Obituaries 07/18/2024
Willis David Goodnight, Jr.
WATER VALLEY – Willis David Goodnight Jr., also known as Patch and Bubba, peacefully passed away on the morning of Saturday, July 13, 2024, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo surrounded by his family.
Patch Goodnight was born February 2, 1968, in Memphis to the late Willis David Goodnight, Sr., and Mrs. Betty Jo Kurtley Goodnight. He graduated from Water Valley High School, pursued EMT training and served his community as an EMT for 21 years at Yalobusha General Hospital.
Patch was also a volunteer firefighter with the Velma Volunteer Fire Department and fought wildfires in several states with the U.S. Forestry. He attended Campground Baptist Church in Water Valley and the love of Jesus Christ in his life was very evident to all who knew him.
At home, Patch cherished spending time with the love of his life, Kathy Dunn. He enjoyed woodworking, tinkering on his truck, “Old Blue,” and caring for his pool and yard. His Chiweenie, Camo, was a dear companion, accompanying him on hikes and rides in their Dodge pickup they called “Little Hiccup.”
Visitation was held Tuesday, July 16, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Another visitation will be held Wednesday, July 17, from 9 until – 10 a.m. Services will immediately follow at 10 a.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Brennan Allen officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley.
Willis is preceded in death by his parents, Willis Goodnight Sr. and Betty Kurtley Goodnight.
He is survived by his beloved Kathy Dunn; a sister-in-law, Brenda Kachel; a niece, Autumn (Brennan) Allen; his nephews, Taylor and Wayland Allen; a niece, Audrey Wilson; two sisters-in-law, Linda (Pete) Espinosa and Peggy (James) McDonald; a cousin, Vickie (Dennis) Tindle; his sister, Patricia Wilson; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his Chiwennie, Camo Goodnight. Along with his family, Patch will forevermore be survived by the emergency service members of Yalobusha County.
Wanda Hardy Jackson
OAKLAND – Wanda “Gail” Hardy Jackson, age 72, passed away Friday, July 12, 2024, at her residence in Oakland. She was born on December 19, 1951, in Tallahatchie County to the late Rudell and John Lewis Hardy.
Gail was a believer. She embodied Matthew 25:35 (NLT), “I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.”
Gail enjoyed life. She was a mother to all. She raised not only her own three children but countless others. She was “Aunt Gail” or “Maw” to a host of people, related or not, and was a natural caretaker and giver. She was an amazing cook. If you were hungry, she would feed you. If you were thirsty, she would sit you down with some ice cold tea. Gail and her late husband, Bo, had opened their hearts and home to dozens throughout the years, creating memories, impressions, and a legacy that will far outlive them.
Gail is survived by her children, William Kenneth “Ken” Jackson, Jr. and Amy Jackson (Jody), Sewell, all of Oakland; grandchildren, Megan White, Steven Jackson, Ronald (Trista) King, Dalton (Mia) King, Hunter Jackson, Landon (Kota) King, Faith Sewell, Caitlin Box and Mason Jackson; great-grandchildren, E.B. Jackson, Eli White, Kyleigh Rae King, Caden Jamison, Amelia King and Eden Patrick; three sisters, Helen Potts of Water Valley, and Diane Jackson and Lisa Jones, both of Oakland; and one brother, Nicky (Sam) Hardy.
She was preceded in death by her husband William Kenneth “Bo” Jackson; a son, Ronald Steve “Roundman” Jackson; her mother, Dorothy “Rudell” Jaco Hardy; her father, John Lewis Hardy; brothers, Virgil Hardy, Roger Hardy and Michael Hardy; and her great granddaughter, Harley Claire King.
Services were held Monday, July 15, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada with Rev. Jerry King officiating. Interment followed at Elam Baptist Church Cemetery, just outside of Coffeeville. Pallbearers were Donald Fillyaw, Jagguar Smith, Skyler “Chop” Fillyaw, Ronald King, Dalton King, Landon King, Adam “Twelve” Reeves, Johnathan Reeves, Blake Brown, and Curtis “Lo” Henderson.
Donna Churchill Mooney
OXFORD – Mrs. Donna “DeeDee” Churchill Mooney left this world peacefully on Saturday, July 13, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. She was 61
A funeral service honoring Donna’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 18, in the sanctuary of Anchor Baptist Church with Bro. Gerald Shook officiating. Family and friends will gather for visitation Wednesday, July 17, at Anchor Baptist Church from 5 to 7 p.m. Burial will be in Anchor Cemetery.
