Obituaries 04/13/2023
Roger Abernathy
SARDIS –Roger Abernathy passed away from complications from pulmonary fibrosis at the age of 62. Visitation is scheduled Monday, April 17, from 4 to 5 p.m. at Seven Oaks Funeral Home.
Roger was a talented carpenter, building his cabin from the ground up with no floor plans . In 1990, Roger was presented the highest State Forestry Award for saving a young boy from drowning at Sardis Dam during a holiday celebration after he heard the child calling for help and ran to save him.
Roger is survived by his mother, Glenda Griffith of Hernando; three daughters, Sherry (Shawn) McKinney, Samantha (Phillip) Moore and Ali Grace (Mason) Allen; and grandchildren, Eli, Mabry, June, Max, Peyton, Haven, Corey, Ivory, Macee and Oakley.
He is preceded in death by his father, Sam Abernathy, and his sister, Katherine (Kat) Hardy, who passed away Dec 4, 2022.
Zelma Brown
UTICA – Zelma Brown went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 5, 2023, with her loving family by her side. She was 83.
Zelma was born to the late Lula Mae Phillips and Evans (Sugarfoot) Hervey on October 27, 1939, in Water Valley. She spent her childhood in Water Valley. After graduating from high school, she relocated to the Utica area in her early 20s and remained there until her passing.
Zelma wed the love of her life, Ransom James Brown, on April 26, 1962. The couple was blessed with one child, Michael James Brown. Zelma and Ransom shared a loving and blessed union until his passing in 2003.
Zelma worked at St. Elizabeth Medical Center as a seamstress until she retired due to health reasons. She also used her seamstress skills as domestic help for local families. Zelma had a big and loving heart – her family was everything to her. She could be very strict and firm but always fair. She was an exceptional mother who would do anything for her son, Michael. She also had a warm place in her heart for animals, especially her beloved dogs.
Zelma frequently showed her skills in the kitchen, particularly with soul food. Her sweet potato pie was nothing short of perfect. One to enjoy the outdoors, she loved to fish and could frequently be found dancing to a good beat.
Zelma’s homegoing service and celebration was Saturday, February 25, at Eannace Funeral Home, Inc. Interment followed at Forest Hill Cemetery.
Zelma is survived by her son, Michael James Brown and his wife, Addie McVay-Brown of New York, New York; her grandchildren, Jasmine and Joshua; her siblings, Bessie Mae Gooch and Walter Lee Hervey, Sr. of Utica; her bonus siblings, Eddie (Ruth) Sanders of Southfield, Mich., Leonard “PeeWee” (Johnella) Sanders of Detroit, Mich. and Eva Sanders-Cook of Water Valley. She also leaves her special niece and caretaker, Liberta Hammett and her husband, Clinton John Hammett, Sr.; and a host of additional nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband; brother, Clement Hervey; sister-in-law, Delores Hervey; nephew, Walter Lee Hervey, Jr.; niece, Bessie Lee Gooch; bonus sister, Essie Johnson; and her loving canine companion, Coco.
Gloria Gaye Peacock Flora
WATER VALLEY – Gloria Gaye (Peacock) Flora of Water Valley passed unexpectedly Friday, March 31, at her home. She was 81.
Gaye was born May 3, 1941, in Water Valley to the late Cleve and Anna (Bonds) Peacock. After finishing her primary education, she went on to Ole Miss where she graduated with a bachelors in education. She would apply that knowledge teaching until she became a mother and made the decision to honor her family by becoming a homemaker. When she wasn’t tending to her family, Gaye would immerse herself in reading books from many genres. She was also very artistic and found great pleasure in painting, sketching, drawing and even writing poetry.
Visitation is planned for Friday, April 14, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 2 until 4 p.m. A memorial service will follow at 4 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Brennan Allen officiating.
Gaye is survived by her nephew Jon Peacock of Water Valley. In addition to her parents, Gaye was preceded in death by her daughter, Stephanie Ann Flora; and her brother, Jimmy Cleve Peacock.
