Obituaries 08/11/2022
Frances Dalton
WATER VALLEY – Frances Dalton of Water Valley passed away Monday, August 8, 2022 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. She was 88. Frances was born in Yocona to Cletus and Alma Dale Huckaby. “Memaw,” to all who knew and loved her, built her life around the family that she was devoted to. She was retired from Borg Warner of Water Valley.
Frances’ door was always open to family and friends. She loved Friday night bingo at the VFW and, after retirement, enjoyed watching game shows such as “America Says.” Frances also enjoyed relaxing in her recliner. Memaw was the rock of the family and never said “no” to anyone.
Visitation was held Thursday, August 11, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Services followed Friday, August 12 in Henry Chapel at the funeral home. Burial was in Shiloh Cemetery in Oxford with Shawn Anthony, Brandon Anthony, Preston Wade, Chris Mooney, Eric McCarty and Levon Dempsey serving as pallbearers. Michael Hazim was an honorary pallbearer.
Frances is survived by her daughters, Nancy Hazim (Michael) of Las Vegas, Nev., Pat Wade (Preston) of Oxford, Janice Daugherty of Oxford and Amy Lee of Grenada; three grandsons, Tony Hammers, Shawn (Deborah) Anthony and Brandon (Jennifer) Anthony; three granddaughters, Stephanie Hazim (Tony), Melinda McCarty (Eric) and Erica (Eddie) Miller; and 10 great grandchildren, TJ Mahaffey, Gabriel Hazim, Parker Hazim, Mikey Hazim, Kristen Porrier, Aiden McCarty, Dalton Anthony, Nathan Miller, Lucas Miller, and Jeremiah Hammers.
In addition to her parents, Frances was preceded in death by one brother, Horace Huckaby; one sister, Emma Lou Clark; and two grandsons, Jeremy Hammers and Luke Hammers.
Sheila Johnson
WATER VALLEY – Sheila Johnson, age 78, of Water Valley departed this life Saturday, August 13, 2022, at the Yalobusha County Nursing Home in Water Valley. She was born June 9, 1944, in Water Valley, to Ira and Laverne (Bynum) Johnson.
Visitation is scheduled Thursday, August 18, at Jumpers Chapel Church in Water Valley from noon until 1 p.m. Services will immediately follow at 1 p.m. with Bro. Bobby Jones officiating. Burial will be in Jumper’s Chapel Cemetery.
Sheila was a kind and gentle person. After finishing school, she worked in the family grocery store on Central Street in Water Valley until its closing. Afterwards, she worked for White’s Gas and Oil until her retirement. When not working, Sheila loved spending time in the yard tending to her flowers.
She is survived by one sister, Betty Ford of East Ridge, Tenn. Sheila was preceded in death by both of her parents.
Roy Wayne Lukas
SOUTHAVEN – Roy Wayne Lukas, age 65, of Southaven went to his forever home on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. He was born September 18, 1956, in Coffeeville to the late Ruby Dell Lumas and Booker T. Lumas.
Roy was educated in the Coffeeville School District and played football for Coffeeville High School. Upon graduation, he attended Northwest Community College where he played drums in the NWCC band.
Roy confessed his faith in Christ at an early age at Mount Grove Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. J.C. Hertz, where he served as a deacon and member of the choir. He was gifted in music and enjoyed singing in the choir. He later moved his membership to Brown Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Bartholomew Orr, where he sang in the choir and participated in the Parking Lot Ministry as a parking attendant.
He was united in holy matrimony to Kattie Jennings on September 18, 1982. To this union one daughter, Brandy, was born. Roy was employed with Holly Automotive for over 15 years and retired from Smith & Nephew after more than 15 years of service. He loved spending time with his family and vacationing on the beach in Florida. He was also an avid fan of the Florida State Seminoles football team.
A celebration of his life was held on Sunday, August 7, 2022 at Brown Missionary Baptist Church in Southaven.
He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Kattie Lumas; a daughter, Brandy Lumas; three sisters, Dianne Lumas and Jacqueline Lumas, both of Coffeeville, and Julie Holmes of Syracuse, N.Y.; a sister-in-law, Mollie Faye Profit; two brothers-in-law, Billy Earl (Addie) Jennings and Edward Christopher (Naomi) Jennings; and a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, other relatives, and dear friends with whom he shared a special bond.
Virginia Lee McClaflin
MEMPHIS – Virginia Lee McClaflin, age 98, of Memphis passed away on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. Virginia was born April 16, 1924, in St. Genevieve, Mo. to the late Henry and Alma Tessereau. Virginia spent her formative years in Flat River, Mo. In 1948, she moved to Water Valley when her husband, Leroy, was transferred with his job. She spent 30-plus years as an optometric assistant in Water Valley.
