Obituaries 06/13/2024
Michael William Bruner
WATER VALLEY – Michael William Bruner (Mike), 60, was finally freed from his suffering on Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Michael was originally from Baltimore, Maryland, but had resided in Mississippi for the last nine years. He was the son of the late Roy William Bruner of Water Valley and the late Harriet Ayersman Curtin of Baltimore. He is survived by his wife of over 27 years, Gail Bruner, and their children: Marie (Rodger) Elutrio of Ruskin, Fla., Tyler Bruner and Caroline Bruner, both of Oxford; one grandson, Sean Brown of Florida; and a sister, Natascha Bruner of Water Valley.
Mike was very outgoing and never met a person he couldn’t strike up a conversation with. His boisterous and outgoing personality made it hard for most to resist. He had a quick wit, with the occasional bad dad joke thrown in. As a younger man, he had his demons. Yet with great determination of the type of man he was to become, he overcame them.
Mike was extremely creative and a great lover of the arts. His talents included landscaping, leatherwork, painting, and cooking. His cooking and baking skills were amazing. His holiday meals, grilling skills, and party hors d’oeuvres were always greatly anticipated. He also had a great love of history, especially the Civil War. Of the creative arts, his greatest passion was being on stage in front of an audience. His time with the Westmoreland Players in Callo, Va. was some of his most enjoyed. He painted and built sets, worked backstage, hung lighting, and worked the sound board. But he loved being on stage more than anything.
Later in life, he found the love of travel, especially by car. He wanted to see the country up close. One of his favorite places, and a future retirement destination, was Arizona. He and Gail traveled there as much as they possibly could.
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 13, from noon until 2 p.m. at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. A memorial service at the funeral home will follow.
JoAnn Carlisle
WATER VALLEY – JoAnn Carlisle passed away peacefully on June 3, 2024, at the age of 92. She was born September 21, 1931, in Water Valley and lived a full and vibrant life, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, love, and dedication to her family and community.
JoAnn was born and raised in Water Valley, where she developed a deep appreciation for the simplicity and beauty of rural life. She married Joe A. Carlisle, and together they built a life filled with love and partnership. After their marriage, JoAnn and Joe moved to Memphis where JoAnn embarked on a 25-year career as a butcher. Known for her expertise and warm personality, JoAnn built lasting relationships with her customers and colleagues. Her commitment to her work was exemplary, and she was respected and loved by all who knew her.
Upon retiring, JoAnn and Joe returned to their beloved Water Valley. JoAnn worked at Valley Animal Hospital, where her love for animals found a new outlet. She dedicated her time to raising cows, pigs, and chickens. She cultivated a vast vegetable garden that became a source of pride and nourishment for her family and friends. Her garden was a testament to her green thumb and her deep connection to the earth. She spent countless hours planting, tending, and harvesting, sharing the fruits of her labor.
JoAnn’s home was always a hub of activity, filled with laughter, love, and the delicious smells of home-cooked meals. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, always putting her family first. Her wisdom, kindness, and nurturing spirit were the cornerstones of her family, and her legacy will live on through the values she instilled in her loved ones.
JoAnn is predeceased by her parents, Elmer and Zulene Vaughn; her four sisters, Mildred Carter, Jean Mixon, Jane Mixon, and Patsy Mixon; her two brothers, Lawrence Vaughn and George Vaughn; her son, Tracy Carlisle; and her grandson, Daniel Hugueley.
She is survived by her daughter, Rita Hugueley; her son, Charles (Skye) Carlisle; her daughter-in-law, Lonna Carlisle; her grandchildren, Eric (Misty) Carlisle, Stacey (Jeff) Wilkerson, Kyle Carlisle, Micheal (Cecelia) Patrolia, Hayley Maddox Scott, Drew White and Connor Joe Carlisle; and eight great-grandchildren.
A memorial service to celebrate JoAnn’s life was held June 7 at Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley. Interment followed at Camp Ground Cemetery.
Bobby James Gilmer, Jr.
WATER VALLEY – Bobby James Gilmer, Jr. passed away Thursday, June 6, 2024. Bobby was born December 14, 1956, and served in the Marines from 1974 thru 1980. He was stationed in Japan and built tanks.
