Obituaries 01/28/21

Opal Louise Bell
TILLATOBA – Mrs. Opal Louise Dunn Bell, 87, of Tillatoba, passed away Saturday, January 23, 2021, at her residence.
Born March 24, 1933, in Leachville, Ark., Mrs. Bell was a daughter of the late Thomas Arthur and Fanny Carter Dunn. Opal attended Tillatoba Baptist Church. She had spent a number of years farming with her husband, Ray. Later in life she worked at KFC in Greenville for 19 years and at the Tillatoba Truck Stop when they moved to the area in the 1980s. Towards the end of her working life, she worked alongside her husband in the trucking business, enjoying many miles and good times together.
A graveside service was  held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 26, in Union Cemetery at Tillatoba with Bro. Kenny Cantrell officiating. Pallbearers were Jason Beavers, P. J. Dukes, Christopher McCool, Hunter McCool, Michael Merrill and Nichols Merrill. McKibben & Guinn Funeral Service of Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include her husband, Ray Bell; two daughters, Karen Merrill and Deborah McCool (Tommy), both of Tillatoba; one son, Ronald Bell (Elisa) of Oklahoma City, Okla.; four grandchildren, Michael Merrill, Angela Dukes, Christopher McCool, and Kimberly Beavers; and nine great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she  was preceded in death by a son,Thomas Ray Bell; and a brother, T. A. Dunn.

Dick Gardiner
MEMPHIS—Dick Gardiner, 89, passed away Saturday, January 9, 2021, after a brief hospice stay.
Born in Water Valley on March 29,  1931, he was the son of the late Clifton and Marie Wolfe Gardiner. After growing up farming and graduating valedictorian of Water Valley High School, Dick moved to Memphis to attend Memphis School of Commerce. Studying accounting, typing, and shorthand, he sat behind a lovely young girl from Frog Jump, Tenn., who thought he was the best looking boy she had ever seen in her entire life. Soon they were courting and after graduating and starting work in the accounting department of Memphis Light Gas & Water, he married Martha Ann Baker in 1950. Dick worked at MLG&W for 33 years, becoming a CPA and retiring as secretary/treasurer. He then worked as Vice President of Sales for Loomis Sayles & Company in Memphis and Washington, D.C. for the next 11 years. While a young man at MLG&W, Dick served his country in Korea as an Army Sergeant in the Korean Conflict.
Dick was a man of faith and integrity, who was respected, loved and admired by everyone who knew him. He was an active member of Colonial Park United Methodist Church and later Collierville United Methodist Church. He was also actively involved in both the Memphis and East Memphis Civitan Clubs. After retirement Dick continued  his involvement in the Collierville Civitan Club, served on the MLG&W Retirees Pension Board and the town of Collierville Pension Board. Dick enjoyed hunting and fishing as a young man, which later gave way to his lifelong passion with golf.
Along with his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Charles “Bub” and Nellie Gardiner; and his daughter-in-law, Vera Coradini  Gardiner.
Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Martha Ann Baker Gardiner of Memphis; son, Ken Gardiner (Connie) of Camden, Maine; grandson, Matthew Gardiner (Kristin) of Covington, Tenn.; grandson, Andy Gardiner of Portland, Maine; granddaughter, Megan Gardiner of Camden, Maine; step-grandson, Tom Libby of Camden, Maine; two great granddaughters; two nephews; other family and friends.
His life will be celebrated privately, due to COVID precautions.

