Obituaries 10/24/19
Onia M. Anderson
OLIVE BRANCH—Onia M. Anderson died October 14, 2019. Born September 16, 1940, Mrs. Anderson was a daughter of the late Willie and Allie Polk, the fifth child born to this family. She was affectionately nicknamed “Sister.” She was known by her friends and family as a sweet spirited girl, who was always helpful and enjoyed caring for her younger siblings. Onia was always a hard worker and at home she found joy in helping prepare meals and helping in the fields and garden. She was a graduate of Central High School in Coffeeville, where she enjoyed playing for the Lady Panthers basketball team. Onia confessed her faith in Christ at Bayson Chapel Church under the leadership of Rev. D. W. Willis.
In the early 1960s Onia moved to Argo, Ill, joining her sister, Elnora, and brother, Winfield, who helped her navigate city life. Here she was greeted by others from Coffeeville and Water Valley, so she felt right at home.
It was in Argo that she met Ronald Anderson and on April 20,1967 they were married. While in Argo she joined Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. She worked as a Candy Striper at a local nursing home. Following that she worked for Jewel foods and retired from Albertson Foods after 40-plus years of service.
After 50 years in Illinois, Ronald and Onia retired to Mississippi, moving to Olive Branch, where she was able to visit often with family in Water Valley. Here she joined Brown M.B. Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Winfield and Lawrence; and nephews, Dwight, Rico, and Carl.
Survivors include her husband of 50 years, Ronald Anderson; a son, Barry Anderson (Cassandra); daughters, Greta Anderson and Jami Gee (James), grandsons, Dallis and Dylan; five sisters, Ora Lee Phillips (Raymond), Elnora Kyles, Inez Turner, Juanita Fleming (Jesse); and Earnestine Matthews; two brothers, Carl Polk (Ora Faye), and Willie Polk (Sandra); and a sole surviving aunt, Chaney Winters.
The funeral service was held Saturday, October 19, at 12:30 pm. with visitation preceding the service from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Mount Moriah District Association Building in Coffeeville. Pastor Jimmie L. Daniels of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Argo, Ill. officiated the service. Interment was in Bayson Chapel Church Cemetery, Water Valley, with Robert Brown, Jeffrey Fleming, James “Red” Harvey, Reggie Polk, Jeffrey Matthews, and Latrone Polk as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Roy Lee Phillips, Ken Polk, Dwight Kyles, Darwin Kyles, Dallas Anderson, Jr., and Dennis Greenleaf.
Pauline Barton
WATER VALLEY—Pauline Barton, age 101, passed away October 18, 2019, in her residence at Oakland.
Her family received friends on Saturday, October 19, from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Newsom Funeral Home at Charleston. Interment followed in Oakgrove Cemetery at Oakland.
Mrs. Barton was a member of Oakland Methodist Church. She was an avid seamstress and an avid reader. She loved attending church activities.
Survivors include her daughter, Patricia Bennett, of Oakland; sons, Paul Barton of Oakland, Danny Barton (Gail) of Oakland, and Charles Barton (Janice) of Hernando; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Barton was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Barton; her parents, William and Pearl Adams; her sister, Gwen Scott; and two brothers, Marvin and Leonard Adams.
The family requests you consider memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.
Vicki Lynn Ferguson
WATER VALLEY—Vicki Lynn Ferguson, 71, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, October 19, 2019.
The funeral service was held Tuesday, October 22, at 3 p.m., in Anchor Baptist Church with Rev. Gerald Shook officiating. Burial followed in the Anchor Cemetery. Visitation was held prior to the service from 1 p.m. until service time. Waller Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Born in Lafayette County, Vicki was a daughter of the late Harvey Linder and Mary Elizabeth Green. She was an active member of Anchor Baptist Church, where she enjoyed singing in the church choir, working with youth choirs and leading children’s programs as the organist and pianist. To say that music filled her life would be an understatement. Vicki not only sang at church and in weddings but especially in the car with her children and grandchildren. Her creative mind found its expression in art, pottery and poetry. She was a mother who loved her boys. Most important to her was making sure they knew how much she loved them. Vicki worked as a secretary at the Mechanics Bank.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Don Ferguson of Oxford; two sons, Josh Ferguson of Oxford and Chad Ferguson (Sara) of Oxford; a brother, Delain Green of Oxford; and five grandchildren, Linen Ferguson, Leighton Ferguson, Grant Boucher, Ryder Ferguson, and Boston Ferguson, all of Oxford.
