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Obituaries 01/10/19

Rachel Holland Allbritton


TILLATOBA—Rachel Holland Allbritton, age 80, passed away Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at her residence. 

The family received friends Thursday, January 3, from 10 a.m. until service time, which began at 11 a.m. in Corinth Baptist Church in Tillatoba. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Newsom Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Allbritton was a member of Corinth Baptist Church in Tillatoba. She was retired from Heathcraft.

Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Allbritton of Hamburg, Ark.; two daughters, Valerie Embry (Terry) of Tillatoba and Carrie Manuel of Water Valley; two step-daughters, Alice Johnson of Hamburg, Ark. and Brenda Henry (Jacky) of Charleston; one son, Edward Holland (Carol) of Holcomb; a step-son, Kenny Allbritton (Gail) of Hamburg, Ark.; five grandchildren, Lisa Holland of Holcomb, Eddie Holland (Keisha) of Brandon, Chance Embry of Southaven, Omega Manuel of Oxford, and Kelby Embry (Megan) of Tillatoba; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, W. E. Holland, Jr., her parents, Chester and Bessie Cole, and three sisters.

The family request memorials be made to: Corinth Baptist Church, 888 Tatum Pond Rd., Tillatoba, MS 38961.


Edna Elizabeth Brown


WATER VALLEY—Mrs. Edna Elizabeth Brown, age 98, of Water Valley, died peacefully Sunday, January 6, 2019, in Baptist Memorial  Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.

Born January 30, 1920, in Taylor, Mrs. Brown was a daughter of the late Charles W. and Lena Jones Williams. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Water Valley for nearly 70 years, where she served as the secretary and treasurer of the Berean Sunday School Class. She was an avid sports fan, whose favorite teams included the Rebels, Cardinals and the Grizzlies. She enjoyed fishing and gardening. However, her main passion was enjoying time with her family.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 9, in First United Methodist Church at Water Valley from 1-2 p.m. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. with Rev. Don Lewis officiating, assisted by Rev. Fred Eakes. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery with Luke Purdy, Scott Sisk, Ryan Brown, Rhea Brown, Devin Green, and David Hyde as pallbearers.

Mrs. Brown is survived by one son, Breck Brown (Carol) of Water Valley; two daughters, Anne Babb of Water Valley and Carolyn Purdy (Luke) of Coffeeville; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Along with her parents, Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by her husband, James M. Brown; two sisters, Mary Fly and Ruth Hyde; and three brothers, Charlie Williams, Jr., Paul Williams, and Howard Williams.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Water Valley.

Myra Janelle Loar

MEMPHIS – On December 19, 2018 Myra Janelle Loar, 77, became neighbors with the Lord. While we will miss her, we celebrate the life she lived and the relationships she forged, including: Her partner for 20 years, Ronnie Peavehouse; her children, David Mark Furr and Paula White-Cain; her grandchildren Bradley Charles Knight, Lauren and Paul Furr,and five great grand-children to whom she is affectionately remembered as Mamcap.

Born May 3, 1941 in Water Valley as one of four siblings, Janelle would work her way through four colleges, earning two masters’ degrees. Being a resilient and hard-working woman, she tackled multiple careers in a professional journey that ended with her selling antique goods on Ebay, which she called “junking”. 

She was passionate about the Grizzlies, Ole Miss football, literary thrillers, and Democratic politics. Never afraid to be the “only” in the midst of “many”, Janelle twirled to her own tune all the way to eternity. Her memorial service will be January 15, 2019 at 1 p.m. in the Legends Lounge.


Lucille Floyd Miller


GRENADA—Lucille Floyd Miller, 97, of Grenada, passed away Saturday, December 29, 2018, in Yalobusha County Nursing Home at Water Valley.

Born June 1, 1921 in Grenada, Mrs. Miller was a daughter of the late Robert Lee and Nannie Eleanor Jane Sullivan Floyd. She was a devoted homemaker and member of the Van Dorn Church of Christ.

