Obituaries 04/30/2026
Aaron Guy Baddley, Jr.
BRUCE – Aaron Guy Baddley Jr., 90, died April 27, 2026, at Bruce Community Living Center, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Oct. 20, 1935, in Coffeeville to Aaron Guy Baddley Sr. and Mary Bell Griffin Baddley.
Aaron was a graduate of Coffeeville High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Lennese Jones Baddley, on Sept. 2, 1954, and moved to Memphis, Tenn., to begin their 71 years together. In 1961, Aaron and Lennese took a risk, opening and operating a truck repair business, Baddley’s Garage. He remained in business until his retirement in 2011.
Aaron loved and served the Lord, not only in what he said, but in how he lived each day. His faith shaped the way he treated others, with kindness, humility and a generous spirit. He dearly loved his family and showed them what true love and commitment look like through his steady presence, sacrifice and care.
Whether fixing something for a neighbor, lending a hand to a friend or simply showing up when it mattered most, his life reflected love in action.
Aaron was a faithful and active member of the churches he attended and a committed supporter of Calvary Rescue Mission, which provides assistance and guidance to individuals recovering from addiction. He was a former member of Gideons International and the Delta and Chickasaw Amateur Radio clubs.
He was also a member of the Memphis Fly Wheelers Association and had a passion for vintage steam engines. Aaron built small-scale operating models of engines by hand and enjoyed displaying them at shows. He also enjoyed camping, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
A lifelong learner, Aaron was largely self-taught and became skilled as a diesel mechanic, welder, carpenter, electrician, plumber and craftsman. He never hesitated to learn something new and often sought knowledge from those more experienced. He shared that knowledge by teaching and mentoring others.
Visitation is planned for Friday, May 1, at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 10 until 11 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. with Bro. Kevin Smith officiating.
He is survived by his daughter, Brenda (Steve) Gulledge of Bruce; his son, Aaron Guy Baddley III (Heather) of Hernando; granddaughters Adrienne Gulledge Shelton of Dallas, Texas, Samantha (Jeff) Henslee of Arlington, Tenn., and Savannah (Cory) Hale of Arlington, Tenn.; grandsons Joel (Laura) Gulledge of Germantown, Tenn., Tyler Baddley of Water Valley and Cayce Baddley of Florida; great-granddaughters Leighton Olivia Hale and Ori Baddley; and great-grandsons Jacob Smith, Ian Shelton, Hunter Henslee, Hayden Henslee, Harrison Hale and Omri Baddley.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lennese Jones Baddley, and his son, Frank Andrew Baddley.
Ruby Jean Barr
WATER VALLEY – Ruby Jean Barr, 70, died Monday, April 20, 2026. She was born May 9, 1955, to the late Ruby Lee Caldwell and the late Charles Hervey.
Ruby Jean accepted Christ into her life at a very early age and became a member of Union Hill CME Church. She worked as a private caregiver for more than 50 years until her health started to fail her. She enjoyed family gatherings and watching her grandchildren grow.
Ruby was married to Willie Lee Barr for 20 years. From this union, three girls were born: Latesie, Latina and Katrina. She was loved by many. Ruby leaves to cherish her many memories, two daughters, Latesie Hudson and Latina (John) Jones of Water Valley; one sister, Theresa Hervey; three brothers, Charles Hervey, Willie Hervey and Christopher Hervey; eight grandchildren, Kierra Hudson, Qua’Shonda Thomas, Kendranna Barr, Ja’Kori Thomas, Lakendra Bishop, Jayla Jones, William Barr and Latreece Hudson; and one great-grandchild, Kensly Holloway. She also leaves behind very special aunts, Annie White, Lourenia Willingham and Gracie Mae Hervey; two uncles, Rural Caldwell and J.W. Caldwell; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, Ruby Lee Caldwell and Charles Hervey; her daughter, Katrina Barr Morgan; as well as two sisters and a brother.
A public visitation is planned from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. A funeral service celebrating Ruby’s life will begin at 2 p.m. in the Henry Chapel at Seven Oaks with Pastor Yarnell Marks officiating. Burial will follow at Union Hill Cemetery in Water Valley. Seven Oaks Funeral Home is honored to work with Ruby’s family and encourages you to pray for them during this time of loss.
Bill Larson
OXFORD – Bill Larson, age 91, passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at the Elison in Oxford, surrounded by his family. He was born on February 28, 1935 in Water Valley to the late Janie (Hunt) and James E. Larson. He was the second child of four, with brothers James and Joe, and sister Jane. The boys learned the grocery business in a small store on Main Street, and that was the start of a 70-plus year, third generation, local supermarket tradition.