When he completed his service, he came home and went to work for the railroad as a mechanic engineer for different companies. In 2001, he started his own company, East Coast Locomotive, LLC, in Albany, Georgia.
Bobby was a kind and caring man who would give everyone a smile and kind word. Bobby and his wife, Darla, retired to Water Valley in 2008, having living in the city years earlier when he was an employ will Illinois Central Railroad.
A memorial service is scheduled Saturday, June 15, at 3 p.m. at Wellspring Community Church in Oxford.
Bobby is survived by his wife, Darla Gilmer; two daughters, Crystal Stanfield and Rebecca Gilmer; a son-in-law, Bernard George Stanfield, Jr.; his grandchildren, Christopher Stanfield, Brielle Clark, Adalyn Gilmer, Kayley Stanfield, Lana Tanner, Balkelynn Gilmer and Sierra Johnson; two brothers, Greg Gilmer and Tim Gilmer; and a sister, Faye Byrn.
Bobby is preceded in death by his parents, Bobby Sr. and Emma Lou; a granddaughter, Isabella Stanfield; and a sister, Linda Jenkins.
Dorothy Mae Turner-White
WATER VALLEY – Born August 9, 1930, in Water Valley to Ezel and Dorothy Jane Ford-Turner, Dorothy Mae Turner-White lived a life filled with love, resilience, and service to her family. She passed away Monday, June 5, 2024.
Dorothy Mae was the second child of five siblings. Though three of her siblings preceded her in death – Maydell Collins, Velma (Williams) Joiner, and Willie (Alleen) Turner, Dorothy Mae’s legacy of strength and care lived on.
Dorothy Mae attended school in Water Valley. She embarked on the journey of parenthood alongside James Wade White. They raised six children, Sammie (Emma) Rockett, Bettie (Donald) Milledge, Ruby White, Clara (Benjamin) Bell, Alice White, James White. Three of her children (Sammie, Alice, James) preceded her in death. Dorothy Mae’s nurturing spirit extended beyond her immediate family. She provided support in raising her sister Velma’s seven children.
Dorothy Mae’s faith was deeply rooted in the fabric of her life. For over five decades, she was a devoted member of Sanders Chapel Church in Water Valley and was affectionately known as “Mama Mae” by her church family. Even as her health declined, she enjoyed watching various pastors on television, home visits by pastors, deacons, fellow church members, and community friends and cousins. She was also a prayer partner with two of her great-grandchildren.
Dorothy Mae retired from Mott’s Poultry Plant in Water Valley. She was a dedicated employee and maintained a bond with coworkers, finding joy in reminiscing about their shared experiences at Mott’s. She often shared how her friends wanted her to change her place of employment, but her dedication kept her grounded. Dorothy Mae impacted her family, friends and community through acts of kindness and generosity in such areas as quilting, canning, cooking and countless other activities.
The service will be held Saturday, June 15, at Sanders Chapel Church at 11 a.m. A wake will be held an hour before the service and from 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday, June 14, at the church.
In her passing, Dorothy Mae leaves behind cherished memories and a legacy of love. She is survived by a special first cousin, Adale Cole, the “Matriarch” of the family; her sister, Asariner Carothers; three daughters ,Bettie, Ruby and Clara; grandchildren; Darrell Bynum, Angelia (Terroll) Farries, Michael (Melissa) Walls, Trumane (Asia) Bell, Alvin (Erika) Woodard-McClay, Tawan Bell, Kristopher (Amy) White, Nakeya White, Shayna White and Ashley White; great-grandchildren; Terroll Farries Jr., Gerrell Farries, Alina Farries, RaKeeya Walls, Mykah Walls, Trumane Bell, II, Aiden Bell, Brittany (Elijah) Muhammad, Tayshaun White, Saniya White, Trinity White, Jacolby Sanders, Sklyer O’Neal and Channing White; a great-great grandchild, Elijah Muhammad Jr; nieces; and nephews.
David Walter Carroll
WATER VALLEY – David Walter Carroll peacefully passed away on Thursday June 6, 2024, at his home in Water Valley. He was born in New Albany on May 31, 1964.
