Myra Holley

BOONEVILLE - Myra Frances Smith Holley, 95, died Friday, March 6, 2009, at the Longwood Community Living Center after an extended illness. She was a member of the Booneville First Baptist Church, an Eastern Star, and worked as a nurse for Blue Mountain College, Tippah County Hospital and as a private duty nurse for many years.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the McMillan Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Lynn Jones officiating. Burial will be in the Forked Oak Cemetery.

Survivors include one daughter, Beth Williams of Booneville; two sons, Jerry W. Holley of Tupelo and Robert Holley of Oxford; a son-in-law, Shelton Thompson of Erwin, Tenn.; 11 grandchildren, Dr. Dana Thompson, Mark Thompson, Sharon T. Kegley, Jeff Williams, Robert Williams, Noel Holley, Gina McPhail, Richard Evans, Jenny Jones, Spencer Holley and Blair Hill; and 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis B. Holley; her parents, Clinton and Verdie Smith; two daughters, infant, Mary Jean Holley and Helen Thompson; one sister, Mildred K. Smith; and one brother, Robert G. Smith.

Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday and will continue until service time on Monday.

Larry Holmes

SELMA, CALIF. - Charles "Larry" Holmes, 61, died Thursday, March 5, 2009, in Fresno, Calif. He was born in Tupelo on Oct. 3, 1947, to William "Ottis" and Nadine Holmes.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Floral Memorial Park in Selma, Calif. Thomas-Robinson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include one son, Ken Latham (Karen) of Pinson, Ala.; one granddaughter, Olivia Latham of Pinson, Ala.; one brother, Paul David Holmes of Tupelo; four nephews; and two nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Lamar Holmes; and a sister, Margie Nabors.

Susie B. McCoy

BOONEVILLE - Mrs. Susie Belle Beasley McCoy, 100, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at Landmark Assisted Living Center in Booneville where she had resided the last year. Mrs. McCoy was born on November 10, 1908, in Hazelhurst, Miss., the daughter of the late George W. Beasley and Fannie Ainsworth Beasley. She attended Whitworth College in Brookhaven and graduated with a B.S. degree in education from Miss. Teacher's College, now the University of Southern Mississippi. She met her future husband, Elmer E. McCoy, while at Southern and they married on August 19, 1933, a union that lasted 62 years until his death in Nov. 1995. They purchased their home place in Booneville in 1938 and "Miss Susie", as she was affectionately known by many, taught the 5th grade at Thrasher and Jumpertown Schools for several years. Later, she became a homemaker staying home with her husband and children, a job she dearly loved. She was a longtime member and former financial secretary for First Baptist Church in Booneville. She and Elmer left First Baptist to start a mission church, Crestwood Baptist, in east Booneville. As a charter member, she remained active and faithful until she suffered a stroke at age 98. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many, many years. Her love for the Lord was evident in everything she did or said. A woman of deep faith and a staunch prayer warrior, she let everyone know her friend, Jesus. Her life was best described in the Proverbs 31. "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also praises her. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Give her the reward she has earned and let her works bring her praise at the city gates." She actively participated with her husband and son, Billy, in the family business. Willow Dale Worm Farm helping pack the worms and package them for shipping. She also cooked lunch for her family and the farm crew daily. She was a wonderful cook who didn't know the meaning of a cake mix! Mrs. McCoy loved gardening and was a master green thumb taking care of her flowers, plants and garden with expertise and love. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the joy of her life and she greatly enjoyed their visits, educational accomplishments and their contributions to humanity. Miss Susie blessed many and will be sorely missed by all.

A service celebrating her life will be held at 4 PM Monday, March 9, 2009 at the Gaston Baptist Church with Bro. Jackie Spencer officiating. Her granddaughter, Kim McCoy Eubank, will deliver the eulogy. Burial will follow in the Gaston Cemetery. Booneville Funeral Home (662 728-6607) is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be from 3 PM-9 PM today (Sun.) at the funeral home and from 11 AM-service time on Monday at the Church.

