Obituaries 10/10/19
Cleveland “Jack” Belcher
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIF.—Cleveland “Jack” Belcher, Jr. died September 7, 2019, in San Antonio Region Hospital in Upland Calif., San Bernadino, Upland, Calif.
Born August 9, 1943, in Water Valley, Jack, Jr. was the son of the late Cleveland “Jack” Belcher, Sr. and Ivory Woodard Belcher. He accepted Christ at a very young age and was baptized at Pinegrove Missionary Baptist church. He attended Davidson Elementary and High School. Jack, Jr. developed a love of taking and collecting pictures at a young age—a hobby that would last throughout his life. In his younger years daughters, Mary, Jean and Tanya were born.
Jack, Jr. left Water Valley in 1962 and moved to Los Angeles to join his dad and start a new life. Later he was joined by his wife, Beulah Faye MaGee Belcher, and to this union four children were born, Afarah (Tookie), Dexter, Kerry, and Clevonne.
Jack, Jr. started to work at GTE (now Verizon/Frontier) in 1963. He moved his family to Pomona in 1970, where he became president of the neighborhood watch. He became known as the “lawnmower man” fixing and loaning lawnmowers. He also worked with the YMCA youth program. He received the Outstanding Parent Support Award for Little League and started the “Rare Breed” motorcycle club, where he served as president for many years.
Jack Jr. (Cleve) married Marvaleen Preston Belcher in 1995 and with this union came three children, Niesha, LaTisha, and DeuShawn. They were married 23 years at the time of his passing. Cleve retired from GTE in 1999, after more than 30 years. He left a legacy at GTE as a long-haul truck driver where he drove over a million miles—that’s more than twice to the moon and back.
After his retirement, he looked forward to the annual McMahon and Woodard family reunions and loved traveling with his wife, Marva. He also enjoyed being around family, especially his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Danny Belcher; and sisters, Betty Bowman (Andy), and Dorothy “Dot” Bishop (Johnny).
Survivors include his wife, Marvaleen Preston Belcher; children, Mary Cross (Jeff), Jean Turner, Tanya Adams (Gary), Afarah Board (Cleophus), Dexter Belcher, Kerry Belcher (Susan), Clevonne Belcher, Niesha Gant (Eldred), LaTisha McDonald (Dermond), DeuShawn Preston (Koren); God-daughter, Cronnica “Too Too” Lomack; siblings, Frank Belcher, Linda Cox (Charles), Randy Belcher (Sandra), Ruby Turner (Joe); Uncle Clarence Belcher; and Aunts Maggie McNair, Clara Lee Woodard, Martha Woodard, and Inez Woodard; 20 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A funeral service was held in California, with Pastor John Bagsby doing the eulogy.
The local funeral service was held at 11 a.m., September 20, 2019, in Seven Oaks Funeral Home, with Pastor Lenair “Bam” Person giving the eulogy. Interment was in Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church, East, Water Valley, with DeMarea’ “D.J.” McJunkins, Ronald Winfred, III, Junius Trevon Cleveland Power, Kerry Belcher, Dee Willingham, and DeVon Johnson, II, as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Frank Belcher, Randy Belcher, Dyonne Wright, Johnny Bishop, Troy Porter, Joe Turner, Kenny Bishop, Charles Cox and Jeffrey Cross.
James Lewis Chapman
WATER VALLEY—James Lewis Chapman, age 87, of Water Valley, died peacefully Tuesday, October 1, 2019, in his home with family by his side.
Born March 18, 1932, in Columbia, Tenn., he was a son of the late Jim and Eunice Simmons Chapman. He spent over 40 years serving his country in the United States Army. James was a life member of VFW Post 3978 in Oxford. He was also a Mason. The joys nearest to his heart were gardening, riding his tractor, and his dog, Jenny, but he was loved and was proud of his family most of all.
Visitation was held Friday, October 4, from 5-7 p.m. in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The service began at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 5, in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home, with Rev. William Wesley and Bro. Jerry Holt officiating. Burial was in Pinecrest Cemetery, with member of Post 3978 as pallbearers.
Survivors include two sons, Jimmy Chapman (Donna) and Bobby Chapman (Rhonda), all of Water Valley; two daughters, Betty Lou Chapman of Oxford, and Debbie Hollister of Water Valley; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; two step-sons, Joe Pat Pinklington of Water Valley, and Jimmy Muncher (Judy) of Nesbit; and one step-daughter, Brenda Allen (Robert) of Birmingham, Ala.
Along with his parents, James was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Chapman, and one step-son, Hal McCain.
Robert Lewis Hill
OXFORD—Robert Lewis Hill, age 81, of Oxford, died Tuesday, October 1, 2019, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi, at Oxford.
Born January 12, 1958, in Oxford, Robert was a son of the late Lavert and Dorothy Durham Hill. He dedicated his life to others as a nursing assistant. Back in the day, he was a member of the 18th Street Boys in Oxford. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, Ole Miss football, and telling stories, especially those that focused on family.
The family received friends in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home Friday, October 5, from noon to 2 p.m. A private ceremony will be held at a later date.
Robert is survived by two sisters, Diana Hinton and Beverly Hill, both of Water Valley; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Roberts was preceded in death by one brother, Gerald Hill, and his parents.
Clinton McKinney
WATER VALLEY—Clinton McKinney, age 84, died Saturday, October 5, 2019, in his home with family by his side.
Born January 12, 1935, in Calhoun County, Clinton was a son of the late James Doyle and Jessie Mae McKinney. Clinton was married for 63 years to the love of his life, Dorothy “Dot” Williams McKinney. He retired as a material spreader at Big Yank Corporation,after 43 years of service. He was a founding member of Friendship Baptist Church. Clinton enjoyed listening to music and woodworking. He dearly loved his family, his church family, and his granddogs.
A graveside service was held at 10 a.m. Monday, October 7, in Oak Hill Cemetery at Water Valley, with Bro Bill Forsyth officiating.
Clinton is survived by his wife, Dorothy “Dot” Williams McKinney of Water Valley; his daughter, Bonnie McKinney Black, and son-in-law, Bobby Bryce Black of Oxford.
The family request that memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to the Second Chance Animal Alliance, c/o Mandy Beard, P. O. Box 794, Water Valley, MS 38965.
Lebron James Moorhead
WATER VALLEY—Lebron James Moorhead, age 93, of Water Valley, died Tuesday, October 1, 2019, in Yalobusha General Hospital at Water Valley.
Born September 23, 1926, in Lafayette County, he was a son of the late Lebron and Virgil Hensley Moorhead. James retired from the parts division of Ford Motor Company after 30 years of service. He was a deacon in First Baptist Church, as well as a member of the United Auto Workers Union.
Visitation was held Saturday, October 5, from noon until 2 p.m. in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral service began at 2 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro Rick Glidwell and Bro. Stoney Moorhead officiating. Burial was in the Paris Cemetery with Jake Moorhead, Jeremy Moorhead, Wesley Moorhead, Andrew Moorhead, Will Moorhead and Jacob Crawford as pallbearers.
Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Betty Jean Moorhead of Water Valley; two sons, Jim Moorhead (Brenda) of Water Valley and Kim Moorhead (Janna) of Olive Branch; one daughter-in-law, Lisa Moorhead of Oxford; seven grandchildren, Jake Moorhead, Lauren Moorhead, Jeremy Moorhead, Wesley Moorhead, Andrew Moorhead, Madalyn Moorhead and Will Moorhead; and one brother, Billy Moorhead of Water Valley.
Along with his parents, James was preceded in death by two sons, Ronnie Moorhead, and Scott Moorhead.