Obituaries 01/13/22
Eva Frances Brooks Fultz
SHREVEPORT, La. – Eva Frances Brooks Fultz passed away peacefully on December 25, 2021, surrounded by her family. A private visitation and graveside service was held on Friday, December 31, at Hill Crest Funeral Home. Brother Shane Crawford officiated. Honoring Eva as pallbearers were her grandsons John Steven Fultz, Christopher Ray Fultz, Garrett Brooks Fultz, and Nicholas Alexander Fultz.
Eva Frances was born in Water Valley on January 4, 1931, to Frank Emmitt Brooks and Eva Esther Brooks. Eva was a military wife. She met her late husband, Theodore Merle Fultz, in Tucson, Ariz. in 1952. Soon after their courtship they married and began growing their loving family. In 1956, Eva gave birth to their first son, Daryl Ray Fultz, and in 1959, the couple welcomed their second son, Steven Merle Fultz. Shortly thereafter, the Air Force family of four began their journey to various installations around the world, first to England and next to other parts of Europe and Asia. Eva seized every possible opportunity to memorialize their travels, acquiring an expansive and rare collection of antiquities.
Eva’s most memorable and favorite birthday was her 80th, which was celebrated at the University Club in Oxford. She spent the evening surrounded by her closest friends and family and greatly enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with five of her best friends from her 1949 high school graduation class. Throughout her life, Eva remained steadfast in her faith to God. She was baptized on August 23, 1942, and most recently, she was a member of Sylva Rena Baptist Church. As a member of Sylva Rena, Eva treasured her close bond with Brother Shane Crawford and enjoyed making beaded bracelets to send to children in need in foreign countries.
From Water Valley, to England, Japan, and everywhere in between, Eva’s worldly travels and experiences gave her a unique ability to impart wisdom and shape the lives of her two children, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. In her later years, Eva was proud to share with anyone and everyone the fact that she had the most great-grandchildren of any of her siblings, and she was especially proud to have more than her younger brother, Frank Berle.
Eva is survived by her brothers, Robert Glynn Brooks and wife, Patsy, of Water Valley; Frank Berle Brooks and wife, Raye, of Water Valley; Travis Lann Brooks and wife, Amy, of Water Valley; her sons, Daryl Ray Fultz and wife, Marlene, of Shreveport, La., Steven Merle Fultz and wife, Leigh, of Elm Grove, La; her grandchildren, John Steven Fultz and wife, Ashley, of Longview, Texas, Christopher Ray Fultz and wife, Allison, of Shreveport, La., Emily Fultz O’Shaughnessy and husband, Streeter, of Cherry Hills Village, Colo., Garrett Brooks Fultz and wife, Alexandra, of Washington, D.C., Adrianne Fultz Brandon and husband, Grant, of Rockwall, Texas, and Nicholas Alexander Fultz of Denver, Colo.; and her great-grandchildren, Steven Brooks Fultz, Naomi Belle Fultz, Georgia Leigh Brandon, Harrison Brooks Fultz, Theodore Randle Fultz, Henry Battle O’Shaughnessy and Jack Lowery Fultz.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 46 years, Theodore Merle Fultz; a brother, Currie Flynn Brooks; and sister Billie Fayne Brooks Terrell.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Sylva Rena Baptist Church, 17640 Highway 32, Water Valley, Mississippi 38965.
John Thomas Pryor
WATER VALLEY – John Thomas Pryor, age 73, of Water Valley, departed from this world to be with Jesus on Jesus’ birthday, December 25, 2021, at the Regional One Health Fighters Burn Center in Memphis, Tenn. John was born on September 20, 1948, to the late William Everette and Myrtle Irene Hayles Pryor.
John was a graduate of Water Valley High School, where he gained accolades as an outstanding football player. As a result of his outstanding performances, he received a scholarship to play football at Northwest Mississippi Community College.
In 1969, eager to serve his country during the Vietnam War, he joined the Navy as a Machinist. He served onboard the USS SURIBACHI, off the coast of Vietnam for three years. In 1971, he married Teresa Wells Pryor of Oxford, and together they raised four children. He was honorably discharged in 1972, and then returned to the Navy in 1975 as a machinist, and later a Military Police Officer until 1977.
For many years John worked at Holly Carburetor as a Tool and Die machinist. As with many things in life, opportunity presented itself, and he transitioned to a new job at Smith and Nephews in Memphis, Tenn. in 1992, where he continued to master his craft and skill of Tool and Die.
When John wasn’t working, he enjoyed instilling within his children and grandchildren not only the fear and love of God, but also a passion for the outdoors including hunting, fishing, and exploring all that nature offers. He especially loved fishing at the Enid Spillway or Yocona River bottom with his grandchildren and children.
John is survived by two sisters, Brenda Irene (Barney) Connor of Oxford and Sylvia Gertrude Pryor (Jimmy) Hollingsworth of Senatobia; three sons, Matthew Pryor (Sam) of Water Valley, Tawny Pryor of Water Valley, and Jacob (Joanna) Pryor of Wiggins,; one daughter Rebecca Lynette Pryor Bumgardner also of Water Valley; 10 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, William Everette Pryor, Jr. and Bryan Keith Pryor; one sister Rose Pryor Beeler; and one great granddaughter, Aurelia Christalise Lealynn Simmons.
Visitation was held Friday, December 31, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home Services followed at 11 a.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Elder James Hall officiating.
Tony Ray Wiley
WATER VALLEY – Tony Ray Wiley, age 52, of Water Valley, died Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis.
Tony was born July 15, 1969, in Bossier City, La. to Johnnie and Marcia Wiley. After high school, Tony joined the United States Air Force and served our country for four years, becoming the youngest crew chief in the history of the branch. After leaving the service, someone asked Tony to build a house for them, something he knew nothing about. He went to the library and read books about it and taught himself the trade, a craft that he would utilize the remainder of his life. Tony genuinely loved helping people, and in 2009 he and Trish founded the Branch of Hope sobriety center, which they operated for the next four years. During this time, they helped over 1,000 men on their road to recovery. Tony loved fishing with his dad, riding motorcycles, and playing any chosen song on the guitar.
Visitation was held Tuesday, January 4, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. A memorial service to honor his life followed at 1 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. John Coleman officiating.
Tony is survived by his wife Trish Wiley of Water Valley; one son, Cody Wiley; three daughters, Raquel Wiley Brewer, Shelby Wiley and Jaya Wiley, all of Oxford; four grandchildren, Dakota, Jason, Stormy Brewer and Carter Wiley; his parents, Johnnie and Marcia Wiley; and one sister, Shona Wiley Williams (Larry), all of Victoria, Texas.