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Obituaries 11/10/16

Barbara Jean McCain Barbee

WATER VALLEY—Barbara Jean McCain Barbee, age 76, of Water Valley died Friday, November 4, 2016, in Baptist Memorial Hospital at Oxford.

Born May 27, 1940, in Water Valley,  Barbara was a daughter of  Ella Leakey McCain and the late Floyd McCain. She worked as a hairdresser for many years and later worked in the office at Motts in Water Valley.

Visitation will be held Thursday, November 10, from 5-7 p.m. in the Seven Oaks Venue at Coffeeville.

Survivors include her son, Stacy Barbee (Vickie Oates) of Oakland; her mother, Ella Leakey McCain; a sister, Jo Pierce (Bill) of Hernando; two grandchildren, Nicole Bloodworth (Brandon) of Charleston and Erin Legge (Matthew) of Batesville; and three great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death  by her sisters, Faye King and Linda Babb; and her father, Floyd McCain.


Franklin “Frank” Lee Brown 

COFFEEVILLE—Franklin “Frank” Lee Brown, Sr., age 72, died Tuesday, November 1, 2016, at his home in Coffeeville.

   Born January 4, 1944, in Water Valley, he was a son of the late Clarence Lee Brown and Christene Shepherd Brown Farmer. Frank served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War and was a retired barber and later retired from Mott’s Chicken Plant in Water Valley, where he worked  as a mechanic. He was a member of the Cowboy Church of Coffeeville. Frank was an agricultural enthusiast who enjoyed gardening, raising animals, fishing, hunting, and running his sawmill. Frank was a devoted father and grandfather, who loved spending time with his family and friends.

Visitation was held Saturday, November 5, from 5-7 p.m. in Goshen Methodist Church at Coffeeville. Funeral services were held Sunday, November 6, in Goshen Methodist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Seven Oaks Funeral Home of Water Valley was in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include his daughter, Vicki Scoggins (Rick) of Coffeeville; a son, Frankie Lee Brown, Jr. of Coffeeville; three sisters, Cathy Sartain (Carey), Reeda Cofer (Jimmy), all of Water Valley, and Sandra Cofer of Lafayette County; one brother, Joe Farmer (Jane) of Bruce; two grandchildren, Hayden Scoggins and Austin Brown; and two great-granddaughters.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Brown; a sister, Jan Winters; and one brother, Lonnie Farmer.


Zelma Reese Buford

WATER VALLEY—Mrs. Zelma Reese Buford, 86, passed away Friday, November 4, 2016, at her residence in Water Valley.

Visitation will be held Thursday, November 10, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Services will be held on Thursday, November 10, at 1 p.m. in Bayson Chapel M.B. Church, 1272 CR 431, Water Valley.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Serenity Daniels Funeral Home, Water Valley is in charge of arrangements.


Dustin Leon Buice

WATER VALLEY—Dustin Leon Buice, age 18, passed away early Sunday morning, November 6, 2016, near Batesville.

The family had a memorial gathering Monday evening, November 7, from 5-8 p.m. in Wells Funeral Home at Batesville. There will be no other service.

Dustin was born February 18, 1998, in Oxford, the son of Lester Leon Buice and Teresa Marie Jaco Bailey. He was a 2016 graduate of Water Valley High School. Dustin loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed being with friends and riding four-wheelers.

Dustin’s loving memory will live on through his father and mother, Lester Leon Buice (Pam) of Sardis and Teresa Marie Jaco Bailey (Jim) of Water Valley; his sister, Courtney Buice of Sardis; half-sister, Ashley Paige Goodwin of Water Valley; half-brother, William Nathan-Lee Kirby of Sardis; step brothers, Camron and Devin Bailey of Water Valley; grandparents, Terry Gene Jaco of Independence and Gerald and Nancy Bailey of Water Valley.


James Elbert Gordon, Jr.

WATER VALLEY—James Elbert Gordon, Jr., age 55, died Thursday, November 3, 2016, at his home near Batesville.

Born August 27, 1961, in Memphis, James was a son of James Elbert Gordon, Sr., and the late Virginia Louise Donaldson Gordon. He was of the Baptist faith and a member of the VFW Auxiliary. Gordon was a self-employed mechanic who enjoyed the challenge of fixing things. James loved the beach and going to the coast, camping and boating. He was a devoted husband, father, son, and brother, and family meant everything to him.