Irma Catherine Gooch
WATER VALLEY—Irma Catherine Gooch, passed away December 31, 2020.
Born November 5, 1933, Mrs. Gooch was a daughter of the late Oris Lewis and Suzanne Skurr Lewis. She was united in holy matrimony to the late Cornelius (Jabo) Gooch in April of 1949, and to this union six children were born. She was a loving and devoted wife until his death in 2011. Mrs. Gooch was added to the body of Christ at an early age and was a devoted and faithful servant until her death. At the time of  her death, Irma was the oldest member of the Martin Street congregation.
Mrs. Gooch was buried in the Martin Street Church of Christ Cemetery Saturday, January 9, at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Dexter Ross officiating. Honorary pallbearers were Anfernee Gooch, Derrick Gooch, Perry Gooch, Alonzo Shorter, Demetrius White, Brandon Gooch, Ken Gooch, John Eddie Jones, Grady Stegall, and T’Adryll Woodard. Rose petals were Angelo Gooch, Dominique Coleman, and Tammy Shorter. Arrangements were entrusted to Serenity-Daniels Funeral Home & Chapel of Water Valley.
She leaves to cherish her memory: Tony Gooch (Fannie) of Water Valley; Linda Shorter of Davenport, Iowa; Edith Puryear (Cleveland) of Olive Branch, William Gooch (Tish) of Oxford, and Catherine White (her caretaker and baby girl) of Water Valley; one sister, Claudette Pascul (Herman Gooch’s brother-in-law) of Water Valley 17 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, Irma was preceded in death by one son, Johnny Gooch; and eight sisters.
Theresa Lynn Russell
KNOXVILLE, TENN.—Theresa Lynn Russell, age 76, of Knoxville, Tenn. passed away Sunday, January 10, 2021.
She was born March 27, 1944, in Houston, Texas. Terry was a devout Christian with strong beliefs in both providing a witness for Christ while on earth, as well as her promised heavenly home with her family. She was a dedicated mother to her children and gently enjoyed being both a grandmother and great-grandmother, relishing the opportunities to visit and have “playtime.” She was such a gentle soul, with so much love in her heart to give, and family meant everything to her. She was inseparable from her dog, Coco Chanel, which was a part of the family and never left her side. She was a terrific cook and looked forward to the family visits were she could ”make sure her kids had enough to eat.” She dearly loved her sister, Lynette, and looked forward to being united when God was ready for her to come home. She was able to always  live near, or with her children, enjoying time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren – watching them grow and enjoy life.
Terry worked as an office administrator for Occidental Chemical, Atmos Energy, the University of Alabama in  Huntsville, and finally at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. The last several wonderful years of Terry’s life were spent living with her daughter, Deanna, enjoying the companionship, craft time, restaurants, Gatlinburg, meal planning and listening to Christian radio, continuing to build her faith in God and witnessing to her family.
Terry lived a remarkable life, loved her children deeply, and was a tremendous influence on everyone around her. She passed peacefully on  January 10, 2021, holding hands with Deanna, knowing it was time to go home. She is loved and will be deeply missed until we are reunited in Heaven.
Theresa was predeceased by her parents, Parker Paul Rosenauer and Voncille Rosenauer, and her sister, Lynette Person.
Survivors include her children, Deanna Russell of Knoxville, Tenn., Kim Russell of Round Rock, Texas, and Gerald Russell of Toney, Ala.; and her niece, Karen Person of Water Valley; grandchildren, Cassie Wallace of Round Rock, Texas, Judy Wallace of Dallas, Texas, Garrett Russell, Kristen Russell, and Zachary Russell, all of Huntsville, Ala.; three great-grandchildren; and a close friend, Tom Chesney of Knoxville.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations to Water Valley’s Second Chance Animal Alliance.
Due to Covid 19, a celebration of life will be held in Water Valley at a later date to be announced.

Jarah Sheyenne Spence
WATER VALLEY—Jarah Sheyenne Spence, age 21, of Water Valley, transitioned to her eternal home Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
A complete obituary and service information will be posted once  it becomes available.
Donations towards Jarah’s service can be made to https://fundthefuneal.com/jarah-sheyenne-spence

Wilbur Gene Williams
BRUCE—Wilbur Gene Williams, 79, of Bruce departed from this earth on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at  his residence.
Born March 26, 1941, in Coffeeville, Wilbur was a son of the late Bennie B. Williams and Bessie Wright Williams. He was married to the late Barbara Jean Morris Williams for many years before her passing on June 12, 2020.  They were the parents of five children, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He spent many years traveling the roads of the United States as a truck driver, hauling a variety of cargo. He enjoyed the outdoors with his beloved rabbit dogs in pursuit of a good hunt. He worshiped with a family of believers at Antioch Baptist Church, a place where he was reminded of the Lord’s mercy and grace. Wilbur did not simply pass away, he held the cure to death in his soul – an active relationship with his Savior.
Survivors include two sons, Dwayne Williams of Calhoun City, and Michael Williams (Canzas) of Bruce; two daughters, Donna Floyd (Bill) of New Albany, and Rhonda Nix (Paul) of Bruce; a brother, Charles Benny Williams (Marsha) of Mena, Ark.; three sisters, Ninnen Pugh (Temple) of Hernando, Maxine Pennington of Senatoba, and Ethel Lott of Greenwood; and eight grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, and wife, he was also  preceded in death by one son, Bennie Frank Williams; and one brother, George Williams.
The family received friends on Saturday, January 23, from 1 to 3p.m. at Parker Memorial Funeral Home. The funeral service followed in the chapel of the funeral home, with Bro. Eric Payne officiating. Burial was in Bruce Cemetery with B. G. Floyd, Seth Floyd, Will Floyd, Steven  Kelly, Elijah Nix, Call Williams, and Wes Williams as pallbearers. Employees of Harrison Trucking served as  honorary pallbearers.