Obituaries 09/15/16
Nathalene ‘Nat’ Arbuckle Dempsey
OXFORD—Nathalene “Nat” Arbuckle Dempsey, 87, died Monday, September 12, 2016, in Yalobusha Nursing Home at Water Valley.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, September 15, at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Waller Funeral Home, with Rev. Gerald Shook officiating. Burial will follow in Anchor Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 14, from 5-7 pm. at the funeral home.
Mrs. Dempsey was born in St. Paul, Ark., but lived the majority of her life in Mississippi. She is the daughter of the late William Nathaniel Arbuckle and Opal Simmons Arbuckle.
Nat was preceded in death by two wonderful husbands. Her first husband, Lloyd Eugene Simmons, “Jay Bird.” They lived on an 80 acre farm and made their living by farming. Her second husband, Charles Cobb Dempsey, was a trucker. During their marriage they lived in Southaven and Nat worked at Wray Williams Blue Print Company. Once they retired they became active members of Anchor Baptist Church and traveled on numerous trips with the Joyful Generation. They both enjoyed traveling and the outdoors. Nat was a very strong woman and found joy in cooking and spending time with her family and friends.
In addition to her husbands, she was predeceased by three sons, John “Ray” Simmons, Charles “Buddy” Simmons, and Lloyd Eugene “Gene” Simmons; and two granddaughters, Tammy Darlene Simmons and Brittany Samantha Simmons; and brothers, William Nathaniel Arbuckle, Kenneth Arbuckle, Deloys Arbuckle, and Robert Arbuckle.
Survivors include a daughter, Sandy Simmons Bishop (Wayne) of Oxford; one brother, Darrell Arbuckle of Coffeeville; three sisters, Rose Birdene McElroy of Decatur, Ala., Joyce Bryant of Water Valley, and Sharron Surrette of Oxford; seven grandsons, Jeff Simmons of Ocean Springs, Richard “Ricky” Simmons of Biloxi, David Simmons of Bremerton, Wash., Barry and Blake Simmons of Water Valley, Brandon Simmons of Grenada, and John Simmons of Oxford; three granddaughters, Sharmon B. Norwood, Crystal B. Rushing, and Sabrina B. Morgan, all of Oxford; 16 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Anchor Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1009 Highway 7 South, Water Valley, MS 38965; to the Alzheimer’s Association, 232 Market St., 2nd Floor, Flowood, MS 39232, or to Bethel Baptist Church, 50 CR 271, Oxford, MS 38655.
Daniel A. McDonald
HOUSTON—Daniel A. McDonald, age 89, of Water Valley died Wednesday, September 7, 2016, at Trace Regional Hospital in Houston.
Born January 8, 1927, in Water Valley, he was a son of the late Alvie and Govie Jenkins McDonald. Daniel was a member of First United Methodist Church of Water Valley, the VFW and the Odd Fellows. He was a retired Kardex Clerk for Kimberly Clark Corporation, an avid bingo player, enjoyed playing golf, walking, and spending time with his family, grandchildren, and friends.
Visitation was held from 9-11 a.m. Friday, September 9, in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral service followed visitation at 11 a.m. in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery at Water Valley.
Daniel is survived by four sons, Richard McDonald (Karen) of Olive Branch, Mike McDonald (Elaine) of Memphis, Gary McDonald (Kathy) of Bartlett, Tenn., and Rodney McDonald (Bonnie) of Hernando; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Lola Moore McDonald; and his grandson, Billy Joe McDonald.
Grace Ann Henry Raley
BANNER—Grace Ann Henry Raley, age 62, died Tuesday, September 6, 2016, at her home in Banner.
She was born June 27, 1953, in Batesville to the late Thomas Jefferson and Grace Edith Thompson Henry. Grace worked for a number of years at Winchester in Oxford and enjoyed gardening, growing flowers and plants, feeding the birds and cooking for her family and friends.
Visitation was held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, September 9, in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 10, in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home. Burial was in Mt. Liberty Cemetery in Calhoun County.
Survivors include her daughter, Crystal Turner (Tyrone) of Banner; a son, Jeffery Walters (Angela) of Grenada; one sister, Betty Tutor (Tony) of Courtland; two brothers, Wayne Henry of Hernando and Larry Henry (Sharon) of Batesville; and six grandchildren, Gabriel, Michael, Jessica, Alexa, Robert, and Ryan.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Barbara Henry, and a brother, Wallace Henry.
John M. Taylor
OAKLAND—John M. Taylor of Oakland passed away September 5, 2016, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.
He is survived by his wife, Crystal R. Taylor of Oakland; daughters, Luanne T. Brooks of Oakland, Roxanne Young of Water Valley, Ashley T. Davis (Louis), Angela Taylor and Mary Taylor, all of Oakland; a son, William H. Taylor (Jennifer) of McHenry; a sister, Mary Nell Hawk of Jackson, Tenn.; grandchildren, Laci Mack, Justin Brooks, Brandon Brooks, D. J. Taylor, and Amy Broussard; and 10 great grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to Community Church of God Charleston, where he was a member.
The funeral service was held Friday, September 9, at 11 a.m. in Community Church of God at Charleston. Burial was in Mt. Zion Cemetery at Independence. Visitation was held Thursday from 5-8 p.m. in Pate-Jones Funeral Home at Senatobia and on Friday from 10-11 a.m. in Community Church of God.
Carol Rogers Williamson
GRENADA—Carol Rogers Williamson, age 62, died Monday, September 5, 2016, in Grenada Living Center at Grenada.
Born March 8, 1954, in Batesville, she was a daughter of the late Ernest and Ruby Denham Rogers. Carol was a retired bus driver who enjoyed gardening, arts and crafts, raising chickens and horses, and collecting dishes and antiques. She was an excellent cook and always enjoyed cooking for her family and friends.
Visitation was held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, September 7, in Seven Oaks Funeral Home at Water Valley. The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 8, in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Gerald Shook officiating. Burial was in Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church Cemetery with Robert Williamson, Joe Manes, Clay Rogers, Travis Romberger, Al Cotten, and Craig Morgan as pallbearers.
Survivors include a daughter, Heather Romberger (Travis) of Water Valley; two sons, Robert Williamson of Water Valley and James Williamson of Scottsdale, Ariz.; two sisters, Erma Cotten (Albert) and Michelle Sheeks, both of Oxford; two brothers, Ricky Rogers and Clay Rogers, both of Oxford; and six grandchildren, Emily Scott, Brooklyn Williamson, Caden Williamson, Meagan Romberger, Isabella Romberger and Amelia Romberger.