Obituaries 07/30/20
Joseph Ingram Elliott, Jr.
WATER VALLEY— Joseph Ingram Elliott, Jr. of Water Valley died Thursday, July 23, 2020 in the Yalobusha County Nursing Home at Water Valley. He was 76.
Born August 29, 1943, Joe was a son of the late Joseph Sr. and Grace Mixon Elliott. Shortly after graduating high school, Joe started his life-long academic path. After furthering his education in different schools, Joe ultimately received his Masters in Education from Ole Miss. From a young age, Joe loved all kinds of sports including golf, basketball and tennis. He won the Junior College State Tennis Championship in 1963.
Until his retirement in 2012, Joe taught in a number of different schools over the years, focusing on history and physical education. Joe was a faithful member of Water Valley First Methodist Church for over 40 years, where he sang in the choir and served on the board until his health began to fail. Joe was credited with reviving the Watermelon Carnival in 1980, an event which he oversaw for 15 years until the Junior Auxiliary took it over. He also loved Elvis music, and he was called upon to sing at different events due to his knack of sounding just like the “King.” But above all else, Joe loved and adored his family.
A drive-by visitation at Seven Oaks Funeral Home was held Tuesday, July 28, from 10 a.m. until noon with the service will following in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home. Rev. Reed McCaleb officiated. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery with Joey Williams, Wilson Varner, Greg Varner, Ron Griffin, Robbie Griffin and Ross Ingram as pallbearers.
Joe is survived by two daughters, Elaine Varner (Greg) of Oxford and Mary Grace Elliott of Batesville; one brother, Sidney Elliott (Mary) of Memphis; two grandchildren, Brittany Burrell and Wilson Varner; one great-grandchild, Layla Grace Burrell; and the mother of his children, Patsy Elliott Wilder.
Willie Ike Harris
WATER VALLEY—Willie Ike Harris died July 12, 2020, in his home. He was 68.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 29, from 4 to 6 p.m., in Serenity Daniels Funeral Home with cremation to follow. There will be no service.
Mr. Harris was born January 17, 1952, in Water Valley, the son of the late Joe Nelson Harris and Hattie Cornelius (Lewis) Harris. He was one of 13 children with four sisters; Susie Bain (Bennie) of St. Louis, Mo., Vera May Harris of Water Valley, Mrs. Lilian Gail Wise (Grover) of Sardis, and Brenda Joyce Story of Tupelo; and four brothers, Levo Harris (Sandra), Jimmy Harris (Cynthia), Sherman Harris (Eva), all of Water Valley and Billy Harris (Viola) of Coffeeville. He worked for Yalobusha General Hospital in Water Valley for many years. He confessed hope in Christ at Pine Grove M.B. Church in Water Valley.
He leaves in mourning five daughters, Tamika Harris-Jones (Chris A. Jones), Latricia Harris-Hathoway (Oscar Hathoway), Teresa Gillard Rucker (Ken Rucker), Latoya Harris-Morgan (Johnny Chris Morgan), all of Water Valley, and Barbara Wesley of Coffeeville; one son, Adrian Harris of Oxford; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Wayne Harris, Harvey Lynn Harris, and Joe Harris; one sister, Katie Harris Townsend, and a grandchild, Keirra Gillard (KeKe).
Jeanette Terrell Marchbanks
WATER VALLEY—Jeanette Terrell Marchbanks, age 83, of Water Valley died Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.
Born July 23, 1936, in Yalobusha County, Jeanette was a daughter of the late Clifton and Annie Vick Terrell. Jeanette and Claude were quintessential high school sweethearts. After graduation, they got married and began a life-long journey together that took them from Ohio to Memphis and then back home, where in 1977 they started and ran the successful Marchbanks Specialty Company.
She “retired” two years ago, but continued to cook for the staff, which had been a custom for many years. While living in Memphis, Jeanette attended Barton Heights Church, where she taught children’s Sunday School classes, and was the GA leader. It was said that you could see the gleam in her eyes for the ones that she loved, a trait that will not soon be forgotten.
Visitation was held in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 25. The funeral service followed at 11 a.m. in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Dr. Randy Bain officiating. Burial was in Pine Crest Cemetery, south of Water Valley with Michael Fonte, Maddux Brown, Scott Darby, Joseph Flippin, Jay Tucker, Kendall Mullins, Shane Brown and Gavin Darby as pallbearers.
Jeanette is survived by one son, Keith Marchbanks (Kathy) and a daughter, Jeanenne Fonte (Joe), all of Water Valley; two sisters, Ann Marchbanks of Southaven and Dot Benson of Olive Branch; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Marchbanks; three brothers, Charles Terrell, Bobby Terrell, and Nathan Terrell; and two sisters, Francis Stewart and Mary Goodwin.
Ellie Denley Pittman
COFFEEVILLE—Mr. Ellie Denley Pittman, age 86, of Coffeeville, passed away Friday, July 24, 2020, in Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center at Clarksdale.
Born June 16, 1934, in Coffeeville, Mr. Pittman was a son of the late Samuel Allen and Nelle Tolice Denley Pittman.
A private family graveside service will be held in the Coffeeville Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to McKibben & Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada.
Survivors include one sister, Nelle Pittman Lowe (James) of Coffeeville, and a brother, Joseph Daniel Pittman of Houston, Texas.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Samuel Allen Pittman and Phillip Patrick Pittman.
Russell Polk
WATER VALLEY—Russell Polk, age 62, passed away suddenly Friday, July 24, 2020, at his store in Water Valley. Polk, who had managed several furniture stores in Water Valley, was the owner of The Furniture Store located on Main Street in Water Valley at the time of his death.
Mr. Polk was born August 21, 1957. Arrangements were incomplete at press time. Serenity Daniels of Water Valley has charge of arrangements.