Obituaries 03/09/17
Willie Lee Baker
WATER VALLEY—Willie Lee Baker, born October 13, 1961, in Water Valley, was a son of Willie Baker, Jr. and the late Alma Lee Johnson-Baker of Water Valley. He graduated from Water Valley High School and enlisted in the United States Marines and obtained the rank of Corporal. He later returned to Water Valley where he worked for BorgWarner for many years until his illness.
He is survived by his father, Willie Baker, Jr.; three daughters, Tamara Johnson and Romara Johnson, both of Water Valley, and Alicia Davis of Oxford; three brothers, Bobby Baker (Vivian) of Memphis, Paul Baker (Mary) of Olive Branch, and Patrick Baker (Lattia) of Waldorf, Maryland; five sisters, Marylin Sims (Amos) of Oxford, Ruby McCoy of Coffeeville, Annie Johnson (Charles) of Itta Bena, Darlin Michell (Lawrence) of Coldwater, and Dorothy Britton (Dario) of Stone Mountain Ga.; grandsons, Ledarius and D. J.; a host of nieces, nephews, family members, friends, and loved ones.
He was preceded in death by his beautiful and beloved wife, Essie Davis Baker.
Visitation was held from 4-7 p.m., March 4, in Serenity-Daniels Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral service was held a 2 p.m., March 5, in Mt. Grove M.B. Church, Coffeeville. Burial was in Sanders Chapel Cemetery at Water Valley.
Bennie “B.R.” Raymond Heard
OXFORD—Bennie “B.R.” Raymond Heard, 93, died Friday, March 3, 2017, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.
The funeral service was held Sunday, March 5, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Ken Hanks officiating. Burial followed in Kingdom Cemetery. Visitation was held, beginning at 12 p.m., prior to the service.
Born May 15, 1923. to the late Charlie Elmer and Ollie Mae Starnes Heard, Mr. Heard was retired from South Central Bell where he worked as a PBX technician. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. He was also a veteran of the United States Navy, serving during World War II as an aviation technician. Mr. Heard was an avid woodworker and an amateur radio operator. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Frances White Heard; a son, James Heard; and brothers, Joe and Charles Heard.
Survivors include his sister, Annie Mae Keel of Oxford; two brothers, Harold Heard of Oxford and James Howard Heard of Blue Mountain; two grandchildren, Jamie Heard of Oxford and Lori Roberson (Perrin) of Southaven; four great-grandchildren; and caregiver, Sandra Cook, of Water Valley.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Heard’s memory may be made to Kingdom Cemetery Fund, 41 CR 443, Oxford, MS 38655. In honor of Mr. Heard’s service to the United States, the flag of the United States Navy will be flown at Waller Funeral Home.
Brandon Albert “PeeWee” Mayo
WATER VALLEY—Brandon Albert “PeeWee” Mayo, age 74, died Friday, March 3, 2017, at his home in Water Valley.
Born June 14, 1942, in Water Valley, PeeWee was a son of the late Paul and Marjorie Jones Mayo. He served in the Army National Guard and was self-employed in construction. He loved the Lord and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Water Valley. PeeWee was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, who enjoyed fishing, hunting, going on cruises, and spending time with family and friends.
Visitation was held from 5-8 pm. Sunday, March 5, in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral service was held Monday, March 6, at 10 a.m. in First Baptist Church with Dr. Randy Bain officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery with Johnny Avant, Eddie Hyde, Randy Hyde, Chad Kimzey, Preston Lawrence and Chad Wren as pallbearers. John Avant, Keith Ayles, Wayne Hardy, Frank Hyde, Billy Jones, Jerry Jones, John Lawrence, Leo Lawrence, Leon Lawrence, Winford Lawrence, Roy Bennett Stevens, Hal Vaughn, Tommy Vaughn, Dale Wilbourn, and Stan Woodard were honorary pallbearers.
PeeWee is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jonnie Mayo of Water Valley; a daughter, Christy Mayo Mills (Jeff) of Water Valley; his son, John Mayo of Water Valley; one sister, Jannelle Loar of Memphis; two grandchildren, Courtney Mills Daniels (Vaughn) of Water Valley; and Jay Mayo of Greenwood; and one great-grandson.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Marjorie Dell Mayo, and a brother, Phil Mayo. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 1472, Water Valley, MS 38965.
Frank Brooks McCullough
PARIS—Frank Brooks McCullough, 59, of Paris, died Sunday, March 5, 2017, at his home.
Brooks was a avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt, particularly deer and duck. He also enjoyed telling all about his hunting adventures. He spent much of his time taking care of his livestock.
Visitation will be Saturday, March 11, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. in Coleman Funeral Home at Oxford. The funeral service will follow visitation at noon, in the funeral home chapel, with Bro. Jeff Taylor officiating.
