Obituaries 12/02/2021
Willie Ester Walton-Folson
WATER VALLEY – Mrs. Willie Ester Walton-Folson departed this life on November 18, 2021. She was born in Water Valley on December 12, 1942, to Lloyd Walton, Sr. and Louise Carr Walton. She graduated from Davidson High School and MI College with a Bachelors Degree in Education.
Willie Ester gave her life to Christ at an early age and joined Oak Grove C.M.E. Church. She served on the Missionary Board and Usher Board until her health failed. She was the first black teacher at Coffeeville Elementary, where she taught first grade for 26 years. She was also a daycare owner and teacher for some years.
She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Luther Gene Folson, Sr.; three daughters, Vanessa Townsend of Water Valley, Marchelle Williams of Kansas City, Mo. and Lucy Folson of Memphis; two sons, Luther Gene Folson, Jr. (Nicole) of Water Valley and Tyrone Folson of Oxford; one sister, Lucille Yates of Minneapolis, Minn.; four brothers, Dallas Walton of Minneapolis, Minn., Lloyd Walton, Jr. (Rosie) and Chancey Walton, both of Water Valley, and Clay Walton (Florence) of Oakland; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd Walton, Sr. and Louise Carr Walton, her sister, Mary Alice Pritchard, son-in-law, James Lewis Townsend, Sr.; three sisters-in-law and four brothers-in-law.
Patricia Webb Jenkins
BANNER – Patricia Webb Jenkins, 76, of Banner passed from this life on Wednesday, November 24, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. Born on November 28, 1944 in Mobile, Alabama she was a daughter to the late Harry Jefferson Sartain Sr. and Maggie Sartain Nelson.
Patricia was a homemaker that devoted her life to looking after the family she so deeply cherished. Patricia didn’t simply pass away, she held in her soul the cure to death, a relationship with Jesus where she worshiped Him at Paris Baptist Church. Although she has departed from our lives, her memory will hold a special place in the hearts of her friends and family.
Patricia leaves behind a loving family to continue walking down the path of life in her absence including one son, Ronald (Carolyn) Jenkins of Banner; the father of her children, Ronald Clinton Jenkins, Sr.; and three grandchildren, Jonathan Reeves, Tina Jenkins and Clinton Lee; one sister, Shirley Defer of Water Valley.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Harry Jefferson Sartain Sr. and Maggie Sartain Nelson; one daughter, Debra Ann Vaughn; two brothers: Buddy Sartain and Sonny Sartain.
The graveside service remembering Patricia’s life took place on Saturday, November 27, in Providence Cemetery with Bro. Billy Foster officiated.
Edward Troy Keel
WATER VALLEY – Edward Troy Keel, age 86, of Water Valley, MS died Friday, November 20, 2021, at Baptist Memorial Hospital Desoto County.
Born October 27, 1935, in Water Valley, Troy was the son of the late Nolen and Clara Mae (Parker Keel) Following high school, he joined the United States Air Force where he had a 41-year career. Troy retired as Chief Master Sergeant, but even after retiring he was called back to active duty during Desert Storm.
After moving back home, Troy worked in the county’s 911 system, Red Cross, and the Yalobusha County Sheriffs Department. Troy was a member and previous president of the Haypatch Hunting Club, and had once won the “Biggest Watermelon” contest during the carnival. When he wasn’t working, Troy loved to fish and hunt. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Coldwater.
Visitation is scheduled Friday, December 3, in the Henry Chapel at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from noon until 2 p.m. Services will follow at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Pinecrest Cemetery.
Troy was survived by his wife of 64 years, who has since passed, Pearl Keel. He is survived by one son, David Keel of Batesville; two daughters, Pat Denley (Joel) of Hernando and Pam Pulliam (Todd) of Memphis; two brothers, Nolen Keel Jr. (Becky) of Foley, Ala. and Kenneth Keel (Karen) of Water Valley; eight sisters, Janie Russell of Walls, Minnie Dickey of Banner, Frances Davis of Oxford, Linda Heath (Charles) of Water Valley, Carolyn Higgins (Joe) of Lebanon, Tenn., Brenda Melton (Ronnie) of Water Valley, Joan Berryhill and Joyce Schmitz (Calvin) all of Water Valley; five grandchildren, Aubrie Johnson, Keegan Denley, Ashley Nichols, Janae Popwell and Bennie Eldred Jr; as well as eight great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Troy was preceded in death by one brother, Charles Keel; and one sister, Ann Vance.
