Obituaries 09/12/2024
Joy Jones
WATER VALLEY – Joy Carol (Samuels) Jones passed away peacefully at her home in Water Valley on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. She loved hot summer days, time spent with her family by the pool and at the beach, and always doing things her own way so it is fitting that she decided to take her leave of this earth as the days began to shorten and cool.
Joy was born in Oxford on September 26, 1956, to Jane Carol (Mauldin) Samuels and Billy E. Samuels. She grew up in Coffeeville and Water Valley. Joy graduated from Water Valley High School in 1974, where she first met her greatest admirer and loving husband of 33 years, Billy Jones. She was a member of the Campground Baptist Church.
Joy was many things to those who loved her most. She was a fiercely loyal and protective mother to her two children, Heather Horan Miller of Decatur, Georgia, and Heath Horan of Water Valley. She was a devoted and invested grandmother to Jackson Horan, who was so incredibly blessed to have his “JJ,” his biggest fan, live just a short walk from his home. Joy was a world-class secret-keeper and listener who loved nothing more than staying up late into the evenings and talking about life, decorating projects, and her favorite Rod Stewart songs (all of them) until those of lesser stamina headed off for their beds. She was the rare mother-in-law for whom her children’s spouses, Garrett Miller and Monique Horan, told no “mother-in-law jokes” about her because she showed them only kindness and love after welcoming them into her family.
Joy spent her professional career in bookkeeping, a trade that appealed to her meticulous nature and insistence that all things be kept in their proper place. She was selfless and seemingly spent 11 months out of each year planning the perfect gifts for her loved ones each Christmas. Though she was a petite, southern lady,
Joy possessed an impossibly strong will and took quiet pride mocking her illness by repeatedly mowing her lawn on hot, summer afternoons following her chemotherapy treatments.
Joy was preceded into the kingdom of God by both of her parents and Nancy W. Jones, whom she loved like a parent. She is survived by her husband; children; grandson; her brother, Bilbo (Pam) Samuels; her sister, Kay Hardy; a niece and second daughter, Andi Hardy (Brad) Terry; and many nieces and nephews.
Joy’s family received visitors at Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley on Friday, September 6, and the morning of September 7, with a memorial service in the adjoining chapel beginning thereafter.
William Glenn Russell
WATER VALLEY – William Glenn Russell, a hardworking man who loved his family, passed away on September 3, 2024, at his residence in Water Valley. Born November 28, 1929, in Florence, Ala., William spent his life dedicated to his work in road construction, working and traveling for 42 years with Dixie Contractors and later with Endevco.
Known for his love of the outdoors, he enjoyed being outside and gardening. William was a simple man who found joy in the small things in life. His dedication to his craft and his family never wavered, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew him.
Funeral services were held at Seven Oaks Funeral on Monday, September 9, at 1 p.m.
William is survived by two children, James (Debra) Russell and Linda Russell; two grandchildren, Jason (Amber) Russell and Chris Russell; six great-grandchildren, all of Water Valley; three sisters, Dorris Voyles of Pontotoc, Kathy Reed and Marie (Jackie) Bendo, all of Onalaska, Texas; and his pet wiener dog, Peanut.
William was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Mary (Pruett) Russell; one brother, George Elton Russell; and two sisters Dorothy Chafin and Cynthia Echols.
Joellen M. Wortham
TILLATOBA – Joellen M. Wortham, 69, of Tillatoba, passed away Sunday, September 1, 2024 at her residence. She was born January 6, 1955 in Joliet, Ill. to Joseph Johnny and Margaret Clara Goodwin Heather. She was a dedicated homemaker, and a wonderful wife, mother and Mimi. What she enjoyed most in life was spending time with her family and making her house a home.
Memorial service plans are private.
Survivors include her husband, Jesse Lee Wortham Jr. of Tillatoba; daughters, Renee Wortham of Tillatoba and Karen Harmon of Batesville; a son, Jesse Lee (Jennifer) Wortham, III of Tillatoba; two brothers, Johnny and David Heather, both of Clayton, Ill.; 12 grandchildren, Dakota Wortham, Chance DeLancey, McKenzie DeLancey, Amber Jaco, Summer Halley, Haley Wortham, Jessie Johnson, Pasiley Tubbs, Cheyanne Wolf, Trista Harmon, Barrett Harmon, Jr. and Austin Mahler; and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Robert Patrick Heather and Ted Anson Heather.