Survivors include one daughter, Marisa (Steven Currence) McCullough of Cabot, Ark.; .a grandson, Connor Young of Cabot; one granddaughter, Cali Young of Cabot; his father, Charles Wilford McCullough of Paris; two brothers, Charles “Wobble” McCullough (Suzanne) of Water Valley, and Sidney McCullough (Dawn) of Shady Grove; one sister, Tina Mills (Terry) of Paris; a sister-in-law, Linda McCullough of Paris; an aunt, Hazel Green Johnson of Water Valley; his uncles, Jimmy Green (Charlene) of Cookville, Tenn. and Louis Green (Louise) of Water Valley; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Mr. McCullough was preceded in death by his mother, Mary McCullough; and two bothers, Ricky McCullough and Robert McCullough.
Memorials may be made to Haven House, 152 A Highway 7 South, Oxford, MS 38655.
Louise McGonagill
OXFORD—Louise McGonagill, 97, died Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at her home in Oxford.
The funeral service was held Saturday, March 4, in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home, with Rev. David Ard officiating. A private family burial followed in Oxford Memorial Cemetery.
Mrs. McGonagill was a lifelong resident of Lafayette County, tracing her descendants there for six generations since 1836. She was born March 17, 1919, to William Pleasant and Zula Patterson Goolsby as their 10th and last child.
She attended Oxford city schools, graduating from University High School in 1937. In January, 1939, she married her sweetheart, Charles, whom she loved and supported through 64 years of marriage. They had the shared experiences of rearing three children and living through the difficult times of the depression and World War II.
She was her husband’s helpmate as he worked as a public servant in the office of Lafayette County Supervisor for 20 years. Her favorite things to do were traveling, vegetable and flower gardening, and taking care of her family. Her heart was always open to helping others in any way needed and to caring for and training animals.
Along with her family, she joined North Oxford Baptist Church in 1952, remaining a member there until her death. Until recently she had been an active member of the Ruth Sunday School Class. She truly enjoyed serving and ministering though this class and made many lifelong friendships.
She leaves a daughter, Sharron Pennington (Jim); a son, Cary McGonagill (Carol); daughter-in-law, Frankie McGonagill; seven grandchildren, Mark McGonagill (Jennifer), Michele Pennington, Paige Pennington, Courtney Rima (Tom), Jenny Gafford (Alan), Hunter McGonagill (Paige), and Hardy Ryals (Jesse); and 10 great-grandchildren.
Along with her parents and all her siblings, Mrs. McGonagill was predeceased by her husband, Charles W. McGonagill; her son, Charles C. McGonagill; two daughters-in-law, Patty McGonagill and Jennifer McGonagill; a son-in-law, Jim Pennington; and 12 nieces and nephews.
Ralph Morgan
WATER VALLEY—Ralph Morgan, 69, was born September 6, 1947, in Water Valley to Clarance Morgan and Roberta McFarland Morgan.
Ralph’s favorite pass time was sitting with family and friends on the porch and debating the current events of the world. He enjoyed farming his goats and riding his lawnmower.
He confessed a hope in the Lord and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age in Martin Street Church of Christ in Water Valley. Ralph was a great husband, father, grandfather and friend.
He made the transition from earth to glory Monday, February 27, 2017, in Baptist East Hospital at Memphis, lovingly surrounded by his family.
He leaves his loving wife, Mrs. Lottie C. Morgan, to cherish his memories.
The service was held at 11 a.m., March 4 in Bayson Chapel M.B. Church, Water Valley. Visitation was held from 10-10:50 a.m., prior to the service, in the church. Burial was in Oak Ridge Cemetery at Water Valley.
Roma Dell Taylor
WATER VALLEY—Roma Dell Taylor, age 80, died Tuesday, February 28, 2017, in Oxford.
Born February 1, 1937, in Big Creek, Mrs. Taylor was a daughter of the late James and Maudie Trusty. Roma Dell was a member of O’Tuckolofa Baptist Church, near Water Valley. She had retired from BorgWarner after many years of service. She was a current resident of Bruce Living Center in Bruce and always enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren.
Visitation was held from 11 a.m.-noon Friday, March 3, in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral service followed visitation at noon in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Dan Dickerson officiating. Burial was in the Pine Crest Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Yalobusha County.
Survivors include her son, Glenn Tate of Southaven; her brother, James Moore Trusty of Alabama; four grandchildren, LeAnn Robertson, Tiffany Tate, Brooke Tate, and Roman Tate; and one great-grandchild.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband James Arden Taylor; a son, James Michael Tate; and her brother, Jerry Trusty.
Memorials may be made to O’Tuckolofa Baptist Church, 3190 Hwy. 315, Water Valley, MS 38965.