Visitation was held Monday, November 7, from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. A graveside service followed visitation at 1 p.m. in the Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church Cemetery near Batesville. Bro. Charles Reed officiated.

James is survived by his wife of 32 years, Susan McCowen Gordon of Batesville; two daughters, Renae Gordon Johnson (Barrett) and Jayme Ellen Gordon, all of Batesville; his father James Elbert Gordon, Sr. of Water Valley; and a brother, John Garland Gordon of Water Valley.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Louise (Lou) Donaldson Gordon.


Lucy Wilma Hervey

WATER VALLEY—Mrs. Lucy Wilma Hervey, 69, passed away Wednesday, November 2, 2016, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.

Services were held Monday, November 7, at 11 a.m. in the Water Valley Civic Center at 904 Main Street. Burial followed in Union Hill Church Cemetery, Water Valley. Visitation was held Sunday, November 6, from 5-7 p.m. in Serenity Daniel Funeral Home, Water Valley.


Ila Mae McCain McMinn

WATER VALLEY—Ila Mae McCain McMinn, age 80, died Tuesday, October 25, 2016, in Yalobusha County Nursing Home at Water Valley.

Born January 28, 1936, in Yalobusha County, Mrs. McMinn was a daughter of the late Pearlie S. and Leula “Lumpy” Wilbourn McCain. For most of her life Ila Mae was an active member of Jumpers Chapel Methodist Church, near Water Valley, where she served as a choir member and as church treasurer. She was currently a member of South Oxford Methodist Church. Ila Mae worked for Holley Carburetor/BorgWarner until she retired after 36 years of service. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, who loved her family, and enjoyed cooking. She had a heart for helping others, many times cooking and taking food to friends and neighbors who were sick or  homebound. Ila Mae was also an avid fisherman, winning many tournaments, and she spent many days fishing for recreation.

Visitation was held Thursday, October 27, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. A memorial service followed visitation at 3:30 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Stoney Moorhead officiating. 

Survivors include daughters, Sharon Fox (Joe) of Plant City, Fla. and Sheila McGlawn (Taylor) of Oxford; a son, Earl McMinn (Terry) of Water Valley; her sister, Betty Jean Moorhead Smith of Water Valley; two brothers, Jerry McCain (Linda) of Ackerman and Sam McCain (Kristen) of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Ann Hill; and three brothers, Robert Lee McCain, Stanley McCain, and Shelby McCain.


Geanie Tyler

WATER VALLEY – The family of Geanie Tyler invite all friends and family to join them at First United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2016 to celebrate the life of their mother and grandmother.  A complete obituary will be published in next week’s Herald.


Joe Alan Wright

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.—Joe Alan Wright, age 53, died Monday, October 31, 2016, at his home in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Born November 25, 1962, in Oxford, he was the son of Joe Ross and Patsy Camp Wright.

A celebrating of life service was held in Heritage Chapel Funeral Home, Tuscaloosa, on Thursday, November 3, at 11 a.m. A second service was held on Friday, November 4, at 11 a.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley with Dr. Gerald Shook officiating. Benjamin L. Wright, John G. Kerr, Keith Stone, Sandy Stone, Scott Ross, and Tim Bell served as pallbearers. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery, Water Valley.

With a B.S. in Chemistry and a MBA in Business, Joe Alan worked as a Research Development Chemist, then as Director of R & D Coatings; later as Chemist/Buyer for Phifer, Incorporated, Tuscaloosa. As a chemist, Joe had two patents to his credit. Joe Alan grew up attending First Baptist Church in Water Valley, where he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord. For many years he, along with his wife and children, were devoted members of First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa, Ala. Joe Alan was an avid Mississippi State fan. He read Marvel Comic Books and liked anything related to Marvel Comics. He also enjoyed listening to classic rock. Joe was the highlight of any gathering, with his humor and wit. Family friends, and co-workers never knew what to expect; but it was always entertaining. He was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, nephew, and friend, always enjoying time spent at family gatherings.

Joe is survived by his wife, Donna Jean Luther Wright; daughter, Alexandra Diane  Wright; son, Benjamin Luther Wright; parents, Joe Ross and Patsy Camp Wright; sister, Melanie Anne Wright Kerr (John); five nieces and nephews, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Herman and Frances Ross Wright; and maternal grandparents, Leslie and Mittie Carmical Camp.

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