Survivors include her 2 sons: Edward McCoy and wife, Barbara and William J. (Billy) McCoy, Speaker of the Miss. House of Representatives and his wife Edith; 1 daughter, Sue McCoy Anderson and her husband, David all of Booneville. 2 sisters : Bess Hood of Norman, Oklahoma and Jane Brown of Hot Springs, Arkansas. 6 grandchildren: Sam McCoy (Jamie), Kim Eubank (Kevin), Rusty McCoy, Jason McCoy (Cheryl) all of Booneville, Bobby Anderson (Catherine) of Madison, Miss. and Brad Anderson (Mary) of Phoenix, Arizona. 13 great grandchildren: Molly Beth and Chloe Eubank; Lee Tate and Jackson McCoy, Margaret and Stephen Anderson; Carley and Colton McCoy; Louis Anderson, Gabbie and Gabe Hall; and Justin McCoy. A host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, former Prentiss Co. Representative Elmer E. McCoy, 2 sisters: Hazel Higdon and Frances White Brown and one brother, Sidney Beasley.

Memorials may be made to Crestwood Baptist Church, P.O. Box 172, Booneville, Miss. 38829.

Battle Cartwright

BOONEVILLE - Battle Malone Cartwright, 95, died Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Booneville. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by McMillan Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at McMillan Funeral Home.

James Murphy, Jr.

AMORY - James Rickey Murphy Jr., 26, died Thursday, March 5, 2009, in Fulton as the result of an automobile accident. He was born Jan. 18, 1983, in Tupelo to Meriel Spencer Booker and James Rickey Murphy Sr. He lived in Salineville, Ohio, Fulton, and in Amory for the past year and a half. He married Lacy Vandiver on Dec. 6, 2008, who survives. He was employed by Max Home in Fulton and he attended New Hope Baptist Church. He enjoyed family, shopping and being with his wife.

Services were held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the E.E. Pickle Funeral Home Chapel in Amory with Bro. Tim McMillan officiating. Burial was in the Lann Cemetery. E.E. Pickle Funeral Home Chapel of Amory was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Lacy Vandiver Murphy of Amory; his mother, Meriel Booker (Wayne) of Ripley; his father, James Rickey Murphy Sr. of Booneville; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mike and Judy Vandiver of Mountain Home, Ark.; one stepbrother, Rusty Booker (Carol) of Madison; one sister, Danielle Murphy of Fulton; stepsister, Patricia Myrick (Joel) of Kiln; two half brothers, Justin Murphy and Brandon Murphy, both of Fulton; niece, Sierra Hilt of Fulton; nephew, Patrick Colburn of Fulton; and a special friend, Alonzo "Money" Gibson of Fulton.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Gerald and Elizabeth Spencer and Walter and Jessie Murphy.

Pallbearers will be Deangelo Gibson, Thomas Kennedy, Kirk Luker, Wes Kirkpatrick, Brandon Adams, Mark Lambert and Brent Sides.

Greg Tice

SAVANNAH, TENN. - Gregory "Greg" Dale Tice, 45, died Friday, March 6, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo after a sudden illness. He was formerly of Booneville and was a member of the Church of Christ.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at McMillan Funeral Home with Bro. Danny Short officiating. Burial will be in the Antioch Cemetery. McMillan Funeral Home of Booneville is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his mother, Mary Lois Eaton Tice of Saltillo; his father, Dale Tice of Cleveland; two sons, Tripp Tice (Kayla) and Braxton Tice of Booneville; one sister, Michelle Tice McClain of Bethel Springs, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Kegin, Carter, Elle Reed and Dusty Trice of Booneville; one niece, Savannah Tice of Slemer, Tenn.; and two nephews, Joseph and Chandler McClain of Bethel Springs, Tenn.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Tula Mae Eaton and R.C. and Lena Tice.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Luna, Kyle Scruggs, Joseph McClain, Donny Davis, Wally Davis, Chandler McClain and Jackie Eaton.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home and will continue until service time on Monday.

Norman Johnson

ASHLAND - Norman Ray Johnson, 78, died Friday, March 6, 2009, at the Jackson Madison County Hospital in Jackson, Tenn. He was born June 10, 1931, in Big Sandy, Tenn., to the late Will D. Johnson and Ola Beaton Johnson. He was a member of the Ashland Baptist Church and he was a salesman.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Ashland Baptist Church with Bro. Randy Crews officiating. Burial will be in Ashland. Holly Springs Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his daughter, Sherry Rushing (Tony) of Humbolt, Tenn.; sister, Colleen Hurt of Medon, Tenn.; and two grandchildren, Tony Ray Rushing and Christie Rushing.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Davis Johnson.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until service time Monday at the Church.

