Obituaries 10/08/2026
Robert Glynn “Bob” Brooks
WATER VALLEY – Robert Glynn “Bob” Brooks, 91, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in Oxford.
Bob attended school in Water Valley and continued his education at Mississippi State University, graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps, both on active duty and in the reserves, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel after a distinguished military career.
Once he completed his education and active-duty obligations, Bob entered the corporate world, starting with Prudential, arranging agricultural loans. This launched Bob’s career in banking and lending, working primarily in construction lending for several national banking firms in Houston, Texas.
Bob and Pat returned to Water Valley in 2004 after his retirement. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Water Valley, where he taught Dr. Paul Odom’s Men’s Sunday School Class. Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, golfing occasionally and preparing his Sunday school lesson. He spent a lot of time on construction projects around the house and helping others on the Brooks family farm.
Bob is survived by his wife, Pat Brooks of Water Valley; daughters, Carla Gabel (Lee) of Plano, Texas, and Jennifer Moore (Dusty) of Dallas, Texas; granddaughter, Alayna Moore of Dallas; and brother, Travis Brooks (Amy) of Water Valley. In addition, Bob is remembered by his nieces and nephews, many extended family members and friends who will deeply miss him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Emmett and Eva Jordan Brooks; siblings, Eva Frances Fultz, Billie Brooks Terrell, Currie Brooks and Frank Berle Brooks; and nephew, Brad Brooks.
Bob was a faithful, determined and dutiful man whose motto was, “Anything worth doing should be done right.” This reflected the way he approached both his responsibilities and his life.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, Oct. 7, from noon to 1 p.m., with funeral services immediately following at 1 p.m., all at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Dr. Randy Bain will officiate. Pallbearers will be Heath Brooks, Justin Brooks, Brandon Brooks, Jordan Hodge, Eli Hodge and Lee Gabel. Nephews Daryl Fultz, Steve Fultz, Greg Terrell and Austin Hodge will serve as honorary pallbearers. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Seven Oaks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Robert Glynn Brooks may be made to First Baptist Church, 800 N. Main St., Water Valley, MS 38965.
Bobbie Jean Vance Hill
COFFEEVILLE – Bobbie Jean Vance Hill, 79, of Coffeeville, passed away peacefully at her residence Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, surrounded by the love of the family she cherished so dearly.
Bobbie was born Dec. 21, 1946, in Starkville to Jimmy Lee Vance and Addie Mae “Bonnie” Baxter Vance.
Bobbie dedicated herself to her role as a homemaker, creating a warm and welcoming home. She also worked in several manufacturing jobs, bringing the same diligence and care to her work that she brought to everything she did.
Bobbie was a faithful Christian woman who didn’t just speak about God’s love — she lived it every single day. She found her greatest joy in cooking for others, and she generously shared her delicious food with shut-ins in her community, as well as with anyone else she loved. Her caramel cakes were simply the best, and anyone lucky enough to taste one never forgot it. Her kitchen table always had room for one more chair.
Bobbie also had a green thumb that showed in her fabulous vegetable gardens each year. She took great pride in tending her plants, and she loved sharing the fruits — and vegetables — of her labor with family, friends and neighbors alike. Animals held a special place in Bobbie’s heart as well. She never could turn away a stray, and over the years she opened her home to countless four-legged friends who needed love and a safe place to land.
Bobbie’s home was more than just a house — it was a refuge. Through the years, it became a safe haven for many who had fallen on hard times. She had a special gift for noticing “the least of these,” and she made absolutely certain that no one in her life ever went without.
She was a faithful member of New Hope Baptist Church.
Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 5, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, with the Rev. Craig Baker and the Rev. Billy Hill officiating. Michael Doss, Floyd “Rooster” Gann, Rayford Hill, Skylar Laird, Buddy Moore and JJ Quarles served as pallbearers, carrying her to rest in New Hope Cemetery near Coffeeville. George Bardo, Richard Bennett, Kevin Doss and Homer Melton served as honorary pallbearers.
