Obituaries 7/28/16

John Willie “Pig” Brooks

WATER VALLEY—John Willie “Pig” Brooks was born August 20, 1954, in Yalobusha County to the late Ms. Willie Bell Ellis and John Henry Brooks. He was called home at 6:40 p.m. Thursday, July 21, 2016, after a year long battle with cancer.

He was a faithful member of Martin Street Church of Christ in Water Valley.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Mrs. Mary Ann Brooks; two children, Ivan Brooks of Oxford and Mrs. Amy Brooks White of Water Valley; two special grandchildren, Tayshaun and Saniyah White; one sister, Ms. Edna Rockette of Oxford; a brother, Carl Brooks (Clara) of Oxford.

Viewing of the body was from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The celebration of life service began at 1 p.m. Interment was in the Church of Christ Cemetery and the repast was in Springhill North M.B. Church.

William Gay “Bill” Clark 

WATER VALLEY—William Gay “Bill” Clark of Water Valley, age 91, died Monday, July 18, 2016, in the Quince Rehab and Nursing Center at Memphis.

He was born November 26, 1924, on his parents’ farm in Marshall County, Ky., Mr. Clark is a son of the late Waite and Della Mae Clark. He served in the Navy during World War II  as a carpenter’s mate. This led him to work as a cabinet maker and then become the mill superintendent at Gates Lumber Company in Memphis, a job he held until he retired and moved to Water Valley. Bill and his wife, Dorothy, were avid square dancers in Memphis for three decades and he served as the second president of The Greater Memphis Square and Round Dance Association. In his retirement he enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, knife making, growing his garden and giving away much of his produce, and helping out his friends whenever he could. Bill attended Sylva Rena Baptist Church.

  Visitation was held Thursday, July 21, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral service began at 1 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Freddie Moorman officiating.  Interment followed in Oak Hill Cemetery at Water Valley.

He is survived by his son, Albert Michael Clark (Sherrye) of Byhalia; a daughter, Brenda Gay Clark Payne (Bob) of Germantown, Tenn.; and five grandchildren, Eddie Clark (Audrey) Lisa Clark Vegors (Josh), Christy Clark Campos (Santos), Carol Payne Grantham, and John  Payne.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy Johns Clark, a brother, Ed Clark, a sister, Rosemary C. Brown, and great-grandson, Preston Vegors.

Randy Scott Tidwell 

WATER VALLEY—Randy Scott Tidwell, 62, died Tuesday, July 19, 2016, at his home in Water Valley. Born in Oxford, Mr. Tidwell had lived in this area all of his life. A retired security guard, he enjoyed working on cars, fishing, gardening, and being outdoors. Mr. Tidwell also enjoyed watching the old Charlie Chan movies. He especially loved his grandchildren.

There are no plans for a service at this time. Coleman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include his daughters, Amanda Jacobs (Joshua), and Amber (Jessica) Tidwell, both of Water Valley; a son, Daniel Scott Tidwell (Angie) of Pontotoc; a stepson, Michael Weldon (Addie) of Pope; his parents, Loyd and Carmita Tidwell of Water Valley; two sisters, Debra Kaufman of Oxford and Donna Redmond of Gulfport; and five grandchildren.

Donations may be made to the Randy S. Tidwell Funeral Fund at Coleman Funeral Home, 601 Commerce Parkway, Oxford, MS 38655.