Gene Yielding

MANTACHIE – Alvie “Gene” Yielding, 80, died Sunday, July 24, 2011, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. He was born Feb. 7, 1931, to Sidney and Jessie Southern Yielding. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Mantachie and was a 32nd degree Mason. He married Ruby Earlene Hare on Nov. 10, 1951, and moved to Kenosha, Wis., in 1952 where they both worked for American Motors. They returned home to Mantachie in 1956 and lived there until the fall of 2010 when they moved to Mooreville. He worked for 28 years as the body shop foreman at Dossett Big 4 in Tupelo before retiring in 1996.

Mr. Gene was a “gentle giant” who dearly loved his family. He looked forward to family get-togethers and Christmas dinners with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family at his daughters' homes followed by an afternoon game of bingo. Granddaddy was present for the births of all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and lived long enough to see them accept Jesus into their hearts. When his youngest great-granddaughter professed her faith while he was in the hospital, he cried tears of joy when told the news.

He was an avid outdoorsman who shared his love of fishing, hunting and camping with his daughters and grandchildren. He probably untangled more fishing lines than he could count, but he loved every minute of it.

Services will be at 11 a. m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church in Mantachie with Dr. John Adams and Bro. Jimmy Henry officiating. Burial will be in the Mantachie Cemetery. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home of Mantachie is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Earlene Hare Yielding, of Mooreville; two daughters and sons-in-law, Pam and Larry Fair of Mooreville, and Kim and Mark Mayhall of Fulton; one sister, Arvie House of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; four grandchildren, Chris Fair (Kendra), Brandi Lindsey, Brody Mayhall and Abby Grace Mayhall; three great-grandchildren, Maddie Lindsey, Jake Fair and Sydney Lindsey.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Preston and Avie Yielding.

Pallbearers will be Chris Fair, Brody Mayhall, James “Smoky” McMillen, Roger McMillen, Earl Yielding, Joe Barnes and Dan Moore Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be James Reich, Loyce McMillen, Mark Johnson, and members of James Kitchens’s Sunday school class at First Baptist Mantachie.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Mantachie. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church.



Herschel Huddleston

BOONEVILLE - Herschel Huddleston, 89, died Sunday, July 24, 2011, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Booneville. He was born Dec. 9, 1921, to Arthur and Nora Livingston Huddleston. He attended New Hope Primitive Baptist Church and was a retired carpenter and farmer.

Services were Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at McMillan Funeral Home with Elder Herman Clark officiating. Burial was in the Zion Rest Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Bernice Huddleston; two sons, Ricky (Debbie) Huddleston and Ray (Mary) Huddleston, both of Booneville; one sister, Evie Slack of Booneville; five grandchildren, Vicky (Shawn) Beard, Renai (David) Elliot, Jason (Jessica) Huddleston, Christy Huddleston and Kevin Huddleston; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Kenneth Huddleston.

Pallbearers were Kevin Huddleston, James A. Huddleston, Jerry Slack, Mike Huddleston, Shawn Beard, Bob Swinney, James Barron, Donald Dodds and Jason Huddleston.

Condolences may be left at www.mcmillanfuneralhome.com.

Billie Lowry

GUNTOWN - Billie Lowry, 71, died Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Waters Funeral Home.

Otis Jones

SHANNON - Otis Matthew Jones, 94, died Friday, July 22, 2011, at the Shearer-Richardson Memorial Nursing Home in Okolona. He was born Nov. 22, 1916, in Monroe County to Sterling and Sederia Blaylock Jones. He was a member of Poplar Spring CME Church in Shannon and a retired farmer. He married Albirtha Griffin Jones on March 27, 1937.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Poplar Springs CME Church with Rev. Dr. Clementine Mays officiating and the eulogy by Rev. Carl Z. Jones. Burial will be in the Jones Memorial Garden in Shannon. Agnew amp& Sons Funeral Home of Verona is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Albirtha Jones; three daughters, Loverta (Thomas) Myles, Margie (Leroy) Fells and Verlean Buchanan; five sons, Otis Lee (Lena) Jones, James E (Ozella) Jones Sr., Jimmy Lee (Joyce) Jones, Rev. Carl Z. (Marjorie) Jones and Willie Earl Jones (friend, Lillie); one grandson reared as a son, William Earl (Patricia) Jones; two sisters, Rebecca Faye (George) and Almelda Crayton; one brother Albert Jones; 28 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Junette Hughes Jones; a son, Donell Jones; a granddaughter, Letonja Jones; a daughter-in-law, Dreddie Jones; a son-in-law, Tobe Buchanan; a great-granddaughter, Amber Blanchard; six sisters, Laura, Anna, Eliza, Mary Emma, Alice Mae, Essie Dean and Vinetta; five brothers, Tom, Bishop, Sterling, Gilbert and Jesse.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. today at the funeral home with the family hour 5 to 6 p.m. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to service time.

