Obituaries 02/04/21

Margie Katherine Hayles Gill
OXFORD—Margie Katherine Hayles Gill, 98, died Wednesday, January 27, 2012, in Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi at Oxford.
A private graveside service will be held in Oxford Memorial Cemetery with Rev. Robert Allen officiating. Waller Funeral Home of Oxford has charge of arrangements.
Born in Yalobusha County, Mrs. Gill was a daughter of the late Floyd Hayles and Velma Williams. She was a graduate of Water Valley High School. Following high school, she earned her CNA and spent her career working as a nurses assistant in the nursery at Oxford-Lafayette County Hospital. She was the oldest living member of First Baptist Church of Oxford, where she was a deeply devoted and active part of the church’s history and legacy. First Baptist Church and the relationships shared with her church family were an integral part of her life. Mrs. Gill was a beloved grandmother to her grandchildren and she experienced a new level of joy as she watched her grandchildren start families of their own. Her role as a great-grandmother provided immense joy! She was the widow of Frank Fred Gill and a long-time member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
In addition to  her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Bing, and a sister, Ila Faye Hayles.
She is survived by her daughter, Alice Miller (Howard) of Oxford; a son, Frank “Buddy” Gill (Brenda) of Oxford; three grandchildren, Rusty Miller (Melissa) of Oxford, Brent Miller (Wendy) of Grenada and Whitney Gill Denham (Ragan) of Brandon; and four great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 800 Van Buren Ave., Oxford, MS 38655.

Leigh Ann Vaughn Hargett
COVINGTON, LA – Leigh Ann Vaughn Hargett, 46, of Covington, La., passed away January 26, 2021.
Born March 27, 1974, in Charleston, Leigh Ann was the daughter of Pete and Darnell Vaughn. After graduating from Water Valley High School, Leigh Ann attended and later graduated from Delta State University. She taught special education at Northshore Charter School in Bogalusa where she was very passionate about her students. She adored family, especially her boys, which were her world.
Visitation was held from 9-11 a.m., January 30, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral service followed at 11 a.m. in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Dr. Ben Kennedy and Bro. Lenoir Person officiating. Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Leigh Ann is survived by her parents, Pete and Darnell Vaughn of Water Valley; two sons, Rye and Haze Hargett; and one special friend, Mike Galloway, all of Covington, La.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Bob and  Audrey Cox and Ruel and Catherine Vaughn.

Rex Dean Howell
WATER VALLEY—Rex Dean Howell, age 62, died Sunday, January 31, 2021, in his home at Water Valley surrounded by loved ones.
Born March 9, 1958, in Jackson, he was a son of the late Hershel and Peggy Howell. He grew up in Water Valley and was a graduate of the University of Mississippi, where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He was the owner and broker at Howell Realty Company, a licensed appraiser, the author of the Bodock Times, and a lifelong member of the Yalobusha Country Club.
One of Rex’s proudest accomplishments was being a member of the Yalobusha County Economic Foundation, which allowed him to create hundreds of jobs for his community. He was passionate about the outdoors and was happiest spending time at the Christmas Place, the Howell family hunting club, surrounded by family and friends. He also enjoyed riding, writing, golfing, and spending his Saturdays in the Grove cheering on the Rebels.
Visitation is planned for Wednesday, February 3, from 10 a.m. until noon in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral will follow at noon in Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Reed McCaleb officiating. Burial will be in Oxford Memorial Cemetery.
Rex is survived by his wife, Denise Brodey Howell; his three children, Sarah Dianne Howell, Spencer Golightly Howell and Erin Charlotte Howell; three step-children, Sadie Rebecca Brodey, Alexis Rachel Brodey, and Joshua Asher Brodey; two granddaughters, Willow and Norah; siblings, Trent Howell, Paul Howell (Wanda), James Howell (Debbie), and Holly Turner (Tim); his aunt, Maralyn Bullion; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his uncle, James Howell; sister-in-law, Shelley Howell; his nephew, Brock Howell; and his beloved dog, Camo. In years to come his family and friends hope to find comfort by reading his wonderful stories in his blog at the bodocktimes.blogspot.com. Quack, Quack!
Charles Robert Norwood
WATER VALLEY—Charles Robert “Bob” Norwood, or “Coot” as he was affectionately known by many passed away on January 25, 2021, in the Mississippi State Veterans Home at Oxford. He was 78.
Born October 10, 1941, in Yalobusha County, he was a son of the late Robert J. and Marie Goodwin Norwood. Bob, in his early years, enjoyed everything outdoors, work and play, especially spending weekends hunting and fishing. He was a career “steel” man, working for Universal Steel Building in Grenada for 40 years. In retirement, his passion for the outdoors didn’t diminish, as he transitioned to working the family farm and refurbishing his family home. He could most often be found on his tractor or rambling about with his dog, Dude. Bob was a lifelong resident of Water Valley and a member of Jumpers Chapel Congregation Methodist Church, serving as a deacon and cemetery chairman. He leaves behind a legacy of laughter and love, always one to have a quick joke or sly smile.
Visitation was held on Thursday, January 28, in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The family then proceeded to Jumpers Chapel Cemetery where a graveside service was held. Bro. Bobby Jones officiated.
Bob is survived by  his wife of 53 years, Phyllis Harding Norwood of Water Valley; one daughter, Natalie Norwood Bauer (Jason) of Spanish Fort, Ala.; two grandchildren, Anna Alexis (Lexi) and Aidon Jacob (Jake) Bauer; and one uncle, Ralph Norwood (Jean) of Water Valley.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Charles Robert Norwood, Jr.
Memorials may be sent to Jumpers Chapel Congregational Methodist Church, c/o Phyllis Goodwin, 7160 CR 224, Water Valley, MS 38965, or Mississippi State Veterans Home, 120 Veterans Dr., Oxford, MS 38655.

