Obituaries 09/19/2024
Manchie Benjamin (Benny) Fly
COFFEEVILLE – Manchie Benjamin (Benny) Fly departed this life on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at North Mississippi Medical Center, Inpatient Hospice in Tupelo. He was born at home in Coffeeville on July 30, 1950 to Fletcher Fly Sr. (Buddy) and Louise Bankston Fly. Benny attended Coffeeville School and was a member of Goshen Memorial Chapel Church.
In his early adult life Benny worked in the logging field. Later he would go to work for Colt Industries and Holly Carburetor as quality control inspector, which turned into Borg Warner. He moved to Arkansas and began working for Morrilton Plastics as general manager, where he managed three different auto plants making parts for Ford Motor Co., Chrysler, GMAC, and Chevrolet.
In 1991 he returned to Mississippi, buying a sawmill in Oakland that he and his wife, Debbie, ran for 25 years manufacturing grade lumber and frame stock. He also started doing wood floor molding and siding, interior and exterior. In 2015 he returned to his home place in Coffeeville where he was born and raised.
His love of the outdoors, whether it be hunting, fishing, or gardening, became his life. He loved being retired and being on his own time schedule. He took great pride in helping to rebuild Goshen Memorial Chapel along with his brother, cousins, and friends. He cherished all the events held within the church in the pavilion, such as family reunions, weddings, or the annual homecoming.
The celebration of Manchie’s life will commence with a visitation in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 18, from 5 to 7 p.m, Memories and stories of his impactful life will be shared.
The funeral service, a final tribute to Benny’s remarkable journey, will take place on Thursday, September 19, at 2 pm in the Henry Chapel at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. This will be a time to honor his achievements as a self-employed individual in the wood products industry and to reflect on the joy and laughter he brought into the lives of those around him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fletcher Fly Sr. (Buddy) and Louise Bankston Fly; and two brothers, George Paul Fly and William Roy Fly.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Debbie Steward Fly; one brother, Fletcher Fly Jr.; children, Kathi (Keith) Raney, Kim (Eddie) Brown, Lacye (Jason) Byars all of Grenada, Daniel (Courtney) Stovall, Scott (Sonya Andrews) Stovall, all of Morton, Ark. and Hope Stovall of Water Valley, grandchildren, Dee (April Rogers) Berryhill, Toni Mims, Noami Prescott, T.J. Berryhill, Kathleen Brown, Jonathan Brown, William Brown, Jagger (Makyla Benge) Stovall, Nicholas Stovall, Kendall (Gunner Smith) Stovall, Lily Byars, Addison Ferguson, and Bowen Byars; and great grandchildren, Corbin Mims, Mattie Mims, Vivienne Prescott, Mary Kate Prescott, Lyric Galvin, Brianna Berryhill and Beckam Smith.
Lillie M. Roberts
COFFEEVILLE – Lillie M. Roberts of Coffeeville passed away on Monday, September 9, 2024 at Yalobusha General Nursing Home in Water Valley. She was 93.
The widow of Nathaniel “Cooter” Roberts, Mrs. Roberts was a former employee of Rockwell International/Randall Textron, an avid worker and official in numerous civic organizations, and a devout Christian worker at Springhill North, Pleasant Grove, and the Mt. Moriah District Association.
The celebration of life for Sis. Roberts will be held on Saturday, September 21 at 11 a.m. at Pleasant Grove. Professional services are entrusted to Townes Funeral Home of Grenada.
Thomas Lyn Spearman
WATER VALLEY – Thomas Lyn Spearman transitioned to his heavenly home on September 11, 2024. Affectionately known as Tony, Daddy, PaPa, and Six Pack, Tony was born August 16, 1967 to M.T. Spearman and Christine Woodard. He confessed his faith, was baptized and joined Pine Grove East MB Church in Water Valley.
After graduating from Water Valley High School in 1985, Tony worked as an automotive mechanic, He loved repairing cars so much that he became the proud owner of Tony’s Garage. He got great joy seeing the cars being driven away. He also found great joy at the track where he lived his life in the fast lane!
Tony is loved and remembered by his mother, Christine Woodard; four brothers, Gary (Sandra) Spearman, Gregory (Brenda) Spearman, Jamal Spearman and Khary Spearman; a sister, Felicia Spearman; six aunts, Maggie (Talmadge) Gray, Linda Robinson, Lottie Daniels, Claire Gooch, Ida Chapman and Catherine Harris; and two uncles, LC (Nita) Woodard and Ricky Woodard.
Daddy six pack is also loved and remembered by his three daughters, Kaneicisa Spearman, Martika Spearman, and Alexus Spearman; and three sons, Bryton, Brayden, and Greyson Spearman.
PaPa leaves four grandsons, Londerrion Daniels, Cah’Li White, Messiah Spearman, and Kage Hentz; and four granddaughters, Khamaria Jones, Malan Whire, Navaa Spearman, and Kodi Hentz to cherish his memories. He also leaves many relatives including nieces, nephews, and friends; a companion of 16 years, Brittany Hood; and special sons, Christopher Roberson and Dylon Grasie.
To welcome Tony home are his father, M.T. Spearman; grandparents, James and Vergia Woodard, and Pathery Spearman; an aunt, Odessa (Jimmy) Lust; uncles, James (Dorothy) Woodard and Cleotis Woodard; and close friends, Joe Lee Harris, Bobbie Johnson, and Norris McFarland.
Charlie Spencer Williams
GRENADA – Charlie Spencer Williams entered the heavenly kingdom on September 13, 2024. Spencer was born June 1, 1933, the oldest of five siblings and son and Presley and Viola Williams of Coffeeville. He spent his youth in the countryside of Yalobusha County, swimming in the creek, fishing, hunting, working with cattle, logging and most definitely, farming.
Spencer’s first love was his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church for over 60 years. His time with his Sunday School class was time he looked forward to each week. Being around fellow believers was always a joy to him.
Spencer had an amazing love for his family. He was married to his wife Patsy for 64 years. While there may be no perfect marriages, theirs was as close as it comes. His grandchildren were the light of his world. Gardening and being outdoors were other loves of Spencer’s. Even though he retired from Commercial Credit after 30 plus years of service with many honors, credits and accolades to his name, his true love was the outdoors.
Funeral services were held September 17 at Emmanuel Baptist Church with Dr. Brent Barker and Rev. Eugene Heimbach officiating. Interment followed in the Oddfellows Cemetery in Grenada. McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada were in charge of arrangements.
Spencer leaves behind his two daughters, Cindy (Rusty) Ponder and Connie French; three sisters, Elizabeth Coleman, Margaret (Fuzzy) Clark and Christine (Billy Dean) Fielder; two brothers, Francis (Reta) Williams and John Criss (Barbara) Williams; grandchildren and spouses, Rustin Bryce (Sydney) Ponder, Karlee Ponder (Bobby) Sirko, Kenneth Reed Ponder, Katie Spencer French (Daniel) Pendleton and Sarah Alan French (Davis) Simmons.
Spencer is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 64 years, Patsy Williams; and a brother-in-law, Red Coleman.