Obituaries 12/05/19
Mary Jane Norwood Beard
WATER VALLEY—Mary Jane “Janie” Norwood Beard, age 75, of Water Valley died Sunday, November 24, 2019, in her home at Water Valley.
She was born May 3, 1944, in Water Valley to the late Lester S. Norwood and Willie Kate Chandler Williford. She served her family as a homemaker.
Visitation was held from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m., Wednesday, November 27, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral service followed immediately at noon in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Glen Williams officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery with Chris Norwood, Eddie Norwood, Jonathan Norwood, Jacob Norwood, Christian Allen, and John Turner as pallbearers.
Survivors include two sons, Robert Hutchens and John Smith; three daughters, Kathy Hutchens, Lisa Ann Camp, and Angela Camp; three brothers, Lester Norwood, Jimmy Norwood (Neil), and Lee Norwood; four sisters, Mildred Kendall (Carl), Vera Mae Brantley, Jeannie Turner, and Nita Burk; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Along with her parents, Janie was preceded in death by one son, Thomas Hutchens; and one daughter, Darleen Hutchens.
Marjorie Jean Barton Green
WATER VALLEY—Marjorie Jean Barton Green, age 93, died peacefully Saturday, November 30, 2019, at her home.
She was born February 22, 1926, in Vance, and was the daughter of the late Robert Eugene Barton and Ophelia Purdy Barton Fly. Marjorie began her working career in Memphis, working for A. S. Martin & Sons. Later she and her husband, Henry Herbert Green, Jr., moved to Water Valley and ran “The Red Barn” grocery store from 1969 until 1977. Afterwards, she worked for the State Mental Health Agency, moving later to the Oxford Regional Center, where she retired.
Visitation is planned for 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Friday, December 6, in Bethel Baptist Church. The funeral service will follow with Bro. Hal Clark officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery with Eric Green, Brandon Green, Craig Hart, Bill “Duck” Holloway, Jimmy Holloway, and Bilbo Samuels as pallbearers.
Survivors include one son, Herbert Eugene Green of Water Valley; two brothers, Terry Barton (Ann) of Grenada, and Henry Dale Fly (Kathleen) of Water Valley; and grandson, Eric Green (Stephanie) of Water Valley; three great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandson.
In addition to her parents, Marjorie was preceded in death by three brothers, Wayne Barton, Benton Fly and Richard Fly.
Emma Dora Gooch
WATER VALLEY—Emma Dora Gooch, age 74, of Water Valley died Wednesday, November 20, 2019, in Baptist Memorial Hospital at Memphis.
Born June 10, 1945, in the Torrance Community, she was a daughter of the late Mack and Janie Sanders Clark. She spent her working career in the textile industry doing many different jobs at Big Yank. She was involved in a vast array of activities during her life that included being a group leader in the Girl Scouts of America Troop 00085, coaching girls youth league softball, playing women’s league softball with the Big Yank team, and performing with award winning blues singer, Bobby Rush. After retirement, Emma served others in our community by dedicating her time to the Meals on Wheels Program and baby sitting. She loved fishing, gardening, and serving her church, Martin Street Church of Christ, where she was a faithful member, and had once taught Sunday School.
Visitation was held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, November 30, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral service immediately followed visitation in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Dexter Ross officiating. Interment was in Martin Street Church of Christ Cemetery with Sherman Gooch, Jerimaine Gooch, George Woodard, DD Spearman, Jeffery Mayes and Reginald Campbell as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Jordan Woodard, Jacorie Woodard, Jabari Woodard, Jamarion Woodard, Kavon Barber and Jordan Jay Woodard.
Survivors include one son, Michael Gooch (Annie) and one daughter, Lenora Woodard (Greg), all of Water Valley; a brother, R. V. Adams (Carol); three sisters Dora Lee Brown, Bertha Adams, and Patricia Cobble (Tony), all of Joliet, Ill.; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; three special cousins; and a special aunt.
Along with her parents, Emma was preceded in death by one grandson, Michael Gooch, Jr.
Richard Eugene Hood
WATER VALLEY—Richard Eugene Hood, age 51, of Water Valley, died Wednesday, November 27, 2019, in University Medical Center at Jackson.
Born March 18, 1968, in Denham Springs, La. He was a son of James and Betty Flannigan Hood. Richard started his working career as a carpenter and later drove a truck for Phillip Hall Trucking. He enjoyed gardening, grilling and watching Louisiana State University and New Orleans Saints football.
Visitation was held from 10 a.m. until noon, Tuesday, December 3, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Services began immediately following visitation in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Billy Childs officiating. Burial was in the Spring Creek Cemetery at Banner with Blake Galloway, Rocky Smith, Butch Avants, Dennis Hodge, John Henderson, and Henry Dale Hendricks as pallbearers.
Richard is survived by his wife of 21 years, Lethy Hood; three sons, Steven Hood and Andy Hood, both of Livingston, La., and Joey Hood of Water Valley; his father, James Hood of Kentwood, La.; his mother Betty Flannigan of Water Valley; two brothers, Jimmy Hood (Lee Ann) of Water Valley and Dennis Hood (Liane) of Pine Grove, La.; and one granddaughter, Addyson Hood.
William Joseph Killebrew
GRENADA—William Joseph Killebrew, Jr., age 62, of Grenada died peacefully Saturday, November 30, 2019, in his home with family by his side.
Born September 1, 1957, in Greenwood, William was a son of the late William J. and Myrtice Reeves Killebrew. He spent his working career in the advertising field for a number of newspapers in the region. His joys were simple, and included cooking and his dog, Bo. But nothing was closer to his heart than his children and grandchildren.
