Area Obituaries

Zachary Beard WATER VALLEY — Zachary Beard of Water Valley passed away on February 12, 2026, in Water Valley. He was born on June 29, 2005, in Jackson. Zachary enjoyed listening to music and spending time with his cousins and family, who meant the world to him. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving…

Landon Arbuckle WATER VALLEY – Landon Arbuckle, 14, passed away Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, leaving behind a world made quieter by his absence. Landon was a student at Water Valley Junior High School and the kind of kid you noticed immediately. He lived with energy, confidence and humor, often using quick wit and sarcasm to…

Ida Mae Edwards Jones COFFEEVILLE – Mrs. Ida Mae Edwards Jones, 96, of Coffeeville, passed away Saturday, January 31, 2026, at her residence. She was born March 19, 1929 to Lionel and Clara Robbins Edwards. Ida Mae retired as a Supervisor with Kellwood in Coffeeville. She loved spending time outdoors and keeping her yard manicured.…

Jerry Wayne Lantrip OAKLAND – Jerry Wayne Lantrip Sr., 74, passed away Monday morning, January 19, 2026, at his home in Oakland. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 22, in the Martin Willingham Memorial Chapel of Wells Funeral Home. Interment followed at Graystone Family Cemetery in Oakland. Jerry was born June 9,…

Jimmie Dale Edwards DURHAM, NC – Jimmie Dale Edwards , 81 of Durham NC, passed away on December 31, 2025. Born in Water Valley, he was a devoted husband to Margaret and a loving father to Paula and Jimme Dale Jr. Jimmie was hard-working and dedicated. He spent 35-plus years working for Bell South/ ATT.…

Virginia Jackson Grubbs WATER VALLEY – Virginia Jackson Grubbs departed this life on January 4, 2026, at the Methodist Hospital in Memphis. Born June 25, 1942, to the late Fred and Bernice “Mother” Jackson, Virginia cherished the simple pleasures of life including sewing and gardening. She particularly loved fishing and spending time outdoors. Her travel…

Brenda Morris Smith NEWNAN, GA. – Brenda Morris Smith, 76, of Newnan, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Wesley Woods. The funeral was held in the historic sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Newnan, Georgia, at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 5, 2026, with visitation at 10 a.m. Brenda was born on…

Paul McKibben Byars OXFORD – Mr. Paul McKibben Byars, 84, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Baptist Memorial Hospital North Mississippi in Oxford. The funeral service was held Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Brother Jamie Moore officiating. A private…

Joyce Dean Spencer Anthony MURPHY, Texas — Joyce Dean Spencer Anthony, age 91, of Murphy, Texas, formerly of Water Valley and Greenville, passed away after a brief illness on December 12, 2025, at her home in Murphy, Texas. Joyce was born January 4, 1934, in Delta City, Sharkey County, to the late Ulner Dean Cooper…

Christopher Daniel Melton WATER VALLEY – Christopher Daniel Melton, 37, of Water Valley, died on November 30, 2025. He was born on August 4, 1988, in Grenada, and is remembered by family and friends for his kindness, humor and the joy he brought to those around him. Daniel grew up in Water Valley, where he…