Obituaries 04/30/2023
Roy Lee Davenport
TILLATOBA – Mr. Roy Lee Davenport Sr. of Tillatoba passed away Saturday, April 15, 2023 at his residence. He was 83. Born Nov. 22, 1939 in Sardis, he was a son of Charles Lindsey and Mattie Rosalie West Davenport. Roy was a retired roofer, working many years working as a contractor. An avid outdoorsman, Roy enjoyed fishing at every opportunity. He also enjoyed spending time with family and friends sharing stories about his experiences during his lifetime.
Memorial service plans are private. McKibben and Guinn Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include three daughters, Joanna Melton of Winona, Freedom Michelle Davenport of Memphis and Diann (Chad) Wardlaw of Tillatoba; two sons, Ronnie (Cindy) Davenport and Glenn Davenport, both of Tillatoba; two brothers, Mitchell Davenport of Lumberton and Ray Davenport of Long Beach; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 60 years, Barbara Ann Davenport; three daughters, Becky Kunefke, Elizabeth Darlene Davenport and Barbara Gail Davenport; a son, Butch Davenport; three sisters, Betty Pitts, Earline Davenport and Aline Whisenant; and four brothers, William, Harvey, Jerry and Damon Davenport.
Lorene Vaughan Jones
BATESVILLE – Lorene Vaughan Jones, age 79, passed away Monday, April 17, 2023 at her home in Batesville. Lorene was born on June 1, 1943 to the late William Ernest Vaughan and Jenny Hazel Darby Vaughan in Batesville.
Lorene and her late husband, Joel, were faithful members of Jumper’s Chapel Methodist Church in Water Valley, where he pastored for 32 years. She took great pride in her role as a pastor’s wife and stay-at-home mother to her three children. One of her greatest blessings in life was when she became a grandmother and great-grandmother. Lorene’s faithfulness and love for her family never went unnoticed.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, at the Shiloh United Methodist Church. Interment was at the church cemetery. Wells Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.
The family left behind to cherish her precious memory include her two children, Jenny Jones (Scott) Sullivant and Jason Jones both of Batesville; six grandchildren, Anna Camp, Ali Gurley, Parker Jones, Bailey Sullivant, Payton Jones and Grace Jones; 12 great grandchildren, Aiden Sullivant, Caden Camp, Everette Camp, Holden Camp, Riley Mills Camp, Adelyn Gurley, Avery Gurley, Waverly Gurley, Iyla Jones, Addy Jones, Ivy Jones and Dax Jones.
Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by husband, Joel Eugene Jones; and one daughter, Angie Jones Ellis. She is also preceded in death by four siblings, Bill Vaughan, Natalia Moore, Ernestine Vick and Harold Vaughan.
Joe L. Parker
MERIDIAN – Mr. Joe Parker, age 87, of Meridian passed away Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Anderson Regional Medical Center.
Joe Parker was born in Coffeeville, MS to Della Mae Williams Parker and Edgar Larice Parker. He grew up with his sisters Virginia and Elsie. In 1955, he graduated from Coffeeville High School on a Friday night and by Monday morning he had left for the Navy. This marked the beginning of a more than thirty-year career in the military. Not long after, he married Margaret Pace Parker, whom he would love for over 50 years. During these decades, she brought home countless strays that he begrudgingly learned to love and cherish. Together, Joe and Margaret raised their two daughters, Melissa and Michelle. While working full time as an airplane mechanic and Master Sergeant for the Air Force, Joe attended Meridian Community College and earned his associates degree. In 1994, he officially retired from the military. Retirement for Joe consisted of having weekly breakfasts at the local truck stop with his best friend, Harold Akin, and dutifully tending to his grandchildren, Ainsley and Gavin. He would share with them, and anyone who would listen, stories of growing up “dirt poor,” traveling the world as a serviceman, and why he loved his favorite plane, the J-3 Piper Cub. An avid reader of history and historical fiction, he frequently had his nose in a Louis L’Amour or Tom Clancy book. In his later years, he found great companionship and joy in his little yellow cat, Emily, whom he affectionately called “Miss Emma.” Undoubtedly, Joe is overjoyed to be reunited with his parents, his sister Virginia, his best friend Harold, and others he has loved and lost along the way.
A private celebration of life for Joe L. Parker will be held May 6 in Coffeeville. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home was honored to be entrusted with arrangements.
Survivors include his sister, Elsie Shaw; daughters, Melissa Spellmeyer and Michelle Ash; grandchildren, Ainsley Ash, Gavin Ash, McCall Taylor, Lawrence Spellmeyer, and Alex Spellmeyer; and great-grandchildren, Annalise Taylor and Saxon Taylor.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia; his parents Della Mae and Edgar; his grandparents; and his best friend Harold Akin. He was joined by his wife, Margaret, who passed just three days later.
