Obituaries 02/27/2025

Fulton William Bobo

WATER VALLEY – Fulton William Bobo, 80, passed away on February 20, 2025. Born September 30, 1944, Fulton was the fifth of six children born to the union of Theodore Bobo and Prilla Steen Bobo.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 25 at 1 p.m. at Oak Grove C.M.E. Church located at 2445 County Road 121 outside of Water Valley. Walker Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.

Fulton is survived by his son, William Tyrone (Lillian) Bobo; one daughter, Carol (Tony) Ford; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his ex-wife, Betty Bobo; two sisters, Maudine Willingham and Lillian Warren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends; and a special friend, Lawrence “Bud” Benson.

Fulton is preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Fannie Mae Brown; and two brothers, Theodore Jr. and Matthew Bobo.

Patricia Marie Watkins Craig

GRENADA –Patricia Marie Watkins Craig, 75, formerly of Tillatoba, passed away peacefully at her home on February 19, 2025. Pat was born on March 27, 1949, in Garden City, Mich. to Mr. Kenneth Aubrey and Jessie Marie Phelps Watkins.

Pat moved to Mississippi early in her childhood and met the love of her life the late Little Jack Craig. Pat raised her family as a devoted homemaker the first part of her life, and enjoyed showing horses and raising livestock with her family. She later followed her grandchildren to daycare and became an employee at Freeman’s Little People’s Place. In 1997, Pat graduated from Holmes Community College with her Associates Degree in Nursing. She was a devoted pediatric and nursery nurse at GLMC for 25 years.

She loved her job, her babies and her co-workers. After retirement, Pat enjoyed traveling. Her greatest enjoyment came from watching her grand kids at sporting events, dance competitions or just simply spending quality time with them.

Funeral services were held Monday, February 24 in the McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service Chapel with Brother Barry Worrell officiating. Burial followed in Union Cemetery in Tillatoba. Pallbearers honored to serve will be Brian Bowman, Brent Bowman, Chad Eskridge, Wyot Skelton, Chase Newman, Jacob Rounsaville, Brent McBride, and Kenny Watkins.

She is survived by her children, Jackie Craig Bowman (Don), Laurie Craig Cordel (Phil), and Paul Craig (Jennifer Rounsaville). She was the best Grammy to her grandchildren, Morgan Eskridge (Chad), Brian Bowman (Jennifer), Brent Bowman (Tori), Chase Newman (Lorrin), Wyot Skelton; and great-grands. She also leaves brothers Wayne Watkins (Jackie), Roy Watkins (Christi) and sister-in-loves Beverly Craig McBride (Walter) and Sandra Craig Anderson. Pat also leaves behind a special friend who quickly became a sister, Mary Staten, and a host of nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents Kenneth and Jessie Watkins, husband Little Jack Craig and granddaughter Taylor Skelton.

Wayne Harris

WATER VALLEY – Wayne Harris passed away peacefully on February 21, 2025, at the age of 63 in his hometown of Water Valley.
As a child, Wayne loved farming, gardening, hunting, fishing, and everything outdoors. Though he never mentioned his accolades, he was a tremendous athlete who received the prestigious Jacob’s Blocking Trophy multiple times, and gained notoriety as an All-SEC and All-American offensive guard for Mississippi State from 1979-1982. He went on to play football professionally.

Wayne met the love of his life, Cheryl Odom, in elementary school in 1969 when her family moved to Water Valley with the railroad. They began their 45-year marriage in 1979.

After football, Wayne began banking in Water Valley where he worked at Mechanics, Sunburst, Union Planters, and Regions Banks. He renewed his love for farming when he began banking in Grenada and Greenwood helping delta farmers through State Bank and Bank Plus. He remained with Bank Plus as the Senior Vice President / Director of Agricultural Lending.

Above all, Wayne adored his family. He is survived by his mother, Jerleen Harris of Water Valley, and his wife, Cheryl. He and Cheryl have three boys, Ashley (Jennifer Gollott) of Collierville, Tenn., and their twins, Danny (Ashley Aron) of Evans, Ga. and Larry (Maggie Fountain) of Washington, D.C.; and have five grandchildren: Kenzie (14), Gavyn (11), Ella (10), Hannah (6), and Emmie (3).

In accordance with his wishes, Wayne will be honored with a small memorial ceremony and private interment this spring, at a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Gary Sinise Foundation whose mission is to serve the nation through honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, and their families. Donations can be made online at: garysinisefoundation.org/give or via mail at:
Gary Sinise Foundation
PO Box 40726
Nashville, TN 37204
Please make checks payable to Gary Sinise Foundation.

Mary Olivia Ayers Kimzey

WATER VALLEY – Mary Olivia Ayers Kimzey passed away at home on February 23, 2025 surrounded by her family.
Mary graduated from Coffeeville High School where she played basketball. She was voted “Most Athletic” her senior year and held the record for most points (40) scored in a game for many years. After graduation, Mary attended NWCC then came home and married her husband Larry in 1964. After their marriage, they raised their family and operated Kimzey Farms until Larry’s death in 2016.

Mary was a devoted member of O’Tuckalofa Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school for 30-plus years, a member of WMU, and known by many for her cooking, especially her chocolate pies. She never missed an opportunity to support her grandkids, whether it was basketball, baseball, and softball games or cheerleading events. She had a servant’s heart who loved the Lord and her family. Sundays after church were the time when all of the family would gather to eat and fellowship.

Visitation will be held at O’Tuckolofa Baptist Church on Thursday, February 27, from 10 a.m. until noon with the funeral service immediately following at noon. Bro. Dan Dickerson will officiate. Burial will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley.

Mary is survived by her three sons; Larry Wayne, Jr. (Lisa), Kevin (Missy), and Chad (Melissa), six grandchildren, Lauren Yarbrough (Jake) of Water Valley, Kelsey German (Jacob) of Somerville, Tenn., Tyler Kimzey (Bradi) of Batesville, Kane Kimzey (Peyton) of Lambert, Sidney Kimzey of Water Valley and Mary Claire Kimzey of Ridgeland; seven great grandchildren, Mabry, Addison, and Aubrey Yarbrough, Briggs and Kimzey German, and Worth and Jace Kimzey; as well as one brother Dwight Ayers of Coffeeville. She is preceded in death by her husband, Larry Wayne Kimzey Sr., her parents, Oscar and Robbie Ayers; and siblings, James Oscar Ayers, Jr., John Robert Ayers, Richard Ayers, George Ayers, Gary Ayers, Mike Ayers, and Joan Byars.