Obituaries 05/09/2024
Patrecea Lou Cade
WATER VALLEY – Patrecea Lou Cade, a beloved member of the community, sadly passed away on May 3, 2024, at her residence in Water Valley. Patrecea was born on January 15, 1934, in Pine Valley to the late Joseph and Mary (Davis) Avant. She was 90.
After her primary education, she attended nursing school and became a dedicated nurse, having worked in hospitals across the country including Chicago and California, before settling in Clarksdale for thirteen years and eventually finding her home in Water Valley, where she served as a nurse at Yalobusha County Hospital. Her passion for helping others extended beyond her professional life as she opened her heart and home as a foster parent to numerous children through the years.
Known for her outgoing nature and ambitious spirit, Patrecea was a talented seamstress, finding joy in sewing and participating in community activities. She was a member of Sylva Rena Baptist Church.
A Funeral Service to honor and celebrate Patrecea’s life will be held at Seven Oaks Funeral Home on May 8, at noon with visitation preceding the service at 10 a.m. Friends, family, and all those whose lives were touched by Patrecea are invited to join in remembering and honoring her remarkable life.
Patrecea is survived by three sons, Clinton (Cheryl) Cade, David (Cheryl) Cade and Ronnie (Joann) Cade; one brother, Clinton Avant; four sisters, Nina (Vidus) Pendleton, Patsy (Dennis) Waldo, Linda (Marshal) Richards and Tommie Foster; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
In addition to her parents, Patrecea was preceded in death by her husband, Clinton Cade; two brothers, Billy Avant and James Avant; six sisters, Jeraldine Riley, Joyce Avant, Brenda Avant, Beverly Davis, Betty Jo Coleman and Mary Avant; and one grandson, Joshua Cade.
Sylvia G. Hollingsworth
SENATOBA – Sylvia G. Hollingsworth, a cherished wife, loving mother, and talented artisan, passed away on May 2, 2024, at her home in Senatobia. Sylvia was born on October 31, 1958, in Water Valley and spent her life dedicated to her family and her creative passions.
Throughout her 65 years, Sylvia was a devoted spouse to her husband, Jimmy Hollingsworth, in 36 years of marriage. She was a nurturing mother to her children, and took pride in being a family protector. Sylvia’s artistic talents shone brightly as she immersed herself in various creative endeavors including oil painting, sewing, woodworking, pottery and jewelry making. She also worked at Whirlpool in Oxford, showcasing her dedication to her professional life in customer service within the retail sales industry.
Those who knew Sylvia will remember her as a vibrant soul, always full of life and creativity. Her love for children and family was evident in everything she did, and her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her.
Funeral services to honor and celebrate Sylvia’s life were held at Seven Oaks Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 7.
Sylvia is survived by her husband, Jimmy Hollingsworth; children, Jimmy Dale (Anita) Hollingsworth, Jr. of Batesville; Tina (Joey) Nesbitt and Jeffery Mark Neely, all of Southaven; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Brenda Irene Conner (Barney) of Oxford.
In addition to her parents, William and Myrtle Pryor, Sylvia was preceded in death by one daughter, Sherri McKay; three brothers; one sister; and her dear friend, Dollie Turner.
James William Johnson
SPRING HILL – James William Johnson, age 68, of Spring Hill went to his forever home Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Yalobusha County Nursing Home in Water Valley. He was born May 10, 1955, in Memphis to the late Gayle and Celestine (Milstead) Johnson.
With a passion for life that was evident to all who knew him, he loved fast cars and martial arts, always seeking new adventures and challenges. In 1965 when James was 10, he moved with his family to Spring Hill. He was a skilled carpenter by trade, having worked in the construction industry for many years. In the early 1980s, James relocated to Illinois where he practiced his trade before returning home in the mid-1990s. James continued his career in construction until his retirement in 2007 due to illness.
James will be deeply missed by his surviving sisters, Billie Joe (JC) Duncan of Sardis and Barbara (Mike) Stevens of Charleston; children, Chase Johnson, Cody (Jess) Johnson and Chelsea Simpes; stepchildren, Dusty Goodwin and Jerry Goodwin; 13 grandchildren; a great-grandchild; nephews, Chris Russell, Jason (Amber) Russell; and a host of other family members. James was preceded in death by his parents.
