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Obituaries 02/03/2022

Wilma Sledge Jenkins

OXFORD – Wilma Sledge Jenkins, 79, passed away Saturday, January 22, 2022, in Oxford.

Services were held Thursday, January 27, at 1 p.m. at Coleman Funeral Home in Oxford with Bro. Justin Gates officiating. Interment followed at Old Union Cemetery.

Wilma was born to the late Melvin and Macie Britt. She was married to Bobby Jenkins for 45 years. Wilma is described by her family as being a loving, caring wife, mother and grandmother who was always kind to everyone. She enjoyed bird watching, gardening, fishing with her husband, Bobby, and just simply being outdoors. She loved watching the game show network and her precious cat, Girl. But above all things, her pride and joy were her grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by all those who loved and cherished her.

Wilma is survived by her husband, Bobby Jenkins, of Oxford; her daughters, Teresa (Tim) Whitehead and Lisa (Earnie) Harrison, both of Oxford; her grandchildren, Timothy “TJ” Whitehead and Brooklyn Whitehead; her stepdaughters, Ann Savage, of Water Valley and Mae (Jim) Darby, of Horn Lake; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her honorary family members, Ashley Wilkins; Betty King, Hardie, Katrinia, Ty, Hayden, Annie, and Kamari Meeks; Georgia Bryant, Jimmy Bratton, Wayne Loner, and Paul Pierce.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Macie Britt; and her siblings, Grace Sledge, Ralph Britt, Ray Britt, Dean Britt, Buford Britt, Bill Britt, and Betty Ann Britt.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Nine Lives Cat Rescue (P.O. Box 2006 Oxford, MS 38655 or www.ninelivescatrescue.com) or Old Union Cemetery Fund (2040 West Wellsgate Drive Oxford, MS 38655).

Mary Jane Appleton Johnson

WATER VALLEY – Mary Jane Appleton Johnson passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Jan. 27, 2022. She was the daughter of Mary (Mae) and Clinton Appleton of Water Valley, born on June 22, 1925. She met her husband, Texan, Ralin Johnson, at the Grenada Air Force Base in 1942. They were married 59 years.

Mary Jane was voted Water Valley’s first Homecoming Queen in 1942, and after high school graduation she attended Miller Hawkins Business School. Her first secretarial job was at the Grenada Air Force Base. When the war ended, they moved to Texas where she worked as an executive secretary for several oil companies for 35 years.

Retirement brought them back to Water Valley in 1982. For enjoyment she fired and painted ceramics. Her manger scene, “Christmas Village, Wise Men, and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause,” will be passed down to her family for enjoyment for generations to come. She also enjoyed watercolor and oil paintings, and her family members cherish the ones she left them.

Per her request, she was cremated and her celebration of life will be held near her birthday in June in the garden at her daughter and son-in-law’s home.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Connie and David Wilson; a brother, Charlie Appleton (Betty); a granddaughter, Chelle Wilson Worrell (Dann); a great granddaughter, Alexa Rae Heafner McGhee (Will); her niece, Donna Jane Appleton (John); her nephew, Steven Appleton (Sharon); a great-niece, Brittney Appleton Chandler (Kevin); and their children, Kasen and Gracyn.

Mary Jane was treasured by family, loved by many, and her memory will live on in all she loved.

Dorris Faye Porter Massie

WATER VALLEY – Dorris Faye Porter Massie left this earthly life on Sunday, January 30, 2022, after an extended illness.

Dorris was born in Coffeeville on July 18, 1935, to James Roy Porter and Annie Mae Denton Porter. The oldest of four daughters, she exhibited leadership tendencies at an early age. Despite a childhood illness that delayed her education, Dorris began her career as a businesswoman after graduating high school in the 1950s. Her career started as a secretary and bookkeeper at Rebel Motors, Inc. in Oxford where she learned the fundamentals of the business world. The next step in her career was to become an insurance agent.

In 1962, Dorris married her true love J. B. Massie. Together, they had two children. In 1974, Dorris was widowed. After the death of her husband, Dorris found herself in an unusual position for the time; a woman who owned a prestigious business, Massie Insurance Agency.

Dorris grew her business and raised her children in a time when single women were seldom recognized as leaders in their communities. Dorris broke those stereotypes by obtaining her realtor’s license, garnering a seat on the board of directors of the Sunburst Bank, being an active leader in the First Christian Church, and an influential member of many community organizations, such as the Junior Auxiliary and the Pilot club.

In addition to her professional and community activism, Dorris advocated the gender integration of the Water Valley summer youth league baseball program in the 1970s, an effort that allowed her daughter to participate in the league.

After the 1984 tornado, the insurance companies Dorris represented as an independent agent left Mississippi. Forced to reimagine her business ventures, Dorris went on to own several other successful small businesses until her health forced her to retire around 2013.

Dorris’ success was due to her ingenuity and unwavering spirit; which carried on into her family life. She became the matriarch of her family upon the passing of her father in 1982. Dorris cared for her mother until her death in 2008 as well as being the pillar through several other family tragedies.

Dorris was especially close to her younger sister Joan Porter McMinn. She treasured by many close friends over the years whom she considered to be family and took great pride in the terms of endearment that they referred to her such as ‘Momma Massie” and “Darse”.

