Obituaries 06/01/2023
Gordon Louis Andrews
WATER VALLEY – Dr. Gordon Louis Andrews of Water Valley went to be with the Lord on May 23, 2023 surrounded by his family.
The youngest of four siblings, he was born on September 22, 1945, to Euna (Songy) and Charles Lee Andrews, Sr., in New Orleans, La. He graduated from Destrehan High School. He later began his collegiate studies with a choral scholarship and received his bachelor’s degree at Southeastern College. He then attended Louisiana State University, where he received his Master’s of Science degree in 1970. He continued on to Mississippi State University where he met the love of his life and received his doctoral degree in Entomology in 1972. Gordon and Cindy would have been married for 49 years on May 26, 2023.
Gordon loved the Lord, his family, learning new things, cooking and singing. His favorite place to be was in his front yard or on family land enjoying the Lord’s creation. He loved hunting and fishing, as well. Throughout the years, he enjoyed grafting pecan trees and gardening. He served in the Rotary Club of Leland. He sang in the American Red Cross choir and First Baptist Church (FBC) choir in Greenville. More recently, he sang in the Anchor Baptist Church choir. He served as a deacon at FBC Greenville for five years.
While earning his doctoral degree, Gordon worked under Dr. Peter Sikorowski in insect pathology. During that time, Gordon had a grant assistantship under Dr. Aubry Harris working on insect pathogens to control the bollworm and tobacco budworm. Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) was beginning to develop. This became the background for the current genetics of BT cotton. In the 1970s, Gordon worked as an assistant professor of entomology at Mississippi State University. He later worked on the Boll Weevil Eradication Program in Panola County and Coahoma County. In 1985, Gordon moved his family to Greenville and started working for the Mississippi State University Extension Service in Stoneville. He worked there for 25-plus years doing research for insect control in agriculture row-crops.
Visitation was held Thursday, May 25, at Anchor Baptist Church. A celebration of life followed Friday, May 26, at 1 p.m. with a graveside service following at Anchor Baptist Church Cemetery. Seven Oaks Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers were Phill Brown, Elliot Hendrix, Thomas Hendrix, Paul McKnight, Tyler Sandlin, Hunter Perry and David Warren. Honorary pallbearers were Charlie Craig, Aubry Harris, Sidney McDaniel, Cecil Simmons, Klois Watts and James Nelms.
Gordon is survived by his wife, Cindy Andrews; a son Gordon Louis Andrews II (Elizabeth); two daughters, Angie (Breisch) Stallings and Elizabeth (Steve) Mears; his grandchildren, Laura Beth Mears (15), Gage Stallings (13), Julie Ann Mears (12), Ann Thomas Stallings (12), Daniel Stallings (9), Mary Grace Mears (8) and Maebelle Andrews (3); a sister, Barbara Andrews (Jim) Jochetz; and a sister-in-law, Jane Andrews.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Euna Reschke; and his brother, Charles Lee Andrews.
Special thanks is extended to his caregivers in his last days, Charlotte Smith, Angie Stallings, Revell Suggs, Stephanie Swanson, and Safe and Sound Homecare (Preston Adaire and Latasha Galmore).
Joe S. Farmer
COFFEEVILLE – Funeral services for Joe S. Farmer, age 77, of Coffeeville were held Saturday, May 27, 2023, at the Mortimer National Funeral Home Chapel in Grenada. Burial followed in Broom Cemetery near Coffeeville.
Joe passed away Thursday, May 25, 2023, at UMMC-Grenada. He was born on November 20, 1945 in Yalobusha County, the son of the late Reed V. Farmer and Grace Adams Farmer.
Joe was employed by the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement. He was a member of the Coffeeville Methodist Church and attended Elliott Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Farmer; one son, James Timothy Farmer; one grandchild; and five great-grandchildren.
Nellie Katherine Tindall Harris
BATESVILLE – Nellie Katherine Tindall Harris, 78, passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North MS in Oxford.
Nellie was born to Janie Chandler and Robert Howard McCullar in Water Valley on December 1, 1944. She enjoyed the outdoors and working in her vegetable garden. She was an excellent cook. Her specialty was her caramel cake, which everyone loved. Nellie loved her cows, to say the least! Each one had a name and she enjoyed showing them off and introducing them to everyone.
She was a faithful member of Terza Methodist Church, since 1965, and was a kind lady, devoted wife, nurturing mother, and loving grandmother.
Visitation was held at Dickins Funeral Home in Batesville, on Sunday, May 28, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The funeral service followed at Terza Methodist Church in Batesville on Monday, May 29, at 10 a.m. Interment was in Terza Cemetery.
Left to cherish her memory is her loving family which includes her husband, Lamar Harris of Batesville; one daughter, Sherry Cook of Batesville; one stepdaughter, Tonya (Brandon) Hylander of Walls; one son, Howard (Robin) Tindell of Saltillo; one stepson, Ray (Martha) Harris of Cary, NC.; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one grandson.
Memorial donations may be sent to American Cancer Society, 607 W. Main St., Suite C, Tupelo, MS 38804 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000. Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38105.
Bettye Jean Lyon
WATER VALLEY – Bettye Jean Lyon of Water Valley passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2023 at the Tishomingo Community Living Center in Iuka. She was 95. Bettye was born March 31, 1928, in Memphis to the late Douglas and Myrtle (Bryant) Cooper.
A graveside service will be held Friday, June 2, at 11 a.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley with Bro. Billy Childs officiating.
Bettye is survived by her children, Mike Lyon, of Iuka, Sharon Summers of Flowery Branch, Ga., Steve Lyon of Austin, Texas and Judy Knesel of Savannah, Ga. She also leaves seven grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.
Along with her parents, Bettye was preceded in death by her husband John W Lyon.