Obituaries 01/20/2022
Robert Lee Callahan
WATER VALLEY – Mr. Robert Lee Callahan, Sr., 79, died Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi. A graveside service was held Friday, January. 14, at 2:30 p.m. at Camp Ground Cemetery. Rev. Gerald Shook officiated. Waller Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Callahan was born in Lafayette County to the late Rev. Floyd Jack and Ada May Callahan. He was married for 59 years to his beloved wife, Jeanette. Together they were members of Camp Ground Baptist Church and also attended Anchor Baptist Church. Mr. Callahan owned Callahan’s Quick Print in Oxford, which recently celebrated its 50th year in business – a testament to how diligently he worked to serve the Oxford community. When he wasn’t busy running his business, you could find Mr. Callahan on the farm tending to his hay. In his leisure, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. A detail-oriented man, his hands were always busy with a project. He enjoyed wood-working and leather work, making holsters and other goods. Whatever the project, the end result would show his attention to detail and craftsmanship.
Above all, Mr. Callahan was grateful for his family and cherished time spent with them. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a son, Robert Lee Callahan, Jr.; a brother, Mike Floyd Callahan; and a sister, Betty Melton.
Mr. Callahan is survived by his wife, Jeanette Dean Callahan; one daughter, Stephanie Callahan Mills and her husband, Scott of Oxford; two sons, Stacy Lee Callahan and his wife, Billie of Skiatook, Okla. and Glen Alan Callahan and his wife, Christy of Water Valley; a brother, Jackie Lynn Callahan of Paris; a sister, Olean Copple of Ohio; and six grandchildren, Leslie-Brooke Singletary, Jack Tyler Singletary, Macon Callahan, Jordan Callahan, Emilee Callahan and Sadie Callahan.
Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Mr. Callahan’s memory may be made to Campground Baptist Church for Campground Cemetery, 534 County Road 110, Water Valley, MS 38965.
Mildred Busby Gaither
WATER VALLEY – Mildred Busby Gaither, age 66, of Water Valley, MS went to her eternal home on Monday, January 10, 2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. Mildred was a kind and gentle spirit.
She was born October 7, 1955 in Tunica to the late James and Claudia Busby. After finishing high school, she continued her education at Northwest Community College, receiving an associate degree. During her studies at Northwest, she met a young man who would become the love of her life, Maurice Gaither. Not many years later, they wed and started the family that she was so passionate about. Afterwards, she began a career as a certified nursing assistant, working over 23 years at the Yalobusha County Nursing Home. When she had time, Mildred loved crocheting and fishing. She loved the Lord and was a member of the First United Pentecostal Church in Water Valley.
Visitation was held on Tuesday, January 18, at the First United Pentecostal Church on Hwy 7 in Water Valley, from 1 until 2 p.m. Services immediately followed with Bro. Damen Tipton officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mildred is survived by three sons, Dale Gaither (Lisa) of Oxford, Eric Gaither of Calhoun City and Daryl Gaither (Kayleen) of Grenada; one daughter, Melissa Self (Troy) of Water Valley; four grandchildren, Kizzy Self, Kevin Gaither, Whitney Gaither and Ridge Gaither; six great-grandchildren, Jaden Scribner, Rylan Scribner, Elijah Gaither, Chloe Gaither, Levi Smith and Jayce Gaither; three brothers, James Busby of Florida, Oscar Busby (Marcy) of Sledge and Danny Busby (Shelby) of Water Valley; and four sisters, Wanda Peyton (Kenny) of Water Valley, Bonnie Cummings (Garvin) of Crenshaw, Sheila Johnson (Terry) of Tunica and Beverly Howell (Raymond) of Millington, Tenn.
In addition to her parents, Mildred was preceded in death by one daughter, Lori Gaither; and one granddaughter, Jasi Gaither.
Steven Scott Gordon
COFFEEVILLE – Steven Scott (Scotty) Gordon, age 63, of Coffeeville died Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at Yalobusha General Hospital in Water Valley.
