Obituaries 08/27/2026

Thomas Franklin Hill Sr.

WATER VALLEY – Thomas “Tommy” Franklin Hill Sr., age 85, of Water Valley  passed away peacefully on Aug. 21, 2026.

Tommy was born on April 24, 1941, in Water Valley to Alfred Bennett Hill Sr. and Vearl Hensley Hill. A lifelong member of the Water Valley community, Tommy was a graduate of Water Valley High School and Northwest Community College. He proudly served as a member of the Mississippi National Guard.

Tommy was a hardworking man who believed in faith, family and treating others with kindness. He worked as a brick mason with Hill Brothers Bricking alongside his brothers, and later owned the Home Fireplace Co. with his beloved wife, Toni. He served his community as a member of the Yalobusha County School Board, a little league coach and an Enid Lake Clean Up and Habitat Days volunteer.

As a deacon and faithful member of Water Valley First Baptist Church, he taught RAs, children’s Sunday school and cooked for the youth prayer breakfasts. He led not by seeking attention, but by quietly showing others how to live with faith, humility and love.

Tommy and Toni shared 54 years of marriage. Through life’s joys and challenges, they stood faithfully by each other. During Tommy’s illness, Toni never left his side. Her unwavering love and devotion were a beautiful reflection of the life they shared for more than five decades.

Tommy was an avid sportsman who loved the outdoors. He knew the lakes like the back of his hand and loved crappie fishing from his handmade pirogue, waterskiing or hand grabbling for catfish. He spent a lot of time in the woods hunting deer, quail, rabbit and squirrel.

Other activities Tommy enjoyed were planting and harvesting his garden and watching the news, westerns and Ole Miss football. Earlier in life, he enjoyed and won several speedwalking races. He could often be found singing in the kitchen while making pancakes and pecan pies to share with family and friends, and he was known for having a special nickname for nearly everyone he knew.

While Tommy accomplished much throughout his life, those who knew him best will cherish the simple things that made him who he was. They will remember his easy grin, his blue eyes and his kindness. His family will hold especially dear the laughter, the backrubs, the nicknames, the fishing trips, the summer days spent shucking corn and shelling peas, the pancakes, pecan pies and fried crappie, and all the countless ordinary moments that became precious memories.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church Water Valley. Visitation was held Tuesday, Aug. 25. Seven Oaks Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Tommy is survived by his beloved wife, Toni Trusty Hill; his children, Tina Hill; Thomas “Tom” F. Hill Jr. (Carole); and Tyler Hill (Jency); his grandchildren, Madison Hill Norwood (Matthew); Layla Hill; and Ashlyn Hill Williamson (Watson); and his great-granddaughter, Hadley Mae Norwood. He is also survived by his brother, Jerry Wayne Hill, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Bennett Hill Sr. and Vearl Hensley Hill; and his siblings, Alfred Bennett Hill Jr.; Wayland Dean Hill Sr.; Edwin Earl Hill; Bobby Hensley Hill; Mary Lou Hill Childress; Billy Jack Hill; and Betty Ann Hill Williams.

Tommy’s greatest legacy will not be measured by the homes he bricked, the pancakes he cooked or the fish he caught. It will be found in the people he loved, the faith he shared, the family he built and the goodness he quietly gave to others throughout his life.

Tommy was deeply loved, and he will be dearly missed. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Baptist Church Water Valley or Shepherd Center Foundation, 2020 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30309.

William Clinton Jones

WATER VALLEY – William “Bill” Clinton Jones, 62, passed away Aug. 18, 2026, in his hometown of Water Valley. Born Feb. 3, 1964, in Water Valley, Bill spent his entire life in the community that shaped him.

Bill was a 1982 graduate of Water Valley High School. He built a career as a heavy equipment operator in the construction field. Whether operating heavy equipment on construction sites, driving 18-wheelers or working on local farms, Bill found joy in the work and the people with whom he worked.

Bill had a presence that will long be missed by those who knew him. Friends and family fondly remember the countless hours he spent tinkering with old cars and tractors, always ready to lend a hand or offer advice when someone else’s project needed a fresh perspective. He had a genuine love for the outdoors and enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially in his younger years. Bill also loved telling stories of days gone by. Perhaps more than anything, he cherished the simple pleasure of spending time with his friends and family.

Bill is survived by his nephew, Andrew Duchnowski (Miri); great-nephew, Greyson Nam Duchnowski; great-niece, Magnolia Estelle Duchnowski, all of Salem, Connecticut; his stepmother, Betty Jones; and several cousins and friends who were dear to him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Herman Glenn Jones; his mother, Corrie Gardiner Jones; and his sister, Linda Jones Claus.

Seven Oaks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Gene Trotter Standridge

TILLATOBA – On Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, Gene Trotter Standridge left the arms of his loving family and was received into the arms of his Lord and Savior. Gene was 86 years old.

His life began May 13, 1940, in Cherry Valley, Arkansas. He was born to parents Gilbert Dewitt Standridge and Marguerite Elizabeth Jenkins Standridge. Awaiting Gene in his heavenly home were his brother, Gilbert Ray Standridge of Cascilla, and his sister, Margaret Ann Standridge Tillman of Tillatoba. Gene married Lillian Lea Bailey, the one who held his heart, on Aug. 13, 1966. Their lives were forever blessed and enriched by the precious gift God gave them, a daughter, Gena Lea.

Gene achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture at Mississippi State University. At a young age, Gene shouldered the immense responsibility of managing the family farm. His life was dedicated to his family, farming and raising cattle. He was also a patient mentor to many young farmers and enterprising young people.

Gene was a lifelong, faithful member of Tillatoba Methodist Church. He participated in numerous civic organizations and served on the boards of Yalobusha County Hospital, Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association, Farm Bureau and Tillatoba Water Association. Gene played sports in his younger years and enjoyed all sports throughout his life. He was a devoted fan of Mississippi State University athletics and especially loved attending the games, cheering on his beloved Bulldogs.

The celebration of Gene’s life was held Saturday, Aug. 22, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada. Interment followed in Oakland Cemetery.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers were Bart Robinson, David Robinson, Casey Cockerel, John Jennings, Phillip Jennings and Nick Standridge.