Obituaries 09/23/2026

Dorothy Dennis

YALOBUSHA – Dorothy “Dot” McGregor Dennis, 76, of Yalobusha County, passed away peacefully at home with family beside her on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. She was born Dec. 3, 1949, in Newton, Mississippi.

Growing up, she was the youngest of three children. She enjoyed being outside and trailing her big brother and her daddy, the Rev. Daniel McGregor. She helped her daddy with his many industrious endeavors. This influenced her work ethic so much that she was never without something she needed to get done, nor did she shy away from getting outside the house to do something.

She graduated from Water Valley High School in 1967 and then attended Northwest Mississippi Junior College. She completed her Secretarial Science Certificate in 1968 and later worked as a secretary at the University of Mississippi.

Dot met the love of her life, Curtis Wayne Dennis, at Camp Ground Baptist Church during a Baptist Youth Associational meeting. After Curtis returned home from his service with the U.S. Army, they were married Aug. 17, 1968. Together, they went on to love, cherish and support each other through sickness and health until Curtis’ death in 2015.

She fostered her industrious drive by sewing and making clothes from home for the public. She met and served many different people in the community. She made cheerleading, color guard and drum major uniforms for the Water Valley schools. She also served the community by making costumes and dresses for local events.

Later, after her children were grown, she and Curtis started their own business. They worked for the public and traveled around North Mississippi. They complemented each other with their own unique humor and congeniality. Many times, they ministered to young new homeowners by being a voice of experience and reassurance during what is often an overwhelming event for people.

Dot was preceded in death by her father, the Rev. Daniel James McGregor Sr.; mother, Edna Earle Thomas McGregor; husband, Curtis Wayne Dennis; and sister, Shirley McGregor Moore.

She is survived by her children, Paul Wayne Dennis (Sylvia) of Bellefontaine and Melissa Ann Dennis Cox (John) of Abbeville; grandsons, Kenneth Glenn Pritchard II (Alysha) of Bellefontaine, James Robert Dennis of Eupora, Christopher Wayne Ball (Sydney) of Winona and William Allen Ball (Britney) of Opelika, Alabama; and three great-grandchildren, Christopher Troth, Haiden Pritchard and Lailah Pritchard.

Visitation was held in the Appleton Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. A funeral service followed at 2 p.m., with Bro. Jerry King officiating.

Lewis Frank Green Sr.

WATER VALLEY – Lewis Frank Green Sr., 89, of Water Valley, died Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, at his residence.

Visitation will be held Thursday, Sept. 24, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Oxford.

Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford is in charge of arrangements.

Betty Jean Gray Melton

COFFEEVILLE – Betty Jean Gray Melton, 63, of Coffeeville, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford.

Betty was born June 15, 1963, in Orlando, Florida. From an early age, her heart was drawn toward home and family, and that devotion would come to define her life. As a homemaker, she poured herself fully into the people she loved, turning a house into a warm and welcoming home filled with comfort, laughter and the smell of good cooking.

She took special joy in tending her flowers, watching them bloom season after season much like the love she nurtured in her own family. Betty’s meals were more than food on the table; they were an expression of her care, prepared with patience and love for the people gathered around her table.

A faithful and devoted member of First Baptist Church-Coffeeville, Betty carried a servant’s heart in everything she did. She didn’t simply talk about her faith; she lived it, quietly and consistently showing the love of Christ through her actions, kindness and steady presence in the lives of those around her.

Betty leaves behind a family and community forever shaped by her gentle strength, her nurturing spirit, and the countless small acts of love she gave so freely. Though her passing leaves an ache that words cannot fully capture, her family finds comfort in knowing where she is and whom she is with. 

A funeral service to honor Betty’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at First Baptist Church-Coffeeville, with the Rev. Truman Scarborough and the Rev. Craig Baker officiating. Interment will follow in Pilgrim’s Rest Cemetery in Yalobusha County. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service Saturday at First Baptist Church-Coffeeville. McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements. Ryan Crowe, Elijah Dempsey, Bradley Ferguson, Cody Ford, Jessie Johnson, Gary Langford, Jay Smith and Brandon Tackitt will serve as pallbearers. Billy R. Melton, Jimmy Melton Jr., Kevin Melton, Matthew Melton and Timothy Melton will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Survivors include her husband, John Melton; four daughters, Bernadette Crowe (Ryan) of Water Valley, Bridget Dempsey of Water Valley, Jackie Melton of Coffeeville and Jeany Ann Melton of Gore Springs; five sisters, Bonnie C. Nelson of Coffeeville, Bobbie Gray (Randy) of Coffeeville, Brenda Ford of Coffeeville, Bernita Carvan (Rickey) of Enid and Beverly Campbell (Dreva) of Coffeeville; 12 grandchildren, Shaina Tackitt, Kelsie Russell, Sarah Crowe, Abigail Crowe, Pasley Crowe, Elijah Dempsey, Cloey Dempsey, Madison Melton, Kaci Melton, Haliegh Melton, Savanna Henson and Breanna Henson; and six great-grandchildren, Kaylin Tackitt, Bryton Tackitt, Baylor Tackitt, Weston Ferguson, Emersyn Johnson and Grayer Green.

Betty was preceded in death by her mother, Mavis Patterson; her father, David L. Gray; and a granddaughter, Jasmine Dempsey.

Agnes Faye Montgomery

WATER VALLEY – Agnes Faye Montgomery, 82, passed away Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at her home in Water Valley.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 10 to 11 a.m., with the funeral service immediately following at 11 a.m., all at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Bro. Curt Presley will officiate. Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery. Seven Oaks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Agnes was an outgoing and generous woman who had a genuine love for others. She enjoyed cooking, having yard sales and especially the thrill of finding a good bargain. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church and valued her faith and the relationships she formed throughout her life.

Above all, Agnes loved her family. She maintained a close and loving relationship with her children and was always concerned about their well-being, making sure they were cared for and doing well. Her generous spirit and the love she showed her family will be remembered by those who knew her.

Agnes is survived by her children, Kenny Weeks (Sherry) of Macel, Tammy Diane Naughton (Bill) of Olive Branch, Vickie Lynn Weeks of Water Valley and Lisa Carol Pearson (Lynn) of Batesville; grandchildren, Andy Weeks, Madelyn Moore, Chuck Camarato, Jenna Taylor, Taylor Camarato and Mallory Woods; and great-grandchildren, Willa Beth Weeks, Alice Ruth Weeks, Caleb Moore, Blair Weeks, John Charles Camarato, Rose Camarato, Danny Camarato, Garrett Taylor, Axl Taylor, Grayson Sullivan, Rylie Mixon, Wyatt Mixon, James Wade Kelly, Daxton Kelly and Emma Woods.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Edward Montgomery; a grandson, Everett Mixon; parents, Everett Augusta and Mattie Lee Fillyaw Dungan; and siblings, Inez Besinger, E.J. Dungan, Jimmy Dungan, Nannie Smith, Jewel Snellings and Kathy Robertson.

Patsey Ann Vanlandingham