Freddie Lois Sprouse Rutherford
WATER VALLEY—Freddie Lois Sprouse Rutherford of Water Valley, passed from this earth to glory in the early morning hours of January 29, 2021. She was 93.
Born April 21, 1926, near Pope, she was the fourth of 10 children of the late John William and Adeline Gross Sprouse. She was married to John Marshall Rutherford for 45 years, until his death in 1990.  She worked for a time in the upholstery shop she and Marshall owned, then for a short time at Rice-Six Manufacturing in Water Valley before finding her true calling as a talented and much loved mother and homemaker. She enjoyed sewing quilts and clothes for family and friends, and her gardening skills filled many freezers in the community.
Freddie truly loved her family and, having a heart as big as all outdoors, she was aways willing to draw others into that family circle. Her brand of equality was absolute – if you got close enough to that circle of love, you were invited in, which is why her extended family included a family from India, a black policeman, just about every kid her children grew up with, a fellow who raised snakes, and a few carefully selected Yankees. Toward the end of her life, a broken hip hampered her mobility, and dementia stole away the clear view of the world around her. Then God in His Mercy called her away to her forever home, and we can almost hear her clear soprano voice singing His praises now.
Visitation was held Monday, February 1, in the sanctuary of Sylva Rena Baptist Church. Services followed at 2 p.m. with Bro. Shane Crawford officiating. Burial was in the Sylva Rena Cemetery. Seven Oaks Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Freddie is survived by her children, Bill, Bob, Ann, and George; one daughter-in-law, Carolyn; a son-in-law, Joel; five grandchildren, Amanda, Elizabeth, Vanessa, Thomas, and Lily; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Virginia Kathrine Gates and Betty Mae Robertson; and two sisters-in-law (but sisters just the same), Geneva Sprouse and Connie Sprouse.
Jarah Sheyenne Spence
WATER VALLEY—Jarah Sheyenne Spence, age 21, of Water Valley transitioned to her eternal home Monday, January 19, 2021.
Born September 8, 1999, in Oxford, Jarah was the daughter of Scott and Kimberly Dickey Spence. After graduating from Water Valley High School, she attended Northwest Community College, where she graduated with an Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. With her knack for talking, Jarah was lovingly described as a great communicator. She was a member of Adonai Church, located near Water Valley, where she served the hearing impaired by singing the services. Everyone who knew her, knew she had somewhat of an obsession with ketchup. She also loved anything Star Wars, Reba McEntire, LSU football and the New Orleans Saints. But nothing compared to the love  she had for her brothers and her “babies.”
Visitation is planned for Wednesday, February 3, from 4 until 7 p.m., in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Thursday, February 4, at 10 a.m., in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Roger Howell officiating. Burial will be in Tishomingo Cemetery in Tishomingo with Cody Hadley, Colin Hadley, Bradey Dickey, Kyle Spence and Cooper Hadley as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearer is Cameron Hadley.
Jarah is survived by her parents, Scott Spence of Water Valley and Kim Dickey Spence of Batesville; two brothers, Jaco Spence of Sardis and Joshua Sullivan (Krystal) of San Diego, Calif.; her grandparents, Clara Spence of Water Valley and Patricia and Clyde Spencer of Sardis; one niece, Layla; numerous aunts and uncles; and many special teachers.
She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Danny Dickey and James Edward Spence, as well as her great-grandmother, Lennie Mae Dickey.