Family and friends may sign the guest registry at www.agnewandsons.com.

Thomas E. Brown Jr.

TUPELO - Thomas Edward Brown Jr., 74, died Monday, July 25, 2011, at The North Mississippi Medical Center after an extended illness. A Memphis, Tenn., native, he was born April 28, 1937, to Thomas E. and Margaret Bishop Brown. After graduating high school at Columbia Military Academy, he joined the Marines, trained at Camp LeJeune, and was stationed in Subie Bay in the Philippines. After leaving the Marines, he went to work for Kellogg's in Memphis, retiring after 34 years. He married Sylvia Williams Brown on March 13, 1978. Among his many interests, he belonged to the Memphis State Sky Diving Club, the Parachute Club of America and the Memphis Rifle and Revolver Club. He was also a member of the Sea Island Deep Sea Fishing Club, Ducks Unlimited, and American Legion Post 49 of Tupelo. He was an avid fan of baseball and played until he was 57. He coached Little League in Tupelo and led a team to the state championsip. He loved horses and kept several stables, participating in barrel races with his daughter, Micci. He loved his many dogs. He was a member of First Christian Church in Tupelo where he served as a deacon.

Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with Rev. Ray Morton officiating. Burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park.

Survivors include his wife, Sylvia Williams Brown of Tupelo; five sons, Thomas Wayne Brown of Memphis, Steve Brown (Renate) of Medon, Tenn., Brandon Donaldson (Melissa) of Red Banks, Eric Brown (Stephanie) of Southaven, and William L. Wood III (Sonya) of Tupelo; his two daughters, Micci Brown of Southaven and Elizabeth Wood Gray of Tupelo; a brother, James Brown of Los Angeles, Calif.; two brothers-in-Law, James Williams (Frances) and Mike Williams (Michelle), all of Tupelo; a host of grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Bill Brown; and two children, James Bradley Brown and Michael Scott Brown.

Pallbearers will be Steve Brown, Tommy Brown, Eric Brown, George Putnam, Mike Brown and Jess Cliff.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. to service time Thursday at the funeral home.

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

Kathey Quarles

TUPELO - Kathey Quarles died Saturday, July 23, 2011, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. She was born Aug. 28, 1952, in West Point to Rev. Rogers Walker and Regarner Smith Walker. She attended elementary school at Parker near Byhalia, Sims Elementary School in Holly Springs, Henry High School in Byhalia and graduated from Nettleton High School. She was the first black student to be a member of the Nettleton High School Band. She played the alto saxophone. She attended Rust College and received certification in secretarial science from the Golden Triangle Vocational Technical College in Lowndes County. She worked for BellSouth, Grant's Department Store, United Blood Services as a phlebotomist and technician, the Bannum Place of Tupelo/Halfway House for federal prisoners and Lee County Schools, where she worked with severe and profound children and drove a school bus. While in Nettleton she joined Palestine United Methodist Church. She was married to Donald Quarles. They had one son, Donald Emery Quarles.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul United Methodist Church with the Rev. Gloria H. McKinney officiating. Burial will be in Porters Memorial Garden. N.L. Jones amp& Son Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her companion and caregiver, Jimmy Kimble; her father, Rev. Rogers Walker; her son, Donald Emery "Snurkey" Quarles (Tora); her sisters, Ora W. Baldwin and Louise Standifer Carter; three grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Eck amp& Georgia Shumpert Memorial Chapel at the funeral home. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to service time Thursday.

To sign the online guestbook, visit www.nljonesandson.com.

Hadie Pickens

TIPLERSVILLE - Hadie Juanita Smith Pickens, 82, died Tuesday, July 36, 2011, at the Golden Living Center in Ripley. She was born April 10, 1938, in Tiplersville to Claude and Cordie Meeks Smith. She graduated from Walnut High School and retired from the Walnut School Cafeteria with 15 years of service. She was a member of the Tiplersville Baptist Church.

Services will be at 11 a.m. today at McBride Funeral Home Chapel in Ripley with the Rev. Thomas Magers officiating. Burial will be in the Tiplersville Cemetery.

Survivors include one daughter, Sandra Ford (Sammy) of Ashland; one son, Billy Pickens of Tupelo; one brother, Cecil Dewayne Smith (Francis) of Adamsville, Tenn.; three grandchildren, Geneva Clemmer, John Clemmer and Elizabeth Pickens; and two great-grandchildren, Robert Gentry Cox and Sally Stasuik.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Hugh "Buck" Pickens; her parents; and a sister, Bernice Meeks.

