Obituaries 11/05/2026

Carl Branson Bridges

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Carl Branson Bridges Jr., 75, died Wednesday, October 7, 2026. He was born February 3, 1951, to Carl Bridges Sr. and Mary Kate Bridges.

Carl dedicated much of his life to Christian education and ministry. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Johnson Bible College (now Johnson University), a master’s degree in divinity from Lincoln Christian University and both a master’s degree in theology and a Ph.D. from Union Presbyterian Seminary. Carl served in numerous teaching and ministry roles. He was a graduate teaching assistant at Lincoln Christian University, a professor and principal at Ghana Christian College in West Africa and served in ministry at Fairmount Christian Church in Richmond, Virginia. He also spent a semester assisting with Bible translation efforts in Simferopol, Ukraine.

Carl served as a Sunday school teacher, elder and substitute preacher at Cornerstone Christian Church for 39 years. He was also a professor at Johnson University for 33 years, where he took particular pride in his work with the online Master of Arts in New Testament program, teaching from its beginning through its completion.

An avid reader, Carl enjoyed traveling with his wife, Ann, fishing, writing articles, blog posts and essays and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He especially treasured being a grandfather, affectionately known as Pawpaw. He also enjoyed repairing things rather than replacing them and taking afternoon naps, particularly on Sundays.

Family members described Carl as brilliant, funny, humble, soft-spoken, dependable and a man of his word. Above all, he devoted his life to sharing the love of Jesus and bringing others to Christ.

Survivors include his wife, Ann (Woods) Bridges; daughter, Cynthia Coffey (Chris); son, Don Bridges (Jovelyn); grandchildren, Bridges and Sunny Coffey and Branson and Julianna Bridges; Ann’s daughters, Rebecca Arnold and Kendra Key (Steven); granddaughters, Hannah Key and Brittany Horn (Tyler); and great-grandchildren, Penelope, Marielle and Guinevere Horn.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Glenda Ford Bridges; his parents; and Ann’s son, David Arnold.

Funeral services were held Monday, October 19,  at 6:30 p.m. in the Phillips Welshimer Building Auditorium at Johnson University in Knoxville.

 

James Ricky Hudson

WATER VALLEY – Mr. James Ricky Hudson, 73, died Monday, October 19, 2026, at Baptist Memorial Hospital of North Mississippi in Oxford. The funeral service was held Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Sylva Rena Baptist Church with Pastor Shane Crawford officiating. Burial followed at Ford Wells Cemetery in Oakland. Waller Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. 

Ricky was born on September 16, 1952, in Oxford to the late James and Quay Hudson. A dedicated HVAC technician, Ricky took great pride in his work and truly loved what he did. Even while working full-time, he always found time to stay busy with other things he enjoyed, including baling hay, working on old vehicles and driving his tractor. For Ricky, there was always something that needed doing, and he was happiest when he had a project to tackle.

Above all, however, Ricky made time for his family. Christmas was his favorite holiday, and he made the most of every moment, celebrating from sunup to sundown. He always made sure everyone was together, creating special memories and keeping his family at the heart of the holiday.

Ricky is survived by his wife, Barbara Hudson; his daughter, Melissa Dorris (Stacy) of Oxford; his son, Micky Hudson of Coldwater; his sister, Gail Caldwell (Jamie) of Oakland; his brother, Ronnie Hudson (Judy) of Oxford; and three grandchildren, Hunter Dorris, Bailey Dorris and Andrew Dorris.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Mr. Hudson’s memory may be made to Sylva Rena Baptist Church, 17640 Highway 32, Water Valley, MS 38965.

 Connie Sue Peterson Jones 

COFFEEVILLE – Connie Sue Peterson Jones, 78, of Coffeeville, died Monday, October 26, 2026, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Grenada. She was born February 8, 1948, in Texas.

Connie worked for Capitol Records for a number of years before joining the sales staff at Air Control in Batesville. An avid reader, she found joy in settling in with a good book and getting lost in its pages. She was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church and also attended Pine Grove Baptist Church.

Above all, Connie held a deep love for her family. Her patience and willingness to see the best in others were among the qualities that made her so dear to those who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of love that her family and those closest to her will continue to cherish.

Graveside services were held Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at Oak Grove Methodist Church Cemetery near Charleston, with the Rev. Truman D. Scarborough officiating. McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include her daughter, Shannon Durham (Jerry) of Coffeeville; brother, Johnny Peterson (Donna) of Coffeeville; grandsons, Josh Simmons (Kaitlyn) of Derma, Jonathan Simmons and Chance Simmons, both of Coffeeville; two great-grandchildren, Levi and Lily Simmons; and a lifelong friend, Peggy McCurdy of Charleston.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Tiny Sue Roberts Smith; father, Jimmy Dalton Peterson; and husband, Douglas McClure Jones.

Katherine Green Taylor

SEGUIN, Texas – Katherine Green Taylor passed away on October 22, 2026, in Seguin, Texas after 93 remarkable years. She was tough, loyal, independent and a warrior until the very end. Her family is so grateful for all of the years she shared, and will miss her deeply.

Katherine was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved the Lord, her family, and Auburn University. She was born in Water Valley to parents Ernest Theodore Green and Ester Lois Landreth and lived all of her young years there with her three brothers. 

Katherine was then married to the love of her life, Harry “Sam” Taylor, for 43 years, and traveled the world as the wife of a U.S. Army officer. Upon Sam’s retirement, Katherine began her own 20-year career working for the United States Post Office. She loved working outside in the yard, sewing, and was famous in the family for her fried chicken and apple pie. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Harry S. Taylor; son, Harry S. Taylor Jr.; son-in-law, Jeff Frazier; and brothers, Ted Green, Tom Green and David Green. 

Katherine is survived by her children, Michael D. Taylor (Beth) and Linda Frazier; daughter-in-law, Yvonne Taylor; her grandchildren, Bryan Frazier, Jessica McEntire (Robert), Elizabeth Taylor and Kristin Frazier; great-grandchildren, Grant and Taylor McEntire; and loving nieces and nephews. 

A funeral service will be held on Monday, November 9, at 11:30 a.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, Texas. Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the PKD Foundation, PO Box 871847, Kansas City, MO 64187.