Obituaries 08/21/2025
Dale Tyler
WATER VALLEY – Dale Tyler passed away August 16, 2025, at her home in Water Valley, Mississippi, at the age of 91, with her husband Bob fondly in her mind and heart and surrounded by her family.
Born Eleanor Dale White on April 26, 1934, in Water Valley, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Tyler; her parents, Herman and Lillian White; her in-laws, James and Geanie Tyler; her brother-in-law, Gaylon Booker; and his son, Brad Booker.
Dale attended Jeff Davis Schools before transferring to the Water Valley school system for her high school years. Upon graduating from Water Valley High School in 1952, she attended the Mississippi University for Women, then known as “The W,” and later received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi. After marrying Bob and following his service in the United States Army, she accepted a position at Water Valley High School and began her teaching career and a partnership with Bob focused on mentoring young men and women as they worked to build successful football programs.
After Water Valley, she taught at Okolona, Corinth, and Senatobia. She took great pride in standing side by side with Bob as they pursued success on the field and sought to make a positive impact on students. Together they won many conference titles and back-to-back state championships at Meridian High School. When they entered the college football coaching path at Ole Miss and later at Alabama and Mississippi State, Dale stopped teaching high school to support Bob’s career and to focus on raising their three boys. While those years included many wins, bowl games, and awards, her greatest reward was always found in her children, family, and the relationships built with the young men and women they taught, coached, and led to the Lord.
In her post-teaching and coaching years, Dale wore many hats as she supported her family and served her community. She attained her real estate license, served on the Water Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, was a charter member of the Town & Country Garden Club, and received the club’s Luella Fair Community Service Award. Along with her husband, she was also a recipient of the Braswell Hatcher Community Service Award.
Dale had a passion for Bible study and spent years teaching the ladies’ Sunshine Class at First Baptist Church in Water Valley, often practicing her lessons on Bob. She had a love for gardening and landscaping, and neighbors often saw her spending hours daily working in her yard and in nearby Railroad Park. She was an avid bridge player and belonged to multiple bridge clubs made up of some of her closest friends. She was also an accomplished seamstress and crafter.
Dale loved celebrating Christmas with family and was known for decorating her home each year, adding to the festive atmosphere on Main Street in Water Valley. Above all, E.D., as she was affectionately known, loved attending and watching the many sporting and other events involving her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Dale is survived by her children, Breck (Denise) Tyler of Oxford, Cam (Julie) Tyler of Water Valley, and Drew (Jill) Tyler of Oxford; her grandchildren, Whitney (Will) Windham, Perryn (Charlie) Edwards, Reed (Anna Mills) Tyler, Lauren (Matt) Dalton, Mary Madison (Neal) Creasy, John Christopher Tyler, Caroline Tyler, and McKenzie Tyler; her great-grandchildren, Lillian Edwards, Ozzie Edwards, Tyler Windham, Breckyn Windham, Drew Windham, Ella Dalton, Brooks Dalton, Jack Dalton, and James Tyler; her sister, Elsie Booker of Memphis; and nieces and a nephew.
Visitation was held Monday, August 18, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, followed by the funeral service at noon, both at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. A graveside service immediately followed at Oak Hill Cemetery on Blackmur Drive in Water Valley.
Charles Henry “Bubba” Martin
COFFEEVILLE – Mr. Charles Henry “Bubba” Martin, 66, of Coffeeville, passed away Wednesday, August 13, 2025, in Montgomery County. He was born April 20, 1959, in Water Valley to JT “Jake” and Sarah Beth “Sadie” Moore Martin.
Bubba loved the outdoors and enjoyed a career of more than 20 years as a farm manager at Dunavant Farms near Coffeeville. Most recently, he worked as a heavy equipment operator. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was also a Mason.
Memorial service plans are private. In accordance with Bubba’s wishes, cremation has taken place and his ashes will be spread in several places that held a special place in his heart.
Survivors include his wife, Elisha Martin; his mother, Sadie Martin; step-daughter, Danielle Smart; brothers, Paul (Tanya) Martin and Scott (Jennifer) Martin; three grandchildren, Carolina Crocker, Tatum Smart, and Maximus Fly; daughter-in-law, Janie King; nieces, Ashley Martin and Amelia Palmer; nephew, Channing Martin; and his best friend, David “Red” Black.
Bubba was preceded in death by his father and a step-son, Grayson Fly.