Pearl Whiteside Keel
WATER VALLEY – Pearl Whiteside Keel, age 82, of Water Valley died Sunday, November 28, 2021, at Baptist Memorial Hospital Desoto County. She was born November 3, 1939, in Water Valley to the late Roy and Lela (Blaker) Whiteside.
Pearl worked for, and ultimately retired from, Ely Walker and Carothers Construction Company. In her spare time Pearl was an avid walker, a hobby that brought her much joy and garnered her many trophies. But her favorite thing to do was be around her grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom she adored. Pearl was a member of First Baptist Church of Coldwater.
Visitation is planned for Friday, December 3, in the Henry Chapel at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from noon until 2 p.m. Services will follow at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Pinecrest Cemetery.
Pearl is survived by one son, David Keel of Batesville; two daughters, Pat Denley (Joel) of Hernando and Pam Pulliam (Todd) of Memphis; one brother, Larry Whiteside (Peggy) of Water Valley; one sister, Mary Peeples (Don) of Coffeeville; five grandchildren, Aubrie Johnson, Keegan Denley, Ashley Nichols, Janae Popwell and Bennie Eldred Jr; as well as eight great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Pearl was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Troy Keel; three brothers, Boyd Whiteside, Jimmy Whiteside and R.L. Whiteside; and three sisters, Betty Shelton, Thelma Hensley, and Ann Pryor.
Johnny Wayne Mitchell
LAMBERT – Johnny Wayne Mitchell, age 74, passed away Thursday, November 25, 2021 at the Quitman Community Hospital in Marks.
Funeral services for Johnny were held Sunday, November 28, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Lambert. Interment followed the service at Crowder Cemetery.
Johnny was born in Lambert on February 24, 1947 to the late Noonan Eugene Mitchell and Edra Holloway Mitchell. He worked for the Canadian National Railroad for 40 years. When Johnny was not working, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Lambert where he served as a deacon and a Sunday school teacher. He was also the director of the Men’s Brotherhood at the church. Johnny loved his church, as well as his family, with all of his heart.
The family he leaves behind includes his wife, Lois Mitchell of Lambert; three children, Pam Turner (Tom) of Madison, Steve Mitchell of Tillatoba and Tabbatha Mitchell (Mark) of Vance; his siblings, Tommy Mitchell (Bonnie) of Lambert, Dale Bowles (Bobbie John) of Lambert, Judy Pettit (Rick) of Oxford and Peggy Reid (Mervin) of Crowder; four grandchildren, Gabrielle Antici (Kirk), Ally Rice (Trey), Hunter Briar Mitchell (Allison) and Rivers Mitchell; and five great grandchildren, Tristan Rodgers, Sawyer Antici, Liam Antici, Cooper Mitchell and Hudson Mitchell.
Along with his parents, Johnny is preceded in death by two siblings, Shirley Sappington and Tony Mitchell; and one grandchild, Channing Rodgers.
Dot Trusty
WATER VALLEY – Dorothy (Dot) Taylor Trusty passed away peacefully at Yalobusha General Hospital on November 29 in the presence of her family. Dot was a lifelong resident of Water Valley, affectionately known as “Granny” to all who knew her. She was born on July 1, 1930, to Beaulah McMinn Taylor and William (Bill) Taylor. Dot was a member of First Baptist Church Water Valley for over 70 years where she served in the nursery, taught the youth, was a G.A. leader, and worked in the church library. She and her husband Markley, were active members in the community, a community that she loved dearly and served faithfully for many years to help make it a better place for others to live. She served as past president of the Water Valley Jaycettes; past president of the Water Valley Pilot Club; and a charter member of the Water Valley Town & Country Garden Club where she served as President from 1998-2000 and was the recipient of the Luella Fair Community Service Award in 2011. She was also Past Worthy Matron Water Valley Eastern Stars. She retired from Renasant Bank after 30 years of service where she worked in several different capacities.
Visitation is scheduled Wednesday, December 1, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Services will follow at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 2, at First Baptist Church of Water Valley with Dr. Randy Bain officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Dot was blessed with a daughter, Toni Trusty Hill (Tommy); a son, Mark Taylor Trusty (Lynne), both of Water Valley; and a foster daughter, Pattie Sue Peacock of Henderson, Nev. She was Granny to eight grandchildren, Tina Hill, Dixye Dawn Peacock, Tom Hill (Carole), Tyler Hill (Jency), Callie Trusty, Taylor Anne Trusty, Sean Trusty and Jenna Trusty; and four great grandchildren, Madison Hill, Layla Hill, Ashlyn Hill and Cohen Trusty.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, Markley Trusty; one sister, Peggie Basinger; and one sister-in-law Marie Axelrod.