Obituaries 05/14/20
Ann Wagner Grub
TUCSON, AZ.—Ann Wagner Grub passed from this earth January 23, 2020, in Tucson, Ariz.
Born July 15, 1923, she was a daughter of the late Frances and Edward Wagner. She graduated as an honor student from Water Valley High School on May 16, 1941. She attended Mississippi State College for Women for two years and later graduated from the University of Mississippi. On March 8, 1946, she married Walter Grub in the historic church on St. Simon Island, Georgia. They traveled expansively. Walter Grub preceded Ann in death.
Survivors include two daughters, both of Tucson; two sons, David Grub and Andrew Grub, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ann was a dedicated Christian and was very much at peace in her last days, though she knew the end was near. The Wagner family were members of First Presbyterian Church in years past.
(A note from Water Valley native, Charlotte Boggs Rea, accompanied the obit, which read:)
I wrote to Ann Wagner Grub’s daughter requesting that she send a full obituary to the Herald, but since I have not seen it, I now send a minimal one for the sake of friends who may remember the family, and particularly for the few classmates who may still be alive.
Rhonda Jean Ostrander
WATER VALLEY—Rhonda Jean Ostrander, age 62, of Water Valley died peacefully Friday, May 8, 2020, at her home.
Born April 1, 1958, in Chicago, she was the daughter of Billy Dale Childs and the late Helen Adams Leipstorff. Rhonda had worked for the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department as a dispatcher, and later worked at Valley Tool until she fell ill. She had always been down to earth, focusing on the simple things in life. She loved anything to do with the outdoors, such as going to the beach and working with her flowers. But her greatest joy has always been spending time with her family.
A “drive by” visitation was held May 11, from 1-2 p.m., at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. A private family service began at 2 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Billy Childs officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Rhonda is survived by her husband of 24 years, Chris Ostrander of Water Valley; four daughters, Dawn Marie Daugherty (Dusty), Jennifer Lyn Mack, all of Senatobia, Christina Ostrander and Jessica Ostrander, both of Water Valley; one brother, Billy Childs (Emily) of Water Valley; three grandchildren, Makenzie Daugherty, Jaxon Johnson, and Samantha Faxon; as well as many nieces and nephews and close friends.
Rhonda was preceded in death by her mother, Helen Leipstorff.
Beatrice Martin Sims
WATER VALLEY—Beatrice Martin Sims made her transition from this earthy life to her heavenly home on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, in Yalobusha General Hospital at Water Valley.
Born October 4, 1926, Mrs. Sims was a daughter of the late Hannah Logan and Alex Martin. She accepted Christ at an early age and united with Pine Grove East Church, where she served in various capacities including, Mother of the Church, Deaconess, Sunday School Primary Class Teacher and a member of the choir. Bernice was united in holy matrimony to Orice Sims, Sr. on September 28, 1943 and this union was blessed with 13 children.
In addition to her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by three sons, Tyler, Curtis, and Robert; three brothers, Amos Torrance, L. C. Torrance, and L. B. Torrance; and three sisters, Martha Johnson, Ida Logan, and Bertha Nicholson.
She leaves to cherish her memory: two daughters, Angela Sims of Southaven and Patricia Hawkins (Lavert, Sr.) of Water Valley; eight sons, Charles Sims (Shirley) , Clarence Sims (Faye), Amos Sims (Marilyn), Russell Sims, Joe Sims and Orice Sims, Jr., all of Water Valley, Gary Sims of Atlanta, Ga., and Bobby Sims (Bonnie) of Clarksville, Tenn.; 21 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. She was loved in her community and will be truly missed.
Visitation was held Sunday, April 26, from 3-5 p.m. in Townes Funeral Home. A graveside service was held Monday, April 27, at 11 a.m. in the Pine Grove East Church Cemetery near Water Valley, with Rev. Amos Sims as the officiating minister, assisted by her pastor, Rev. Robert Reed. Her grandsons and nephews were pallbearers. Townes Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Sondra P. Taylor
ENID—Mrs. Sondra P. Taylor, age 65, passed away at her residence in Enid, Wednesday, May 6, 2020.
We at Newsom Funeral Home, believe that supporting one another during a time of loss is very important. At this time, due to Covid-19, services are private and for family only.
Mrs. Taylor was a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, a singer and songwriter, and a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and sister.
Those whom she leaves to forever cherish her memory include her husband of 43 years, Johnnie Taylor of Enid; two sons, Jon Taylor (Angie), and Corey Taylor (Shanna) all of Enid; three grandchildren, Jagguar Dylan Smith, Jordan Brooks Taylor and Liam Jaice King all of Enid; two sisters, Brenda P. Johnson of Batesville, and Nona P. Smith of Charleston; and one brother, Michael G. Ross (Melinda) of Pope.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Betty Pressgrove, and two brothers, William Brooks Pressgrove and Jerry Russell Ross.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church.
John Henry Walker
MEMPHIS—John Henry Walker of Memphis died Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at Coffeeville in the home of a family member.
A closed casket funeral service was held May 9, 2020, at 2:30 p.m. in St. John M.B. Church, Charleston, with burial in the church cemetery. Serenity-Daniels Funeral Home of Water Valley was in charge of arrangements.
Born August 10, 1946, in Lundelle, Ark., John Henry was a son of the late James and Estelle Walker. He accepted Christ as his personal savior at an early age. John worked for many years for the City of Memphis Sanitation Department.
To cherish his memory he leaves his wife, Earnestine Walker; three daughters, Shirley Coleman (Paul), Alisa Newson (Jake), and Joyce Perry; one son, Tommy Adams; five sisters, Estelle Walker, Roise Walker, and Essie Walker, all of Grand Rapids, Mich., Fannie Dunn of Charleston, and Gracie Breen of Coffeeville; three brothers, Tommy Walker of Grand Rapids, Mich., Ivory Walker of Coffeeville, and Sammie Walker of Syracuse, New York; one auntie, Mary Buckley of Grand Rapids, Mich.; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, James L. Walker, Willie Lee Walker, and Jimmy Walker; one sister, Sally Walker; and a son, Jonathan Walker.
Evelyn Marie York
WATER VALLEY—Evelyn Marie York, age 62, of Water Valley died peacefully Thursday, May 7, 2020, in the Yalobusha County Nursing Home.
Born December 28, 1957, in Colorado Springs, Colo., she was a daughter of the late David and Alberta Sandoval Moya. Soon after graduating from Water Valley High School, she and Don York were wed and started their forever journey. Marie was a seamstress for Big Yank for 16 years and then spent 14 years as a set-up and operator for BorgWarner. Marie was a very down to earth person and loved the simple things in life, such as fishing, However, her family was most important to her, especial the love of her life, Don.
A private graveside service was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 9, in Oak Hill Cemetery, with Bro. Billy Childs officiating. Seven Oaks Funeral Home was honored to be entrusted with arrangements.
Survivors include her husband of 43 years, Don York; two sons, Jeremy York (Bridget) of Eupora, and Justin York (Elizabeth) of Hickory Flat; one daughter, Amanda Edwards (Jacob) of Water Valley; two brothers, Johnny Moya (Norma) and David Moya, all of Water Valley; one sister, Mary Jane Hart (Craig) of Water Valley; and six grandchildren, Gabe and Mitch Edwards, Austin, Aleigha, Jeremiah, and Rayme York.
Along with her parents, Marie was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Bria York.