Obituaries 07/25/2024
Sylvia Bowen
WATER VALLEY – The family of Sylvia Gay Bowen announces with deep sorrow her passing on July 15, 2024. Gay was born on October 25, 1951, in Memphis to Daniel and Frances Garavelli.
Gay was known for her gift of gab, loving nature and strong opinions. She had a passion for reading and thoroughly enjoyed music and movies. Gay adored Teddy bears and butterflies, and she brought warmth and joy to all those around her. After dedicating her early life to homemaking and caring for her family, Gay embarked on a fulfilling career at Holley Carburetor before finishing her work life at Ajinomoto Foods.
Gay is survived by her beloved daughter Tanya (Mike) Thweatt of Oxford; a granddaughter, Robyn (Gerald) McCarty of Oxford; a grandson, Skyler Sturgis of East Wenahatchee, Wash.; great-grandsons, Mason and Cooper McCarty; brothers, Dr. John S. Garavelli of Dover, Del. and James Ashton, Sr. of Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; a stepsister, Glenda (Bill) Palmer of Maben; and her mother, Frances Chambers Garavelli Bishop of Mathiston.
Gay was preceded in death by her father, Daniel Garavelli; a stepmother, Helen Garavelli; a stepfather, Wyman Bishop; and a son, Jay Bowen. She was a thoughtful and caring mother, sister, and friend, who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Wilva Euzene Crowson Edwards
RALEIGH, N.C. – Wilva Euzene Crowson Edwards passed away following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease on May 11, 2024. Wilva was born in Oxford January 1, 1939, to Ira Lee Crowson and Mary Irene Patton Crowson. She was a believer and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and daughter.
Wilva graduated from University High School in Oxford in 1957. She graduated from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor and master of business education. She met the love of her life, Donald Ray Edwards at Ole Miss. They graduated from Ole Miss and married one week later on June 11, 1961.
With degrees in hand and married to Don, a newly-commissioned U.S. Naval officer, they moved to Norfolk, Va. Wilva worked as an executive secretary prior to becoming a high school teacher. Once her children arrived, she was a stay-at-home mother until they started school.
Wilva owned two small business, The Wine and Cheese Shop and Klass Ink Trophies and Plaques in Slidell.
She is preceded in death by her parents; maternal grandparents, Orester and Molly Patton; and paternal grandparents, Richard and Sarah Addie Crowson.
She is survived by Don (one month shy of their 63rd wedding anniversary; children, R.L. “Ed” (Becky) Edwards of Pass Christian, Katrina Edwards (Thorne) James of Raleigh, N.C., Ian (Liz) Edwards of Oxford; and grandchildren, cousins, nephews and nieces.
Robert Sloan Garrett
SALTILLO – Robert Sloan Garrett, a beloved truck driver from Saltillo passed away July 17, 2024, after an extended illness. He was born March 25, 1944, in Marks.
A veteran of the US Army, Robert served his country from January 30, 1964, until his honorable discharge on January 29, 1970. Despite not having completed high school, Robert found success as a dedicated truck driver in the transportation industry, where he excelled.
A funeral service in honor of Robert was held in the Henry Chapel at Seven Oaks Funeral Home on July 22 at with Bro. Jimmy Hood officiating.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, James Garrett, Ophelia Garrett.
Mary Della Hollingsworth
WATER VALLEY – Mary Della Hollingsworth passed away on July 20, 2024, at her home in Water Valley. She was 75. Mary was born on July 1, 1949, in Sunflower County. A beloved mother, grandmother and sister, who she touched the lives of all who knew her.
Mary was a caring and giving homemaker who lived a simple yet fulfilling life. She found joy in talking on the phone, solving crossword puzzles and watching “Days of Our Lives.” Her greatest love, however, was reserved for her family, whom she cherished deeply.
Left to honor Mary’s memory are her children, Debbie (Ben) Chambers, Cynthia Pickle and Kevin Childress; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and her sister, Mildred Avant. She is predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Balfoie (York) Ray; her husband Lacy Childress; one son, Marlin Lee Russell; and her brothers, Leroy and Arthur Ray.
A funeral service to celebrate Mary’s life will be held at Seven Oaks Funeral Home on Thursday, July 25 at 2 p.m. Prior to the service, a visitation will take place at the funeral home at 1 p.m. She will be laid to rest Turkey Creek Cemetery.