The funeral service was held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, December 31, in McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service with Bro. David Floyd officiating. Interment followed in Woodlawn Memorial Park. Family and friends gathered from 1:30 p.m. until service time in the funeral home. Pallbearers were Ben Blair, Brad Blair, Scott Craven, Chris Goodwin, Charlie Woods, and Steve Woods. Honorary pallbearers were H. L. Floyd and Larry Floyd.

Survivors include two daughters, Patricia Holman (David) of Water Valley and Dianne Cooper (Richard) of Carrollton; a son, Dale Miller of Oxford; two grandchildren, Colby Miller and Mandy Miller, both of Oxford; one great-granddaughter; and one great-great grandson.

  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Riley Jackson Miller; and seven siblings.

Margaret Kathryn Martin Orf 

OXFORD—Margaret Kathryn Martin Orf, 90, passed away Sunday, January 6, 2019, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.

Visitation was held January 8, from 5-7 p.m. in Coleman Funeral Home, The funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 9, beginning at 1 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Oxford Memorial Cemetery with Coleman Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Orf was born June 27, 1928, in Stewart, grew up in Water Valley, but  lived most of her life in Oxford. She was a member of Oxford  Church of Christ for more than 50 years. Mrs. Orf worked at the University of Mississippi Library for 23 years, a career which fueled her love of books. She loved people and pursued volunteer efforts to help others. Mrs. Orf volunteered at the local food pantry, which distributed food to needed members of the community. She supported the Catch-A-Dream Foundation, which grants once-in-a-lifetime experiences to children who have life-threatening illnesses. Mrs. Orf wrote birthday cards to each of the approximately 300 children in the organization annually. Mrs. Orf was also a study helper for The World Bible School, guiding international students with their study of God’s Word. She was an avid bird watcher, having the home she shared with her husband in Lafayette County designed as an Audubon Society Backyard Habitat.

Survivors include her daughter, Carrie Walker Creedon (Jerry) of Hampton, Va.; two sisters, Polly M. Reed of Water Valley and Dee M. Cox  (Bobby) of New Albany; a step-daughter, Crista Grashoff (Bill) of Marion, Ill.; a daughter-in-law, Barbara Reese of St. Louis, Mo.; and many nieces and nephews.

  She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry C. Martin and Kate M. Martin; her devoted husband, Alolis “Al” Orf; her beloved daughter, Connie K. Walker; two sisters, Flora M. Cole and Edith “Budgie” Tutor; a brother, Harry F. Martin; a stepson, Gary Reese; a niece and a nephew. Donations in memory of Mrs. Orf may be made to either The Oxford Church of Christ (P. O. Box 1500, Oxford, MS 38655) or The World Bible School (www.worldbibleschool.net/gifts/new).


Newell Gene Warren

WATER VALLEY—Newell Gene Warren, age 87, of Water Valley, died peacefully Sunday, December 30, 2018, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford with family at his side.

Born June 25, 1931, in Pontotoc, Gene was a son of the late Henry and Nona Huckaby Warren. He was self employed as a small appliance repair man. He enjoyed exploring old home places and spending time with his family, as well as his brothers. Gene was an Army veteran who gladly served his country during the Korean War. He was a member of Anchor Baptist Church.

Visitation was held Wednesday, January 2, 2019, in Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The services followed visitation in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Gerald Shook officiating. Burial was in Shipp Cemetery with Ashley Grantham, Jonathan Grantham, Billy Warren, Brandon Warren, Kenny Warren, Lynn Warren, J. B. Warren and Wayne Warren as pallbearers.

Gene is survived by his wife of 39 years, Gladys Warren of Water Valley; a son, Terry Warren (Cindy) of Oxford; a daughter, Sherry Maharrey (Mark) of Oxford; three step daughters, Ester Thweatt (Ricky), Linda Burns (Donny), and Shelia Huckaby (Bobby), all of Oxford; one step son, Jamie Hickman of Coffeeville; four brothers, Wayne Warren, Billy Warren, J. B. Warren, and Kenny Warren; and one sister, Sybil King. 

Along with his parents, Gene was preceded in death by two sisters, Opal Gandy and Jaunice Anthony.


Kathleen Booker Wise

BARTLETT, TENN.—Kathleen (Kathy) Booker Wise, age 93, died December 27, 2018, in Bartlett, Tenn. 

