Obituaries 04/06/2023
Patricia Ann Aston
PETAL – Patricia Ann (Pat) Aston, age 75, of Petal entered into her heavenly home Saturday, March 25, 2023.
Born September 1, 1947, in Water Valley, she was a daughter of the late Aubrey and Eva (Chandler) Pendergrass. Pat came up during a very difficult time and was taught, and understood, the necessity of hard work. After graduating Water Valley High School she began her working career at Big Yank then moving to the local Bell South office, after that she became an EMT, and then a surgical tech with Yalobusha General Hospital – all while having and raising a family. Pat decided to return to school and after much dedication, received a nursing degree from Holmes Community College. She then returned to Yalobusha General where she applied her knowledge at the hospital and Dr. Bo Milicevic until her retirement.
With her true southern raising, Pat was strong-willed and feisty, but she would always put others before herself, willing to help whenever and wherever she could. With a love for animals, that caring nature also carried over into helping with local animal shelters. When Pat could find time for herself, she loved reading, canning anything she could and giving it away, doing crossword puzzles, playing cards, watching Jeopardy, and her most favorite thing, cooking for the family she loved and adored. She will be greatly missed by all that knew her.
Visitation was held Thursday, March 30, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 2 until 3 p.m.. The memorial service followed at 3 p.m. in the Henry Chapel with Bro. Roger Howell officiating.
Pat is survived by one son, Chris (Debra) Aston; two daughters, Kerry (Jeremy)Sumner and Nikki Aston; one sister, Becky Harrison; five grandchildren, Cage Sumner, Corey Sumner, Schump Aston, Savannah Sumner and Aubrey Aston; and three great-grandchildren, Naomi Sumner, Haeden Rayne Sumner and Oaklynn Sumner.
Along with her parents, Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Aston; one brother, W.D. Pendergrass; and one grandchild, Hayden Aston.
Cora Bailey Foxx
COFFEEVILLE – Cora Bailey Foxx peacefully transitioned on Monday, March 27. Born September 3, 1926 in Coffeeville, she was a daughter of Taylor and Lillie Brown Bailey.
She confessed Christ at an early age and joined Zion Spring M.B. Church in Bruce where she was the former president of the usher board and also served on the mother board. While she was physically unable to attend church, she continue to believe in God and praised God.
Cora was a sweetheart , always classy, sassy and witty. If you met her, you couldn’t help but love her. She enjoyed gardening, tending to her chickens and gathering her eggs. You might have seen her driving her side-by-side (Kawasaki Mule) around the farm. She especially love to cook homemade biscuits for her grandchildren, and from her family and friends chow-chow relish, sweet potato and lemon pie. She loved her kinfolks.
The funeral service was held Saturday, April 1, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Grove M.B. Church in Coffeeville with Pastor Gregory Wilson officiating. Pastor Sammie Townes was the eulogist and Pastor Calvin Hawkins was facilitator. Pallbearers were Mike Evans, Willie Paul Jackson, Efrem Moore, Clifton Neal, Daniel Pride and Larry Pride. Honorary pallbearers were A.J. Fox, Aspen Cannon, Issac Smith, Patrick Bailey, Archie P. Bailey and Leon Bailey.
Burial was in Zion Springs M.B. Church Cemetery. Townes Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Cora was married to the late Ellis Foxx, Sr. and to this union six children were born. She was the last of her siblings.
Mother Foxx leaves to cherish her precious memories two daughters, Lillie Foxx and Nellie (Steve) Logan; four sons, Cecil (Geraldine) Foxx, Vernon T. Foxx, Ellis (Emma) Foxx, Jr. and John D. (Barbara) Foxx; three grandchildren, Brittany, Keondrice and Alex J.; several bonus children; one great grandson, Avery; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Mary Belle Moore
OAKLAND – Born May 11 during the Great Flood of 1927 on Cassidy Bayou in Sumner, Mary Belle Forrest Moore lived a long and colorful life in her beloved Mississippi. Anyone who had the pleasure of sitting on her front porch was guaranteed an earful of quick quips with a puff of smoke and a sip of Chardonnay. Mary Belle passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Oxford.
Mary Belle was the daughter of the late Mary Lee Phelps Forrest and Saunders Doty Forrest. In her younger years, she was crowned Miss Charleston and participated as a Lady of the Court in the Cotton Carnival.