A funeral service in honor of James’ life was held at Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley on May 3 at 1 p.m.
Alice Burt Pray
BATON ROUGE, La. – Alice “Jane” Burt Pray, our beloved “Mimi,” went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 30, 2024, surrounded by her family at her daughter’s home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Jane was born on March 1, 1939, in Charleston. She grew up riding horses on her family cattle farm in Oakland, in rural Yalobusha County in northern Mississippi.
After high school, Jane attended and earned a degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, having taken a bus down from Oakland without having arranged for housing or school registration in advance. Being the independent and confident young woman she was, she took care of both on day one.
After college, she moved to the French Quarter in New Orleans, where she met the love of her life, Horace “Clint” Pray, of Crowley, La. They were married in New Orleans on August 31, 1963, on her beloved’s birthday, and were thereafter blessed with three children – Brian (Monique) Pray, Shelley (Kirk) Guidry, and Jordana (Greg) Pray Gilbert. Jane and Clint moved to Covington, La. in 1973 and were members of First Baptist Church of Covington for 50 years. Jane loved her weekly Bible study, The Mary Martha Group, and often shared that week’s message with her family. In 1985, they purchased a country home outside Madisonville where they kept horses and Jane raised chickens and guineas.
Jane also enjoyed tennis and especially bridge. Until recently she was still playing bridge once a week at Beau Chene in Mandeville. She also enjoyed having lunch and playing bridge regularly with her dear friends Janice Boyce, Marvelle Donaldson, and Maria Legendre.
Jane was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. In addition to her three children, she is survived by seven grandchildren, Brittany (Christian) Anders, Laurel (Mat) Drasner, Caroline (Joel) Smith, Kirk “Andy” (Annie) Guidry, Brennen Gilbert, Ella Gilbert, and Grant Gilbert; and seven great grandchildren, Noah, McKenna, Hazel, Daisy, Rueben, Kirk III, and Hank; and by one sister, Patsy Burt Williams.
She was pre-deceased by her husband of 56 years, Horace Clint Pray; parents, George Lee Burt and Hattie Berry Patterson Burt; brothers, Joe Lee Burt and George “Dale” Burt.
A celebration of life service was held at the family farm in Madisonville, La. on Saturday, May 4. She was laid to rest in the family cemetery in Oakland, Mississippi.
Fay M. Ross
WATER VALLEY – A beloved mother, grandmother and friend, Fay M. Ross, 95, peacefully passed away on April 30, 2024, in Water Valley with loved ones by her side. She was born June 11, 1928, in Mississippi.
In her younger years, Fay worked as a linotype operator for the North Mississippi Herald. She later became a homemaker and was cherished by all who knew her.
Throughout her life, Fay was known for her feisty and fun-loving personality. After earning her high school diploma, she and her beloved Harry lived in Water Valley, Forest and Corinth before eventually residing in West Point until retirement. They moved back to their hometown of Water Valley. Fay had a passion for playing canasta, bridge, and was a founding member of her rook club for over 60 years. She was an avid reader, particularly enjoying Western novels, and had a fondness for country music and fishing.
To honor Fay’s life and memory, a visitation will be held on Saturday, May 11, at 1 p.m. followed by the funeral at 2 p.m. at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The burial will take place later on the same day at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Fay will be dearly missed by her surviving relatives including her daughter, Jill Sharp (Roger Tollison) of Water Valley; her son, Scott (Donna) Ross of West Point; five grandchildren, Katherine Ross (Glen) Stringer of Columbia, Miss., Stephen Ross of West Point, Harley Sharp, Carson Sharp (Erin), Collin Sharp, all of Water Valley; and one great-grandchild, Ross Stringer. Fay’s lively spirit and strong will were characteristic of her nature, endearing her to many.
Fay was preceded in death by her parents, Norman and Dora (Cox) Milstead; her husband of 60 years, Harry Ross; one son, James Michael Ross; three brothers; and two sisters.