Obituaries 03/06/2025
Paul Wilson Baham, Jr.
BROOKHAVEN – A celebration of life for Paul Wilson Baham, Jr. was held Wednesday, February 26, at Riverwood Family with burial at East Fork Baptist Church Cemetery in Liberty.
Paul, 75, of Brookhaven, passed from this life February 22, at his residence. He was born in Virginia Beach, Va., December 31, 1949, to Paul Wilson Baham, Sr. and Minnie Lee Moore Baham. He graduated from Liberty High School and completed his education at University of Mississippi.
Paul was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was dedicated to his family and the faith family he served the Lord with at Christ Methodist Church. He was a faithful servant and friend to anyone in need. Paul taught Sunday School, served as deacon, and was a member of Methodist Men. He retired with 42 years of service to Farm Bureau including 13 years in the Water Valley office from 1972 to 1985 working as a adjuster. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Water Valley when living here.
He had several hobbies that gave him great pleasure. He was an avid outdoorsman, raising and riding horses, gardening, hunting, fishing, and R.V. traveling.
Survivors include his wife of 54 and a half years, Bobbye Faye Baham; his children, Amanda B. (Derrick) Heard of Brandon and Paul Wilson “Trae” (Alicia) Baham, III, of Madison; five grandchildren, Paul “Will” Wilson Baham IV, Annalyn G. Baham, Megan Heard, Emma Heard and Hannah Heard; and his brother, Alney A. Baham.
Linda Gaile Calder Caldwell
COFFEEVILLE – Mrs. Linda Gaile Calder Caldwell, 63, of Coffeeville, peacefully passed away Sunday, March 2, 2025 at AMG Specialty Hospital in Batesville with her family by her side.
She was born January 28, 1962 in Greenwood to James Elmer and Mary Ann Liles Calder. A devoted homemaker, Linda strived daily to make her house a home. Linda was selfless and possessed a strong Christian character that was evident in her daily life. She always put others before herself and if she knew someone had a need, she made sure it was met. She enjoyed planting and growing beautiful flowers in her spare time. She was a member of Sherman Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Calvary Baptist Church near Coffeeville with Rev. Johnny Halderman and Rev. Elbert McKnight officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the hour of the service Thursday at the church. Alex Bray, Kevin Bray, Adam Brinson, Chad Conner, Devin Johnson and Robert Martin, Jr. will honor Linda by serve as pallbearers and carry her to rest in the Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery. Ronnie Bray, Greg Brinson, Landon Brinson and John Caldwell will serve as honorary pallbearers. McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include her daughter that she loved with all of her heart, Emily Kaitlyn “Katie” Caldwell of Coffeeville; her cherished mother, Mary Ann Calder of Coffeeville; three beloved sisters, Carol Halderman of Coffeeville, Connie Brinson of Wesson and Kaye Orton of Coffeeville; as well as a host of adored nieces and nephews.
Linda was welcomed into Heaven by her father, Rev. James Elmer Calder, and her husband, Jerry Caldwell.
Elmer Ray Covington
OAKLAND – Elmer Ray Covington of Oakland, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on March 1, 2025, at the age of 87. He was born on July 5, 1937, in Big Creek to the late Louis Condon Covington and Myrtie Mae Cantrell Covington.
Elmer Ray was a proud member of Hosanna Church and found joy in both his faith and the simple pleasures of life. He was known for his love of yard work, often spending many happy hours mowing his lawn and tending to his garden. He embraced the beauty of nature through his passion for hunting and fishing, where he found peace and fulfillment in the great outdoors.
Professionally, Elmer was a skilled welder and boilermaker, dedicating many years of hard work and craftsmanship to his trade.