The family will hold a private service. Seven Oaks Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements.
Survivors include one son, Casey Killebrew (Amy) and a daughter, Amanda Anthony (Wayne), all of Grenada; one sister, Kathy Smith (Darrell) of Sherwood, Ark.; and two grandchildren.
Taylor Davis Litten
WATER VALLEY—Taylor Davis Litten, formerly of Petal, passed away on his family’s farm Tuesday, November 29, 2019.
Those closest to him called him “Guss Guss,” a nickname given him by a childhood friend that stuck, and one he grew to embrace and prefer. Taylor was raised in Petal and attended schools in the Petal School District. He grew up attending the University of Southern Mississippi’s Golden Eagle home football games with his family, where he was able to learn and grow to appreciate the art of a tailgate. His professional team of choice was the Oakland Raiders. He was an avid gamer and reader, full of knowledge about the latest releases of movies and video games and enjoyed sharing both his knowledge and collections with family and fiends. At the time of his passing, Taylor was employed as a factory worker by Ashley Furniture Industries.
Survivors include his parents, Ralph and Connie Litten of Water Valley (formerly of Petal and Grenada); sisters, Meghan Marae’ Litten of Boston, Mass. and Madison Mackenzie Litten of Water Valley; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation was held at noon on Monday, December 2. The funeral service followed at 2 p.m., led by his youth minister and later pastor, Rev. Ben Skipper, of Carterville Baptist Church in Petal.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation or the University of Mississippi’s The William Magee Center for Wellness Education. Donor’s can mail checks, with the center’s name in the memo line, to the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655.
Clemmie Sue Ragon
WATER VALLEY—Clemmie Sue Ragon, age 77, of Water Valley died Friday, November 29, 2019, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.
Born October 14, 1942, in Banner, Sue was a daughter of the late Ernest and Molly Logan Kelly. She spent her career working in factories, starting with Rice-Stix, which later became Big Yank, and then eventually retired from Holley Carburetor. She, like her son, Rickey, and her late husband, Frankie, enjoyed messing with old cars, especially the “Mopars.” Before her heath deteriorated, she loved to sew and make clothes, but her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren. She was a member of Sylva Rena Baptist Church.
The family received guests from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, December 3, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Services were held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 4, in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home. Bro. Shane Crawford officiated. Interment was in Sylva Rena Cemetery.
Sue is survived by two sons, Rickey Ragon (Donna), and Keith Cobern, all of Water Valley; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Along with her parents, Sue was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Frankie Ragon; and one brother, Arthur Kelly.
Patricia Ann Weldon
BATESVILLE—Patricia Ann Weldon, age 71, of Batesville died Friday, November 29, in Baptist Memorial Hospital —North Mississippi at Oxford.
Born January 13, 1948, in Marks, Ann was a daughter of the late Harley and Delois Pendergrass Vanlandingham. She dedicated her life to serving her family as a homemaker. She enjoyed watching John Wayne movies, but her favorite television shows were the day time soap operas, with a particular fondness for Days of Our Lives. She also enjoyed cooking.
Visitation was held from 11 a.m. until noon, December 5, in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The service followed visitation in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Billy Childs officiating. Interment was in the Forrest Memorial Gardens in Batesville.
Ann is survived by two sons, Scott Weldon and Michael Weldon, both of Batesville; six brothers, Kenneth Wayne Vanlandingham, Charles Vanlandingham, Billy Vanlandingham, Leslie Vanlandingham, Teddy Vanlandingham, and Wesley Vanlandingham; two sisters, Wanda Savage and Connie Rowland; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Along with her parents, Ann was preceded in death by one brother, Chester Vanlandingham.
Angelita Marie Williamson
TILLATOBA—Angelita “Angie” Marie Williamson, age 37, of Tillatoba died Friday, November 22, 2019.
She was born September 10, 1982, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Juanita Williamson and the late Raymond Williamson, Sr. Angie was a free spirit and lived life on her terms.
Visitation was held from 1:30-2:30 p.m. November 27, in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral service followed immediately in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Rickey Harris officiating. Interment was in Union Cemetery in Tillatoba with Billy Williamson, David Howard, Hunter Smallwood, Billy McNease, Will McNease and Christopher Sapp as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearer was Dylan Sapp.
Angie is survived by her mother, Juanita Williamson of Tillatoba; two brothers, Bo Williamson (Kendra) of Charleston and Billy Williamson of Tillatoba; two sisters, Melissa Howard (David) of Tillatoba and Rita McNease (Billy) of Calhoun City; and several nieces and nephews.
Along with her father, Angie was preceded in death by one brother, Raymond Williamson, Jr.
Dixie Smith Horne Wood
WATER VALLEY—Dixie Smith “Smitty” Horne Wood died November 26, 2019, following a lengthy illness.
Born in Jacksonville, Fla. July 4, 1956, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Frederick Horne and Dixie Pauline Smith Horne. She grew up in North Carolina, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Virginia, and met many lifelong friends along the way. She was a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She later earned a Master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Mississippi and spent many years as a data analyst at several different colleges and universities.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Thomas Smith Horne and Dixon Smith Horne.
Survivors include her husband, Eddie Wood, and a son, Joseph Canaan, of Water Valley; a sister, Margaret “Meg” Smith Horne Yopp (Kerry) of Abbeville; and a brother, James Smith Horne of North Wilkesboro, NC.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford has charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis (www.stjude.org/donate).