Robert W. Helymann

EUPORA - Robert W. Helymann, 78, died Saturday, March 07, 2009, at the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. He was born Aug. 26, 1930 in Indianapolis, Ind., to William and Leatrice Brown Helymann.

Services will be held at Popiolek Funeral Home in Barrington, New Jersey. Local arrangements are being handled by W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors in Tupelo.

Geneva Pennington

GERMANTOWN, TENN. - Geneva Pennington, 81, formerly of Booneville, died Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by McMillan Funeral Home.

Myrtice Bollinger

BRUCE - Myrtice Bryant Bollinger, 96, died Friday, March 6, 2009, at the Bruce Community Living Center. Born Dec. 2, 1912, in Calhoun County she was a homemaker and a member of Center Terrace Baptist Church in Canton.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Parker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Bruce with Bro. Dale Easley officiating. Burial will be in the Pittsboro Cemetery. Parker Memorial Funeral Home of Bruce is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include four daughters, Bettye Seeman of Bruce, Barbara Power (Herb) of Canton, Sondra Massie (David) of Frankfort, Ky., and Mary Pilcher (John) of Arlington, Texas; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Luther "Babe" Bryant and Idella Armstrong Bryant; three sisters, Gladys Luttrell, Ann Lee Viers and Margaret Parker; two brothers, Jim A. Bryant and Bill Bryant; and two grandsons, Keith and Gary Seeman.

Pallbearers will be J.C. Bryant, Jerry Bryant, Don Bryant, Terry Spratlin, Wesley Spratlin and Ronnie Parker.

Visitation will be from 12 to 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Florine Mears

NETTLETON - Florine Sullivan Mears, 74, died Friday, March 6, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center after an extended illness. She was born Nov. 6, 1934, in Itawamba County to the late Kirby and Lena Mae Hall Sullivan. She was a lifelong resident of Nettleton, a homemaker and a member of the Living Water Community Church in Mooreville. She enjoyed working in her flower beds and garden and also spending time with her family.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Victory Baptist Church with Rev. Horace Barnes and Rev. Scott A. Kitchens officiating. Burial will be in the Liberty Cemetery. Tisdale-Lann Memorial Funeral Home of Nettleton is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include one daughter, Brenda Manley (David) of Nettleton; one stepson, David Mears (Sheila) of Fulton; two sisters, Nelda Barnes (Horace) and Maylene Edwards (Bobby), both of Nettleton; two brothers, Jimmy Sullivan (Peggy) and Elbert Sullivan, both of Nettleton; two grandchildren; five step grandchildren; five step great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Dearn Gholston of Aberdeen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Horace Mears; two sisters; and three brothers.

Pallbearers will be Glenn Barnes, Chris Barnes, Myron Sullivan, David Clippard, Jeffrey Sullivan and Eugene Sullivan.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. today and will continue from 10 a.m. until service time Monday, both held at the Church.

Jason Graham

PONTOTOC - Jason Keith Graham, 8 day old infant, died Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center Women's Clinic. He was born on Feb. 27, 2009.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Bethlehem Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. Chris Moody and Rev. Jackie Whitley officiating. Burial will follow in the Sand Springs Cemetery. Browning Funeral Home of Pontotoc is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his parents, Cassandra Nichols Graham and Jeremy Keith Graham; grandparents, Kathy and Eddie Jones of Fulton and Angie Tackett of Pontotoc; great-grandparents, Jimmy and Loyce Forman and Betty Graham.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Jimmy Graham; and great-grandfather, Jack Graham.

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. today and will continue Monday from 12 to 2 p.m., both at the Church.