Survivors include her daughters, Betty Jean Bennett (Richard) of Coffeeville, Chastidy Doubleday (Lee) of Tillatoba and Bonnie Covington of Coffeeville; son, Rayford Hill of Coffeeville; sisters, Faye Doss (Kevin) and Sue Holder, both of Houston; nine grandchildren, who lovingly referred to her as “Nanny,” Chelsie Bennett, Carlie Greer (Jason), Hunter Weeks, Kimberly Doubleday, Hunter Bennett, JJ Quarles, Skylar Laird, Dakota Bennett and Colton Bennett; four great-grandchildren, who loved their “Happy Memaw,” Willow Grace Walker, Peyton Jade Weeks, Haisley Nicole Weeks and Magnolia Gean “Nolie” Weeks; an adopted daughter, Beth Ann Bardo; and a host of nieces, nephews and beloved extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Alvon Gene Hill; sister, Rebecca “Tena” Moore; brother, David Lee Vance; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Holder.
Montgomery Young Terrell Jr.
WATER VALLEY – Montgomery Young Terrell Jr. went to be with his Lord and Savior on Oct. 2, 2026, at his home in Water Valley. He was born Dec. 23, 1932, in Sardis to Montgomery Young Terrell Sr. and Ola Jewel Taylor Terrell.
Monte was preceded in death by his wife, Billie Fayne Brooks Terrell; his parents; and his sister, Imogene Terrell Wright.
After graduating from high school, he moved to Memphis, where he worked as a shoe salesman. Monte joined the United States Air Force on March 18, 1952. He married Billie Fayne Brooks on Dec. 24, 1952. They were stationed in Tucson, Arizona, where he served as an airplane mechanic. He was honorably discharged March 19, 1956, and moved to Memphis, where he began working at Memphis Light and Water. His department was transferred to the City of Memphis in 1980, and he retired after 30 years of service.
After retiring, he and Billie moved to Water Valley to fulfill his lifelong dream of being a cattle farmer. A true steward of the land, he spent his time tending to his cattle herd and working his land. Some of his best moments were spent on a tractor baling hay. As a dedicated cattle farmer, he understood the value of an honest day’s work, from early morning feedings to the long summer days of baling hay, the cold days of winter and late evening feedings. To him, a perfect day was a field of well-cured hay, a healthy herd of cattle and a carport full of family.
He was an avid gardener who loved growing tomatoes, okra and watermelons. In later years, he would sit in the carport gazing at his garden and say there wasn’t a better sight than tomatoes on the vine and cattle in the pasture. He left a legacy of hard work, green pastures and a family that loved him more than anything. He often said the days spent in Water Valley were the best days of his life.
Monte was a 60-year life member of Masonic Lodge No. 95 in Memphis. He was also a member of the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association and the American Gelbvieh Association.
He was known by many names: Montgomery by people who didn’t know him, M.Y. or Monte to friends, but his most cherished names were Daddy and Pop.
Monte and his wife, Billie, celebrated 68 years together. He leaves behind his daughters, Cheryl “Puddin” Terrell Harmon (Tommy) and Pamela Terrell Rote (Martin); son, Gregory Brooks Terrell; four grandchildren, Thomas Matthew Harmon (Lana), Allison Harmon Hughes (Rob), Gregory Caleb Terrell (Kacey) and Colby Clinton Terrell (Charla); and seven great-grandchildren, Lillian Iris Hughes, Pierce Thomas Hughes, Hilton Emery Harmon, Montgomery Grace Terrell, Bryson Hayes Terrell, Olivia Jade Terrell and Jaxson Cade Terrell.
Visitation was held Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, from 10 to 11 a.m., with funeral services immediately following at 11 a.m., all at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Bro. Freddie Moorman and Dr. Shane Crawford officiated. Interment followed in Walker Cemetery. Seven Oaks Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Sylva Rena Baptist Church in Water Valley or the Walker Cemetery Fund.