Obituaries 05/04/2023
Dorothy Marie Atkinson
WATER VALLEY – Dorothy Marie Atkinson, 81, passed away, Friday, April 28, 2023, with family by her side.
Visitation was held, Tuesday, May 2, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral service immediately followed in Henry Chapel with Bro. Gerald Shook officiating. Internment was at Shipp Cemetery in Oxford. Seven Oaks Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.
Dorothy was born to the late Herman and Lila Mae (Blaker) Johnson. She began her career working for Emerson Electric, serving there for 34 years. Dorothy was a very strong-willed and independent person, gaining these characteristics from raising her five children alone and facing many obstacles in life. She became very devoted to her family, taking care of every need they had. In her younger years, she taught herself to play piano by ear. She also enjoyed sewing in her spare time. Dorothy was a member of Anchor Baptist Church. She will be dearly missed by all those who loved and cherished her.
Dorothy is survived by her children, Gloria (Keith Kodera) Riggs, Linda (Jim) Godbold, Lisa Harris, David (Sara) Atkinson and Kim Kelly; her siblings, Harold (Christy) Johnson, and Carolyn (Jack) Hazel; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Lila Mae (Blaker) Johnson; her brother, Herman Johnson; and her son-in-law, Wayne Harris.
Jane Goasa Bell
TILLATOBA – Mrs. Jane Goasa Bell, 79, of Tillatoba, passed away Thursday, April 27, at St. Dominic/Jackson Memorial Hospital in Jackson.
She was born September 13, 1943 in Woodville to J.B. and Lena Danzy Goasa. Jane will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
Family and friends gathered on Saturday, April 29, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada.
Survivors include her husband of 59 years, David Bell; a daughter, Donna Bell Malone of Tillatoba; a son, Robert Bell (Kelley) of Tillatoba; a brother, Charles Goasa of Carrollton; six grandchildren, Lane Malone, Robbie Bell(Lindsey), Hestin Tackett (Ashley), Scott Ross (Megan), Linzy Abraham (Spence) and Kalob Hughes; and a host of great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Thomas, Virgil and Joe Goasa.
Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
John Kevin McKay
GRENADA – John Kevin McKay went to live with his Heavenly Father on Friday, April 28, 2023, at the Methodist University Hospital in Memphis.
Visitation was Tuesday, May 2, at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. The funeral service is Wednesday, May 3 at 2 p.m. at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Providence Baptist Church Cemetery in Grenada.
Born on November 1, 1967, in Water Valley to Jo Harris McKay and Hal Samuel McKay, he was 55 years old.
John attended and graduated from Water Valley High School in 1985. He participated in all sports. Having excelled in football, he continued to play for the Northwest Junior College Rangers in Senatobia. He was ranked among the Junior College Who’s Who for his leadership on and off campus at Northwest. After earning his associate degree, John attended the University of Arkansas in Monticello, Ark. He completed his education at the University of Mississippi earning his bachelor’s degree. John was employed at Borg-Warner/Solero for 31 years.
John married Pam McDaniel on May 25, 2002 and together they raised three sons. John was an avid hunter and fisherman. He never met a stranger and loved spending time with family and friends. John was described by his family as a loving, caring, passionate, forgiving and devoted person. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
John is survived by his mother, Jo Harris McKay of Water Valley; his wife, Pam McDaniel McKay of Grenada; three sons, Brandon (Leslie) Sivley, Brooks (Carley) Sivley, all of Oxford, and Matt McKay of Grenada; a sister, Missy Townes, of Grenada; a brother, Shane McKay, of Millington, Tenn.; a granddaughter, Parker Elizabeth Sivley; his step-mother, Jan McKay of Bruce; and a countless family members and friends.
John was preceded in death by his father, Hal Samuel McKay.
Roger Bedell Patterson
WATER VALLEY – Roger Bedell Patterson died April 28, 2023.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 3, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Helena, Ark. Family will receive friends an hour prior to the service.
He was born at King’s Daughters Hospital in Greenville on June 27, 1951 to Mary Frances McCord Patterson.
He was raised in Hollandale with his two older brothers and his little sister. Roger attended Hollandale High School, where he excelled in academics and athletics. He pitched and played center field for the Mississippi State A championship baseball team of 1969, and was very proud of the season. He attended Hollandale Methodist Church, was an Eagle Scout and attended the World Jamboree. He grew up hunting and fishing and enjoying the outdoors, a trait he passed on to his son.
Roger attended Mississippi College and graduated from Delta State University, then went to work for Helena Chemical Company in West Helena, Ark. He remained there for over 30 years before retiring and becoming a full-time husband and father. While in West Helena, he joined the Episcopal Church and attended St. John’s Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry and as Junior Warden. He coached many youth athletic teams and enjoyed every minute of it. The Ole Miss Rebels were his team, and the past few years he attended as many baseball games as he could. He was able to travel to their 2014 trip to the College World Series, and was overjoyed when they won the series in 2022.
He and Debby later moved to Water Valley to be closer to family. They attended the Church of the Nativity in Water Valley, where Roger served on the vestry.
Roger’s devotion to friend and family was exemplary. A quiet man, he never intruded, but was always there if needed. He was a tender caregiver to his mother in her later years, and never failed to check on his mother-in-law. He was so proud of his children and grandchildren. His friends know how much he cared for them and of the kids he coached were like his own. He will be missed.
Roger is survived by his wife, Deborah “Debby” Howell Patterson; his daughter, Jennifer Patterson Clark; and his son, Kenneth Collin “Casey” Patterson; three grandchildren, Anna Clark, Hudson Clark, and Hatcher Clark; a sister, Patti Patterson Seigler and husband, Bob; his sister-in-law, Kathleen Patterson; his wife’s family; and many nieces, nephews and good friends. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, and brothers, Jimmy Patterson and Gene Patterson.
James Edward Smith
OAKLAND – Dr. James Edward Smith, age 77, of Oakland, went to his forever home Thursday, April 27, 2023 at his daughter’s home in Mayhew.
Visitation was Monday, May 1, at Sylva Rena Baptist Church. The funeral service followed with Dr. Shane Crawford officiating. Burial was in Ford’s Well Cemetery.
James was born February 19, 1946, in Brazil, Miss. to the late William and Effie (Glass) Smith. He graduated from West Tallahatchie High School in 1964 and continued his education at Northwest Community College followed by Mississippi State, where he would obtain a Doctorate in Plant Pathology and Weed Science.
James’ working career began with the Mississippi Cooperative Extension service in 1973 where he specialized in the growing of rice. In 1978, he launched his own business, Delta Rice Services, and became a rice specialist in the Mississippi Delta. James established three endowments at Northwest, two at Mississippi State and one at Delta State University. In 2005 he published a book, “Rice in the Mississippi Delta,” outlining the history and progress of the rice industry in Mississippi.
When not working, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and riding horses on trail rides. He hosted many trail rides benefiting the Baptist Children’s Village and St. Jude.
James is survived by one son, Michael Shelton “Shelley” (Debbie) Smith of Fort Worth, Texas; one daughter, Angie (Shelby) Tidwell of Mayhew; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one brother, William “Sonny” Smith of Bay Minette, Ala.; one sister, Juanita Allday of Terry; and his ex-wife, Lynda Peeples Smith of Starkville.
Along with his parents, James was preceded in death by three brothers, Billy, Jimmy and John “Red” Smith; and one sister, Peggy Kirk of Byrum.