Obituaries 05/13/21
Freddie Jean Jackson Gray
TILLATOBA – Mrs. Freddie Jean Jackson Gray, 72, of Tillatoba, passed away Monday, May 3, 2021 at her residence. She was born May 22, 1948 in Charleston to Fred and Bernice Lowery Jackson.
Freddie enjoyed a 31 year-long career at Pennaco Hosiery. A devoted family woman, she enjoyed spending time with her family and loved cooking for them. Fishing and watching old home movies were among her many hobbies.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 7, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada with Rev. James McElroy officiating. Interment followed in Elam Cemetery near Coffeeville. McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include a daughter, Rachel Doubleday (Jason) of Tillatoba; two sisters, Virginia Grubbs and Myra Dempsey, both of Grenada; two brothers, Johnny Jackson and Danny Jackson, both of Tillatoba; five grandchildren, James Doubleday, Jordan Doubleday, Allison Hill, Stephanie Hill and Tracy Coker; four great-grandchildren, Zoey, Sophia, Ethan and Natalie; and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James R. Gray; son, James Melvin Gray; and two sisters, Mary Jackson and Nancy Redwine.
William Wayne (Billy) Chandler
WATER VALLEY – Billy Wayne Chandler, age 79, left this earth for his eternal home on Monday, May 3, 2021. He was at home surrounded by family.
Visitation was held Thursday, May 6, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley from 12:30- 2:00. A private burial followed at Elam Baptist Church Cemetery in Coffeeville.
Billy was born May 31, 1941, to the late Jessie and Billie Chandler. He honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.
He is survived by one son, Daniel Chandler of Horn Lake; one granddaughter, Callileigh Chandler; three sisters, Melissa Jo Smith (Larry), Sherry Crenshaw (Ron) all of Water Valley, and Rita Graham (Mike) of Pontotoc; one nephew, Samy Chandler of Crystal Springs; and three nieces, Lara Smith and Melissa Smith (Jamison) of Water Valley and Jessica Schwalenberg (Jamie) of Grenada; and great nephews and nieces, Ethan Sossaman of Water Valley, Addison Sossaman of Water Valley, Hayden Chandler and Olivia and Ella Rose Schwalenberg of Grenada.
Along with his parents, Billy was preceded in death by his spouse, Teri Chandler; one brother, Thomas Chandler; and two sisters, Bonnie Chandler and Cindy Chandler.
Memorials can be sent to Anchor Baptist Church Building Fund, 1009 Hwy 7 S, Water Valley, MS 38965.
Randy Lee Harwell
WATER VALLEY – Randy Lee Harwell of Water Valley, MS died unexpectedly Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at his home. He was 63.
Visitation was held Friday, May 7, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from noon until 1 PM. Services followed at 1 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Shane Crawford officiating. Burial was in Old Union Cemetery in Lafayette County.
Randy was born June 19, 1957, in Oxford to the late Van and Hazzel (Naramore) Harwell. After graduating school, Randy joined the United States Army and honorably served our country. Afterwards, he attended, and received an Associates Degree from Ole Miss. After college, Randy studied and became an electrician, a job he performed until his passing. He loved fishing, hunting, cooking out, and just spending time outdoors. Beginning at a young age, he wrote music and played the drums, which was his passion. He played for his high school band and continued through his life playing in different bands.
Randy is survived by his sister, Ronda Byrd of Water Valley; and one son, Jeremy Harwell of Louisiana. He was preceded in death by both of his parents.
Oscar Melton Sossaman, Jr.
COFFEEVILLE – Oscar Melton Sossaman, Jr. of Coffeeville, passed away Friday, May 7, 2021 at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi in Oxford. He was 72.
A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at the Adams Arbor Church of God of Prophecy Cemetery in Tallahatchie County with Rev. Roger Jackson and Rev. Jesse Strider officiating. The family will received friends from 5 to 7 p.m Monday evening at McKibben and Guinn.
He was born December 7, 1948, in Hollandale to Oscar Melton, Sr. and Inez Bonner Sossaman. A hard-working and dedicated family man, Junior spent most of his life working as a heavy equipment operator.
Survivors include his wife, Norma Joyce Shankle Sossaman; one son, Daniel Sossaman, Sr. (Annette) of Coffeeville; two grandsons, Daniel Sossaman, Jr. of Cascilla and Bailey Sossaman (Samantha) of Scobey; four sisters, Ann Woodard of Byhalia, Edna Woods of Crowder, Louise Sossaman of Southaven and Linda Leake of Hattiesburg; and six brothers, Jimmy Sossaman of Batesville, John Sossaman of Coffeeville, Albert Sossaman of Grenada, Willie Sossaman of Memphis, Robert Sossaman of Water Valley and Mike Sossaman of Teasdale.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, David Sossaman.
