Obituaries 08/14/2024
David Ware Lyons
OAKLAND –David Ware Lyons passed away July 29, 2024, at the age of 80. Born in Pascagoula on January 1, 1944, to the late Denver and Carrie Lyons, he was a beloved husband, father, and friend.
David married Patricia Dianne Bennett in Vancleave on January 17, 1975. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and later dedicated his career to the International Paper Mill in Moss Point as a skilled millwright.
David’s dedication and hard work were unmatched. A man of faith, he was an active member of Pope Baptist Church and previously at Oakland Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. David enjoyed woodworking, scrap-ironing, fishing, reading, attending Cruising the Coast, classic cars, and turning boys into men. He cherished Bible study sessions at Ken’s and was a devoted family man whose memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
A funeral service to honor David’s life was held August 2, at 2 p.m. at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. David was laid to rest at Oakland Cemetery in Oakland.
David is preceded in death by his father, Denver Lyons, and mother, Carrie Ware Lyons; a son, Jason Lyons; a grandson, Taylor Lyons; his brother, Denver Lyons; and his sister, Robbie Goff.
To continue his legacy, he leaves behind his loving wife, Dianne Lyons; his children Kody (Leila) Lyons, Brian Lyons, Wesley (Leslie) Lyons and Luke (Amanda) Roberts; grandchildren, Beth Lyons and Dalton Lyons; one great-grandson, Britton Lyons; nephews Klay Roberts, Tucker Roberts, and Jack Roberts; nieces Sadie Roberts and Emma Roberts; and sisters Jeanette Golensupp, Nancy Jo Lyons, Carrie Sue Saucier and Linda Gail Taranto.
Peggy Ming Miles
WATER VALLEY – Peggy Ming Miles,92, of Water Valley went to her eternal home on July 31, 2024, with her loving family by her side. She was born in Oxford and grew up in Jackson. The daughter of the late Nolan Ming and Letha West Ming, she was the only girl of four children.
Peggy was an active follower at Truitt Baptist Church in Pearl and a member of Sylva Rena Baptist Church in Water Valley, as she had two home churches and she adored both. While attending Truitt Baptist Church, she joined the Rebekah Quilters in 2018 and quickly became the charter member. From that point on, her favorite day of the week (other than Sunday, of course) was TUESDAY! Rain, cold, heat, whatever the conditions, she was not going to miss a day with her quilting class. She loved each of the ladies, and they loved her. Peggy also enjoyed the outings Truitt offered, it could have been as simple as having lunch in the metro area or going to Philadelphia for shopping where she would buy lots of thread for the quilters.
Peggy was an avid reader, and enjoyed puzzle books, but her favorite pastime when she was home was making potholders for family and friends. She had over a hundred ready to give away for special occasions or just because.
Peggy enjoyed and loved many things in life: she enjoyed watching and listening to The Gathers singing group on TV, watching old westerns or game shows, eating catfish and spaghetti; and she loved traveling – whether it was by car, plane, or bus she was always game for going! It wasn’t uncommon for her to go on vacation with her friends and her kids to the mountains or to the beach. In her eighties, she flew to Utah to spend time with her brother. When he drove her back to Mississippi, they took all the backroads they could, visited every small town, and hit every ice cream shop in just about every state.
Peggy and Lewis married on December 25, 1949. She was the loving mother of Janet, Carolyn, Billy, Kenny, and Brenda and was a single mother of Janet and Carolyn while Lewis was active in the Army.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Nolan Ming and James “Jim” Ming; and her son, Kenneth (Kenny) Myles.
She is survived by her loving children, Janet Myles (Tony) Rieder, Carolyn Myles (Jerry) Barrett, John “Billy” (Amy) Myles (she loved Amy as if she were her own daughter, Brenda Myles (Jim) Collette and Michael “Mike” (Melody) Simmons; her grandchildren, Blake Myles, Michelle (Matt) Bulmant and Michael “Mike” (Melody) Simmons; her great granddaughter, Lauren Simmons; her brother, Charles Ming; numerous nieces and nephews, and one sister-in-law, Ruby Kehoe.
A celebration of Peggy’s life was held Monday, August 5. Visitation was at noon and the service followed at 1 p.m. She was laid to rest at Jumper’s Chapel Cemetery in Water Valley. Seven Oaks Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Patricia Lee Oswalt
COFFEEVILLE – Patricia Lee Oswalt, 77, of Coffeeville, passed away Saturday, August 3, 2024, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center – Grenada. She was born November 5, 1946, in Hollandale to Marvin, Sr. and Gladys Jeanette Lawrence Jones.
Patricia loved spending time with her family, riding four-wheelers, being on the boat fishing, playing cards and mowing her grass. She also loved music and Elvis was her all-time favorite entertainer. She adored her three children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Patricia’s departure comes as a great shock and a deep wound that is gravely felt by her entire family and closest friends who loved her so much. The family will announce a celebration of life in the very near future. McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include her daughters, Angie Hodges of Savannah, Ga. and Valerie Lee of Houston; her son, Harold “Bubba” Lee of West Monroe, La.; two sisters, WeeWee Harrison of West Monroe, La. and Peggy Howard of Duncan, Okla.; a brother, Marvin Jones, Jr. of Colorado Springs, Colo.; five grandchildren, Daniel Lee, Brandon Peterson, Kaitlin Griffin, Emily Lee and Destiny Lee; and five great-grandchildren, Kayden, Kinzley, Madi, Colton and Ava.
Patricia is preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Harold G. Lee, Sr. and James Steve Oswalt and a brother, Robert Jones.
McKenzie Paige Stephens
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – McKenzie Paige Stephens, known by family as “Sissy,” passed away on July 23, 2024, at the age of 35 in Creve Coeur, Mo. Born June 22, 1989, in Fairhope, Ala., she grew up in Imperial, Mo., where she attended Seckman High School, and was living in New Town St. Charles, Mo. at the time of her passing.
McKenzie loved her position at Together Credit Union and the colleagues with whom she built lasting and lovely friendships. During her cancer journey, McKenzie was not able to work any longer, but she was given the opportunity by Medtronic to speak to doctors and other caregivers about the benefit of the intrathecal pain pump for cancer patients suffering severe pain. She was thankful to have purpose in her life again and felt blessed to know so many wonderful people at Medtronic who became her supporters and true friends.
Her life was deeply enriched by her faith and attended True Life Community Church near New Town St. Charles, Mo. McKenzie’s joys were singing, watching Cardinals baseball and St. Louis Blues hockey. She cherished time spent with her family, especially Brody, and never wanted a party to end.
She is survived by her beloved son, Brody Scott Stephens; her mother, Jacque Overfelt, and stepfather, Kevin Overfelt; her father, Andy Hall, and stepmother, Missy Hall; her siblings; nieces and nephews: Adam (Alicia) Hall (Alicia Hall) Ace, Amos, Abel; Chas Overfelt; Harrison Overfelt (Maggie Overfelt); Taylor Hillhouse (Clay) Waylon, Stetson; Courtney Spradling (Chuckie) Aubree Grace, Charlie, Caylen; Heather Berryhill (Bradley) Rylee, Addison, Ayla, Caiden, Levi; Chasity Darby (Gavin) Drew.
Visitation was Friday, August 2. The funeral service followed Saturday, August 3, at 10:30 am, with interment at Park Lawn Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo.