Obituaries 12/26/2024

Delma Barber Aven

OXFORD – Delma (Del) Barber Aven, age 96, peacefully left this earth for her home in Heaven on December 22, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Del was born October 5, 1928 in Yalobusha County, at O’Tuckalofa near Water Valley. She was the daughter of Forest and Ora Harvey Barber. Del and her husband, Russell E. Aven, enjoyed 70 years of marriage.

Del was a member of Oxford First Baptist Church since 1956. In service to her Savior, she was director and teacher of the pre-school department, worked in the extension department, was a member of the Friendship Sunday School Class, worked in the media center recording church services for many years, and taught Bible classes for international students. She was a member of the Explorer’s Bible Study, the Gideon’s Auxiliary and did volunteer work at the hospital.

Del received her B.A.E. and M.A.E. degrees from the University of Mississippi and taught at Camp Ground and Water Valley schools for six years. Del enjoyed art, photography and occasionally wrote material for various Christian publications. Del had two books for children published. In 2015 she wrote and published Blessings Through the Years, a collection of her life stories from the depression era and up. Del counted it a blessing to be a caregiver for several members of her family. She loved her family and her family loved her so much.

Visitation is Saturday, December 28, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Oxford First Baptist Church. Services will follow at 2 p.m. and Rev. Robert Allen will officiate. A private family graveside service will follow in the Oxford Memorial Cemetery. Waller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Del is survived by her husband, Russell; her daughter, Debra (John) Swartzendruber; and two granddaughters, Abbey and Gracie Swartzendruber. She is preceded in death by her parents, Forest and Ora Barber; a sister, Myra Barber; and a son, Anson Aven.

Memorials may be given to Gideons International, First Baptist Church of Oxford, or donor’s choice.

Toy Calvin Phillips, Jr.

LAFAYETTE COUNTY –Toy Calvin Phillips, Jr., age 70 passed away on December 18,2024.

Better known as Pep-paw Calvin, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was also a great craftsman and took great pride in handcrafting and restoring anything and everything, but especially the things you can’t get at “the Walmart.” He was a strong believer in everything is as good once as it once was with just a little love and loved anything older than he was and that needed a little work. He was always on the lookout for a good treasure hunt and the next best deal. Although there were not many he didn’t already know, he cherished those that he met along the way.

Calvin was a beloved resident of Lafayette County and was a marvelous storyteller. He loved telling stories not only about the county history, but also about his family, his childhood, and the way “it used to be”. Most of the stories began with “When I was a kid” and ended with a very sarcastic “Would I lie to you?”.

Visitation was held in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home on Monday, December 23, from noon until 2 p.m. with the service following immediately. Bro. Jody Riddle officiated.

Calvin is survived by his wife, Patricia Sims; his children, Melissa (Jason) Pruitt, Tripp (Mary) Phillips, Samantha (Chris) Shempert, Casey Sims and Christy (Preston) Cotten; ;and grandchildren, Haley and Samantha Pruitt, Dustin and Abbie Beard, Toi (Tsisia) Phillips, Amarlee Phillips; and almost grandchild, Duncan Sanford.