Obituaries 08/29/19
Sally Jeannine Gray
WATER VALLEY—Sally Jeannine Gray of Water Valley died peacefully Tuesday, August 20, 2019, in Grenada Health and Rehab Center at Grenada. She was 63.
Born April 28, 1956, in Memphis, Sally was a daughter of the late Farrell Allen and Dolly Nash Baggett. She spent the bulk of her working career performing line work in the manufacturing industry. Her joys were many, which included fishing, cooking, bingo, listening to Elvis on the radio and studying her Bible. However, most of all she loved sending time with her family, friends, and pets.
Survivors include her two sons, Terry Allen (Teresa) of Water Valley and David Gray (Tabitha) of Lafayette County; two brothers, Randy Baggett and Bobby Baggett (Carol) of Saltillo; and three grandchildren, Brennan Allen, Bojack Gray and Cara Gray.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Darrell Wayne Gray; and one grandchild, Caleb Wesley.
Visitation was held Thursday, August 22, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 23, in the Funeral Home at Water Valley with Dr. Randy Bain officiating and Bro. Eric Fearing leading the music. Interment was in the Cold Springs Cemetery in Panola County, with Jamey Allen, John Douglas, Brennan Allen, Trey Pipkin, Bojack Gray, and Randy Ellis as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Terry Champion, Larry Carr, Tom Hill, and Jimmy Berry.
Shelley Bennett Howell
WATER VALLEY – Shelley Bennett Howell passed away on August 25, 2019, peacefully at home following a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones. Shelley was an integral part of the Water Valley community. She was a charter member of the Southern Living Garden Club, past president of the Water Valley Junior Auxiliary, past member of the board of directors of the Water Valley Chamber of Commerce, past member of the board of directors of the Blackmur Memorial Library, and numerous other civic and social organizations. She enjoyed reading and traveling. Shelley loved animals, adopted many dogs during her lifetime, and supported animal rescue organizations. Socializing with her dear friends was a special joy to Shelley, particularly her 30-plus years with the “Birthday Lunch Bunch.”
Visitation is planned for Thursday, August 29, from 1 until 3 p.m. in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 3 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home with Robert Allen officiating. Interment will follow in Oxford Memorial Cemetery
Shelley is survived by her devoted husband of 39 years, Trent Howell; her siblings, Dr. Frank Bennett, Debbie Bennett Drago (Phillip) and Barbara Bennett; her nieces, Andrea Mulkey (Garrett), Alana Snapka (Ben) and Rebecca Drago; and their children, Jackson , Olivia, Reese, and Hailey Rose; her brothers-in-law, Paul B. Howell (Wanda) and their children, Hillary Ward (John), Haley Boyd (Alex), and Michael Howell; Rex D. Howell ( Denise Sunderland) and his children, Sarah, Spencer and Erin; James M. Howell (Debbie ) and his children, Victoria, Nathaniel, Cora, Mahala, Eleasah, and Gabriel; and her sister-in-law, Holly Turner. She is also survived by a host of other relatives and friends.
Mrs. Howell was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. David Bennett, and her nephew, Brock Howell.
Memorials may be made to Second Chance Animal Alliance, National Multiple Sclerosis Society or Blackmur Memorial Library.
Willie Lee “Bilbo” Joseph
CHICAGO—Willie Lee “Bilbo” Joseph died August 3, 2019, in Chicago.
Born October 26, 1939, in Water Valley, Willie Lee was a son of the late Willie and Viola Joseph. He was one of five children that included a sister, Mae Francis, and three brothers, Gene, Robert, and Sidney. Willie attended Water Valley High School, where he met and married Barbara Jean on November 22, 1958. While in high school they had a child, Pete Joseph, who attended their high school graduation in May of 1959. After graduation he worked at a service station in Water Valley until he moved the family to Chicago in 1966, where he and his family resided until his death. Bilbo retired from Allied Steel Mill in Chicago Heights in 2004, where he had worked as a burner for 30 years.
