Obituaries 05/28/20
Ora Mae Turner-Kerr
WATER VALLEY—Ora Mae Turner-Kerr was born to the late Clayton and Elise Person-Turner on March 28, 1936, in Water Valley. At an early age she joined Sanders Chapel M.B. Church and later became a member of Oak Grove C.M.E. Church. She was united in holy matrimony on October 8, 1951 to David Kerr and to this union five children were born—two, David Kerr and Anthony Dennis Kerr, preceded her in death.
She departed this life on Saturday, May 9, 2020, in her home at Water Valley, after battling cancer. She fought a good fight, she kept the faith, and now God has called her home. The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16, in Oak Grove C.M.E. Church Cemetery at Water Valley, with Pastor Mitchell Steen officiating. Pallbearers were Tracy Townsend, Derel Ingram, Larry Turner, Cleveland Turner, Cleveland Joseph and Edward Turner. Honorary pallbearer were Luther Kerr, Jaryn Gooch, Jarius Gooch Jermaine Gooch, Sherman Gooch, and Ivan Books. Professional services were entrusted to Townes Funeral Home of Grenada.
She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Ola Faye Kerr and Dorothy Brooks; one son, Luther Wayne “Red” Kerr (Mary Joe), all of Water Valley; five grandchildren, Sherman Gooch (Shelia), Jerimaine Gooch (LaTishar), Shirley Smith (Terry), Amy Brooks, and Ivan Brooks; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; four sisters, Lucille Joseph (Clinton) of Water Valley, Ona Mae Wright (John Eddie) of Davenport, Iowa, Bernice Willingham (William) of Davenport, Iowa, and Louise Hawkins (James) of Carson, Calif.; one brother, Robert Turner (Evelyn); a God-daughter, Alana Ellis; two sisters-in-law, Inez Turner and Ruby Turner; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by one sister, Louise Hawkins; and seven brothers, Johnny Turner, J. C. Turner, Joe Turner, Clayton Turner, Jr., R. D. Turner, Claude Turner, and Lawrence Turner.
Susan K. Norman
WATER VALLEY—Susan K. Norman, age 71, of Water Valley, died peacefully Thursday, May 21, 2020, in the Yalobusha County Nursing Home at Water Valley.
Born December 10, 1948, in West Virginia, she was a daughter of the late Leroy and June Kilpatrick. She worked as an office administrator, as well as records keeper, for the Ole Miss Alumni. She was a multi-faceted lady with many joys in her life. Those included the outdoors, gardening, driving her Corvette Stingray, and piloting her own Harley Davidson motorcycle. But her greatest joy was being an animal lover. Susan rode and competed on horses from an early age. She passed her love on to her son, Will, as they trained his horse to eventually compete and win first place state championship at the Dixie Nationals in 1991.
The family will hold a private service to honor Susan’s life. Seven Oaks Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.
Susan is survived by one son, Will Norman (Tara) and their daughter, Ciara, all of Nesbit. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Bob Kilpatrick.
Martha Ella Johnson Norwood
OXFORD – Mrs. Martha Ella Johnson Norwood, 81, died Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi. A private graveside service was held Friday, May 22, at Tula Cemetery with Rev. Raymond Aven officiating. Waller Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Born in Lafayette County to the late Ludie Bowles and Theron Johnson, Mrs. Norwood was the widow of Mitchell Raines and Jake Norwood, Sr. Mrs. Norwood attended New Hope Church of God in Batesville and enjoyed family gatherings, especially keeping her grandchildren.
Survivors include three daughters, Reba Ann Stevens and her husband, Ed, of Coffeeville, Donna Ruth Mason and her husband, Dennis, of Oxford and Janet Norwood of Horn Lake; three sons, Joe Glenn Raines and his wife, Pamela, of Pope, Jake Norwood, Jr. of Batesville, and Mitchell Raines and his wife, Frances, also of Batesville; one sister, Mattie Jo Thornburg and husband, Don, of Hurricane Landing; one brother, Billy Gene Johnson and wife, Betty Jean, of Oxford; 18 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Mrs. Norwood was preceded in death by her son, Jerry Lynn Raines; her sister, Louise Stripling; and her brother, Harold Wayne Johnson.
Memorial contributions in Mrs. Norwood’s memory may be made to Tula Cemetery 64 CR 436, Oxford, MS 38655.
Robert L. Tamboli
OAKLAND – Robert L. Tamboli, age 83, passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Oxford.
