Obituaries 3/30/2023
Erma Faye Bateman
WATER VALLEY – Erma Faye Bateman, age 77, of Water Valley went to her forever home Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at her home in Water Valley.
“Tootie,” to those who knew and loved her, was born May 22, 1945, in Water Valley to the late Lloyd and Audrey (Ponder) Allen. After graduating from Water Valley High School, Faye continued her education at Northwest Junior College where she received an associate degree. Faye then moved to Memphis where she worked as a teller at the First National Bank. Once she started her family, Faye chose to become a full-time homemaker and took on the task of raising her boys. Described by her family as feisty, stern and dedicated, she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at an early age and always allowed her faith to guide her life. As a believer, she loved to read and study her Bible. She also found joy in gardening, growing flowers and taking care of her dog, Daisy.
Visitation was held Friday, March 24 in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral service followed in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Rev. Billy Childs officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Faye is survived by four sons, Dominic (Tammy) McCormick, Michael (Mabelle) McCormick, Lionel (Heather) McCormick and Nathan Bateman; five grandchildren; one brother, Charles Dewey Allen; and her special friend, caregiver and sister-in-Christ, Emma Clark.
In addition to her parents, Faye was preceded in death by one brother, Richard Allen; and one sister, Emma Harmon.
Callie Leann Hoop
TILLATOBA – Callie Leann Hoop, 40, of Tillatoba, passed away Friday, March 24, 2023, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Yalobusha County. She was born March 9, 1983, in Grenada to Clark and Clara Mae Hendricks Hoop.
Callie attended Tillatoba Baptist Church and loved to lend a helping hand at any opportunity. She loved spending time with her children, playing basketball with them, riding four-wheelers and shooting guns. Her kind, sweet spirit will be missed for many years to come.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 26, at Tillatoba Baptist Church with Rev. Rickey Harris officiating. Interment followed in Scobey Cemetery. Bubba Dukes, John Dukes, Tony Edwards, Michael Kendall, Elvis Maglothin, Robbie McKnight, Steve Rudd, Corey White and Buddy Winters honored Callie by serving as pallbearers, and carrying her to rest in the Scobey Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada.
Survivors include her husband, Billy Edwards; a daughter, Jenny Edwards; two sons, Chance Welch and Christopher Edwards; as well as a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who grieve her sudden passing.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Shannon Hoop.
Beverly Denise Hughes
WATER VALLEY – Beverly Denise Hughes, 63, passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Tupelo. She was born to the late Charles and Rosemary Meredith Beegle. She married Terry Hughes, and had two children, Tim Hughes and Melissa Hawkins. Before retirement, she worked as an Administrative Assistant at North Mississippi Regional Center in Oxford.
Beverly never met a stranger. She was the most kind-hearted individual anyone could have known, her sweet spirit touching everyone she met. Her laugh was so infectious and unique. If you knew her, you did not forget her. She loved to fish, do her cross word puzzles and Sudoku.
She loved the Lord, her family, and especially her grandchildren. She loved taking her grandchildren shopping, spoiling them every chance she got. They were her whole life and heart. And last but not least, she also loved her fur babies, Max and Bella. She left the legacy to her family to always love the Lord and to be true to yourself. Beverly’s sweet character will be missed by all those that loved and cherished her.
Visitation was held Monday, March 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral service was held Tuesday, March 28, at noon in the Henry Chapel. Bro. Brandon Winters officiated. Seven Oaks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Beverly is survived by her beloved husband, Terry Hughes; her children, Tim Hughes and wife, Cheryl, and Melissa Hawkins; her grandchildren, Alycia Hughes, Grayce Hughes, Alex Spruill and Christopher Hawkins; and her siblings, Sherri Higdon and husband, Sammy, Ronald Beegle, Mike Beegle and Jo, Clark Beegle and wife, Carrie Jo, and Glen Beegle and wife, Pam.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Rosemary Meredith Beegle; and her brother, Dalton Beegle.
Kay F. White Knight
FLORENCE – Kay F. White Knight, 69, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023. A native of Water Valley, Kay had lived in Canton prior to moving to Florence. She enjoyed quilting and loved her dogs.
Kay is survived by a daughter, Diane (Sonny) Ouzts of Florence; a sister, Donna White (Steve) Edwards of Water Valley; grandchildren Brittany (Anthony) Tucker and Sumerlyn (Josh) Rodgers; great-grandchildren Noah, Grayson, Harliegh, Gavin, Shelby and Valerie; and her beloved dog, Bella.
Services were held at Breeland Funeral Home on Monday, March 6, in the chapel. Interment was in Canton Cemetery.
Jack D. McCormack
COFFEEVILLE – Jack D. McCormack, 75, of Coffeeville, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi in Oxford. He was born September 11, 1947 in Coffeeville.
Jack honorably served our country in the US Navy and was a member of the “Seabees.” He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Coffeeville and practiced a quiet faith that he lived out as he served his family. Jack will be remembered as a true American hero who possessed integrity, emboldened determination and a legacy that is unshakable. He always gave time to other veterans as they rehabilitated from injuries, teaching them the value of life. Jack was a history buff and also enjoyed hunting and fishing through the years. He will be missed for many years to come.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at First Baptist Church in Coffeeville. Interment will follow in the Pinecrest Memorial Garden. Family and friends will gather from noon until service time on April 1 at First Baptist Church – Coffeeville. Arrangements have been entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Carolyn Sue Gray McCormack; daughter, Dawn M. McCormack of Southaven; three grandchildren, Jackson Wood Smith, Constance Elizabeth Smith and Haizley Lauren Smith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Neil Wood McCormack and Hulett and Inez Summers Blaylock, and his brother, Neil Wood “Woody” McCormack.
Memorials may be directed to the First Baptist Church – Coffeeville Building Renovation Fund, the Wounded Warrior Project or the charity of the donor’s choice.
James Earl West
WATER VALLEY – James Earl West, age 86, of Water Valley went to be with his Jesus on Friday, March 3, 2023 . He was at his home in Water Valley surrounded by his family.
James was born February 28, 1937, in Hickory Flat to the late Charlie and Merle (Kiddy) West. He graduated from Hickory Flat High School in 1955 and joined the United States Air Force after a couple jobs.
While serving our country James married the love of his life, Jean Bradford, and the couple started their family. James was a multi-faceted man who possessed many talents and passions. One of these passions was to follow his call into ministry, which he did after leaving the Air Force. He attending Blue Mountain College where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in ministry. From this point he and his family would serve the Lord in many different locations.
After 50-plus years of ministry, he and Jean would finally come to live in the Sylva Rena community where they retired.
James was a loving, dedicated and patient man who had a great sense of humor that was readily on display. When he wasn’t studying or preaching, James found pleasure traveling, camping, painting, piddling with cars and playing music on numerous instruments which he taught himself, including bagpipes. His presence will be missed by all that knew him.
Visitation was held Monday, March 6, in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 5 until 7 p.m. The funeral service was held Tuesday March 7, at 10 a.m. with Bro. Truman Scarborough officiating. Burial was in Sylva Rena Cemetery.
James is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jean West; his children; Brenda (Billy) Coleman, Linda Parrish and Greg (Kay) West; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by two brothers, Major West and Terry West.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be made to the Sylva Rena Cemetery Fund.