Maureen Jackson
OAKLAND – Maureen Jackson, age 76, passed away at her home in Oakland the evening of March 29, 2023. She was surrounded by her loving family.
Maureen is survived by her husband of 56 years, Michael Jackson; her son, Lee (Jennifer), Jackson of Courtland; five grandchildren, Beau Bridges, Bryant McCulley, Nicole Butler, Chase Jackson and Tate Jackson, and two great-grandchildren. No services are planned at this time.
Elizabeth “Betty” Melton
WATER VALLEY – Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Melton, 82, of Water Valley, MS passed from this life Monday, April 2, 2023 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford, MS. She was born November 11, 1940, in Gunnison, CO to the late Avery and Frieda (Hembree) Streeter.
After graduating from Smith-Cotton High School Sedalia, Missouri in 1958, Betty began her working career at the local shoe factory as a machine operator. She met the love of her life, Donald Melton, in married him in 1965. They started their family in 1967, and relocated to Water Valley in 1972, where she found employment doing clerical work at the hospital. She wold later become the librarian for the City of Water Valley.
Betty had a caring heart, always willing to help others in need, often without any recognition. She was an avid reader, delving off into books focusing on westerns and, more so, Danielle Steele novels. She also loved doing any type of puzzles from crosswords to jigsaw, quilting, gardening and canning. Her greatest joy came from cooking for her family, especially her quail dressing, which was cause for many open debates. She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.
Visitation was held Friday, April 7, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 2 until 3 p.m. Services followed at 3 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Frank Dunn officiating. Burial was in Pinecrest Cemetery.
Betty is survived by one son, Billy Melton; one daughter, Missy (Ira) Koonce; two grandchildren, Trey Koonce and Sarah Koonce; one sister, Laura Patterson; and a special friend, Joanna Kirkwood, who was a caregiver along with Geneva Clark, and Rosie Holmes.
In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband Donald Melton; and one sister, Patty Lynn Streeter.
Lura Dell Moore
MEMPHIS – Lura Dell Moore of Memphis passed away on Monday, April 3, 2023. Born in Water Valley, she was a daughter of the late Estelle and Mary Dunn Ashmore.
Lura lived in Water Valley and Memphis during her life. She married Marilyn Moore in 1953. She was retired from Methodist Hospital after a 35-year career working as an accounts receivable manager.
Lura is survived by a son, Mike (Peggy) Moore; a daughter, Dawn Moore (Jim) Hutchison; grandchildren Courtney Moore Wheeler (Zachary) Watkins of Collierville, Tenn., Jennifer Moore of Bartlett, Tenn., Bradley (Elizabeth) Hutchison of Homer, La., Brian Hutchison of Manhattan, Kan. and Bethany (Alex) Moody of Chattanooga, Tenn.; great-grandchildren Brayden Wheeler, Shyler Salmon, Levyn Zipler, Emma Hutchison, Barrett Watkins, Reese Watkins and Emmett Watkins.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Marilyn Moore. A graveside service and celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 15, at Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley at 2 p.m. Pallbearers will be Mike Moore, Jim Hutchison, Zachary Watkins, Alex Moody, Bradley Hutchison, Brian Hutchison and Brayden Wheeler.
Mildred M. Potts
WATER VALLEY – Mildred M. Potts went home to rest with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 2, 2023. She passed peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She was 92.
Mildred was born November 17, 1930, in Humboldt, Tenn. and grew up around the Pangburn, Ark. area. Mildred, or Millie, moved to Water Valley with her husband, Delma, in 1979. She was known around Water Valley from working with the Water Valley Housing Authority from 1982 until her retirement in 2007. After retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her family and working in her yard.
Mildred is survived by a daughter, Pauline Potts; a son, Delma Gene Potts Jr; a granddaughter, Rhonda (Scott) Palmertree; and a great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Palmertree – all of Water Valley.
Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Delma Gene Potts Sr.; two brothers, Tommy McKnight and Cecil McKnight; one half-sister, Flora Lee Gilliam; and her parents John Henry McKnight and Marie Crow McKnight.