Obituaries 09/19/19
Margaret F. Kilgore
COFFEVILLE – Margaret F. Kilgore, age 93, of Coffeeville passed away September 9, 2019. Marge left this earth with grace and humility. She had a passion for dancing and loved her family and cats. Marge worked as a cosmetologist and legal secretary. Marge will be missed by her family and friends.
Visitation was held Friday, September 13, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from noon until p.m. with services following in the Henry Chapel at Seven Oaks. Don Roberson officiated. Burial was in Coffeeville City Cemetery in Coffeeville.
Marge was preceded in death by her husband, William Marion “Billy” Kilgore and her son, Billy Dan “Beau” Kilgore. She also leaves behind her grandson, Bret Kilgore, his wife Amy, and two great grandchildren, Savannah and Jay, along with her daughter-in-law, Regina.
Carl L. McClain
COLUMBUS—Carl L. McClain, age 80, of Columbus died peacefully Wednesday, September, 10, 2019, in Vineyard Court Nursing Home at Columbus.
Born August 30, 1939, in Opelika, Ala., Bro. McClain was a son of the late Colonel and Annie Kinny McClain. Carl spent the majority of his life serving the Lord. He was credentialed with the Assembly of God for 50 years, of which 20 years were as pastor of the First Assembly of God Church in Water Valley. He had many joys in life, which included deer hunting, fishing, playing golf and eating Rocky Road and chocolate ice-cream.
Visitation was held Saturday, September 14, from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. in the First Assembly of God Church at Water Valley. The funeral service began at two o’clock, with Rev. Milford McClain officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery, with Evan McClain, Zach McClain, Brian Ellington, Bobby Sayre, Alex Bartley and Richard Murphy as pallbearers.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Rosie McClain; one son, Carl McClain, Jr. (Amy) of Water Valley; two daughters, Bonnie Waller (Waymon) of Columbus and Rhonda Ellington (Glenn) of Vaiden; 10 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
Along with his parents, Carl was preceded in death by 10 brothers, Dewey McClain, J. Nolen McClain, Paul McClain, Eugene Hall, Curtis Hall, Willard McClain, Marvin McClain, Tracy McClain, David McClain and Roy McClain; and three sisters, Sinie Smith, Mertle Tittle and Ophelia Reed.
Shirley Mae Johnson
PARIS—Shirley Mae Johnson, age 72, of Paris, died peacefully Wednesday, September 11, 2019.
She was born January 30, 1947, in Chicago, Ill. to the late Victor and Genevieve Small Gulpa. She enjoyed creating miniature furniture, quilting, and karaoke, but nothing compared to the love she had for her family. She was a member of First Christian Church in Water Valley. Shirley was also a member of NRA.
Visitation was held Monday, September 16, from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral began at 2 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home, with Bro. Raymond Aven officiating. Burial was in Shipp Cemetery.
Shirley is survived by two sons, Billy Johnson (Letha) and Victor Johnson (Joveth Lee), all of Paris; two brothers, Ed Kulpa of Calif. and Ed Joyner of Tenn.; four grandchildren, William Les Johnson, Corey Tartt, Angela Ayers, and Alexa Johnson; and four great-grandchildren, Murphy Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Emma Ayers, and Elizabeth Ayers.
In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Jack Johnson; one daughter, Kathy Tartt; and one sister, Sue Little.
John Windell Lancaster
VARDAMAN—Bro. John Windell Lancaster, 81, entered into rest at his home in Vardaman on Friday, September 13, 2019.
Born June 2, 1938, in the Anchor Community, Bro. John was a son of the late Metro Jackson and Thelma Naron Lancaster. He was a jack-of-all trades and master of many, serving the community as a barber, pastor, landscaper, and game warden. He never met a stranger, and loved the Lord with all his heart, all his soul, and his strength.
Windell was a game warden for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for over 30 years. He felt the call to preach at the age of 52 and served at several different churches in the area. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed admiring the mighty beauty of the outdoors from the smallest hummingbird and delicate flower to hunting whitetail deer and catching fish. He was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, where he actively worshiped the Lord.
Surviving are his loving wife, Linda Kay Howell Lancaster; one son, John Richard Lancaster (Janet); a sister-in-law, Faye Howell; one grandchild, Cassie Tillery (Rusty); two great-grandchildren, Colton Tillery and Raelynn Tillery.
