Obituaries 05/02/2024
Bessie Irene Liles Calder
COFFEEVILLE – Bessie Irene Liles Calder, 76, of Coffeeville, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, April 28, 2024. She was born on January 8, 1948, in Coffeeville, to the late Ben Liles Sr. and Mary Grace Gore Liles.
Bessie spent her formative years in Coffeeville where she received her education at Coffeeville Schools. Bessie later married Robert Glenn Calder on May 6, 1966. Throughout her life, she worked in various factories in and around Yalobusha County. Bessie’s warm and loving spirit was a beacon of kindness in her community. Her dedication to her church, faith, and savior Jesus Christ was evident in all aspects of her life. Her passion for gardening and caring for animals brought her immense joy and fulfillment.
Visitation is scheduled Wednesday, May 1, at Elam Baptist Church in Coffeeville from 6 to 8 p.m.. Services will follow on Thursday, May 2, at Elam Baptist Church at noon with a previous hour of visitation from 11 a.m. until the service. Burial will follow at Elam Cemetery in Coffeeville.
Bessie is survived by her children, Bessie Lynn Dunn (Larry) of Houston, Robert Glenn (Charlie Ann) Calder Jr. of Coffeeville and Russell Sidney (Akesha) Calder of Coffeeville; grandchildren, Larry (Kassi) Dunn Jr. of Houston, Daniel (Victoria) Dunn of Houston, Tamnin Dunn of Tupelo, Connor Calder, Ryliegh Calder and Shawn Calder, all of Coffeeville; two great-grandchildren, Rhett Dunn and Emerson Dunn; and special family and friends Lee and Connie Church.
Along with her parents, Bessie was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Glenn Calder, Sr. and her brother, Ben Liles, Jr.; and two great-grandchildren Jacob and Oaklen Dunn.
Robert Keith Darnell
SOUTHAVEN – Robert Keith Darnell, 60, passed away on April 16, 2024 in Decatur, Ala. He was born November 27, 1963 in Pekin, Ill.
Bob was passionate about music. He was a professional trumpet player and had the opportunity to play in the house band aboard a cruise ship for many years. He enjoyed baseball and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He also enjoyed watching his niece play travel softball.
Visitation was held at noon on Friday, April 26, at Walker Cemetery. The service followed at 1 p.m.
Robert “Bob” Darnell is survived by his mother, Rose “Dean” Arbuckle McElroy; a sister, Alisha McElroy; nieces Chelsea Hummel and Skylar McElroy; and a great nephew, Cohen Makekau. Bob was preceded in death by his father, Dale Darnell; and one sister, Rhonda “Kim” Darnell.
Christopher Andrew Jenkins
WATER VALLEY – Christopher Andrew Jenkins, 40, of Water Valley passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 3, at Anchor Baptist Church with Rev. Gerald Shook and Rev. Lawson Harlow officiating. Visitation with the family will be held Thursday, May 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Waller Funeral Home in Oxford, and again on Friday, prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow the service in Anchor Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kent Poss, Daniel Huckaby, Boone White, Gerry Logan, Will Nelson and Matt Bishop. Honorary pallbearers will be Craig White, Bart Palmer and Joe Banco.
Chris was born on July 14, 1983, in Oxford to the late Brad and Cathy Jenkins. He is survived by his wife, Lauren Poss Jenkins, and their daughter, Hayden Quinn Jenkins; a brother, Brad Jenkins, Jr. and his wife Kelley and their daughter MaryAli; his father-in-law, Randy Poss and his wife, Connie, of Grenada; and his step-father-in-law, David Kilgore of Grenada.
Chris graduated from Lafayette County High School and attended Northwest Community College. He was a long-time employee of AT&T as a lineman and fiber optics technician. He enjoyed watching Ole Miss athletics and loved the Chicago Bears and Cubs. He was also an avid fantasy football participant. Chris and Lauren welcomed friends into their home frequently to fellowship around the pool where Chris would enjoy grilling ribs for the group.
Chris will always be remembered as a kind and compassionate human being. Even in his last days he was careful to thank those who assisted him and to encourage those who visited him. His love for his wife and daughter was unquestionable. He was an extremely devoted husband and father. During some of his most difficult days he summoned the strength to fulfill a promise to take them to Disney World for a family vacation.
