Obituaries 09/10/20

Theron Bratton
OXFORD—Theron Bratton, 92, died September 2, 2020, at his home in Oxford. A memorial service was held Friday, September 4, at 10 a.m., in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home.
Born to the late Velcie Harmon and Charlie Cecil Bratton, Mr. Bratton was a  veteran of the United States Navy where he served as a seaman apprentice. He was an active member and deacon of Calvary Baptist Church. Mr. Bratton was also a Mason. He enjoyed spending his time hunting and fishing and was a member of Haypatch Hunting Club and the Water Valley Whirlers.
Survivors include his wife, Joan Goar Bratton; daughters, Dale Bratton Bramlett (Steven) of Oxford, and Jeanna Bratton Johnson (Jeff) of Madison, Ala.; and grandchildren Blair Bramlett Petty (Chris) of Franklin, Tenn., and Brandt A. Johnson of Madison, Ala.
Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Mr. Bratton’s memory may be made to MS Critterz, 413 McElroy Dr., Oxford, MS 38655.
In honor of Mr. Bratton’s service to our country, the flag of the United States Navy was flown at Waller Funeral Home.

Saintclair Neal Crocker
COFFEEVILLE – Mr. Saintclair Neal Crocker of Coffeeville passed away Sunday, August 30, 2020 at his residence. He was 67.
Neal was born July 13, 1953 in Water Valley to Curtis Leonard and Sudie M. Gilmore Crocker. He spent most of his working life farming and working in construction.  Neal enjoyed being a heavy equipment operator and also was an avid hunter and fisherman.  He was also an antique car enthusiast.
A graveside service was held Wednesday, September 2, at the Goshen Cemetery near Coffeeville.  Family and friends gathered 30 minutes prior to the service at the cemetery.
Survivors include one son, Sinclair Neal Crocker, II of Coffeeville; a sister, Nell Camp of Coffeeville; a granddaughter, Audrey Dawn Crocker and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Linda Jean Reese Crocker; and a sister, Patsy Jo Sanders. Pallbearers were Curtis Camp, Lewis Chandler, Fred Pipkin, Herbert Sanders, Jody Sanders and Rocky Winters.  Honorary Pallbearers were Elvis Camp and Robert Crocker.
Arrangements were entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada.

Laura Faye Gradolf
CHICAGO—Laura Faye Gradolf, 89, of Chicago passed away August 23, 2020.
Laura Faye was born in Chicago in 1931. However, she grew up on a small farm near Oxford and graduated from Taylor High School. While “uptown in Oxford” roller-skating with friends one night, she met her future husband, Ted Gradolf, then a student at Ole Miss and coincidentally from Chicago. They were married in 1951 and soon thereafter returned to Chicago, to make their life home and raise three sons.
She was the granddaughter of E. H.  Taylor of Water Valley.
Laura Faye was predeceased by her parents, Cullen and Alma (Taylor) Lovelady of Pine Flat; her husband, Ted; her siblings, Harold, Berniece, Joyce and Esher.
Survivors include her brother-in-law, Ken, and her three sons, Ted (Barbara), Mark (Melissa), and David Lt. CFD (Anne Comdr. CFD).
She was immensely proud to be known as Grandma or “Grams” to her four granddaughters, Samantha, Sarah, Jessica and Jennifer; and her five grandsons, Jeffrey, Andrew, Eric, Scott and Michael. Laura was blessed with a great-granddaughter, Nova, and was thrilled to meet her first great-grandson, Thomas, via a FaceTime call just five days before her passing.
As “Aunt Faye,” she was a very important part of the early lives of her nephews and nieces, Kenny, Julie, Lorn, Renee, Debbie, Eddy and Liz.
Due to pandemic concerns, a small family gathering was held in Chicago to honor and remember Laura. Her family plans a Celebration of Life next spring with details to follow. Memorials may be made to Bethany Union Church, 1750 W. 103rd St., Chicago, IL 60643, or Pine Flat Methodist Church, 40 CR 422, Oxford, MS 38655.

Charlotte Kathryn Boggs Rea
WILLIAMSON, Ga.  – Charlotte Kathryn Boggs Rea, 96, of Williamson, passed away to her Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 3, 2020.
Born April 9, 1924, in Walter Valley, she was the only child of the late Jesse Kilgore and Kate Harley Boggs. Mrs. Rea attended Mississippi State College for Women during which time she met her future husband, Delton Glynn Rea, while he was attending Flight School in the Army Air Corps. Upon his return from military service in North Africa, they married in Leland on April 16, 1944. They lived most of their married life in Memphis, East Point, Ga. and upon retirement moved to Williamson, Ga. Mrs. Rea was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years who passed away in 2000.
She was a lifelong Presbyterian and attempted to live according to Jesus’ teaching and to instill these teachings into her children and other loved ones. She attempted to bring the gospel to everyone she met, including participating in two mission trips to Brazil, the second when she was 84 years old.
Survivors include three sons, Delton Glynn Rea, Jr. and wife, Frances, of Baton Rouge, La., Jesse Randolph Rea of Swannanoa, N.C. and John Dallas Rea and wife, Nita, of Fayetteville; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation was held Sunday, September 6, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, with services following at 2 p.m. Reverend Jamie Lambert officiated. Burial was in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Franklin County, Ill.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 819 GA-314, Fayetteville, GA 30214 or to a charity of choice.
Haisten McCullough Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Carolyn Janette Stewart Vaughn
MEMPHIS – Carolyn Janette Stewart Vaughn, 81, passed away Thursday, September 3, 2020, in Memphis, Tenn.
Ms. Vaughn enjoyed needlepoint, crocheting, and church.  During her working career, she worked for Snap-On, RCA and the IRS.
She was preceded in death by her parents, five siblings, and husband Mr. Will (Bill) Clyde Vaughn.
Survivors include her son, Gary Vaughn and wife Michaela, three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.