II in the 21st Infantry, achieving the rank of Sergeant. During his service, he lived in occupied Japan, working for the postal service and the military laundry service.
    Survivors include his wife, Mary Elizabeth Connell of Water Valley; three daughters, Anita Harris and Nina Connell, both of Batesville, and Lorie Smith of Oxford; five sons, Gerald Connell and Loyd Connell, both of Southaven, Milton Connell of Batesville, Warner Connell of Tupelo, and Steven Connell of Sardis; three sisters, Ara Carlisle of Memphis, Betty Thompson of Batesville, and Dera Kirchoff of Vardaman; 14 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.
    Memorials may be made in Mr. Connell’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association, Mississippi Chapter, 196 Charmant Dr., Suite 4, Ridgeland, MS 39157.
    In honor of Mr. Connell’s service to his country, the flag of the United States Army will be flown at Waller Funeral Home.

James Harvey Donnell, Jr.

WATER VALLEY—James Harvey Donnell, Jr., age 94, died Monday, October 13, 2014, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.    
    Born November 11, 1919, in Pinola, he was a son of the late James Harvey, Sr. and Eula Clower Donnell. James served as an airplane and engine mechanic in the U.S. Army during World War II. He retired from Hendricks’ Machine Shop in Water Valley, where he worked as an auto mechanic.
    James was a faithful member of North Main Street Methodist Church. He enjoyed gardening and was a kind and gentle man who loved everyone, always helping those in need. James was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
    Visitation will be held Thursday, October 16, from 1-2  p.m. in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral service will follow visitation at two o’clock in the afternoon in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Raymond Aven and Bro. Doug Pepper officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery at Water Valley with Kenny Walls, Ryan Hill, Eric Stacy, Tony Walls, Robert Mitchell, and Lee Mitchell as pallbearers.
    Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Mary Elizabeth Groner Donnell of Water Valley; a daughter, Patricia Stacy (James)  of Water Valley; two sons, Jimmy Walls (Nancy) of Abbeville and George Walls (Mary Ann) of Vicksburg; seven grandchildren, Alice Bond, Eric Stacy, Kenny Walls, Jamie Walls, Tony Walls, Becky McLaughlin, and  Diane Walls; 25 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Dorothy Rebecca Bruce Terry

WATER VALLEY — Dorothy “Dot” Rebecca Bruce Terry, age 85, entered into eternal peace, Thursday, October 9, 2014, in Oxford Health and Rehab at Oxford.
    Born in Etta on November 26, 1928, Mrs. Terry was a daughter of the late Walter Frank and Faye Kitty Bruce. Dot was employed for many years as a secretary for the Water Valley Chamber of Commerce and later worked for the Mississippi Department of Human Services in Water Valley. She was a faithful member of Bethel Baptist Church and was devoted to serving the Lord. Dot enjoyed working in her yard and refinishing old furniture, but her passion was cooking Sunday dinners for her family and spending time with her family and grandchildren.
    Visitation was held Saturday, October 11, from 12-1 p.m. in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral followed visitation at one o’clock in the afternoon in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Father Don Chancellor officiating. Burial was in the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery with Brad Terry, Chris Terry, Layth Terry, Ike Leeton, Bill Boydston, and Wally Bruce as pallbearers.
    Survivors include her sons, Johnny Terry and Randy (Gina) Terry, both of Water Valley; a sister, Barbara Leeton (Dwight) of Water Valley; a brother, Wayne Bruce (Linda) of Texarkana, Texas; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
    In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, C. T. Terry; and two brothers, Wilburn Bruce and Bill Bruce.