John Robert Pullen
WATER VALLEY – John Robert Pullen, 73, of Water Valley, MS, passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. He was born October 12, 1950, in Water Valley to the late John “Chat” and Ouida Ware Pullen.
John completed his education at Water Valley High School before joining the Army National Guard, where he served for four years. Subsequently, he pursued a career at the Illinois Central Railroad, working as an engineer/fireman.
John’s commitment to his community and his country through his service in the Army National Guard reflected his selfless nature. John’s love for farming, especially tending to cattle and watermelons, brought him joy and fulfillment.
He was also a devoted enthusiast of John Deere tractors. His admiration for John Deere tractors was a testament to his appreciation for quality craftsmanship and tradition. John’s legacy will live on through the memories of those who knew him and were impacted by him.
Visitation was held Monday, April 29, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from. Services immediately followed at noon in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Dr. Shane Crawford officiating. Burial was at Oak Hill Cemetery.
John is survived by his wife Norma Pullen; three sisters, Becky (Sammy) Haily of Water Valley, Ouita “Tuttie Bug” (Ray) Few of Water Valley and Maxien “Menlia” (James ‘Plug’) Baddley of Southaven; one daughter, Allison (Ken) Crain of Oxford; one son, Clark (Whitney) Pullen of Oxford; two step daughters, Lovie (Billy) Rodela of Oxford and Heather Dehetre, also of Oxford; and 13 grandchildren.
John Robert was preceded in death by his parents John Chapman Pullen and Ouida Ware Pullen.
Bobby Hoyt Tyler
WATER VALLEY – Bob Tyler, long-time Mississippi high school and college football coach and athletic director passed away April 28, 2024, at his home in Water Valley, Mississippi with his wife Dale by his side. He was 91.
Born Bobby Hoyt Tyler on July 4, 1932, in Water Valley, he was preceded in death by his parents, Hiram and Willie Belle Tyler, and brother, James “Crip” Tyler. He is survived by his loving wife, Dale White Tyler, his high school sweetheart and wife of 69 years.
After graduation from Water Valley High School in 1951, Bob attended the University of Mississippi and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Following his service in the United States Army, he volunteered to coach the Water Valley junior high football team and launched a 45-year career as a coach and teacher.
After his start at Water Valley, he coached high school at Okolona, Corinth, Senatobia, Meridian, and Oxford. After back-to-back state championships at Meridian High School, Bob began coaching at the collegiate level including years at Northwest Community College, North Texas State, Millsaps College, and on John Vaught’s Ole Miss staff, Bear Bryant’s Alabama staff, and as head football coach and athletic director at Mississippi State University. While these years included many wins, bowl games, and awards, his greatest reward was always found in the relationships made with the young men and women he and Dale coached, taught, and led to the Lord.
Following his coaching years, Bob served under Dr. Sam Polles as the Director of Parks for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. He later served as the Deputy Director of MDWFP, and at the time of his death still served as the ex officio of the WFP Foundation. Bob had a passion for conservation and helped start the Archery in Mississippi Schools (AIMS) program, supported the Fallen Officers Memorial, and helped lead the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery. He also served as the Director of Economic Development for Yalobusha County for 15 years until 2022.
Bob is a member of the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame, the Mississippi State Athletics Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. In 2023, he was honored to have the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery renamed the Bob Tyler Fish Hatchery. He and his wife Dale were long-time members of the First Baptist Church of Water Valley.
Bob is survived by his children, Breck (Denise) of Oxford, Cam (Julie) of Water Valley and Drew (Jill) of Oxford; his grandchildren, Whitney (Will) Windham, Perryn (Charlie) Edwards, Reed (Anna Mills) Tyler, Lauren (Matt) Dalton, John Christopher Tyler, Caroline Tyler, Mary Madison Tyler and Mckenzie Tyler; his great-grandchildren, Lillian Edwards, Ozzie Edwards, Tyler Windham, Brecken Windham, Drew Windham, Ella Dalton, Brooks Dalton, and Jack Dalton.
Visitation was held Tuesday, April 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Water Valley. Visitation will also be held Wednesday, May 1, starting at 10 a.m. with the service to follow at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church. Rev. Randy Bain and Rev. J.B. Bond will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Foundation for Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks at Foundationmwfp.com.