Pallbearers will be Sammy Ford, John Clemmer, Randy Collum, Carrol Street, Billy Pickens and David Horton.

Dr. Charles Elliott will be an honorary pallbearer.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time today at the funeral home.

To view and sign the online guestbook, visit www.mcbridefuneralhome.com.

Debbie Dunaway

BLUE SPRINGS - Debbie Dunawaym 46, died Thursday, July 21, 2011. She enjoyed listening to her music and spending time with her children. She was a Baptist.

Memorial services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Waters Funeral Home with Bro. Marvin Robbins officiating.

She is survived one son, Matthew Price of Oxford; two daughters, Crystal Edington of Pontotoc and Megan Dunaway of Pontotoc; one brother, David Long of Indiana; two grandchildren, Conner Edington and Liam Riggs; her stepmother, Bettie Long of Illinois; nephew, Ryan Long; niece, Tabatha Long; and special friend, Dale Anglin.

Cleodie Miller Jr.

MINNEAPOLIS - Cleodie Miller Jr., 49, died Tuesday, July 26, 2011, in Minneapolis, Minn. He was formerly of Oxford. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Kenneth I. Roberson Funeral Home of Pontotoc.

Barbara Martin

HATTIESBURG - Barbara Hooper Martin died Monday, July 25, 2011. She was born in 1932 in Tupelo. She was a resident of Brookhaven before moving to Hattiesburg in 1975.She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, where she enjoyed her ladies Sunday school class and caring for the infants in the nursery.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church in Hattiesburg. Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home of Hattiesburg is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband of 35 years, William Perry "Bill" Martin; four children, Betty Margaret Godbold Conerly of St. Francisville, La., Stacy Godbold Fressell of New Orleans, Hugh Beacham Godbold of Gautier and Georgia Godbold McGee of Hattiesburg; three stepchildren, William Perry "Mart" Martin Jr. of Atlanta, Ga., Brooks Bradley "Brad" Martin of Hattiesburg and Molly Martin Blass of Marietta, Ga.; a sister, Helon Hooper Maynard of Tupelo; 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her father, Hubert Price Hooper, and mother, Eula Mae Crockett Hooper.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time Friday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the preschool ministry of the First Baptist Church of Hattiesburg.

Maggie Birks

NETTLETON - Maggie Birks, 70, died Thursday, July 21, 2011, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. She was born Jan. 4, 1941, in Nettleton to Hester and Sammie Sanders Sr. She was a lifelong member of East Spring Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Nettleton. She was salutatorian of the Sims High School Class of 1959. She was a former employee of Red Kap Industries until becoming disabled.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at Palestine United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ernest Lindsey officiating. Burial will be in Mullens Cemetery. N.L. Jones amp& Son Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Agatha "Buck" Birks Sr. of Nettleton; two daughters, Carol F. Sanders and Lawanda Baker and husband, Eric, both of Tupelo; one son, Agatha Birks Jr. of Nettleton; one sister, Mary Ellen Sanders of Jamaica, N.Y.; one brother-in-law; five sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. today at the Eck amp& Georgia Shumpert Memorial Chapel at the funeral home. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to service time Thursday.

To sign the online guestbook, visit www.nljonesandson.com.

Jeanette Camper

NEW ALBANY - Mildred Jeanette Camper, 60, died Monday, July 25, 2011, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County. She was born March 11, 1951, in Osceola, Ark., to Richard G. and Euleta Ashley Scott. She was a former resident of Osceola, moving to New Albany in 2002. She was a homemaker and a member of Victory Life Center Church in New Albany.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Victory Life Center Church with the Rev. Raymond Bishop and the Rev. Mark Bishop officiating. Burial will be in Glenfield Memorial Park in New Albany. Glenfield Funeral Home of New Albany is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Gene Camper of New Albany; her mother, Euleta Scott of Monette, Ark.; three sons, Nathan (Crystal) Camper, Arron Camper and Cody Camper, all of New Albany; two daughters, Ethela Humphrey and Tasha Holder, both of New Albany; two brothers, Charles Cleveland Scott of Russellville, Ala., and Larry Gerald Scott of Monette, Ark.; and six grandchildren, Zat Griffith, Zoe Holder, Hannah Camper, Quinten Elmore, Tiffany Daniel and Shanna Hurley.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Pallbearers will be Zat Griffith, Arron Camper, Cody Camper, Caleb Smith, Jonathan Dulaney and Alex Shelton.

Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. today at the church.

Memorials may be made to the Victory Christian Academy of New Albany.