Elmer Ray is survived by his devoted wife, Eva Jones Covington of Oakland; his daughters, Mitzie (Danny) Harris and LaNora (Pete) Yasko; a son, Paul (Christy) Covington all of Hernando; a step-daughter, Jerrie (Leonard) Cameron of Grain Valley, Mo.; step-sons, James (Rhonda) Thompson of Brandon and David Staggs of Oakland; his sister, Betty Clements of Olive Branch; his grandchildren, Jason Coleman, John Coleman, Rebecca Hopkins, Allyson Turner, and Lauren Glessing; and seven step grandchildren. He is also survived by 11 great grandchildren Bailey, Sydney, Jones, Brian, Braden, Callie-Faye, Molly, Granger, Tenley, Lathen, Lilly and seven step great grandchildren.
Elmer Ray is preceded in death by his father, Louis Condon Covington; his mother, Mytie Mae Cantrell Covington; sisters, Sara Thompson and Louise Edwards; brothers, James Roy Covington, Vaiden Covington, and L.C. Covington.
Visitation will be held on March 6 at 11 a.m. at Hosanna Church in Pope followed by a funeral service at noon in the church with Bro. Dammon Plummer officiating. He will be laid to rest in Oakland Cemetery with Bro. Burr Cameron, Jesse Cameron, Joshua Creason, Blake Grady, Danny McKinzie and Davo Staggs serving as pallbearers. Parker Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
David McNamee
WATER VALLEY – David “Mac” McNamee 56, of Water Valley passed away suddenly on February 27, 2025. David was born on July 5, 1968, in Water Valley to John E. and Margaret F. McNamee. HE was known as a gentle giant. He dedicated his work life to being a brazier at Luvata. His kindness, generosity, and unwavering spirit touched the lives of many, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew him.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Rev. Eugene Heinbach will officiate. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until the service. Pallbearers will be Joel Rogers, Dalton Rogers, Eddie Rogers, Brad Holliday, Joey Ward, Jr., Joey Ward III, Justin Ward, and Charlie Wilkey. Honorary pallbearers will be Benji Massie and Tommy Woods.
David is survived by his sister, Barbara (Jackie) Clements of Tontitown, Ark.; a brother, Paul (Kelly) McNamee of Gore Springs; his sister-in-law, Beverly McNamee of Germantown, Tenn.; nieces and nephews Brian (Abbie) Clements of Danberry, Conn., Kimberly (Mark) Allbright of Maumelle, Ark., Jennifer (Mike) Stephenson of Springdale, Ark., Colleen McNamee, Kayla (Charlie) Wilkey, and Mary-Catelin McNamee, all of Gore Springs; his lifelong best friend, Benji Massie, also known as Mack, of Water Valley; and many other cherished relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and his oldest brother, John E. McNamee.
Elizabeth Langston Regan Rashed
OAKLAND – Elizabeth Langston Regan Rashed passed from this life to eternal life on February 21, 2025. The third child and only daughter of George D. Langston and Jewell Guest Langston, she was born on October 29, 1927, near Oakland and Water Valley, Mississippi.
After graduating from Oakland High School, she attended Freed Hardeman College in Henderson, Tenn. and transferred to Harding College in Searcy, Ark., where she received a BA Degree. She attended the University of Mississippi and received her Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling. She did other graduate work at University of Memphis. Elizabeth retired after 46 years as an educator teaching English at all grades levels and serving as a guidance counselor. Most of these years were in the Memphis City School system, at East High School, with several years at Lester Jr. High.
After retirement she worked with Chinese Christians to improve their use of the English language and taught a ladies’ Bible class. Elizabeth’s strong Christian faith was established at an early age by her Godly parents and the influence of Christian preachers and teachers such as John D. Cox, Jack Dunn, Howard White and Cliff Ganus.
She grew up in rural Mississippi and was proud of her “roots.” She continued to maintain the farm house near Oakland, where she and her three brothers were born, and she visited thereafter. She said she felt closer to God and Heaven there than any place on earth. After her life as an educator, Elizabeth enjoyed taking art classes from a longtime friend and talented artist, Kathy Booker Wise. Even though she won several ribbons and awards for her paintings, this was beneficial as therapy as she was a caretaker for her mother and an elderly cousin for several years.
