Obituaries 04/03/2025
Travis Buford Bonner
HAZELHURT – Travis Buford Bonner, 84, passed away February 26, 2025 at Copiah Living Center. A graveside service was held at Galilee Baptist Church Cemetery on February 28.
Travis grew up and attended school in Oakland, Miss. He was a master mechanic in the construction industry and a member of the International Union of Operator Engineers, Local 624. His favorite pastime is going to any kind of auction that he could find.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Travis Lamar Bonner and Mary Kathleen McCullar Bonner and his siblings.
Travis is survived by his wife, Janie Garraway Bonner; a daughter, Teresa Bonner Marler; a son, Dwayne R. Bonner; five grandchildren, Ashley (Lee) Owens, Lacey (Kent) Johnson, Kelly Bonner, Jennifer Bonner and Mason Bonner; and great grandchildren, Kyle Johnson,Karson Smith, Sawyer Owens and Tucker Owens.
Tela Davis Gray
CROWDER Tela Davis Gray, passed away on March 24, 2025, at her home in Crowder. She was born on June 24, 1964, in Water Valley to the late James Harold Davis and Sara Paulette Thompson Davis.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 28, in the Martin Willingham Memorial Chapel of Wells Funeral Home in Batesville. Tela was laid to rest at Camp Ground Cemetery near Water Valley.
Tela was a fun-loving individual whose personality radiated warmth and joy. Her hobbies included collecting lighthouses, which held a special place in her heart despite her fear of heights. One cherished memory was climbing the lighthouse at Tybee Island, Ga., with her son, Martin. This adventurous spirit and her passion for watching movies and reading reflected her love for exploring different worlds, both real and imagined.
She is survived by her husband, Lee Gray of Crowder; her daughters, Bridget Marie Ray and Ashley Renae Bryant, both of Courtland; and her son, Martin Darrell Ragon also of Courtland. Tela was also a doting grandmother to Lucas Gant, Tyler Ray, Kinsey Ray, Gage Farmer, Camille Farmer, MJ Patton, and Gordan Gray. She was the loving sister of brothers James Kipp Davis of Pope and Earl Wayne Davis of Memphis.
Tela joins her father, James Harold Davis and her mother, Sara Paulette Davis, in eternal rest.
Juanita Martin Warren
COFFEEVILLE – Juanita Martin Warren, 83, of Coffeeville transitioned Wednesday, March 26, 2025 in Batesville surrounded by her loving family. Born January 18, 1942, in Coffeeville to Howard Allen and Mary Claudia Youngblood Martin, Juanita dedicated over 40 years to her passion as a barber and beautician in the community. A devoted member of New Hope Baptist Church, she served with unwavering commitment as the music director and cemetery director. In her cherished moments, she found joy in sewing, quilting, and singing, leaving a legacy of creativity and love. Juanita will be fondly remembered by all whose lives she touched.
Funeral services were held Sunday, March 30, at New Hope Baptist Church with Rev. Billy Hill officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Justin Brown, Dustin Brown, David Brown, Matthew Bardo, Skyler Laird and Robert Earl Upchurch served as pallbearers. Jim Bennett, Homer Melton, Francis Williams and Eddie Strauser will served as honorary pallbearers. McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include three daughters, Debra R. Warren, Kim (Keith) Warren Bell and Joyce L. Warren, all of Coffeeville; one son, James Elmore “Jay” Warren, Jr. of Grenada; eight grandchildren, Justin Brown, David Brown, Daniel Bell, Amy Schroeder, Bobby Bell, Brandie Johnsey, Deadra Wilburn and Mia Claire Warren; 18 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jim Warren; and a daughter, Miranda Jamil Warren.