Obituaries 11/12/20
John Ingram Brasher
BATESVILLE—John Ingram Brasher, age 80, of Batesville passed away November 2, 2020.
The funeral service was held at 2 p.m., Friday, November 6, in First Baptist Church of Batesville, where he was a long-time member and supporter of senior pastor Dr. Tommy Snyder, who officiated the service. Visitation was held from noon until 2 p.m. in the church. Close friends and family attended a graveside service in Batesville Magnolia Cemetery following the funeral. Arrangements were by Parker Memorial Funeral Home of Bruce.
John was born in Bruce, October 22, 1940, a son of the late Howard and Laura Riley Brasher. After graduating from Ellard High School, he entered the Army and served three years. After his Army service, he began his finance career at City Finance and eventually launched his own business, Treasurer Loans in Batesville in 1974. At the height of his career he had more than 25 offices in north Mississippi, including an office in Water Valley that continues to operate as Valley Finance. He married the love of his life, Joan Longest Brasher, on July 27, 1973, and they enjoyed many happy years together before her death.
Survivors include a daughter, June Brasher Broome (Lance) of Laurel; sons, John Walter Brasher (Emily) and Jacob William Brasher (Lamar Phariss) of Oxford; grandchildren, Joseph Brasher, Scarlett Sandifer, Zoey Broome and Addie Rose Basher; a sister, Patsy Coleman of Water Valley; and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by a sister, Lavonia Roebuck.
Bertha Daniels Judson
WATER VALLEY—Bertha Daniels Judson departed this life Saturday, October 20, 2020, in the Yalobusha County Nursing Home at Water Valley.
Born February 8, 1926, to the late Hezekiah Daniels and Irene Williams Daniels, Bertha was the last of 15 siblings. For many years she worked as a cook for Water Valley Head Start. Bertha was united in holy matrimony to Ollie Vee Judson, Sr. on December 26, 1945. To this union four children were born, Francis Moore, Bernice Judson, Frank Judson and Ollie Vee Johnson, Jr., along with one adopted daughter, Annie Ruth Nicholson.
In later years Bertha joined House of Prayer Church of God in Christ where she served on the Mother’s Board faithfully until going into the nursing home.
Mother Judson was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ollie Vee Judson, Sr.; one daughter, Annie Ruth Nicholson; a grandson, Robert Turner, Jr.; seven sisters, Lena, Mattie Lou, Belle, Mary Lee, Evelyn, Ruby, and Luella; and seven brothers, Hezzie, James, Robert, Shadwick, Wilson, George, and Willie B.
Survivors include two sons, Frank E. Judson of West Chicago, Ill. and Ollie Judson, Jr. (Irene); two daughters, Francis Moore and Bernice Judson, both of California; nine sisters-in-law, Louella Williams, Hattie Pearl Daniels, and Ethel Mae Daniels of Chicago, Lucille Hall of Louisiana, Alberta Hayes of South Carolina, Olivia Judson of Memphis, Jeanette Curred of Little Rock, Ark., Dorothy Judson of Georgia, and Joyce Judson of Coffeeville; three brothers-in-law, William Hayes of South Carolina, Dave Judson of Davenport, Iowa, and Ronald Judson of Georgia; 29 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Burial was in Oak Ridge Cemetery with Vincent Judson, Jason Judson, Joseph Judson, Ollie Velester Judson, Amos Judson and Preston Willingham as pallbearers. Skeeter Robinson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
James Douglas ‘Doug’ Kelly
WATER VALLEY – James Douglas “Doug” Kelly, age 83, died peacefully at his home in Water Valley on Thursday, Nov. 5, surrounded by his family.
Born September 11, 1937, Doug was a son of the late Elmer Newton Kelly and Blanche Riley Kelly. He was born in Sunflower County, where he lived and worked for many years. He was a cryptographer in the U.S. Army and earned a degree in accounting from Mississippi Delta Community College. Doug was married to Bernice Turner Kelly and worked 40 years in the agricultural equipment business, spending the last 15 years selling parts and equipment for Wade, Inc. He also bought, repaired and refurbished tractors and sold them as a side hobby. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Water Valley, but had served as a deacon for 30 years prior at Roundaway Baptist Church in the Mississippi Delta. Doug owned a sawmill, among other hobbies; but his hobbies paled in comparison to his love and the pride he had for his family.
