Obituaries – Oct. 23, 2014
Elvis Oscar Champion, Jr.
WATER VALLEY—Elvis Oscar Champion, Jr., 83, of Water Valley died in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford Wednesday, October 15, 2014.
The funeral service was held Friday, October 17, at two o‘clock in the afternoon in the chapel of Waller Funeral Home, Oxford, with Rev. Harold Spraberry and Rev. Fred Eakes officiating. Burial followed in Oxford Memorial Cemetery.
Mr. Champion was born to the late Elvis Oscar and Loy Cole Champion, March 2, 1931, in Tallahatchie County. Elvis graduated from Taylor High School in 1949. In 1951, he married Marlene Cost. They had two children, Gary Paul Champion and Linda Diane Champion. He married Sara Nell Trusty Champion of Water Valley in 1978. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Marlene Cost; a daughter, Linda Diane Champion; two brothers, Dean Turner Champion, and Michael Cole Champion; and two sisters, Charlotte Champion Shipp and Jaqueline Champion Scroggins.
Elvis received his pilot’s license at the age of 16. He was an instructor pilot and chief pilot for The University of Mississippi. Later, as an agricultural pilot, he founded Rebel Flying Service and operated the business in Water Valley, Charleston, and Oxford, until 1988. He then worked for Mississippi State Department of Agriculture until he retired. Elvis was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Water Valley, the Lions’ Club in Oxford, and Yalobusha Country Club.
Elvis is survived by his wife, Sara Nell Trusty Champion of Water Valley; a son, Gary Paul Champion (Carmel); two sisters, Mary Katherine Champion Landrum (Lou), and Emily Champion Noss (Charles); four grandchildren, Stephanie Reedy Teel (Scott), Kelly Champion McDaniel (Bryan), Holly Melissa Champion, and Gary Paul “PJ” Champion, Jr.; four great-grandchildren; and many much loved nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Champion’s memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 590, Water Valley, MS 38965.
In honor of Mr. Champion’s service to his country the flag of the United States Army will be flown at Waller Funeral Home.
Milton Richard Hix
WATER VALLEY—Milton Richard Hix, age 79, went home to be with the Lord on October 17, 2014, in his home at Water Valley.
Born June 21, 1935, in Mineral, Va., he was a son of the late Charlie and Nettie Marsh Hix. Milton served as a boiler repairman in the U.S. Navy from 1955 until 1970, in various locations, including Florida, Italy, and Vietnam. He received the National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and two Vietnam Service Medals, and before turning 21 he had been everywhere in the Mediterranean. Milton worked as a service man for Holloway Mobile Homes and Newman Mobile Homes and enjoyed fishing, turkey hunting, and working in his garden. He was a faithful member and former Sunday school teacher at Sylva Rena Baptist Church. Milton loved helping others and was affectionately known as the “Neighborhood Handy-Man.” He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
Visitation was held Tuesday, October 21, from 12-2 p.m. in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral service followed visitation at two o’clock in the afternoon in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. James West and Bro. Jerry Smith officiating. Burial was in the Sylva Rena Cemetery, near Water Valley, with Michael Richardson, Brandon Richardson, Kyle Stewart, Danny Hix, Charles Collier, Justin Clark, Trey Whitten, and Chase Wilbourn as pallbearers. Pete Bennett, Tyrone Wilbourn, David DeHetre II, Blake Whitten, and David Danner were honorary pallbearers.
Survivors include his wife, Martha Virginia Watkins Hix of Water Valley; eight daughters, Norma (John Robert) Pullen of Water Valley; Sarah (Steven) Stewart of Water Valley, Belinda (David) Danner of Woodford, Va., Iris (Robert) Mason of Sahuarita, Ariz., Linda (Steve) Wilkinson of Rescue, Va., Betty (John) Horne of Smithville, Va., Denise Whitten of Grenada, and Delaine (James) Clark of Florence; four sons, Ricky (Susan) Hix of Woodford, Va., Thomas “Eddie” (Kelly) Hix of Manassas, Va., Walter (Kay) Richardson of Water Valley, and Gregory (Nicole) Harris of Brandon; 22 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
William Edward McCammon
WATER VALLEY—William Edward McCammon, age 80, died Saturday, October 18, 2014, in Baptist Hospital at Memphis.
Born February 14, 1934, in Yalobusha County, he was a son of the late Richard Thomas and Alma Lorene Redwine McCammon. He worked most of his life in the construction business and enjoyed tinkering and fixing things. William also enjoyed fishing, traveling, and farming, and was a faithful member of Turkey Creek Baptist Church in Calhoun County.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 22, from 1-2 p.m. in Turkey Creek Baptist Church in Calhoun County. The funeral will follow visitation at two o’clock in the afternoon in the church with Bro. Charles Fitts officiating. Burial will be in the Turkey Creek Church Cemetery with Jamie McCammon II, Jonathan McCammon, Chris McCammon, Eddie McCammon, Bobby Goodwin, and Craig Goodwin as pallbearers. Jim Brogden will be an honorary pallbearer. Seven Oaks Funeral Home of Water Valley has charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Dorothy Head McCammon of Water Valley; a daughter, Alma (Bobby) Goodwin of Water Valley; three sons, Jamie (Shirley) McCammon, Mike (Glenda) McCammon, and Eddie (Trish) McCammon, II of Water Valley; four sisters, Maybelle Fisk of Grenada, Louise Potts of Hickory Flat, Vivian Washington of Pontotoc, and Minnie (Jim) Brogden of Bartlett, Tenn.; four brothers, Thomas (Barbara) McCammon of Bruce, Elton (Margie Sue) McCammon of Coffeeville, Cecil (Gaye) Edwards “McCammon” of Houston, and Jimmy (Dianne) Luther “McCammon” of Houlka; 14 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, William was preceded in death by his son, Clay McCammon, and a brother, Tip McCammon.
Cassell Thomas ‘C.T.” Sexton
On Monday October 13, 2014, Cassell Thomas “C.T.” Sexton left this world of pain and strife and was welcomed with open arms by his heavenly Father.
Funeral Services were held at National Funeral Home on Thursday, October 16, at 2 p.m. with interment following at Alva Parker Cemetery in Alva. Pallbearers were Matt McGee, Caleb Cox, Michael Taylor, Colby Land, Kevin Browning, and Lee Boyle.
Mr. Sexton was born on November 14, 1926, in the mountains of West Virginia. He never left those mountains he called home until the age of 16, when he joined the United States Navy where he fought aboard the USS Guam during World War II. He never spoke much of his service and was forever humble at the service he gave this country. Always shrugging his shoulders as if anyone would have done what he did.
He married his wife Greta on September 5, 1953. They were married for 61 years that were not always easy, but they stuck by each other. He never sat still and could always be seen in his yard when home. He and his wife served faithfully to Winona Christian School for over 10 years after moving to the Duck Hill area from St. Cloud, FL. Mr. Sexton was a member of Eskridge Baptist Church. He was known by many names: C.T., Dad, and Papaw. But all those that knew him loved him.
Mr. Sexton is survived by his wife Greta Sexton, son Randy (Sheri) of Bruce; a son, Dewayne (Robin) of St. Cloud, Fla., and a niece Ivy Marie McPherson of Viera, Fla. He was the proud grandfather of three-granddaughters Allison McGee (Matt) of Duck Hill, Angela Cox (Caleb) of Madison, and Chelsea Sexton of St. Cloud, Fla. He was also the great uncle of Kaitlin and Logan Fulmer of Viera, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to The National Parkinson Foundation or the National Alzheimer’s Association.