David’s journey was marked by his hard work and commitment to the line production industry, with significant stints at manufacturing facilities including Bench Craft and Luvata. His work ethic was matched only by his love for family, finding joy in simple pleasures like watching movies, particularly westerns; and his favorite TV shows like the Dukes of Hazzard and WWF wrestling. Known for his infectious laughter and ability to bring joy to those around him, David’s memory will forever live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
A funeral service to honor his life will be held in the Henry Chapel at Seven Oaks Funeral Home on Monday, June 17, at 1 p.m., preceded by a visitation at noon. The burial will follow at Oak View Cemetery in New Albany.
David leaves behind three sisters, Vivian Dianne Herner, Linda Darnell (James “Bo”) Rose of Greenwood, and Glenda Doris (Joseph) Medlin of Aurora, Ill.; two brothers, Donald Willielee Carroll of Water Valley and James Dean Carroll of Union City, Tenn.; three nephews, Albert Lee Carroll of Water Valley, Edwin Eugene (Robian) Rose of Madison and Benjamin Lee Rose (Courtney) of Austin, Texas; six nieces, Tina Medlin Wilson, Amy Jo Medlin, Helen Rose (John) Roysdon, Renee Steele, Jamie (Jay) Bates and Allison (Brandon) Carroll; and one sister-in-law, Hazel Carroll.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene Carroll and Alice Carroll; one brother, Danny Eugene Carroll; and one brother-in-law, Ray Hefner.
Mamie Francis Rinn
WATER VALLEY – Mrs. Mamie Francis Rinn, 81, passed away May 26, 2024, at her home in Water Valley surrounded by her family. There will be no local services. The family will celebrate her life privately at a later date. Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford is in charge of local arrangements.
Mamie was born January 25, 1943, at the Batesville Hospital to the late James and Lorene Rhynes Darby. She was a hard working woman. Mamie worked as a cook on the Mississippi River Barge line, a job she thoroughly enjoyed. She was a very creative person at heart and skilled at the art of sewing and tending her beautiful flowers in her garden. She also loved collecting different types of frog items and snow-globes. Above all, she adored her family, spending as much time together with them as she could.
Mamie was a very avid and faithful member of Hopewell Baptist Church, attending services religiously. Hopewell Baptist Church lost one of its oldest and most valued members.
Mamie is survived by her three sons, Charles (Natalie Brown) Thomas Ivey, Jefferson Michael Ivey, and William Robert Ivey, all of Water Valley; a daughter, Sherry Lee Ivey of Water Valley; three sisters, Judy Carol Perkins, Tracy Marylin Donner, and Audry Sue Wichlens, all of Water Valley; her two brothers, James E. Darby and Loyd Darby, both of Water Valley; and her granddaughter, Kennedy Story.
She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Lorene Rhynes Darby; and her sister, Linda Faye Neuschwanger.
Tammie Lynn Thompson
WATER VALLEY – Tammie Lynn Thompson went to join our Heavenly Father on Saturday June 8, 2024. Born March 26, 1972, in Kansas City, Kan., she was a country girl at heart and lover of nature and animals. She found solace in the great outdoors, spending countless hours fishing on the riverbank and caring for her beloved animals, including the ones she raised and released.
She will be remembered for her unwavering love for her family and friends. Tammie leaves behind a lasting legacy, most notably in the hearts of her son, Justin Dakota Clayton; and daughter, Ariel Nicole Thompson. She will be dearly missed by her two sisters, Tina Michelle Tidwell (fiance’ Brad McCoy), Mellisa Ann Tidwell Burns; two nieces Amber Chandler, Cheyenne Peters; and two nephews, Jon Michael Chandler, and Robert Burns.
A celebration of Tammie’s life will be held Friday, June 14. Visitation will be at Seven Oaks Funeral Home at 9:30 a.m. The funeral service will follow 11 a.m. at 476 CR 444, Oxford. She will be laid to rest in a peaceful burial ceremony on the same day.
Tammie was preceded in death by her parents, James Edward Tidwell and Barbara Elaine Berryhill Tidwell; and grandparents, John Lee and Dealie Mae Berryhill.