Obituaries 06/26/2025
Dwight Arnold Ayers
COFFEEVILLE – Dwight Arnold Ayers, 71, of Coffeeville, passed away Saturday, June 21, 2025 at his residence. He was born March 1, 1954 in Water Valley to James Oscar and Robbie Dees Ayers.
A retired farmer, Dwight was the definition of an outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting most any wild game that is native to our area, but there was nothing he enjoyed more than rabbit hunting with his beloved rabbit dogs. Dwight was also a devoted Mississippi State fan and especially enjoyed keeping up with the Bulldog football team.
Funeral services were held at Tuesday, June 24, at Elam Baptist Church near Coffeeville with Rev. Freddie Buchanan officiating. His daughter, Amanda Campbell, and son, Justin Ayers, delivered personal eulogies. Interment followed in the Broom Cemetery with Brad Ayers, Chester Ayers, Greg Ayers, Adam Boyle, Terry Jones, Chad Kimzey, Kevin Kimzey and Larry Wayne Kimzey serving as pallbearers. McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Deborah Dorris Ayers; two daughters, Amanda (Bradley) Campbell of Ely, Nevada and Melissa Marie Ayers of Coffeeville; two sons, Justin Dwight (Kim) Ayers of Water Valley and Steven Glenn Ayers of Coffeeville; six grandchildren, Lacey Johnsey, Adalynn McDaniel, Alyssa McDaniel, Parker Kate Ayers, Alec Campbell and Austin Bardo; and a host of nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents and nine siblings, John Robert Ayers, James Oscar Ayers, Jr., Ralph Ayers, George Ayers, Gary Ayers, Richard Ayers, Mike Ayers and Joann Ayers Byers and Mary Ayers Kimzey.
J.T. Martin
COFFEEVILLE – J.T. “Jake” Martin, 90, of Coffeeville, passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi in Oxford. He was born June 17, 1935 in Water Valley to Henry and Chessie Lou Few Martin.
Jake retired as a foreman with McQuay/Heatcraft in Grenada with over 40 years of service. He also honorably served our country in the US Navy. An avid outdoorsman, Jake enjoyed hunting,especially quail, and fishing. He was deeply devoted to his family and enjoyed coaching his boys’ baseball teams when they were growing up. Jake took on the role of a father figure to many through the years and was influential in the shaping of many young men.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 20, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada with Bro. Glenn Burney officiating. Interment followed in the Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Yalobusha County with Gaylon Gray, Channing Martin, Kenneth Moore, Michael Moore, Tony Moore and Ray Schmitz, III serving as pallbearers. Brad Jeffreys, Roger Kendall, Steve Latza, Jason Moore and his co-workers at Heatcraft served as honorary pallbearers.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 70 years, Sarah Beth “Sadie” Martin; three sons, Charles “Bubba” Martin of Coffeeville, Paul Allen (Tanya) Martin of Oxford and Billy Scott (Jennifer) Martin of Coffeeville; one sister, Shirley Ann Martin Moore of Water Valley; three grandchildren, Channing Martin, Ashley Martin and Amelia Martin (Jacob) Palmer; four great-grandchildren, Hadley Martin, Sarah Martin, James Henry Palmer and Chandler Martin; and several nieces and nephews.
Jake is preceded in death by his parents.
Tevarion Dontavious Spencer
WATER VALLEY – Surrounded by his loving family, Tevarion Dontavious Spencer was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 13, 2025. The youngest son of Suzzette Blackmon and the second youngest son of the late Broderick Spencer, Tevarion was born March 19, 1992. He was raised in Water Valley and confessed his hope and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at a young age. He later became a member of True Gospel.
Tevarion was united in holy matrimony to Jabria Melton of Greenville. Though they later divorced, they remained on amicable terms and continued as acquaintances. Tevarion found joy in the simple pleasures of life. He loved fishing and spending time outdoors. He was known for visiting the elder gentlemen in the community, lending a helping hand as a handyman. He enjoyed watching movies and exploring new gadgets.
The funeral service will be Saturday, June 28, at the House of Prayer COGIC at 2 p.m. A viewing starts an hour before the service. Burial will be at Springhill North Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brodrick Blackmon, Brandon Blackmon, Derrick Blackmon, Christopher Caldwell, McKendrick Bounds and Tony Miller. Honorary pallbearers will be Xavier Blackmon, Darrick James, John Eddie Gordon, Anfernee Spencer, Deontavious James, JT Blackmon and Isaiah Spencer. Walker Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.
Tevarion leaves to cherish his memories: his mother, Suzzette Blackmon of Water Valley; four brothers, Xavier (Kinetta) Blackmon of Oxford, Anfernee Spencer of Horn Lake, Darrick James and Deontavious James, both of Grenada; his step-mother, Mary Spencer; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.
Tevarion is preceded in death by his father, Broderick Spencer; his grandparents, Jesse and Mary Lou Webb; grandmothers, Cornelious Blackmon and Emma Jean Spencer; and sister, Roshunnyssee Young.