Donna was born May 16, 1963, in Oxford to Erma Goodman and the late Wayne Churchill. She grew up in Oxford and she graduated from Oxford High School in 1981. After graduation, Donna found her calling in teaching and caring for others. She worked at the North Mississippi Regional Center for many years, a job that inspired her to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education. Following this accomplishment, Donna was a special education teacher at Lafayette County School District where she made an impact on her students and co-workers. These friendships ultimately led to the formation of a group she called The Magnolias. Following her career at Lafayette Schools,
Donna married Rickey Mooney in 1992, and it was no secret to anyone who knew her how much she loved him (and he her).She loved her family with a fierceness that was challenged by none. The entirety of her life was centered around her family, and she was her happiest when she was surrounded by those she loved (or when she was watching the Dallas Cowboys). In recent years,
Donna loved spending her days with her beloved golden retriever, Lady, and tending to her chickens. This, of course, came second to her time spent with her great-niece, Mary Ellis, who could brighten her day instantly. Donna will, undoubtedly, be remembered for her exuberant personality, witty sense of humor, strength, compassion, and incomparable gift of making others feel the love she so generously offered.
In her last days, Donna was surrounded by those she loved most. She spoke often of how thankful she was to have gained more time following her liver transplant in July of 2021, and she did not hesitate to tell her family how much she loved them every chance she got. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her step-father, Richard Goodman; her aunt, Virginia Metzger; her maternal grandparents, Leonard and Naomi Tubbs; and her paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Churchill.
Donna is survived by her husband, Rickey Mooney; her mother, Erma Goodman of Oxford; her siblings, Nita Churchill Knight and Gary Churchill, both of Oxford; three children, Anthony Montgomery of Oxford, Sarah Vance and her husband, Jeremy, of Water Valley, and Taylor Mooney and his wife, Mary Micah, of Oxford; one niece, Katie Knight of Oxford; two grandchildren, Jackson and Harper Vance of Water Valley; one great-niece, Mary Ellis Knight, of Oxford; and her friend group, The Magnolias, Ann Thomas, Jennifer Hewlett, Sandra Smith, and Tiffany Babb.
Robert Howard Neal
TEXAS – Robert (Bob) Howard Neal, a cherished father and grandfather, and an esteemed veteran of the Korean War, passed away on July 2, 2024. He was a former resident of Water Valley.
Born to Howard Hastings and Willie Mae Douglas Neal, Robert proudly served his country in the US Army’s 11th Airborne Division during the conflict.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Neal; his sisters, Janet McKim and Peggie Erlien; and his daughter-in-law Candy Reece.
Robert is survived by his sons, David (Janet) Neal, Steve Reece and Kirby Reece; his sister-in-law, Beatrice Neal Royals; beloved grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; and nephews.
Homer Odom
COFFEEVILLE – Homer Odom, age 54, a cherished husband and father, peacefully passed away at his residence in Coffeeville on July 8, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Born November 8, 1969, in Osceola, Ark, to Berry J. Odom and Mary L. “Mason” Odom, Homer later relocated to Joiner, Ark.
Throughout his life, Homer worked as a farmer and laborer. He found joy in activities like fishing, hunting, camping, playing pranks, and embracing his unique perspective on life. His fondness for the Mississippi River was well-known. Homer marched to the beat of his own drum. Also, Homer was a valued member of Hopewell Baptist Church in Water Valley.
Homer was fortunate to have numerous nieces and great-nieces, nephews, and great-nephews, each holding their own special memories with Uncle Homer.
Visitation was held Wednesday, July 10, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Services immediately followed at 1:30 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Rick Glidewell officiating. Burial was at Hopewell Cemetery.
Homer was preceded in death by his Father, Berry J. Odom; his mother, Mary L. “Mason” Odom; two fathers-in-law, William Lee Henry and Bubba Tubbs; his mother-in-law, Wilma Sue Tubbs; two sisters-in-law, Ruth Odom and Becky Henry Griffin; his nephew, Brandon Wayne Odom; his niece, Brandy Odom; and a host of family and friends.
Homer is survived by his wife of 34 years, Callie Henry Odom of Water Valley; his daughter, Halla LaNay Odom, also of Water Valley; a brother; Berry Odom, Jr. of Joiner, Ark.; a sister; Tammy (Bobby) Spencer of Dyess, Ark.; one brother-by-heart; William (Kala and Willow) of Hery, Nev.; one sister-by-heart, Kathy Newberry of Water Valley; and lots of family and friends around the world.
Laura Parsons Walker
NASHVILLE – Laura Parsons Walker, age 69, passed away on July 2, 2024, in her home in Nashville, Tenn.
Born on December 11, 1954, in Pascagoula, Laura dedicated nearly three decades of her life as an educator, most recently serving The Academy of McKay’s Mill in Franklin, Tenn. until she retired in 2022.
A kind-hearted and loving mother, sister, and daughter, Laura’s warmth touched the lives of all who knew her. Her greatest joy was found in shaping the lives of countless students who came through her classroom over the years. She was a proud alumna of Water Valley High School and later graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1976.
Laura is survived by her sons, Will Walker and Corbin (Liz) Walker; two brothers, John Randal (Jennifer) Parsons, and Robby (Bonnie) Parsons; and her sister-in-law, Carlisle Parsons (Billy) Wood. She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Kathryn Parsons; and a brother, Richard Parsons.
A memorial and remembrance for Laura was held with close family on July 14. Her legacy of kindness and compassion will forever be cherished by those who knew her.