Elizabeth is survived by a loving daughter Regina Paulette Regan of Memphis, the children of her late husband, Hani and Sahar Rashed, one nephew, Doug Langston and one niece Charla Wilcher and many cousins. She enjoyed close relations with many friends, former teachers and students whom she loved dearly. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents George and Jewell Langston, and her three brothers, George Douglas Langston, Jr., Martin Guest Langston and Charles William Langston. Elizabeth maintained active membership in several professional organizations: Alpha Delta Kappa, an international sorority for outstanding women educators and the National League of American Pen Women, an organization for outstanding writers, artists and musicians. Her last years were blessed as well. She attended Park Ave. Church of Christ, where she had a loving church family. She had a kind and loving best friend, David Goodman, and never stopped thinking of others first. She enjoyed working in her yard, kept a remarkably spotless and well organized home. She was humble and beautiful inside and out. Elizabeth spent much of her time in Bible study and prayer. Elizabeth started writing her memoirs through the age of 16. She recently finished part two about the men in her life and her travels. She was an inspiration to many and will continue to inspire by her example.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, March 8, at Oakland Cemetery at 1 p.m. Seven Oaks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
James Shannon Pipkin
MEMPHIS – James Shannon Pipkin, 47, of Memphis passed away on January 27, 2025, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis. He was born July 2, 1977, in Tallahatchie County.
The funeral will hold a private memorial service.
James Shannon is survived by five brothers, Joseph (Judy) Bray of Olive Branch, Ronald Bray of Coffeeville, Jodie (Kathy) Bray, Richard (Lindsey) Campbell of Bartlett, Tenn. and Lon Pipkin; an honorary brother, Steve Brigance; one sister, Cassaundra Pipkin of Coffeeville; his step dad, Donald Campbell of Bartlett, Tenn.; 14 nieces and nephews and dozens of great and great-great nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie Pipkin of Water Valley and Martha Annette Campbell of Bartlett, Tenn., and step mom, Sharon Pipkin of Water Valley.
Glenn Edward Smith
OXFORD – Glenn Edward “Uncle Gee Bee” Smith, 74, died Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at his home in Oxford.
Glenn was born February 26, 1950, to the late Ruth Nunn and William Elvis Smith. A proud veteran, he served his country as a Mountain Ranger in The United States Army during the Vietnam War. This service instilled in Glenn a devotion to his country and fellow servicemen, maintaining a lifelong membership with the Disabled Veterans of America. Upon returning home, Glenn honed his skills as a carpenter, starting his own business that developed a reputation for detailed and precise work.
A native of Mississippi, there were few things he enjoyed more than hunting and fishing, taking full advantage of the beautiful outdoors that surrounded him. Though he loved his home state, he traveled often, visiting all 48 states. He was a member of Freewill Baptist Church.
Glenn met and began dating his beloved wife, Nancy, in 1988, enjoying many wonderful years together before marrying on July 28, 2006. Together they cherished and spoiled their beloved dog, Daisy. Glenn loved to take Nancy out to eat, using any excuse he could to visit one of their favorite restaurants. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Kay Blackburn; brothers, Abb Smith, Clinton Smith, William Smith, Joe Smith, Johnny Smith and James Smith; and grandson, Noah Smith.
The funeral serve was held Friday, February 28 in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Wesley Hughes and Rev. David Ard officiating. Burial followed in Pine Flat Cemetery. Waller Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.
Glenn is survived by his wife of 18 years, Nancy Jones Smith of Oxford; four sons, Christopher (Jill) Glenn Smith of Lula, Ga., Corey Sean (Andrea) Smith of Brandon, Michael Ryan Smith of Memphis and Barry (Mary) Vaughn of Water Valley; a daughter, Pam (Alan) Smith of Oxford; four sisters, Betty Kesler of Abbeville, Delorse Calfee, Rita Parrott and Peggy Cobb, all of Oxford; a brother, David Smith of Water Valley; eight grandchildren, Allison, Chloe, Abigail, Brandon, Gene, William, Valerie, and Hunter; as well as three great-grandchildren.