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Obituaries 12/24/20

Cortaveus Hawkins
WATER VALLEY – Cortaveus Hawkins, age 25, died Sunday, December 20, 2020, in an automobile accident in Taylor.
Arrangements were incomplete at presstime Tuesday. Serenity-Daniels Funeral Home of Water Valley is in charge of arrangements.

Annie Laurie Ray Miller
OXFORD – Annie Laurie Ray Miller, 83, passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2020, in Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi at Oxford.
The family will hold a memorial service at a later date. Waller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Born in Taylor, Mrs. Miller was a daughter of the late Otis and Gertha Mae Overstreet Ray. She was a line worker at BorgWarner. She was a hard worker and only retired because others encouraged  her to do so. She was a great mother, making family the center of her life. She gave unselfishly of her time and herself to her family because she was happiest when she was with them. Mrs. Miller gave annually to the Food Pantry, providing for the needs of other. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed hosting big family dinners. She enjoy keeping up with family and friends on Facebook, sharing recipes and encouragement.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Juanita Martin, Clara Howard and Susie Tidwell; and five brothers, Raymond Ray, George Ray, Price Ray, Johnny Ray and James Otis Ray.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Chuck Miller of Oxford; a daughter, Michelle Renee Frierson (Maddox) of New Albany; two sons, Mitchell “Mitch” Ray (Tracy) of Coldwater and Frederick “Keith” Miller (Judy) of Water Valley; five grandchildren, Hannah Lee, Tammy Miller, William Frierson, Haley Shaw and Katelyn Frierson; and four great grandchildren, plus one on the way.
Memorials may be made to: The Pantry, P. O. Box 588, Oxford, MS 38655.

 Esther Q. Nelson
WATER VALLEY – Esther Q. Nelson, 84, passed away Tuesday, December 15, 2020.
A graveside memorial service was held Friday, December 18, at 2 p.m. in the Pilgrim Rest Cemetery in Lafayette County with Bro. Ron Provence officiating. Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Nelson was born in Paris and she attended Camp Ground School. She worked many different jobs throughout her lifetime and one of the things she was known for was her strong work ethic.
Mrs. Esther loved her family and was very proud of each one of her children. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed playing games, cooking, and collecting recipes.  Mrs. Nelson was a very unselfish and giving person, if anyone needed anything, she was willing to give. She also enjoyed watching game shows and westerns in her private time.
Survivors include her daughter, Teresa Anderson; three sons, John Anderson (Jane), Richard Anderson and Tom Anderson (Stephanie); a brother, Stanley Wrenn; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Daila Davis Wrenn; two husbands, John Anderson and Virgil Nelson; four brothers, Arthur Wrenn, Coleman Wrenn, Roy Wrenn and A. J. Wrenn; and five sisters, Gladys Blaker, Louise Hendrix, Mary Baddley, Frances Troupe  and Elsie McPherson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to South Lamar Baptist Church Thrive Program, 2885 South Lamar Blvd., Oxford, MS 38655.

Randy Martin Nelson
WATER VALLEY – Randy Martin Nelson, age 55, of Water Valley died unexpectedly Friday, December 18, 2020, in Baptist Memorial Hospital –North Mississippi at Oxford.
Born in Dallas, Texas on November 23, 1965, he was one of three children of the late Virgil and Carolyn Jones Nelson. He was the kind of man who never met a stranger and was always willing to  help people in need. He worked for the University of Mississippi as a truck driver, Grit Restaurant in Taylor, and operated a lawn care service. He loved cutting grass and fishing so much that he dreamed of becoming a famous fisherman.
Visitation was held in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 22. The funeral service followed in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Donnie Williams officiating. Burial was in Camp Ground Cemetery.
Randy is survived by his wife of 26 years, Mary Ann Nelson; one brother, Virgil Nelson (Geana), and a sister, Debera Vanderford (Darrell), all of Water Valley.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Daniel Nelson.
Christy Ann Poynor
COFFEEVILLE – Christy Ann Poynor of Coffeeville passed from this  life Thursday, December 17, 2020, at her home with family by her side. She was 50.
Born August 29, 1970, in Greenwood, she was a daughter of the late Eula and Nancy Glenn French. Christy worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Grenada Living Center until her decision to stay home to serve her family. She had a tremendous heart for serving people and making things be done to her satisfaction. Her favorite pastime enjoyment was to watch the Christmas shows and movies that are very popular this time of year.
Visitation was held Monday, December 21, in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home.  The service followed in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Elbert McKnight officiating. Burial was in Elam Cemetery in Coffeeville, with Jimmy Dukes, John Dukes, Jake Rose, Michael French, Jacob French, Tommy Poynor and Daniel Beavers as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were James Fletcher and  Aaron Poynor.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Leard; two sons, Tommy Poynor (Kim) of Coffeeville and Robby Leard (Chestin) of Water Valley; one daughter, Rossalan Leard  of Coffeeville; a sister, Kathy Dukes (John) of Tillatoba; and two grandchildren.
Along with her parents, Christy was preceded in death by one brother, Randy French.

Roger Dale Pryor
WATER VALLEY – Roger Dale Pryor of Water Valley passed from this life Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. He was 72.
Roger was born March 15, 1948, in Oakland to Carl and Thelma Pryor. After graduating school, Roger went about learning the trade of an electrician, a path that led him to a career from which he retired. He was a genuine people person. After retirement, you could find Roger helping friends and neighbors with projects such as repairing fences. Roger loved hunting, and was a lifetime member of the Haypatch Hunting Club. He was also a huge fan of Water Valley Blue Devil football. But his family was always first and foremost in his heart.
Visitation was held Friday, December 18, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Services followed at 2 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Billy Childs officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Roger is survived by his wife of eight years, Susie Pryor of Water Valley; one son, Steve Pryor of Tupelo; one sister, Paula Wiggins of Enid; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, Roger was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Pryor; and one daughter, Sandra Kay Pryor.

Henry Vincent Rider
SOUTHAVEN – Henry Vincent Rider, age 91, of Southaven, passed from this life Sunday, December 13, 2020, at his home in Southaven.
He was born in Memphis February 7, 1929, to the late George and Mary Rider. After graduating from Whitehaven High School, Henry joined the Army where he faithfully served our country for two years. After returning home, he founded, owned, and operated Rider Plumbing Company for over 50 years. He was also very interested in, and participated in politics. He served as DeSoto Election Commissioner for three terms, where he always ended the meeting by singing the national anthem. His joys were many, which included sports – bowling, golfing, and running in 5k’s – and he also enjoyed singing.
Visitation was held Thursday, December 17, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Services followed at 2 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Eddie Randolph officiating. Burial was in Walker Cemetery.
Henry  is survived by  his wife of 65 years, Margie Walker Rider of Southaven;  one daughter, Sharon Francis; two grandsons,David and Daniel Francis; and one sister, Gloria Gingery.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, George Rider and Kenneth Rider; and three sisters, Mary Bass, Dorothy Phillips and Francis South.

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