Obituaries 03/05/2026
Debbie Bell
WATER VALLEY — Debbie Bell died Feb. 25, 2026. She was 64.
Born June 16, 1961, Bell spent her life devoted to her family and serving others.
Debbie had a heart that naturally cared for others and lived out that calling every day. She d found joy in life’s simple moments. She loved roses and spent peaceful hours gardening, tending to her flowers with the same gentleness she showed those around her. She enjoyed cooking for her family, bird watching and, most of all, spending time with her children and grandchildren. Being surrounded by them was her greatest happiness.
Debbie worked as a certified nursing assistant and later as a custodian at the courthouse and jail. In each role, she was known for her steady work and willingness to help others. She stepped away from her CNA career to care for members of her own family when they needed her.
Bell enjoyed gardening, especially tending roses, cooking for her family and bird watching. She valued time spent with her children and grandchildren.
Visitation was held Tuesday, March 3, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Funeral services followed at 1 p.m. Burial was at Tabernacle Cemetery in Water Valley.
She is survived by two sons, James Bell (Sheila) and Donald Bell (Melanie); three brothers, Danny Thompson, David Thompson and Darren Thompson; four grandchildren, Jamie Bell, Halie Bell, Jacob Bell and Kelsey Plummer; and one great-grandchild, Annaleise Bell.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Aubrey Thompson and Nancy Byars Thompson; her husband, Jimmy Bell; one brother, Donald Bell; and one sister, Darby Thompson.
Lennese Jones Baddley
BRUCE — Lennese Jones Baddley, 88, died peacefully Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at Bruce Community Living Center. She was born June 1, 1937, in Coffeeville to David Ray Jones and Cordelia Irene Chapman Jones.
On Sept. 2, 1954, she married her high school sweetheart, Aaron Guy Baddley Jr., and the couple moved to Memphis, Tennessee. For 71 years, they worked side by side building a truck repair business, raising three children and serving the Lord together.
Baddley was known for her quiet spirit, humility and strong Christian faith. She loved studying the Bible and faithfully served in her church through Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and bus ministry for many years. She was a longtime member of Boulevard Baptist Church in Horn Lake before moving to Bruce, where she recently placed her membership at Parker Baptist Church.
She enjoyed traveling, crafting, sewing, gardening and spending time with her family.
She is survived by her husband, Aaron Guy Baddley Jr.; one son, Aaron Guy Baddley III (Heather) of Hernando; one daughter, Brenda Gulledge (Steve) of Bruce; grandsons Joel Gulledge (Laura) of Germantown, Tennessee, Tyler Baddley and Cayce Baddley; granddaughters Adrienne Gulledge Shelton of Dallas, Samantha Henslee (Jeff) and Savannah Hale (Corey), both of Memphis; great-grandsons Jacob Smith of Fort Collins, Colorado, Ian Shelton of New Mexico, Hunter Henslee and Harrison Hale of Memphis; great-granddaughter Leighton Olivia Hale of Memphis; sisters Hilma Newton, Sandra Haynes (Billy), Delores Meeks (Butch) and Phyllis Hughes (Steve); brother Johnny Jones; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Frank Andrew Baddley.
Funeral services will be held Monday, March 9, 2026, at 2 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home.
The family expressed appreciation to the staff of Bruce Community Living Center and Gentiva Hospice for their care and compassion.
Memorial contributions may be made to Parker Baptist Church Building Fund, 1228 Hwy. 32, Water Valley, MS 38965.
William Thomas Gafford
HOUSTON, TEXAS — William Thomas “Bill” Gafford, 81, died peacefully surrounded by family. He was born Jan. 9, 1945, in Water Valley to Irma Kate Trusty Gafford and George Louis Gafford.
The youngest of three children, Gafford attended Water Valley schools where he played football and ran hurdles in track for the Water Valley Blue Devils. He graduated salutatorian of the Class of 1963.
He began dating Carol Haley while they were in high school — she writing for the school newspaper and he serving as photographer. The two were married June 11, 1967, at Water Valley Methodist Church.
Gafford attended the University of Mississippi, earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and sociology. His career in the oil and gas industry began in New Orleans with Standard Oil/Amoco, launching a 35-year career as a geophysicist specializing in deep-water exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. In 1989, he relocated to Houston as part of the BP/Amoco merger.
A man of strong Christian faith, Gafford served in numerous leadership roles at First United Methodist Church in New Orleans, Gretna United Methodist Church, Cypress United Methodist Church and Mosaic United Methodist Church in the Cy-Fair area. He served on trustees, finance committees, staff-parish relations committees and capital campaigns. He also participated in mission trips to Costa Rica and New Mexico.
Gafford is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carol; daughters the Rev. Angela Gafford Asmus (Joel) of Fishers, Indiana, and the Rev. Amy Barron-Gafford (Greg) of Tucson, Arizona; grandchildren Willa and Evan Barron-Gafford and Isabella and Evelyn Asmus; sister Ann McCullar; brother George “Happy” Gafford; sister-in-law Maybelle (Earl) Rutherford; brother-in-law Sammy (Becky) Haley; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 2 p.m. at First Methodist Church, 603 N. Main St., Water Valley, with the Rev. Angela Gafford Asmus officiating. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m.