Obituaries 12/18/2025

Sam Goodwin

What can be said about Sam Goodwin? Lover of all dogs, big or small, avid crappie fisherman, duck, deer, and squirrel hunter, and all things outdoors. Born November 28, 1947, to Jacquline “Jackie” and Charles Goodwin in Water Valley, MS. He was the younger brother to Keny Goodwin, who gave him the nickname “Sambo.” Sam died peacefully at home on December 7, 2025. Sam’s childhood was spent in Water Valley and Holly Springs, Mississippi. He was known to be an adventurous and mischievous child, but the Spurgeon aunts all talked about what a sweet little boy he was. He attended high school at Murrah High School in Jackson and was a proud graduate of Water Valley High School Class of 1965.

After his parents divorced, Jackie married Ken Parks, Sam was blessed with a half-sister Lou Parks White, who he dearly loved. Sam had many great adventures with his stepfather, primarily the time spent on the Yazoo River watching the raising of the Civil War Gunboat (The Cairo).

Sam was one of Water Valley’s true hippie of the late 60’s and early 70’s, long hair and all. He married Dottye Southerland on a hill in a pasture, but their lifestyle doomed this union from the start. He found his true love and soulmate five years later when his love for a black Labrador Retriever named Faulkner prompted him to marry the dog’s “human”, Phyllis McKenzie on September 18, 1982. Their married life was blessed by approximately a hundred pups during their 43 years together. Before marrying Phyllis, Sam had worked in pest control for five or six years. His dream was to be a “professional killer” and own his own business, so in early 1983, Guardian Termite and Pest Control was founded and remains successful to this day. Sam was especially proud of and grateful to employees and friends, Al Reed, Cody and Tristen Schmitz, and Ethan McDuff for their dedication and loyalty to Guardian. Many family member have proceeded Sam in death, such as his daddy Charles Goodwin, mother Jackie Parks, stepdad Ken Parks, Thomas Card and his “bub” Keny Goodwin as well as his beloved aunts and uncles.

Sam was determined he was of the Native American bloodline; however, according to ancestory.com, he had no Indian heritage. This disturbed him greatly. He was always looking for arrowheads and had quite a nice collection, especially the one with a silhouette of a slice of watermelon. He even wrote a story about this artifact, which appeared in the 2025 Watermelon Carnival Program.

Sam was truly born again at the water tank on County Road 116 one-night gazing up at the stars. He said his mother had “punched” him as a kid to walk the isle of the church, but that evening he had a true encounter with Christ. He has been the adult Sunday school teacher, a deacon, and supporter of Jumpers Chapel Congressional Methodist Church for many years and was always wanting to know when the next eating meeting would be.

Sam loved going to Howell’s Deer Camp and in recent years, to the annual “squirrel camp” at the Howell Christmas Place. He greatly respected the late Hershel Howell and thought of him as a true friend and mentor. Sam loved to read, especially about history, olden times on farms in the south, and biographies of famous people. He was a great conversationalist and never met a stranger. To the nieces, nephews, and grandchildren; Chris, Kelly, Elizabeth, Scott, Rachel, Brayden, Colter, Juliana, and especially Carolyne and Trista, know that “Sambo” loved each of you dearly and wished you all prosperity and happiness in this life.
Sam was cremated and his ashes will be scattered at his favorite spots, such as Wildcats and Midway on Enid Lake, Gums Crossing on Grenada Lake, along the Yalobusha River, near Holly Springs, the outdoor tabernacle at Jumpers Chapel, and the Christmas Place Hunting Camp.

Honorary pallbearers include Chris Goodwin, Ray Mac McKenzie, Daniel Edwards, Cody Schmitz, Ethan McDuff, Al Reed, George Crocker, Leonard Kilgore, Jimmy Holloway, Robert Allen, Joe Newman, and Matthew Boyles.

Celebration of Life will be held at Seven Oaks Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, December 20. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., with brief testimonials, scripture reading, and prayer from 11 a.m. to 12:30 pm. He would want us to be finished by the 2:30 kickoff of the first ever appearance of the Ole Miss Rebels in the College Football Playoffs.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to French Camp Academy, One Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745 or Second Chance Animal Alliance P.O. Box 794 Water Valley, MS 38965. This obituary contains 777 words, which symbolizes ultimate divine perfection, completeness, and God’s holy work.

William Kenneth Jackson

OAKLAND – William Kenneth “Ken” Jackson, Jr., 57, of Oakland, passed away Monday, December 8, 2025 at his residence. He was born August 18, 1968 in Tallahatchie County to William Kenneth “Bo” Jackson, Sr. and Wanda Gail Hardy Jackson. Ken spent his entire working life alongside his family in their logging operation. He was also a very skilled mechanic and could fix just about anything that broke down. Hunting, fishing and four-wheeler riding were among his many hobbies.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Thursday, December 11, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada with Rev. Jerry King officiating. Interment followed in the Elam Cemetery. Landon King, Eli White, Bobby Townsend, Jagguar Smith, Doug McCord and Don Goad served as pallbearers.

Survivors include a daughter, Megan Jackson of Calhoun City; three sons, Steven (Marissa) Jackson of Water Valley, Hunter Jackson of Big Creek and Mason Jackson of Vaiden; a sister, Amy (Jody) Sewell of Oakland; and three grandchildren, Eryn Jackson, Eli White and Addison Leachman, and one more on the way. Ken was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ronnie Jackson.

Minnie Lee McMinn

WATER VALLEY – Minnie Lee McMinn, 82, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 17, at Seven Oaks Funeral Home at 10 a.m. with Bro. Truman Scarborough, Bro. Craig Baker, and Bro. Adam Horton officiating. Burial and graveside services will be held at a later date.

Minnie Lee was born April 19, 1943, to Herbert and Minnie Reeves Blakely. She enjoyed life to the fullest. She retired as a factory worker and was a seamstress for many, many years. She sewed hundreds of wedding dresses for people. One thing that everyone knew about Minnie Lee was her love for Christmas. Christmas was her favorite time of year. She would start decorating before Halloween ever started. She had a very contagious smile and enjoyed laughing Minnie Lee was also known for was her cooking, baking, and jelly making. Above all, she loved her husband, children, grandchildren and all of her family and loved spending time with them.

Minnie Lee is survived by her husband of 37 years, Bill McMinn, her children; Gwen (Randy) Simmons of Water Valley, Gay Ingram of Coffeeville, Gail Lance (Bart Bridges) of Batesville, Amanda Connor of Water Valley, Heather Hughes Muirhead (John Reynolds) of Water Valley, Earl McMinn (Terry) of Water Valley, Sharon Fox (Joey) of Plant City Fla. and Shelia McGlawn (Taylor) of Oxford. She is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren with one on the way and one adopted great grandson, Kash Mastrangelo; as well as a host of nieces and nephews; and four siblings, Billie Reeves of Jackson, Tim Blakely, Kim Thackara, and James Blakely, all of Texas. Minnie Lee was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Greg Ingram; two sisters, Lottie Toole, and Emily Blakely.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Bo Anderson, Brent Anderson, Caleb Horton, Austin Lance, Bro. Adam Horton, Grafton Muirhead, Blake Toole, and Kash Mastrangelo.