Obituaries 12/12/2024

Roderick Anthony Cook

WATER VALLEY – Roderick Anthony Cook, 58, of Water Valley passed away Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, at Grenada Rehabilitation Center in Grenada. He was born Dec. 10, 1965, to Eugene Cook and Lavorn Minor Cook of Water Valley.

Roderick leaves a legacy of kindness and generosity. From a young age, he dedicated his life to his faith, being baptized at Oak Grove CME Church in Water Valley. His early years were filled with a passion for football and a keen interest in mechanics, and he excelled as a skilled mechanic. He also worked many years for Motts in Water Valley, working until his health declined and he could no longer work.

Roderick was known for his friendly nature and his ability to connect with others, often spending hours on the phone with family and friends. He found simple pleasures, including watching television and engaging in lively conversations. His warmth touched the lives of many.

The service will be held Saturday, Dec. 14, at 11 a.m. at Oak Grove CME Church with internet following in the church cemetery. Walker Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.

Roderick is survived by his devoted mother, Lavorn Cook of Water Valley; his brother, Broderick (Audra) Cook of Water Valley; and his sisters, Ella (Phil) Cook-Loggins of Water Valley and Vivian Cook of Horn Lake. He is preceded in death by his father, Eugene Cook; a brother, Eugene Cook; and a sister, Jennifer Cook.

Aaron Gordon Smith

WATER VALLEY – Aaron Gordon Smith, age 91, passed away on December 2, 2024 in Water Valley. He was a gentle, loving spirit who will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him – especially his family.

Aaron is survived two children, Joe (Carol) Smith and Aaron E. “Gene” Smith, both of Oakland; two grandchildren, Bettye (Saxon) Durham of Bartlett, Tenn. and James “Jamie” (Joyce) Smith of Pontotoc; five great-grandchildren, Chandler Durham and Gabriel Durham of Bartlett, Tenn., Matthew Smith and Madison Smith of Booneville, and Hunter Smith of Coffeeville; and one great-great-grandchild, Liam Durham of Cordova, Tenn.

Aaron loved baseball and was a devoted fan of the Atlanta Braves. He was known for raising small crops and sharing his yield with neighbors. Aaron deer hunted every season and shared his love of hunting with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe H Smith and Carlie S. Hollingsworth Smith; his wife, Frances Marion Smith; a sister, Thelma Williams; his son, Thomas Smith; and his daughter-in-law, Loretta Smith – all of Oakland, Mississippi.

Visitation was held Dec. 6, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Seven Oaks Funeral Home with the service immediately following. Burial was at Goshen Cemetery in Coffeeville.

John Andrew Thomas

GRENADA – John Andrew “Booker” Thomas, 95, of Grenada, passed away Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at his residence. He was born Jan. 9, 1929 in Charleston to Travis W. and Lily Mae Sullivan Thomas. Booker worked for nearly 20 years for John Boyd Construction and another 23 years at Pioneer Beef in Grenada. He ultimately retired from Pennaco Hosiery. Booker was a devoted Methodist and enjoyed woodworking, gardening and yard work.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 8, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service with Rev. Stacy Douglas and Rev. Jim Petermann officiating. Interment followed in the Oddfellows Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Alice Grubbs Thomas; two daughters, Andrea Janet Keith (Wil) of Baton Rouge, La. and Jennifer T. Turner (Bernard) of Grenada; a sister, Minnie Mae Vick of Water Valley; and two grandchildren, Bethany Turner (Justin True) and Heath Turner (Ariel).

Booker is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Edna Mae Ellett Thomas; a daughter, Brenda Gay Thomas; a sister, Catherine O’Bryant; and two brothers, Bill and Pete Thomas.

Lee Fletcher Wichelns

WATER VALLEY – Lee Fletcher Wichelns, aged 75, passed away of natural causes at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford on December 7, 2024. He was born August 7, 1949 in Darmstadt, Germany to Lionel Joseph Wichelns of Delaware and Anna Pohl Wichelns. His father was in the Army and stationed in Germany when he was born. The family returned to Shirley, Mass. when Lee was four years old.

On January 2, 1970, Lee married the love of his life, Audry Sue Darby Wichelns, and they have three children.

Lee served in the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army for many years. As a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War, he served Khe Sahn Combat Base, cementing his legacy as a proud surviving member of the “Warriors of Hill 881 south.” He earned many medals including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Vietnamese Campaign Medal w/device, Vietnamese Service Medal and two Presidential Unit Citations.

Lee was an avid fisherman and enjoyed being in the woods and fishing anytime of the year. He also enjoyed gold mining in the mountains of Arizona.

While serving his country, Lee had the opportunity of traveling and living in several different cities including Fort Meade in Maryland and Chesapeake, Va. finally separating at Fort Devens, Mass.

Lee spent most of his life in Leominster, Mass. as a machinist. Upon retirement he spent many years in Hereford, Az. and lived out the remainder of his years in Water Valley with his many in-laws.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. at Hopewell Baptist Church. Walker Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.

To cherish his memories, he leaves behind his loving wife of many years, Audry Sue Darby Wichelns of Water Valley; two sons, Alexander Shawn (Tamara) Wichelns of Rogersville, Tenn. and Bartholomew Keith (and wife Stephanie McGinnis) Wichelns of Leominster, Mass.; one daughter, Heather Lorene Leger of Leominster Mass.; one sister, Ellen Anne (Mike) Sullivan of Leominster Mass.; grandchildren, Haven, Justice, Harmony, Melody and Xander; and two great-grandchildren, Caroline and Theodore. He also leaves a host of family and friends as well as numerous children and adults who lovingly called him Uncle Lee regardless of their genealogical connection

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John (Hans Jurgen) Wichelns.