Obituaries 12/03/20
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Jennifer Evans Chandler
WATER VALLEY—Jennifer Evans Chandler, age 47, of Water Valley died Saturday, November 28, 2020, in Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi at Oxford after an extended illness.
She was born in Memphis to Frank Evans and Judy Alred. While still in school, she and her family moved to Calhoun County. She attended and played basketball for Calhoun Academy and later Calhoun City High School, where she graduated. After graduation, Jennifer continued her education at Northeast Community College, later transferring to East Mississippi Community College where she received an associate degree as an optician.
Jennifer loved the outdoors, especially spending time at Gulf Shores, Ala. She enjoyed sports, primarily basketball, and she also enjoyed word-search puzzles. But nothing meant more to her than her family.
Visitation is planned for 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, December 2, in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at 1 p.m. in Oak Hill Cemetery with Bro. Arthur Kay officiating. Burial will be in the cemetery at Water Valley with Jacob Edwards, Larry Evans, Frank Evans, Jr., Taylor Evans, Jacky Chandler and Michael D. Chandler as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Danny Edwards, Larry Alred, and Trent Howell.
Survivors include her husband of 11 years, David Chandler; two sons, Carson Creekmore of Hernando and Peyton Chandler of Water Valley; her parents, Frank Evans (Sherry) of Bruce, and Judy Alred (Larry) of Nettleton; one brother, Larry Evans of Nettleton; a sister, Taylor Brook Evans of Oxford; and her grandmother, Betty Jean Therrell.
James “Jimmy” Johnson
OXFORD—James “Jimmy” Johnson, 84, died Wednesday, November 25, 2020, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.
The funeral service was held Monday, November 30, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Johnson officiating. Burial followed in Oxford Memorial Cemetery. Visitation was held prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. until service time in the funeral home.
Born in Banner April 26, 1936, Mr. Johnson was a son of the late Mack and Willa Mae Chapman Johnson. Staff Sergeant Johnson served in the United States Air Force. He was owner of Johnson’s Furniture.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy “Dot” Johnson of Oxford; two daughters, Rebecca Robinson (Ronny) of Harrison, Ark., and Jimmie Ann Johnson of Oxford; and raised like sons are Shane Onsby and Mack Vaughn, both of Oxford; and one granddaughter, Karson Onsby of Oxford.
In honor of Staff Sergeant Johnson’s service, the flag of the United States Air Force was flown at Waller Funeral Home.
Donna Thornton Logan
COFFEEVILLE—Donna Thornton Logan, 77, of Coffeeville passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2020, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.
Born March 2, 1943, in Coffeeville, she was a daughter of the late Q.T. and Mary Rounsaville Thornton. Donna was a devoted homemaker and loving mother and grandmother. She was a member of Elam Baptist Church and also attended the Shiloh Cowboy Church. Donna always kept an immaculate yard and enjoyed working in her flowers. She will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved her.
A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, November 27, in Elam Cemetery with Rev. Ron Sessum officiating. McKibben & Guinn Funeral Service of Grenada had charge of arrangements.
Survivors include two sons, Hoyt Logan and Doug Logan (Linda), both of Coffeeville; one sister, Dawn Campbell of Coffeeville; two brothers, Dale Thornton (Toni) of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Mike Thornton of Coffeeville; four grandchildren, Blake Andrew Logan, Stephen Blake Logan, Marisa Logan and Misty Logan; and one great-grandchild, Roman Mayhan.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Logan.
Ronald Jay Roysdon
SCOBEY—Ronald Jay Roysdon of Scobey passed away Saturday, November 28, 2020, at his residence. He was 74.
Born June 20, 1946, in Danville, Ky., he was a son of the late John Lewis, Jr. and Nina Phells Roysdon. Ron had worked as a funeral director and embalmer in Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas and Kentucky.
A graveside service was held at 10 a.m. Monday, November 30, in Scobey Cemetery. McKibben & Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada had charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Gloria Roysdon; two sons, Jeffrey Roysdon of Bowling Green, Ky. and John Roysdon of San Diego,Calif.; one sister, Becky Goss of Texas; and four grandchildren, Hope, Kaitlyn, Tristan and Dylan.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Donna Ross, and a brother, Gary Roysdon.
Pamela Zelenak Shook
WATER VALLEY—Pamela Zelenak Shook, 71, passed away at her home, with her family by her side, on Thursday, November 26, 2020.
The funeral service was held Sunday, November 29, in Anchor Baptist Church with Rev. David Ard officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. A reception and fellowship immediately followed the funeral service in the Family Life Center of the church.
Born in Detroit, Mich., Pam was a daughter of the late Nicholas and Helen Suprak Zelenak. She faced the world with a smile that was never out of place. Her joy and positive attitude were sourced in a heart changed by Jesus Christ. She served God as a Christian, pastor’s wife, mother and grandmother. As an encourager, critic, advisor, editor, and counselor, she loved and honored the Lord. Her ministry at Anchor Baptist Church spanned some 36 years. As effective as her ministry was, she never thought of herself as amounting to anything important. She only hoped that someone would see a little of Jesus in her. She influenced and changed countless lives with her humble and attentive attitude. She lit up a room as she entered, and people gravitated to her. One of the hardest things she had to do was to let go of her activity for God and family. She leaves a lasting impression that made a difference for God in the world. She also leaves a void that no one will ever fill and will forever miss. Pam was adored by her family, community and church, as a peacemaker, and as such was, a pleasant part of life. She cried at her birth, now family and friends cry at her passing.
Survivors include her husband, Rev. Gerald Shook of Water Valley; a son, Christopher Blake Shook of Memphis; her granddaughter, Lauren Bailey Odum of Oxford; sisters, Patricia Zelenak Grandi (Michael) of Oxford, and Kathleen Diomedi (Dave) of Detroit, Mich., and nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Brandy Marie Shook Odum. Memorials may be made to Anchor Baptist Church Building Fund, 1009, Highway 7 South, Water Valley, MS 38965.
Hattie Eldora Walls
WATER VALLEY—Hattie Eldora Walls, age 91, of Water Valley, died Monday, November 16, 2020, at her home.
One of eight children, she was born to the late Cleveland and Hattie Person Alexander on August 29, 1929, in Water Valley. For 15 years, Hattie worked at Motts, Inc. until her decision to stay home and serve her family. Her family and church were very important to her. She was a life-long member of Pine Grove M.B. Church, were she served the Lord as a church mother and choir member. She loved sharing her voice by singing solos in church, which she did until recently when her health began to fail. Known as the “Pie Lady” she enjoyed cooking her famous fired pies, singing, reading her Bible and quilting. She will be greatly missed.
A wake was held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, November 20, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral service began at noon, Saturday, November 21, in Henry Chapel with Bro. Robert Reed officiating. Interment was in Pine Grove Church Cemetery.
Hattie is survived by one son, Melvin Walls (Sue) of Water Valley; two daughters, Hattie Caldwell (Rual) of Memphis, Katie Carr (Raymond) of Water Valley; 24 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 75 years, John Walls, Sr.; two sons, John Walls, Jr., and L. C. Walls; two daughters, Brenda Walls and Helen Walls; two brothers, Cleveland Alexander and James Alexander; and five sisters, Louise Tedford, Merle Lawrence, Pauline Lewis, Mable Hervey and Helen Mott.