Virginia loved to bake, but her passion was talking on the telephone to all of her friends and family. Virginia was very active in First Christian Church in Water Valley and in Park Village Christian Church after she moved to Memphis. In her late teens, she and her sister, Geneva, sang at public events which is how she met the love of her life, Leroy. One of Virginia’s favorite activities in Water Valley was playing rook and hosting parties at her home.
Services were held Friday, July 29, 2022 at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave. in Memphis. A committal service followed at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Virginia leaves behind her son, Robert McClaflin (Bev); a daughter, Terryl Viner (Tim); a step-daughter, Patricia Sansom; a sister, Juanita Ratley; granddaughters, Diane Sparks (Tim), Dana Palacios (Luis), Denise Viner and Delaney Viner; step-grandsons, James Sansom, Alex Sansom, Bruce Sansom and Tom Sansom; great-grandchildren, Chloe Sparks, Ryan Palacios, David Sparks and Amber Palacios; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Leroy McClaflin; her parents; a sister, Geneva Coplin; and brothers Henry Tessereau and Bobby Tessereau.
Frances Murphy Norwood
WATER VALLEY – Frances Murphy Norwood, age 87, of Water Valley, MS, went to her forever home Monday, August 8, 2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. She was born on January 21, 1935, in Alabama to Joseph Selmon Murphy and Voner Boyett Murphy Jennings.
Frances is described by her family as a very loving and giving person who led a reserved life. She loved the Lord and was very faithful in her walk. She knew in her heart that she was ready to meet Him when the time came. Most importantly, she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She always reminded her family to love the Lord with all their hearts. She will be dearly missed by all those that loved and cherished her.
Visitation was held Saturday, August 13, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral service followed in Henry Chapel with Rev. Michael Butterfield officiating. Burial was in Jumper’s Chapel Cemetery.
Frances is survived by her daughter, Sharron (Matthew) Buyer, of Germantown, Tenn.; her grandchildren, Sarah (Austin) Fagan, Ethan (Megan) Buyer, and Benjamin Buyer; her great-grandchildren, Sloan and Darby Fagan; and her brothers, Paul Jennings and Dale (Melinda) Jennings.
Frances was preceded in death by her husband, James Norwood; her parents, Joseph Selmon Murphy and Voner Boyett Murphy Jennings; and her sister, Ruby Murphy Wood.
Harold Edward Savage
OXFORD – Harold Edward Savage, age 83, of Oxford went to his forever home Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at his home with family by his side. He was born in Oxford on May 25, 1939, to Paul and Irene (Smith) Savage.
Harold moved to Chicago at an early age and started his life-long career in auto mechanics. Later he also did body work. He is described as kind-hearted and strong-willed man who couldn’t pass up an opportunity to tell a corny joke. When he wasn’t working, Harold was passionate about bowling and shooting pool, a hobby that he was voted as most valuable player for five years. He also enjoyed watching John Wayne movies and Gunsmoke.
Visitation was held Friday, August 12, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral service followed on Saturday, August 13, in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks. Burial was in Camp Ground Cemetery.
Harold is survived by one son, Kurt Savage (Leronda) of Water Valley; four daughters, Colleen Craven, Suzette Dufrene, and Denise Welch (Jeff), all of Water Valley, and Linda Savage (Bill) of Cedar Lake, Ind.; one step-son, Danny Lempa (Amanda); one sister, Janie Miller; 24 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and a “special family member,” Randy Smith.
Along with his parents, Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Lynda Savage; two sons, Keith Savage and Kenny Savage; and one grandson, Jimmy Yodual; as well as six brothers, and five sisters.
Arnold Leon Wallace
WATER VALLEY – Arnold Leon Wallace, age 88, of Water Valley passed away Friday, August 12, 2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. He was born May 20, 1934, in Washington State to the late Jesse and Martina Wallace.
Arnold was described by his family as being a determined, honest, and energetic man, such that you never had to guess where you stood with him. Leon honorably served his country in the Navy during the Korean War. In 1997, after 42 years at the Holley Carburetor Plant in Bowling Green, Ky., he retired and moved to Water Valley. He was a very hands-on person, often enjoying crafts and working in his yard. He also enjoyed traveling and watching little league baseball. Above all else, he loved his family. He will be missed by all those that loved and cherished him.
Visitation was held Tuesday, August 16 in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Services followed at 11 a.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Kenny Harmon officiating. Internment was at Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley.
Arnold is survived by his wife, Mavis Wallace; his children, Kenny (Cindy) Wallace, Julie Wallace, Dennis (Amella) Wallace and Donna Wallace; and his step-children, Kenny (Marva) Harmon and Michael Harmon; 15 grandchildren: 15 great grandchildren, and two brothers, Ron Wallace and Mike Lamberton.
Along with his parents, Arnold was preceded in death by two brothers, Jesse Wallace, Jr., and Jim Wallace; and one sister, Leona Pearl McFarlane.