Mae Coker

GREENWOOD SPRINGS - Zula Mae Tucker Coker, 88, died on Monday, July 25, 2011, at Community Hospice at Darlington Oaks in Verona. Born on Dec. 19, 1922, in Monroe County, she was a daughter of the late Grover Cleveland and Mellie Josephine Terry Jackson. She attended Aberdeen Schools. She worked at Amory Garment before moving to Illinois, where she worked at Warwick and as a floor lady at Sears. Going back to school, she completed beauty college and began working as a beautician in Zion, Ill. She and her husband moved back to the area in 1974. Mrs. Coker was a member of Meadowood Baptist Church and a former Sunday school teacher. She always looked forward to family gatherings, especially the Coker family reunions. She enjoyed gardening, fishing, shopping for clothes and listening to gospel music.

She is survived by her sisters, Beulah Tucker of Smithville and Josie Hudson (Bobby) of Greenwood Springs; brothers, Cleveland Nathaniel Jackson of St. Charles, Mo., and Grover William Jackson (Deloris) of Aberdeen; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Hubert Reed Tucker in 1990 and Howard Corness Coker in 1997; an infant son; and sisters, Lula Bell Perry and Eula Beatrice Plunkett.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home with Bro. Mike Tucker and Bro. Mark Thornton officiating. Burial will follow in Masonic Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Luke Tucker, Frank Owen, Ed Tucker, David Blackwell, David Maddox, Hal Bourland and Brian Childs.

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

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.

Wayne Smith

CORINTH - Wayne Smith, 56, died Saturday, July 23, 2011, in Corinth.

Services were Monday, July 25, at Hight Funeral Home. Burial was in the Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery.

Ethel M. Newcomb

CORINTH - Ethel M. Newcomb, 82, died Monday, July 25, 2011, in Corinth.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Hight Funeral Home. Burial will be in Forrest Memorial Park.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Laura Burks

AMORY - Laura Lee Irvin Burks, 85, died on Monday, July 25, 2011, at Gilmore Memorial Regional Medical Center. Born on Aug. 24, 1925, in Greenwood Springs, she was a daughter of the late Earlie and Johnnie Neal Irvin. She was a graduate of Smithville High School, where she played basketball. With her faith guiding her life, she was an active member of St. Andrew's United Methodist. Before becoming a homemaker, Mrs. Burks worked at Toney's Bakery and Olen's Department Store. Always smiling, she enjoyed spending time with her family, going on church bus trips, working in her yard and in the flower beds, sewing, and listening to religious and country music. A member of the Order of the Eastern Star, she and her mother received their 50-year pins in 1996.

She is survived by a son, Edward W. Burks (Betty Ann) of Amory; a sister, Wanda Fay Alverson (James) of Biloxi; sister-in-law, Eloise Irvin; grandchildren, Chris and Erik Burks; great-grandchildren, Tara and David Burks; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Everett Burks in 1976; and brother, E.C. Irvin.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. today at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home with Bro. Lloyd Minor and Rev. Tim Sisk officiating. Burial will be in Masonic Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends.

Visitation will continue until the service hour today.

Memorials may be given to St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 535, Amory, MS 38821.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.

Faye Taylor

ABERDEEN - Mattie Faye Owen Taylor, 86, died Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at her residence in Aberdeen. She was born July 11, 1925, to Jack Owen and Savannah Fikes Owen in Hamilton, Ala. She lived in Aberdeen for the past 44 years, and worked as a grocery clerk for Big Star and Wilson's Grocery. She was a member of the Church of Christ of Aberdeen.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. today at Barnsville Cemetery near Hamilton, Ala., with her son, Ronnie Taylor officiating. Tisdale-Lann Memorial Funeral Home of Aberdeen is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Gaytha Clay and husband, Sonny, and Lisa Mobley and husband, Donnie, all of Aberdeen; two sons, Ronnie Taylor and wife, Mary Alice, of Fayette, Ala., and Kelley Taylor of Midland, Texas; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and three sisters.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Brad Mobley, Chad Mobley, Wes Clay, Owen Taylor, Sam Taylor and Scott Taylor.

To sign the register and send condolences online, visit www.tisdalelannmemorial.com.

Jasper Russell

PONTOTOC - Jasper William Russell, 47, died Monday, July 25, 2011, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Baldwin-Nowell Funeral Home of Pontotoc.

Ray Stephens

SMITHVILLE - Otis Ray Stephens, 81, died Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by E.E. Pickle Funeral Home.

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

Memorials and condolences may be shared with the family at eepicklefuneralhome.com.

Maudie Dee

OXFORD - Maudie Dee, 88, died Monday, July 25, 2011, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Hodges-Freeman Funeral Home in Oxford.