He was born September 13, 1958 in Water Valley to the late Robert and Lynda (Donaldson) Gordon. With a talent for working with his hands, and a desire to work, Scotty left school early and attended a trade school where he learned welding. Afterwards, he went to the Gulf Coast to work for Texaco, starting on land, and then working offshore. During his career he was able to do anything he set his mind to, which had him truck driving, welding, millwright, and then working for himself. Scotty loved life, and would try almost anything, including bull riding, and racing motorcycles. He loved working on old cars, piddling around his shop, riding side by sides, and back road riding.
Visitation was held on Friday, January 14, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Services immediately followed at 1 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Billy Childs officiating. Burial was held in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Scotty is survived by his wife of 18 years, Tammy Gordon of Coffeeville; four sons, Dustin Welch (Niki) of Kouts, Ind., Michael Ostrander of East Alton, Ill., Sean Ostrander (Nikki) of Water Valley and Devan Gordon of Batesville; one daughter, Tina Gordon of Courtland; one brother, Jerry Gordon (Sabrina) of Cleveland, Ga.; 12 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild.
As well as his parents, Scotty was preceded in death by one daughter, Tami Breana Gordon.
Randall Lee Hollowell
WATER VALLEY – Randall Lee Hollowell, age 63, of Water Valley died Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. after an extended illness. He was born April 3, 1958, in Memphis to the late Horace and Emma (Huckaby) Hollowell. After school, Randy served our country overseas in the United States Army in different capacities including as an MP. Afterwards, he worked as an iron worker for G&W Steel in Grenada then transitioning to own his own business putting up steel buildings. He is described as a jokester and very kind-hearted. When not working, he loved to hunt, fish and spend time outdoors.
Services were in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Billy Childs officiating. Burial was in Shiloh Cemetery in Lafayette Springs.
Randy is survived by his wife, Cathy Kelly; one son, Jamie Hollowell (Haley) of Tillatoba; one daughter, Amber Hale of Duck Hill; two sisters, Ann Ross of Grenada, Pam Starkey (Kelton) of Dayton, Texas; one step-daughter, Catie Kelly; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
As well as his parents, Randy was preceded in death by one daughter, Heather Hollowell.
Elizabeth Nicole Kramer
COFFEEVILLE – Elizabeth Nicole Kramer, age 21, of Coffeeville passed away on Tuesday, January 4.
Born August 24, 2000, in Demorest, Ga., she was the daughter of Jewel Earl Williams and April Wakester Kramer. Elizabeth lived most of her life in Texas. She was a homemaker and of the Christian faith.
Survivors include her daughter, Aurora Smith of Toccoa, Ga.; a step-daughter, Piper Boyd; her father, Jewel Earl Williams of Clarkesville; her mother and adoptive father, April Kramer of Toccoa and Jacob Kramer of Texas; her fiancée, Tommy Boyd of Coffeeville; grandmothers, Alice Woodley and Cathleen Wakester; brothers, Daniel, Charles and Nicolas Kramer, all of Texas, and Jonathan Presley of Clarkesville; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services were held Friday, January 14, in the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart. Pastor Paul Hunter, Rev. Terry Benfield and Rev. Bud Foster officiated.
Barbara Kylene Taylor Mueller
SOUTHAVEN – Barbara Kylene Taylor Mueller, 85, died Saturday, January 15, 2022, at Baptist Hospital – Desoto in Southaven.
The funeral is scheduled Saturday, January 22, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Mills officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at noon in West Hall of Waller Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Pine Flat Cemetery.
Mrs. Mueller was born in Lafayette County to the late Kyle and Cornelia Taylor. As a homemaker, she devoted her life to caring for her family – her greatest joy in life. Mrs. Mueller was married to her dear husband, Ernest, for 67 years. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Robert Mueller and a daughter, Barbara “Barbie” Mueller James.
Mrs. Mueller is survived by three sons, Ernie Lynn Mueller of Eudora, Dennis Mueller and his wife, Renee of Seymour, Tenn., and Mike Mueller and his wife, Cindy of Arkabutla; two sisters, Betty Moorehead of Paris and Jeanette Turnage of Water Valley; two brothers, Glenn Taylor of Water Valley and Darrel Taylor of Illinois.
Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Mrs. Mueller’s memory may be made to the Pine Flat Cemetery Fund, 40 County Road 422, Water Valley, MS 38965.
Ernest Robert Mueller
SOUTHAVEN – Ernest Robert Mueller, 85, died Saturday, January 15, 2022, at Baptist Hospital – Desoto in Southaven. The funeral will be Saturday, January 22 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Mills officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at noon in West Hall of Waller Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Pine Flat Cemetery.
Mr. Mueller was born in Chicago, Ill. to the late Robert and Frances Brenke. He served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army and retired from Ford Motor Company where he worked as a warehouseman. Mr. Mueller was a devout family man and was married to his beloved wife, Barbara, for 67 years. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Kylene Taylor Mueller, and a daughter, Barbara “Barbie” Mueller James.
Mr. Mueller is survived by three sons, Ernie Lynn Mueller of Eudora; Dennis Mueller and his wife, Renee of Seymour, Tenn. and Mike Mueller and his wife, Cindy of Arkabutla; a sister, Karen Stone of Southaven; two brothers, Bob Brenke of Southaven and Al Brenke of Illinois; as well as seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Mr. Mueller’s memory may be made to the Pine Flat Cemetery Fund, 40 County Road 422, Water Valley, MS 38965.
Thomas E. Nabors
WATER VALLEY – Thomas E. Nabors, age 74, of Water Valley died on Friday, January 7 in Yalobusha County. Tom had a gentle spirit, was an avid outdoorsman and a dynamite dancer. Tom was an officer in the US Army and retired Navy civil servant.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, George Nabors and Jeannette Nabors. He is survived by two sons, Robert Nabors and his wife, Ann, and Brett Nabors; a daughter, Katie Lindsay and her husband Daniel Lindsay; two grandchildren, Gray Lindsay and Zoe Lindsay; his partner, Dorothy Rogers; one sister, Carol Couch; and one aunt, Mary Neighbors.
Floyd Dewayne Potts
WATER VALLEY – Floyd Dewayne Potts, age 46, of Water Valley went to his eternal home on January 14, 2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford.
He was born July 26, 1975 to the late Loyd and Joann (Adams) Potts, in Water Valley. After school, Dewayne worked for years at Weyerhaeuser operating equipment. In 1996, at the age of 21, he was recruited by Herbie Rogers as a volunteer fireman at the Velma Fire station outside of Water Valley, where he would train and receive his certification from the Mississippi State Fire Academy. Feeling that this was his calling, he also trained as a first responder for Yalobusha County. Staying with this theme of service, he also drove an ambulance for Yalobusha County. When he wasn’t volunteering at the station, he loved being outdoors hunting, fishing and riding four-wheelers, but some of his best times were just sitting at the lake watching the water.
Visitation is planned for Thursday, January 20, 2022, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from noon until 2 p.m. Services will immediately follow at 2 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Tommy Mitchell officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Liberty Cemetery.
Dewayne is survived by one aunt, Mae Watts of Water Valley; and numerous cousins.
Dewayne was preceded in death by both of his parents.
Rodger Dale Sturgis, Jr.
CHARLESTON – Rodger Dale Sturgis Jr., age 53, passed away January 10, 2022, at the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. Born in Charleston on March 28, 1968, to the late Rodger Dale Sturgis Sr., and Carol Sturgis, Dale is survived by two sons, Josh Sturgis of Enid and Steven Sturgis (Cale) of Holcomb, a daughter, Adrienne Hill (Michael) of Scobey, two sisters, Lisa Lane (Charles), and Jessica Strider (William); one brother, Greg Sturgis (Melissa); three grandchildren, Caden Sturgis, Cameron Sturgis and Layla Sturgis; and a host of nieces and nephews.
The visitation services were held Wednesday, January 12, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church with Rev. Marty Evans conducting. Interment followed at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Caleb Burke, Mitchell Faulkner, Jimmy Manues, J.J. Manues, Josh Sturgis, and Steven Sturgis. Honorary pallbearers were Danny Deaton, Greg Sturgis, Tommy Sturgis and Wes Strider.