A graveside service was held Saturday, May 23, 2020, at Forrest Memorial Park in Batesville with Rev. John Howell, Jr. officiating. Wells Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Robert was born on July 23, 1936 to the late Ruggero Tamboli and Gesmonda Greganti Tamboli in Memphis. Robert was retired from the Corp of Engineers where he was an engineering technician. After retiring, he also worked at MDOT. In his spare time, you could find Robert hunting, fishing, or doing something outdoors. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Batesville and also proudly served his country in the United States Army.
His memory will be cherished by his loving wife of 49 years, Regina Allen Tamboli of Oakland; nine children, Steven Tamboli (Danita) of Columbus, Rosemary Tamboli of Olive Branch, Sandy Tamboli Smith (Todd) of Horn Lake, David Tamboli (Heather) of Batesville, Rebekah Tamboli Capps (Zach) of Batesville,, Sharon Tamboli of Oakland, Angela Lasiter of Texas, Mary Beth Garner (Andrew) of Batesville, MS, and Lee Lasiter (Natosha) of Texas; 19 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by one son, Robert Lee “Bobby” Tamboli (Susan).
Annie Sue Brummett Tidwell
OXFORD – Annie Sue Brummett Tidwell, 77, died Thursday, May 21, 2020, at Baptist Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. A private graveside service was held at Springdale Cemetery on Saturday, May 23, with Reverend Tommy Inmon officiating. Waller Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Born in Lafayette County to the late Lura Dell Jenkins and William Norris Brummett, and raised by her stepmother Kathleen Brummett, Ms. Tidwell was a retired registered nurse at Baptist Memorial Hospital- North Mississippi. She was a member of Bellevue Baptist in Thaxton. She enjoyed caring for the ill as a registered nurse, reading, gardening, crocheting, and playing with her grandchildren. Her companion for the last 20 years was Freddie Maples.
Ms. Tidwell is survived by two daughters, Jo Stark of Oxford and Angela Gates and husband, Justin, of Cordova, Tenn.; one son, Teddy Tidwell and his wife, Jennifer, of Jackson; two sisters Bennie Jones of Oxford and Katie Miles of Water Valley; and three brothers Larry Kinard of Vicksburg, Johnny Kinard of Indiana, and Grady Croft of Oxford; five grandchildren and three great-grandchild. Ms. Tidwell is preceded in death by two sisters, Etheleen Prince, and Jane Franklin; and two brothers William Brummett and Jim Brummett.
Memorial contributions in Ms. Tidwell’s memory may be made to MS Diabetes Foundation, 800 Avery Blvd N #100, Ridgeland, MS, 39157, and/or Alzheimer’s Association 207 W Jackson St #1, Ridgeland, MS, 39157.
Samuel Eugene Wells
OXFORD – Mr. Samuel Eugene Wells, 78, died Friday, May 22, 2020 at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi in Oxford, MS. A private graveside service was held Tuesday, May 26, in Pine Flat Cemetery in Oxford with Pastor Mozart Dor and Pastor Theresa Reeves officiating. Burial followed in Pine Flat Cemetery. Waller Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Born in Lafayette County to the late James Polk Wells and Mabrey Reeves Wells Sanders, Private Wells served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He retired after 35 years of service as a railroad-diesel mechanic. Mr. Wells was a member of Oasis Church of All Nations in Oxford, the Exchange Club and had served on “Meals-On-Wheels” for over 10 years. He enjoyed spending time with his family, driving his tractor on the family farm and hunting.
Mr. Wells is survived by his wife, Deidre “DeeDee” Weaver of Oxford; daughters, Donna Wells Sullivan and her husband, Steve, of Water Valley, and Eugenia Bassillio and her husband, Andy, of Water Valley; sons, Russell Wells and his wife, Darlene, of Water Valley, and Chris Wells of Oxford; grandchildren, Joshua Birmingham, Noah Sullivan, Joshua Sullivan, Kara Howe, Chance Gartner, Mason Wells and Embry Jade Wells; four great grandchildren; step-daughters, Pamela Stiverson of Columbia, Tenn. and Michelle Stiverson of Port Richey, Fla.; sisters, Mary Beard of New Albany, Barbara Graham of Columbus and Dorothy White of Oxford,; a step-brother, Tommy Watson of Oxford.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a step-son, Kenneth Berry Stiverson; and two step-sisters, Mary Brewer and Annie Ruth Denham.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Wells’ memory may be made to Oasis Church of All Nations, 861 Highway 6 West, Oxford, MS 38655.