She was the devoted wife to the late Walter Vernon Moore, Jr. and the mother of their six children who were raised on the family farm in Oakland. When asked if she was Catholic, her response was “No, I’m just a sexy Methodist.”
Mary Belle was an avid Bridge player, member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, past President of the Grenada Garden Club and lifetime member of the Garden Clubs of Mississippi. She was also a member of the First United Methodist Church in Grenada.
Frugal with her purse and rich in friendships, Mary Belle was a renowned entertainer and welcomed everyone into her home for a good time. That said, heaven help anyone who suggested going out for dinner, as the egg salad sandwich in the fridge was good enough.
Her legacy of one-liner quotes are sure to live on through her 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren who lovingly called her “Grandmary.” A grandmother of the spicy variety, the grandkids hold fond memories of her homemade dill pickles and the tough but kind assurance that “it’ll all work out if we just let it”.
The funeral will be held at the Oakland Cemetery on Wednesday, April 5, at 11 a.m. as a celebration of Mary Belle’s wonderful life.
In addition to her late parents and husband, Mary Belle was preceded in death by brothers Charles, Edward and Reginald “Bubba” Forrest; and her children, Lee F. Moore, Kevin P. (Pam) Moore and Mary Moore (Stan) Greene. She is survived by sister Ann Forrest (Ernest) Brasher and brother James (Mary) Forrest; as well as her children Ruth Moore Davis (Neill), Walter V. Moore (Jerilou), and Edward W. Moore (Dawn).
Henry “Bo” White
WATER VALLEY – Henry “Bo” White, age 87, of Water Valley, went to his eternal home on Friday, March 31, 2023, surrounded by his family at home. Born April 1, 1935, in Water Valley, Bo was the sixth of nine children born to the late Jesse and Myrtle (Anthony) White.
Bo graduated from Jeff Davis High School in 1954 and married the love of his life, Grace Williams, in 1955. In 1975, after 20 years of military service, he retired from the US Navy. Henry (Bo) worked as a carpenter with Frank Wilbourne and then assumed the management and operation of the Tri-Lake Rural Water Association, which Bo maintained for over 40 years. During that time, he worked t10 years as a mechanic on offshore oil rigs for Penrod Drilling Company.
Bo gave his life to the Lord at an early age and became a shining example of a Godly man. He was a devoted family man with a servant’s heart. When he was not working or helping others, he enjoyed spending time with family, golfing, bowling, watching classic movies, working on cars and puzzles.
Bo is survived by two brothers, Jimmy (Margie) White of Grenada and John White of Brenham, Texas; two daughters, Deborah (Lance) Blackwell of Shepherd, Texas and Cheryl (Mark) Mims of Lobelville, Tenn.; one son, Bodie (Gloria) White of Water Valley; and two adoptive grandchildren, seven adoptive great-grandchildren, and three adoptive great-great-grandchildren.
Bo White was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Maldene Williams White; his biological granddaughter, Korah Grace White; his parents, Jesse Aubrey White and Myrtle Mae Anthony White; three brothers, John K., Charles, and Tom White; and three sisters, Martha White Antal, Dorthy White Shirey, and Frances White Haynes.
Reulius Wayne Whitten
WATER VALLEY – Reulius Wayne Whitten, age 71, of Water Valley departed this life Thursday, March 30, 2023 at Yalobusha County Nursing Home in Water Valley. He was born July 24, 1951, in Charleston to the late Lindsey and Beulah (Brown) Whitten.
Reulius was a very quiet man who preferred living a simple life. He began his working career by learning the welding trade which he applied at Ingalls Shipbuilding located in Pascagoula. In 1977, while visiting back home, he was involved in a motorcycle accident that changed his life forever. Reulius is described as quite the comedian as he loved to tell jokes. Before his accident, he enjoyed riding motorcycles and fast cars, singing and playing guitars.
From the time he was a child he continued his passion for drawing, and coloring.
Graveside services were held Monday, April 3, at Smith Cemetery in Cascilla. Seven Oaks Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Reulius is survived by two brothers, Julius (Sheree) Whitten and Mike (Emily) Whitten; three sisters, Virginia (John) Wood, Mary (Charlie) Kane and Verna (Frank) Phillips; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Reulius was preceded in death by six brothers.