Dorris’ greatest accomplishment in life was her children. She took great pride in them and their personal successes in life. Her love for them exceeded their understanding as there was no physical way for her to adequately express her love for them.

Dorris leaves her children Jane Massie (Rande) of Hernando and John B. “Benjie” Massie, Jr. of Water Valley; one grandchild, Kaylee Sprouse of Water Valley; two sisters and three nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, J. B. Massie; parents, James Roy Porter and Annie Mae Denton Porter; special friend, Bill Taylor; and sister, Joan Porter McMinn.

A graveside service on Tuesday, February 1,  at 2 p.m. in the family plot at Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley.

Betty L. “Bid” Odom

WATER VALLEY – Betty L. “Bid” Odom of Water Valley died peacefully on January 28, 2022, at the age of 84 surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

Betty was born on June 10, 1937 in Camden, Mississippi to Anthony B. and Merle Cauthen Linn. Born the fourth of five children, her childhood was spent on the family farm and in her father’s general store in Camden. In 1954 she graduated from Holmes County Agricultural High School and began working as a nurse’s aide in Lexington. A case of tonsillitis brought a young man named Wallace to the very same hospital and in 1956 they secretly left for the county fair and returned husband and wife.

As their family grew, Wallace’s career with Illinois Central Railroad took them to Hammond, La. and Lake, Miss. before ultimately settling in Water Valley in 1970. After working as a nurse’s aide at Yalobusha General Hospital, Betty began a career at the former Holley Automotive. She retired from Borg Warner in 2002 after more than 30 years of service to the company.

Betty’s tidiness was legendary and her grandchildren are convinced that if ever there was a “floor clean enough to eat off of,” it was hers. She was the very definition of a “green thumb” and possessed a remarkable ability to grow just about anything. She loved being among nature and spent countless hours working in her yard and bird watching. Never one to say no to a challenge, after retirement she participated in numerous 5K races with family members that could barely keep up. At her retirement celebration, Betty was described as the model of hard-work and dedication, but her true passion and devotion was to her family and to God.

Her home was the destination for many family gatherings and the source of countless wonderful memories among those fortunate enough to call her “Babe.” Though her family feels grief at her passing, they take comfort in the knowledge that her tenacity, grace and wit will live on in the hearts of untold generations to come.

A private memorial service and burial will be held for family.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Wallace Herbert (Pooh) Odom, Sr.; a son, Danny Glynn; her parents Anthony B. and Merle (Big Nana) Linn, and three of her four siblings (Virginia, Martha, and David). She is survived by a son, Wallace “Chip” Odom, Jr. (Cathy); and two daughters, Cheryl (Wayne) Harris and Lisa (Larry Wayne) Kimzey; a brother Anthony B. Linn of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren, all whom loved her very much.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Yalobusha County Nursing Home Activity Fund,  P.O. Box 728, Water Valley, MS 38965.

Lou Larson O’Neal

PEARL – Lou Larson O’Neal died on January 27, 2022 at Wisteria Gardens in Pearl. Born August 4, 1943 in Water Valley, she attended  all grades in Water Valley schools, graduating from Water Valley High School in 1961. She earned degrees from University of Mississippi and Louisiana State University. Her career in education spanned 42 years, having taught in Louisiana and Mississippi. She retired in 2006. Lou was a member of McLaurin Heights United Methodist Church in Pearl.

A memorial service will be held February 12, 2022 at McLaurin Heights United Methodist Church, 325 Mary Ann Dr. Pearl, MS 39208. Visitation from 10am with the service at 11am. Memorial donations in her name may be made to Methodist Children’s Home or a favorite charity.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Roy Lee and Fannie Lou Larson; a sister, Shirley Larson Waller; and a brother, Jim Larson. She is also survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Peter and Sheri O’Neal of Baton Rouge; her twin sister, Sue Larson Elcan, of Pearl; a brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Karen Larson of Arlington, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to Lou’s dear friends, Beth Smira and Patty Craft for all the tears and laughter shared and the lifelong friendships. 

Donald Lee Vining

COFFEEVILLE – Donald Lee Vining, 51, of Coffeeville, passed away Saturday, January 29, 2022 at his residence.  Lee was born August 23, 1970 in Texas to Thaddeus and Peggy Williams Vining. He possessed a strong work ethic and enjoyed many years working as a welder at Harrell’s Metal Works in Grenada.

An avid outdoorsman, Lee also enjoyed hunting and spending time in the woods at any opportunity he had.  He cherished his relationship with the Lord and enjoyed worshiping Him with other believers at Way of Life Ministries in Grenada.

Memorial service plans are pending and will be announced at a later date. McKibben and Guinn Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Barbarella-Gina Vining; three sons, Robbie Wayne Kendall, Jr. (Tasha) of Coffeeville, Steven Jacob Kendall (Angel) of Coffeeville and Nathaniel Kendall (Kristy) of Kansas City, Mo.; six grandchildren, Jaylin Kendall, Landen Kendall, Carter Bennett, Lilly Bennett, Kiersten Kendall and Alton Rivers Kendall; nephew Josh Vining(Alana) of Coffeeville; and his in-laws, Carolyn and Thomas Holmes of Kilmichael and Logan Murphy of Coffeeville.

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