I addition to his parents, Bro. Lancaster was preceded in death by his first wife of 43 years. Linda Carol Morgan Lancaster; a brother, Naron Lancaster; and one sister, Nelda Lancaster.
The family received friends on Sunday, September 15, from 5-7 p.m. in Parker Memorial Funeral Home at Vardaman. The funeral service was held Monday, September 16, beginning a 11 a.m. in Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church at Woodland, with Dr. Wade Mathis and Robert Earl Alexander officiating. Burial followed in Midway Baptist Church Cemetery at Vardaman, with Austin Ethridge, Caleb Lancaster, Casey Lancaster, Conor Graham, Hank Williams, Mark Ethridge, and Mark Lancaster as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Kevin Diaz and Josh Williams.
Mary Kathryn Parsons
OXFORD—Mary Kathryn “Kaki” Parsons, age 91, of Oxford died peacefully Wednesday, September 11, 2019, in Hermitage Gardens with family by her side.
Born April 3, 1928, in Water Valley, Kaki was a daughter of the late Joseph James Buchanan and Katie Mae Moorhead. She worked as cafeteria manager at the Water Valley High School until 1988, when she retired. She attended the First United Methodist Church in Water Valley, where she was a faithful member of the choir and her Bible study group, with the friends she dearly loved. After moving to Oxford, she attended St. Andrews United Methodist Church. She loved family, friends, travel, music, life and laughter. For the last three years she was loved by her friend and caregiver, Francis Rockette of Water Valley.
The funeral service was held at two o’clock in the afternoon Sunday, September 15, in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home, with an informal gathering of friends and family following. Kathryn is survived by two sons, John Randal Parsons (Jennifer) of Memphis and Robby Parsons (Bonnie) of Water Valley; one daughter, Laura Parsons Walker of Nashville, Tenn.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a daughter -in-law, Carlisle Parsons Wood (Billy) of Oxford. Along with her parents, Kathryn was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Oscar Parsons; and one son, Richard Lynn Parsons.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested any memorials be made to the charity of your choice.
Alberta Genieve Rhyne
WATER VALLEY—Alberta Genieve Rhyne, age 84, of Water Valley, died peacefully Wednesday, September 11, 2019, in Yalobusha County Nursing Home.
Born July 30, 1935, in Walsenburg, Colo., Mrs. Rhyne was a daughter of the late Jake and Gertrude Ornelas Sandoval. She enjoyed fishing, bingo, and shopping. However, her love for family was her passion. Alberta spent the majority of her working career as a seamstress in the garment industry. She was a member of First Baptist Church.
A graveside service was held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September, 17, in Oak Hill Cemetery at Water Valley with Bro. Freddy Moorman officiating.
Survivors include two sons, Johnny Moya (Norma) and David Moya; two daughters, Marie York (Don) and Mary Jane Hart (Craig); seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Helen Izzo (Tommy) and Virginia Huertha (Bono). In addition to her parents, Alberta was preceded in death by three brothers, Jake Sandoval, Jr., Mike Sandoval, and Cecil Sandoval.
Emra Rowsey
WATER VALLEY—Erma Rowsey, age 59, died September 15, 2019 in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford. She is a daughter of Maliza Love and David White.
Visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, September 21, in Spring Hill North M.B. Church, 600 Railroad Ave., Water Valley. The funeral, also to be held in the church, will begin at 11 a.m.
Townes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Robert Ellis Taylor
WATER VALLEY – Robert “Bob” Ellis Taylor died Wednesday, Sept. 4. He was 61 years old.
Rob was born August 27, 1958 to Catherine and the late Ellis Taylor. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary of Oxford.
Visitation was held Friday, September 13, at the Roberts’ home in Water Valley. Graveside services were held Saturday, September 14, at the Walker Cemetery.
Rob was a husband to Susan Taylor for 40 years and to this union three children were born; Sharla Vaughn, Robert Taylor, Jr. and Kathy Hendricks; one grandchild, Amy Hendricks; four siblings, Dorothy Smith, Willie “Bill” Taylor, Mary Turner, his brother, Barry Taylor who preceded him in death. A host of nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and other relatives to cherish his memory.