Sharon Denise Porter Kern
POPE – Sharon Denise Porter Kern, age 58, of Pope, known for her sweet spirit and kindness, passed away on July 20, 2024, at Baptist Memorial Hospital North Mississippi in Oxford.
Born on September 24, 1965, Memphis to William V. Porter, Jr and Lovey Carter, Sharon was a longtime resident of Yalobusha County before moving to Pope. Sharon’s warm personality and infectious smile touched the lives of many during her life. She worked tirelessly for many years at Best Western and Windsor Foods. Sharon was a proud 1983 graduate of Hernando High School and was a member of the Joel 2:25 Recovery Group at the Grace Place in Batesville. In her free time, Sharon found joy in various hobbies and interests. She had a deep love for animals, nurtured a passion for flowers and plants, enjoyed expressing her creativity through arts and crafts, and cherished moments spent with friends.
Sharon’s presence will be deeply missed by her surviving family including her mother Lovie Nell Carter of Elliott; brothers Carl Clardy of Starkville and Glen Porter of Elliott; sisters Carla Fast and Debbie Weeks, both of Southaven and Rita Mayo of Gadsden, Ala.; an aunt, Marie Freeman of Enid; a special nephew, J Cody Mayo of Gadsden, Ala.; several other nieces and nephews; and many close friends whom she held dear; and additionally Holly Turner, her roommate and one of her best friends.
Sharon was preceded in death by her father William V. Porter Jr.; her step-father, Jimmy Carter; and brothers Ronny Clardy and Leonard Porter.
A memorial service to honor Sharon’s life will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, at The Grace Place in Batesville. A portion of Sharon’s remains will be interred in Elliott Baptist Church Cemetery in Elliott and another portion will be interred near her father in Adams Arbor Church of God Cemetery in Charleston.
Sharon Denise Porter Kern will be remembered for her unwavering kindness, radiant spirit, and the countless lives she enriched through her selfless acts. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. May she rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Unfailing Love Ministries by contacting Hop at 662-360-8686.
Life Anew
In the heavenly realms, you now reside,
Where pain and suffering no longer reside.
Though we grieve for the loss we feel,
In God’s arms you new life begins to heal.
Marion June Taylor
WATER VALLEY – Marion June Taylor passed away on July 17, 2024. She was born in Sulligent, Ala., in 1932. She met her husband, Colvin Adrion Taylor, while attending University High School in Oxford. The couple later married and had four sons, Bobby, Billy, Garry, and Larry, with the last two being twins.
The family then moved to Hialeah, Fla. June worked as a bank teller in Miami Springs, while Adrion found a job as a salesman at Evans Real Estate in the same area.
About a decade later, June welcomed a daughter, Lisa. Known for her loving and caring nature, June ensured her children attended Sunday school and church regularly. Her fondness for fruit trees and flowers led to the flourishing of banana, orange, fig, azaleas, and hibiscus plants around their home, complemented by two coconut trees in the front yard. She enjoyed playing Scrabble and solving crossword puzzles, often entertaining relatives on weekends with these activities.
In the late 1970s, June moved to her father-in-law’s farm in Water Valley and became a branch manager at a local bank in Oxford. In 1982, she relocated to Fort Walton Beach where her brother, Archie C. Edwards, served as the State Fire Marshal. June started working for Olan Mills as a sales representative, traveling across various states before retiring after over twenty years of service, returning to Water Valley.
June was highly regarded and beloved by all who knew her. She was an active member of Paris Baptist Church and attended services regularly until her health no longer allowed her to do so.
June’s visitation is scheduled Wednesday, July 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. The Funeral Service will follow at 3 p.m. with Bro. Rick Glidewell Officiating. The burial will take place at Pine Flat cemetery in Oxford. Seven Oaks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Marion is survived by her children, Garry Lee (Letty) Taylor and Lisa Michelle (Charles) Curry; two brothers, Archie Charles Edwards and Daniel Lou Edwards; grandchildren Tammy Taylor, Kim Taylor, Brad Taylor, Jessica Potts, Carl Adam Taylor, Michael Lynn Taylor, Tony Lee Taylor, and Shanda June Taylor; 16 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Archie Lee Edwards and Lucille Alma Evans; her children, Robert Adrion Taylor, William Kenneth Taylor, and Larry Lynn Taylor.