Visitation was held Monday, November 9, from 10 a.m. until service time in Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The service started at noon in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Dr. Randy Bain, Bro. Leon Holly and Dr. Eddie Conner officiating. Burial was in Anchor Church Cemetery.
In addition to his parents, Doug was also preceded in death by a son, James “Jimmy” Douglas Kelly, Jr., and a brother, Riley Kelly.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bernice Turner Kelly of Water Valley; two daughters, Rebecca “Becky” Watts (Michael) of Oxford, and Tracey Ables (Jarmon) of Crowley, La.; one son, Dr. Steven Kelly (Hope) of Orlando, Fla.; one brother, Ralph Kelly of Drew; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Sharon Gail Pugh Laney
WATER VALLEY—Sharon Gail Pugh Laney, 79, died Tuesday, November 3, 2020, in Yalobusha County Nursing Home at Water Valley.
The funeral service was held Saturday, November 7, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Waller Funeral Home at Oxford with Rev. Brad Burnett officiating. Burial followed in Clear Creek Cemetery. Visitation was held prior to the service beginning at noon.
Born August 15, 1941, Mrs. Laney was a daughter of the late Clarence Edward Pugh and Marlys Ramona Romunder Pugh King. She was a former member of First Baptist Church of Greenville and a current member of First Baptist Church of Oxford. She was a homemaker, a loving mother, and a devoted wife of 59 years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Jeff Laney; two brothers, James Pugh and Robert Pugh; and her step-father, Arthur King.
Survivors include her husband, Paul Fredrick Laney of Water Valley; a daughter, Fonda Laney Rowland (Gary) of Greenville; a son, Michael Edward Laney, and his girlfriend, Liz, of Leland; a step-sister, Ann King of Lakeland, Fla; three step-brothers, Wayne King of Atlanta, Ga., David King of Ft. Meyers, Fla., and Fred King of Arizona; nine grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tn 38105.
Henry Lumas
COFFEEVILLE—Henry Lumas died November 3, 2020. A walk-through visitation was held Friday, November 6, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in Clark-Williams Funeral Home, Inc. at Grenada. A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 7 in Mount Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery at Coffeeville.
Danny Dean Rogers
WATER VALLEY—Danny Dean Rogers of Water Valley, died Thursday, November 5, 2020, after a long illness. He was 78.
A lifelong resident of Water Valley, Joe Bob, as he was known to his friends, was born March 18, 1942, to the late Hubert Carr and Elizabeth Rogers. Joe Bob was always known to be a hard-working man. After leaving school, he started working in the pulpwood industry, later transitioning to full-time employment at Motts Inc. Joe Bob eventually retired from the City of Water Valley.
Visitation was held Tuesday, November 10, from 1-3 p.m., in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The service followed immediately at 3 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. David Westmoreland officiating. Burial was in Orwood Cemetery.
Survivors include his son, Jimmy Dean Rogers of Thaxton; one daughter, Christy Hester of Water Valley; a brother, Teddy Simmons of Madison; three sisters, Geraldine Pullen of Batesville, Sarah Jaudon of Charleston and Janie Lou Criddle of Isola; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Robert Dale Tidwell
WATER VALLEY—Robert Dale Tidwell, age 61, of Water Valley died unexpectedly Monday, November 2, 2020, in North Mississippi Medial Center at Tupelo.
Born May 3, 1959, in Covington, Tenn., Robert was a son of Ann Davis and the late Malcolm Tidwell. He was a career carpenter and worked in the construction industry. When not working, Robert enjoyed fishing, hunting and making things with his hands; but nothing meant more to him than his family.
Visitation was held from 10-11 a.m., Friday, November 6, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Services followed at 11 a.m. in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Raymond Aven officiating. Burial was in Wyatt Cemetery in Hornsby, Tenn.
Survivors include his wife, Holly Tidwell; a daughter, Mallory Jean Tidwell; a son, Robbie Tidwell; one stepson, Peyton Griffin; his mother, Ann Davis; a brother, Johnny Tidwell; and one sister, Diann Goodrum, all of Water Valley; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Along with his father, Robert was preceded in death by one brother, Ricky Tidwell; and two sisters, Margaret Tidwell and Betty Tidwell.