Ruth Hopper

OXFORD - Ruth Chilton Hopper, 95, died Friday, March 6, 2009, at her residence in Oxford. Born in Ellington, Mo., she was the widow of Mr. Wallace Hopper. She was a member and volunteer of First Presbyterian Church in Oxford and served as a volunteer at Oxford Hospital and The University of Mississippi Art Museum. She was a talented seamstress, knitter, artist, a gourmet cook and homemaker.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Dodge Grove Cemetery in Mattoon, Ill. with Dr. Vaughn Grisham officiating. Waller Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her daughter, Sandra H. Grisham (Vaughn) of Oxford; her sister, Mavis Lang of East Bangor, Pa.; her grandchildren, Mike Skrien and Terri Leiser; and great-grandchildren, Jacob and Sammy Skrien, Will, Cam, and Maggie Woodall and Jonathon and Rachel Morris.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. today at Waller Funeral Home.

The family has asked that expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Mrs. Hopper's memory be made to Gilbert's Hospice, 2633 Lawndale Drive, Tupelo, MS, 38801; or to the chairty of the donor's choice.

Please visit http://www.wallerfuneralhome.com for online condolences and guest registry.

David Lamons

AUBURN - William David Lamons, 79, died Saturday, March 7, 2009, at his residence in the Auburn Community after a brief illness. A Lafayette Springs, Ala. native, he was born June 6, 1929, to Olena Lamons. He was a United States Army veteran who served during the Korean Conflict. After completion of his military service, he returned home and graduated from Shannon High School. He married Emily Smith on Jan. 3, 1956. They spent most of their lives in the Chesterville Community but moved to the Auburn Community 18 years ago. He retired after 36 years of service with Dacus Foods as shipping and receiving supervisor. He loved to hunt, fish and take care of his catfish lake. He also loved being with his grandkids and his kids.

Services will be 2 p.m. Monday at The Saltillo Chapel of W.E. Pegues with Rev. Ronald Pannell officiating. Burial will be in Chesterville Memorial Cemetery with Military Honors. W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Emily Smith Lamons; two sons, Ricky Lamons (Louise) and Larry Lamons, both of the Auburn Community; one brother, Milton Lamons (Luanis) of the Ballardsville Community; one granddaughter, Stevie Nicole Lamons of the Auburn Community; two grandsons, Will Lamons and Kyle Lamons, both of the Auburn Community; and one step-grandson, Josh Vanetten of Hattiesburg.

He was preceded in death by his mother; three brothers, Junior, Wayne and Jimmy Lamons; and a special friend, John Maloof.

Pallbearers will be Charlie Barber, Frank Wood, James Shelton, Ted Harris, Jimmy Cox, Billy Clifton and Emrick Lamons.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the former employees of Dacus Foods.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home in Saltillo.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com

Mary Wilson

ASHLAND - Mary Elizabeth May Wilson, 87, died Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the Briarcrest Extended Care in Ashland. She was retired from the Benton County School System and a member of the Ashland Baptist Church.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Ashland Baptist Church with Bro. Chad Thompson and Mr. Matt Thompson officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Benton County. McBride Funeral Home of Ripley is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include one daughter, Pam Thompson (Ronny) of Hickory Flat; three sons, Jimmy Wilson (Jinnie) of Oxford, Dub Wilson (Patty) of Courtland and David Wilson (Angie) of Collierville, Tenn.; one brother, Seth May (Wilma) of Ashland; eight grandchildren, Chris Wilson, Mitch Wilson, Davie Wilson, Drew Wilson, Hollie Hayes, Gabielle Wilson, Chad Thompson and Matt Thompson; five great-granddaughters; and three great-grandsons.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Wilson; her parents, William Biver and Jeanetta Elizabeth Simpson May; two sisters, Bardee Simpson and Jewel May; and one brother, W.B. May Jr.

Pallbearers will be Chad Thompson, Matt Thompson, Davie Wilson, Drew Wilson, Chris Wilson and Mitch Wilson.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Staff of Briarcrest Extended Care; Tammy Jeanes, Dale Dunlap and a special caregiver, Floy Simpson.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and will continue Monday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., both at the funeral home, then from 1 p.m. until service time at the Church.

Memorials may be made to the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Fund, C/O Pat Boston, 997 Snow Lake Drive, Ashland, MS 38603.

An online guestbook can be accessed at www.mcbridefuneralhome.com.