Obituaries 09/26/19

James Stevens Allen

OXFORD—James Stevens Allen, age 90, died peacefully Saturday, September 14, 2019, in Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi at Oxford.

Born September 27, 1928, in Coffeeville, Jim was a son of the late Samuel and Elizabeth Hollingsworth Allen. After high school, Jim joined the Air Force and served 23 years, which included the Korean War. During this time, he was a founding member of The Association of the Office of Social Investigators, which is a U.S. Federal Law Enforcement Agency that reports directly to the Secretary of the Air Force.

After returning from service, Jim studied at Baptist College in Charleston, South Carolina, where he received a Bachelors of Religious Education in 1976; and then continued his education at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned a Masters of Divinity in 1980. Jim was a life member of VFW Post 4100 in Water Valley and was also a member of First Baptist Church in Water Valley.

Visitation was held Wednesday, September 18, from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m., in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral service began at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 19, in the Henry Chapel of the funeral  home, with Bro. Brian Able and Bro. Derek Starnes officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery at Water Valley.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Alice Allen; two sons, Mark Allen of Pearl and William Allen (Tammy B.) of Warner Robins, Ga.; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Along with his parents, Jim was preceded in death by two brothers, Will Allen and  Samuel Allen; and three sisters, Leona Allen, Anne Lamar, and Ollie Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorial be made to the Disabled American Veterans.

 

Sara Louise Brewer

COFFEEVILLE—Sara Louise Brewer, age 69, of Coffeeville died Saturday, September 14, 2019, at her home.

Born November 2, 1949, in Washington, D.C., she was a daughter of the late Robert and Margaret Prather Brewer. She enjoyed outdoor activities, including camping, going to the beach and spending time with her grandchildren.

A graveside service was held in Pilgrim’s Rest (Meggs) Center at Coffeeville on Saturday, September 21.

Sara is survived by one son, David Dinan (Laura) and their four children, all of Rogers, Ark.

 

James Anderson Byford

COFFEEVILLE—James Anderson Byford, 89, of Coffeeville, passed away Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.

Born May 25, 1930, in Yalobusha County, he was a son of the late John Edward and Myrtle Ray Jones Byford. He worked for many years as a self-employed mechanic and auto body professional. James honorably served his country in the U.S. Army and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.

The funeral service was held at 3 p.m. Saturday, September 21, in First Baptist Church at Coffeeville, with Dr. Clarence Cooper and Rev. Craig Baker officiating. Interment followed in the Calvary Cemetery with Justin Ayers, Barry Baker, Max Benoist, Jeremy Byford, Clarence Cooper, III, and Brandon Harrison as pallbearers. The family received friends from 1 p.m. until service time at the church. McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada had charge of arrangements,

Survivors include  his wife, Mary Byford; three daughters, Janice Baker (Dan) of Coffeeville, Sheila Benoist of Collierville, Tenn., and Leslie Johnsey (Donny) of Coffeeville; three sons, Johnny Byford of Coffeeville, Jimmy Byford (Lisa) of Coffeeville, and Gary Byford of Coffeeville; one brother, John Carl Byford (Louise) of Coffeeville; 12 grandchildren, Jeremy Byford, Craig Baker, Barry Baker, Brandi Harrison,  Lindsey Byford, Kim Ayers, Megan Baker, Brandon Harrison, Karrie Byford, Max Benoist, Casey Gaines, and Taylor Benoist; and 21 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Louise Graham and Nancy Fly; two brothers, Charles Ray Byford and Edward Criss Byford, and a grandson, Cody Spencer Byford.