He loved his neighborhood and friends, but what was most dear to him was the love he had for his family and his hometown. Bilbo was happiest when he was in the company of family in Mississippi. Bilbo will truly be missed as a brother, father, and grandfather, but mostly he will be missed as a historian. Bilbo had a great memory. If there was anyone you needed to know about in the family, either the year they were born or who they were married to, he could tell you. He had a great sense of humor and was a jack of all trades.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mae Francis; and his wife, Barbara.
Survivors include his children, Pete, Frances, Carl, Al, Anita, and Buster (son-in-law), all who reside in Chicago; 12 grandchildren, Marquis, Tremayne, Allen, Antione, Tasha, Nay-Nay, Dominique, Mookie, Daryl, Jr., Terra, Binkey, and Lisa; 22 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Gene of Crenshaw, Robert (Pearlie) of Houston, Tex., and Sidney (Helen) of Chicago; honorary brother, Cleveland (Rosie) of Oxford; brother-in-law, Charlie of Rock Island, Ill.; a sister-in-law, Frances Moore of San Diego, Calif.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday August 10, in Sanders Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, with pastor Mitchell Steen officiating. The wake began at 10 a.m. Interment was in Sanders Chapel Cemetery with Eugene Joseph, Sidney Joseph, Cleveland Joseph and Barron Joseph as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Daryl Washington, Allen Moore, Carl Joseph, Antione Moore, Lee Joseph, and Marquis Joseph.
Bobby Joe Stribling
WATER VALLEY—Bobby Joe Stribling, age 70, died Friday August 23, 2019, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.
Born February 28, 1949, in Water Valley, Bobby Joe was a son of the late Flavis and Lovey Greer Stribling. He worked in the commercial refrigeration business most of his life. He enjoyed fishing and riding motorcycles, but more importantly was his love for family.
Visitation was held Monday, August 26, in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until 12 noon. Services followed at 12 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home, with Rev. Raymond Aven officiating. Burial was in Sylva Rena Cemetery with Robbie Ashford, Butch Aven, Farrell Festervand, Buddy Crumley, James Harris and Scott Person as pallbearers.
Bobby is survived by his wife of 17 years, Kathy Stribling of Water Valley; three sons, Christopher Stribling (Darlene) of Water Valley, Michael Stribling (Kim) of Grenada and Heath Chaney (Ginny) of Cascilla; one daughter, Nicole Hughes (Keith) of Water Valley; one brother, Billy Ray Stribling (Diane) of Olive Branch; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Along with his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by one sister, Barbara Parker.
Mary Louise Williams Vickery
Mrs. Mary Louise Williams Vickery, 89, of Coffeeville, passed away Thursday, August 22, 2019 in Oxford. She was born November 20, 1929, in Yalobusha County to Eldridge Ray and Mildred Louise Summers Williams. She had worked for many years at Kellwood in Coffeeville and also in the cafeteria at the Coffeeville schools. A devoted homemaker, she was a member of New Hope Baptist Church. Louise will be remembered for her kind spirit, delicious meals and always keeping those around her laughing.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, August 25, 2019 at New Hope Baptist Church near Coffeeville with Rev. Billy Hill officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada.
Survivors include one son, Tom Vickery of Coffeeville; three sisters, Dorothy Golden of Russellville, Ark., Juanita Brower of Coffeeville and Susan Massey of Mountain View, Ark.; two brothers, Terry Barton (Ann) of Grenada and Bobby Williams of Water Valley; four grandchildren, Amanda Bardo (Michael) of Coffeeville, Adam Vickery of Grenada, Morgan Vickery of Bruce and Carol Vickery of Oxford; and two great-grandchildren, Andy Bardo and Bentley Saxton.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Henry L. Vickery; one son, Cecil Vickery; and a brother, Wayne Barton.
Pallbearers were Marty Bardo, Shelby Brower, Danny Dorris, Ray Schmitz, III, Wayne Smith and Adam Vickery.