She was born May 4, 1925, in Sledge to the late Benjamin F. and Ethel Moore Booker.  She was a member of Sycamore View Church of Christ. In her youth, Kathy attended school at Camp Ground and Water Valley. She graduated from Freed-Hardeman College in Henderson, Tenn., after which she had a 30-year career in government. From her childhood, Kathy had an enduring and all-encompassing passion for many forms of art. Her first doll was fashioned from the colorful clay of the Mississippi Hills. Her art education was acquired at night as she continued her career in government. She received art instruction from Florence McIntyre (a student of William Merritt Chase), Memphis College of Art and Memphis State University.

After retirement she began teaching art—once on an NEA grant for art education in the Gainesville, Florida public schools and surrounding towns. She became artist in residence for the Gainesville Public School System and also taught stone carving at Santa Fe Community College. Kathy’s involvement in galleries and competitions also increased after her retirement.

Kathy’s paintings and sculptures were accepted in many prestigious galleries and competitions, including the American Artists Professional League’s Grand National Exhibitions. She had sculptures accepted for the League’s 2012, 2013, and 2015 National Exhibitions. She had a sculpture accepted again for the League’s 90th Grand National Exhibition in November 2018. The sculpture which was accepted for the 2018 exhibition was shipped just days before the stroke that led to her death a few weeks later.

Kathy is listed in the prestigious Who’s Who of Women and American Artists of Renown, and her work hangs in numerous public and private collections, including the archives of President Jimmy Carter. She maintained affiliations with Allied Artists of America and the National Sculpture Society. Her work was widely exhibited in solo shows, galleries and museums, including the Salmagundi Club, Pen and Brush Club, National Arts Club, and National Sculpture Society.

With numerous awards to her credit Kathy has appeared on television, been nominated by the U.S. Postal Service for “Outstanding Women Who Work” in the art category, been honored by Senator Howard Baker for administrative work and the National Pen Women and been featured in their publication, “The Pen Woman.”

Kathy throughly enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and just the mention of an outing or a trip instantly piqued her interest. Fortunately, she remained healthy enough, even into her 93rd year to enjoy these outings, including travel to attend special functions and visit with friends in Florida.

Not even close family members have ever seen Kathy in ”casual” attire. Every day she dressed as though she was going to church or was preparing to welcome guests to a formal tea.

Survivors include a daughter,  Deborah Fulmer Rauchle; grandchildren, William Stacks, Trey Smith (Jenni), Aaron Smith (Harley), Tess Cogdell (Steve), Brandon Spivey, and Sara James; eight great-grandchildren;  two great-great grandchildren; a brother, Gaylon Booker (Elsie) of Water Valley; nephews and nieces; and  a special friend. Frances “Frankie” Floyd.

In addition to her parents, Kathy was preceded in death by husbands, Kenneth Fulmer and Byron Wise; a daughter, Kimbyl Stacks Spivey; and a sister, Cereice Grinder.

Visitation was held Tuesday, January 1, 2019 from 1-2 p.m. in Memorial Park Funeral  Home, Memphis, with the memorial service following at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262, Danny Thomas PL, Memphis, TN 38105.


Lois Newman Wynn

WATER VALLEY—Lois Newman Wynn, age 98, of Water Valley died peacefully Monday, December 31, 2018, in Yalobusha County Nursing Home.

Born December 26, 1920, Mrs. Wynn was a daughter of the late Robert L. and Mary Barnichie Pilkinton and spent her life dedicated to her family as a house wife on the farm. She was a member of Mt. Liberty Church.

Visitation was held Friday, January 4, 2019, in Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. The funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 5, in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Freddie Moorman and Bro. Dan Dickerson officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill  Cemetery at Water Valley.

Lois is survived by one daughter, Sheila Willard (Jimmy); two sons, Phillip Hastings and Bobby Hastings; a brother, Robert Pilkinton; 16 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Hastings; one daughter, Ruth Faulkner; five sons, Donald Hastings, Lee Hastings, Kenneth Hastings, James Hasting, Larry Hastings; and a brother, James Pilkinton.

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