Memorials may be made to Anchor Baptist Church, 1009 Highway 7 South, Water Valley, MS 38965.
Dave Craig Hovey
COFFEEVILLE—Dave Craig Hovey, 82, of Coffeeville, passed away Thursday, October 17, 2019, at his residence.
Born October 9, 1937, in Minot, North Dakota, Dave was the son of the late David Flint and Wilda Underwood Hovey. Dave spent most of his working life building radio and television towers all over the United States and abroad. He honorably served our country in the U.S. Navy. A voracious reader, Dave had published two of his novels and contributed greatly to the Yalobusha Historical Society, where he was a member. Dave was an avid outdoorsman and in his earlier years enjoyed racing motorcycles. He could always be found with a smile and outstretched hand, willing to help anyone in need. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
A service to celebrate his life was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 22, in the Yalobusha Historical Society Headquarters (formerly Coffeeville Presbyterian Church) with Rev. Truman Scarborough officiating. A private burial followed in the Harbor Cemetery near Coffeeville. McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Emma Ruth Dawkins Hovey; one son, Jon Hovey of Oxford; a brother, Jon Clark Hovey of Philadelphia; two grandchildren, Amanda Rochelle Hovey and Joshua Jon Hovey; and a great-grandchild, Jonathan Daniel Cothern.
Memorials may be directed to the Yalobusha Historical Society, P. O. Box 258, Coffeeville, MS 38922.
Billy Lynn Pate
OXFORD—Billy Lynn Pate, age 73, of Oxford, died peacefully Tuesday, October 15, 2019, in the Veterans Home at Oxford.
Born June 20, 1946, Billy was a son of the late Frank C. and Thelma Spears Pate. He retired after serving our country 22 years in the United Stated Air Force, including the Vietnam War. After his service he drove for LMT Trucking, where he eventually retired. He enjoyed tinkering with tractors and old cars, and had an affinity for model trains.
Billy is survived by two sisters, Della Ann Lancaster of Coffeeville and Pam Willoughby of North Carolina; and numerous friends.
There will be a private service celebrating Billy’s life at a later date. Seven Oaks Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements.
Allie Mae Upchurch Webb
PARIS—Allie Mae Upchurch Webb, 76, died at her home in Paris on Monday, October 21, 2019.
The funeral service will be held Friday, October 25, at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Derek Stames and Rev. Fletcher Moorman officiating. Burial will follow in Webb Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home prior to the service, beginning at 1 p.m.
Born in Lafayette County, Mrs. Webb is the daughter of the late Herman Franklin and Pearl Christman Upchurch. Mrs. Webb retired as Lafayette High School’s Assistant Librarian. She was a member of Bruce Church of Christ and a lifetime member of the Church of Christ. Allie Mae enjoyed spending time with her family and close girlfriends. She enjoyed gospel music, catching up on the latest “going-ons,” talking on the phone, traveling, and going to concerts. Her family affectionately called her “The Boss,” because she loved being in charge and having the last word. She was also lovingly called “Allie Cat” by her family and close friends.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James H. Webb; two brothers, James and John Upchurch; and a sister, Margaret Sandefer.
Mrs. Webb is survived by her daughter, Regina Webb Brown (Frank) of Paris; a brother, Alan Upchurch (Janice) of Oxford; granddaughter, Blair Riddell (Sam) of Columbia, Tenn.; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Webb Cemetery Fund, c/o Regina Brown, 603 CR 428, Paris, MS 38949, or Mississippi Critterz, 413 McElroy Dr., Oxford, MS 38655.
Justin Martin Woodard
WATER VALLEY—Justin Martin Woodard, 39, of died Saturday, October 5, 2019.
Justin was a member of New Providence Church and a 1998 graduate of Water Valley High School. He attended Delta Technical School which, with the help of God, enabled him to become the Director of Facility Maintenance at The Blake in Oxford.
Graveside services were held on Friday, Oct. 11, at New Providence M.B. Church Cemetery in Water Valley with Calvin Hawkins officiating. Felix Cauthen Funeral Home in Senatobia was in charge of arrangements.
Justin is survived by his parents, Leslie Young Woodard and Doloris Black Woodard; his sister, Elizabeth Monique Woodard; his precious son, Elijah Young Woodard; and his loving 108 years-old grandfather, Jesse Woodard; plus a host of dedicated aunts, uncles and other relatives.