Annie Bell Owens
WATER VALLEY – Annie Bell Owens, age 90, passed peacefully April 21, 2023, at home in her bed. She was surrounded by love every day until the day she went home to the Lord.
Annie was born in Water Valley on June, 1932, to the late Annie C. Owens and Fred Owens. She joined Everdale Missionary Baptist church at an early age and enjoyed singing solo and with the choir. She also served on the usher board. Annie worked many years housekeeping and private babysitting. She also worked for many companies including Red Barn, Country Club, Head Start Center, and Ram Tool, later known as Holley Carburetor. She enjoyed walking, a good conversation with friends and family, growing flowers, sewing and sitting on the front porch with a cup of coffee while counting the cars that passed. She was cherished by many people that have felt nurturing love when they met her.
She married Richard Gordon at an early age. Three children were born to this union, Gertrude, and twins Annie Pearl and the late Richard Earl, Jr. She also raised Angela Gordon-Brown as a daughter, as well as bonus children Etta Bobo and Howard Bobo.
The wake will be held Thursday, April 27, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Serenity-Daniels Funeral Home at 206 Martin Street in Water Valley. The funeral will follow at Everdale M.B. Church on Friday, April 28, at noon.
Annie leaves to cherish a sister, Margaret Johnson of Oxford; children, Gertrude and Annie Pearl of Water Valley and Angela Brown; grandchildren Angela Gordon-Brown of Clinton, James Gordon of Toledo, Ohio, and Joann Caldwell and John L Caldwell, both of Water Valley; great-grandchildren Dwight Brown Jr of Hattiesburg, James Washington of Augusta, Ga., Tiah Celeste Brown of Jackson, Bryanna Brown of Pearl, Jumiah Jones, Pallyus Caldwell of Water Valley, Sryah Caldwell of Water Valley and Makiyah Gordon of Toledo, Ohio; and a great-great grandchild, Jada Washington of Oxford.
Annie was proceeded in death by her son, Richard Earl Gordon; her parents; and siblings Freddie Harris, Robert Owens, Willie Owens, George Owens, Russell Owens, Leslie Owens, Ella Mae Owens, Gertrude Owens, Claudie Mae Owens-Valentine and Ethel Oliver.
John Mark Surrette
FULTON – John Mark Surrette, 63, died on April 22, 2023.
John was born on February 3, 1960, in Water Valley, to George and Lorene Surrette. A resident of Fulton, John grew up in Yalobusha County with his five brothers on the family farm and working at Surrette’s supermarket. He attended Water Valley High School, where he was active in Future Farmers of America.
John began his career with the Baddour, Inc. Company as store manager at numerous stores in Louisiana and Mississippi. From 1984-1994 he worked for Pepsi Cola Bottling as district manager in several districts. In 1994, he joined Moak Beverage Company working with 7UP/RC Bottling Company until 2010. He was the area supervisor for three distribution branches. From 2010-2012, he served as transfer driver relocating tractors, trailers, and other equipment to various Ryder locations in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. From 2012 until his retirement in 2020, he worked for Fibrix as logistics/shipping manager.
John loved to spend time outdoors hunting, fishing and gardening.
Visitation was held Tuesday April 25, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from noon until 2 p.m. Services immediately followed at 2 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Darrell Surrette officiating. Burial was in Sylva Rena Cemetery. Pallbearers were Derrick Surrette, Randy Surrette, Joey Surrette, Zane Surrette, Byron Surrette, Camron Surrette. Honorary pallbearers were Paige Murphy, Leona Surrette and Jason Surrette.
John is survived by his wife of 34 years, Vicki; a step-daughter Maggie (Chad) Caldwell of Mooreville; a son, Jessie (Andrea) Surrette of Amory; a step-son, Casey Franks of Tupelo; two daughters, Jennifer Thompson of Bruce and Janella (Adam) Holmes of Paris; a son, Jared Surrette of Paris; brothers, Butch (Ann) Surrette of Water Valley, Joe (Karen) Surrette of Greenwood and Kevin (Suzanne) Surrette of Cordova, Tenn.; grandchildren, Marissa Leavitt, Seth Surrette, Lexi Thompson, Lily Surrette, Tyler Schoggin, Gracie Ann Atwood, Abigail Thompson, Anna Surrette, Cohen Caldwell and Stella Franks; great grandson, John Tyler Schoggin; and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceeded in death by his parents and brothers, Murray Surrette and Morris Surrette.