Bill attended Water Valley High School and Northwest Community College, where he played on the Ranger Football team. He was offered a scholarship at Arkansas State University, but opted to marry his high school sweetheart, Wanda Weems, and start a family. They moved to Water Valley where he managed the Leadway store on Main Street. Their only child, Mark, was born in 1957.
Brothers James and Joe both moved back to the area, and the three of them expanded the Big Star and Piggly Wiggly stores to 10 locations.
Bill’s pride and joy was the Water Valley location as he was so actively involved in the community. Bill was a lifelong member of the First Methodist Church, where he served in various roles over the years. Bill was elected to the Mechanics Bank Board of Directors and served over 40 years, eventually becoming the Chairman of the Board. He treated his position and the bank as if it were his own and was very proud of the success it achieved, and the service it provided to Water Valley.
Bill made time to take up the game of golf and was a fixture on the Yalobusha Country Club course for many years. Along with his brothers, many rounds were played, and many trips were taken to golf resorts around the south.
Bill and Wanda traveled to most of the states, and many countries around the world, many times with other families they had come to know through the grocery business. They were both avid Ole Miss football fans and attended games regularly over the years. They were married for seventy years in 2025, and were in love just as much as they were in 1955.
Their family grew over the years with grandchildren in the 1980s and 1990s and great-grandchildren more recently.
Wanda preceded Bill in death on November 19, 2025, and for the first time in almost 75 years, he was without his best friend and lifelong love. He filled the void with time spent with family and his three great-grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his son Mark (Daisha) Larson of Oxford; three grandchildren, Chad (Linda) Larson of Nesbit, Nathaniel Abernethy of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Alan (Avery) Larson of Tupelo; and three great-grandchildren, Steve Larson, Margot Larson, and Cecilia Larson.
Visitation was held Friday, April 24, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Services followed at 11 a.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Fred Eakes and Milton Whatley officiating. Burial was at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Sherrie Ledbetter
COFFEEVILLE – Sherrie Michelle Winter Ledbetter, 60, died April 21, 2026, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
She was born June 10, 1965, in Bruce to the late Denzil Winter and JoAnn Thompson Winter.
Sherrie worked as office manager for Dr. Bruce Longest at Bruce Family Medical Center for 37 years. She was a 1983 graduate of Bruce High School and a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church.
She enjoyed the outdoors, including riding horses, spending time at the lake, riding side-by-sides with her husband and working in her yard. She loved animals and cared for pets and wildlife alike. She was known for her cooking and canning and was an avid fan of the University of Mississippi.
Survivors include her husband, Phillip Mac Ledbetter; a daughter, Lakyn (Eric) Parker of Bruce; a granddaughter, Elizabeth Ledbetter of Bruce; two sisters, Cindy (Jon) Ferguson and Laura Mae (Carlton) Leachman, both of Bruce; and two brothers, Mike (Teresa) Winter of Pittsboro and Ken (Donna Sue) Winter of New Albany. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Justin Allen Ledbetter; and a niece, Andrea Howell.
Visitation was held from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, April 24, at Parker Memorial Funeral Home in Bruce. The service followed at 3 p.m. in the chapel with Bro. Darrell Logan and Bro. Austin Williams officiating. Burial was in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Bobby Gordan Brown, Michael Cook, Roncie Hardin, John Levy, Dr. Bruce Longest and Jerry Moore.
Ralph Norwood
WATER VALLEY – Ralph Thomas Norwood, better known as “Peanut,” passed away peacefully at Baptist Memorial Hospital on April 18, 2026 at the age of 88. He was born August 7, 1937, in Water Valley to Willie and Emma Norwood.
Ralph was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. He valued his family highly, with appreciation for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ralph was known for his faith in Jesus and for sharing stories of his experiences during his military service. He worked for the county for 20 years, where he made many friends. He was very passionate about serving others.
Ralph was a member of Jumpers Chapel Methodist Church.
He was born and raised in Water Valley and began his military service in the Army at age 17. After serving two years, he transitioned to the Navy at age 19, where he served for an additional 18 years before retiring in 1974. He retired as a first-class Boatswain’s Mate, also known as the heart of every ship. Following his retirement, he pursued interests in tractors, farming, gardening, and caring for livestock including cows and donkeys. He also enjoyed morning devotions and storytelling over coffee at Turnage Drug Store with friends.
Ralph was married to the love of his life, Jean Norwood, for 63 years. They shared many adventures throughout their time together.
A graveside service was held Wednesday, April 22, at Jumpers Chapel Church. Seven Oaks Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Jean Norwood of Water Valley; his children, Linda Neeley (Rick) of Water Valley, Donna Zampella (Philip) of Water Valley, Sam Norwood (Michelle) of Paris, Theresa Hernandez (Tony) of Water Valley, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, seven brothers, one sister, and one daughter, Joanna Norwood.
In lieu of flowers, monetary donations can be made to the Jumpers Chapel Cemetery fund.