Bill Box

JACKSON – William “Bill” Hoyt Box died at his home Sunday, March 4, 2012, of natural causes. He was born Sept.12, 1948, in Booneville. He graduated from Booneville High School in 1966 and attended Northeast Mississippi Community College and received an associates degree. He later obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Mississippi. He was a retired government contractor. He lived in Jackson for 30 years and enjoyed hunting, fishing and running.

Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Friday, March 16, at Booneville Cemetery.

He is survived by his brother, Thomas Emery Box of Booneville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Micky and Thomas Hoyt Box.

Vera Lowe

OKOLONA – Vera “Mama Vera” Lowe, 79, died Wednesday, March 7, 2012, at her home. She was born in Lamar County, Ala., on Nov. 23, 1932, to Richard Gray and Octavia Springer Gray. A sister, a mother and a wife, she accepted Christ as her Saviour at an early age and joined Palestine United Methodist Church in Nettleton. She married Willie Frank Lowe; they had 10 children.

Services will be at 11 a.m. today at Palestine United Methodist Church with the Rev. Maurice McIntosh officiating. Burial will be in Blackwood Grove Cemetery. N.L. Jones Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include four daughters and four sons, Terise (Joseph) Farrell of Creve Couver, Mo., Lonnie Lowe, Steve (Stephanie) Lowe and Aaron (Betty) Lowe of Nettleton, Emmanuel (Mary) Lowe and Zillardah Lowe of Verona, Tonger (Charles) Green and Lurue (Archie) Berry of Pontotoc; 21 grandchildren 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and four sisters, Annie R. Burt of Toledo, Ohio, Lola Woods (Clyde), Gladys Ware (Robert) and Cathy Gray, all of Kalamazoo, Mich.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Frank Lowe; her parents; and two children, Carolyn Lowe Ruff and Paul R. Lowe.

The body will lie in repose one hour prior to service time at the church.

Sign the online guestbook at www.nljonesandson.com.

Gracie Pearson

PITTSBORO – Gracie Marie Pearson, 88, died Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at her home.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Sunday at Clear Springs CME Church at Big Creek. Burial will be in the Clear Springs Cemetery. Belle Memorial Funeral Home of Bruce is in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation will be from 5 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home arrangements.

Sign the online guestbook at www.bellememorialfuneralhome.com.

Joyce Holcomb

TUPELO – Joyce Holcomb, 77, died Thursday, March 8, 2012, at North Mississippi Medical Center.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

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

Frances Faulkner

AMORY – Frances P. Faulkner, 81, died Friday, March 9, 2012, at her daughter’s residence in Cordova, Tenn. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by E.E. Pickle Funeral Home.

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

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

Tarvis Williams

PLANTERSVILLE – Tarvis E. Williams (Harris) died Monday, March 5, 2012, at Starkville Manor. He was born on June 1, 1968, in Tupelo to the late Emmarine Williams and Dalton Harris. He accepted Christ at an early age. He later became a member of Temple of Compassion and Deliverance.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Temple of Compassion and Deliverance with Bishop Clarence Parks officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Moriah Cemetery. N.L. Jones Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Arlisha Williams of Baldwyn; seven children, Demetria Shannon, Sherita Shannon, Ebony Shannon, Kewanna Shannon, Emma Williams, Candace Williams and Tarvita Williams, all of Tupelo; five sisters, Jacqueline Brock (Daniel) of Plantersville, Darlene Hoskins (John) of Tupelo, Tina Harris of Tupelo, Brenda Smith and Diane Gray, both of Milwaukee, Wis.; eight brothers, Steve Williams, Jerome Williams, Tyrone Williams and Patrick Harris, all of Tupelo, Rickey Harris, Michael Harris and Carl Harris, all of Milwaukee, Wis.; eight grandchildren; three great-aunts, Tanora Harris, Irene Pounds and Lizzy Rogers; six uncles; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Ann Williams; a brother, James Harris; and his grandparents, Prince and Sarah Williams, and Feemster and Parthenia Harris.

The body will lie in repose one hour prior to service time.

To sign the online guestbook, visit nljonesandson.com.

Wanda Dean

CEDAR BLUFF – Wanda Gay Dean, 45, died Friday, March 9, 2012, at the Grace Living Center in Grenada. She was born Dec. 13, 1966, in New Orleans to Peggy Bramlett Dean and James Alden Dean Sr. She was a security guard at Bryan Foods and a Baptist.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Calvert Funeral Home Chapel in West Point. Burial will follow in Cedar Bluff Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery. Calvert Funeral Home of West Point is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include three sisters, Sara Hurst (Travis) of Cedar Bluff, Janet Marie Wood (Nick) of Baton Rouge, La., and Susie Doster (Smokey) of Grenada.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother and sister, Jr. Dean and Betty Nanette Latham.

Pallbearers will be J.T. Hurst, Corey Latham, Caleb Latham, Gauge Doster, Brad Doster and Travis Hurst.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time today at Calvert Funeral Home.

Friends may leave an online condolence at www.calvertfuneralhome.com.

Lester Leatherwood

CORINTH – Lester Leatherwood died Friday, March 9, 2012, at his residence,

Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at McPeters Inc. Funeral Directors Chapel with Bro. Nelson Hight officiating.Burial will follow in the Dogwood Cemetery.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from noon to service time Sunday.

Condolences can be left at www.mcpetersfuneraldirector.com.

Nelle Johnson

GRENADA – Carrie Nelle McClung Johnson, 91, died Friday, March 9, 2012, at her home at Providence Assisted Living. She was born in Pittsboro to Rufus Bell and Josie Murk McClung.She graduated from Pittsboro High School in 1938 as class valedictorian and attended Sunflower Junior College. She taught and coached basketball at Ellard High School. She married James Olen Johnson on May 6, 1945. He preceded her in death on May 16, 2007, after 62 years of marriage. She loved God and was active in her church, First United Methodist Church in Grenada. She was an active member of the Grenada Homemaker’s Club. She was a 50-year member of the Eastern Star and served in many leadership positions including Worthy Matron of the Grenada Chapter. She was Grenada’s Mother of the Year in 1973. All who knew her knew that she was an avid Duke University basketball fan.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church in Grenada with the Rev. Tom Potter and the Rev. Johnny Dinas officiating. Burial will be in the Old Field Methodist Church Cemetery near Bruce. Garner-Harper Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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

She is survived by three daughters, Jane Middleton (Bryce) of Hilton Head, S.C., Linda Lehman (Bubba) of Grenada and Michelle Benjamin (Donnie) of Pontotoc; a brother, R.B. McClung (Peggy) of Jonesboro, Ark.; her grandchildren, Leanne North, Carrie and Brad Cooley of Headland, Ala., Olen and Tiffany Lehman of McCarley, Katherine and Chris Park of Pontotoc, and John and Ashley Benjamin of Tupelo; and her great-grandchildren, Emma North, Mason and Hollis Cooley, Caden Lehman, Izzy and Suzy Park, and Ivy Kate and Maggie Benjamin.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. today at Garner-Harper Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Grenada, located at 161 Line Street.

Erma Jean White

MATHISTON – Erma Jean Brand White, 77, died Thursday, March 8, 2012, at the Golden Living Nursing Home in Eupora. She was born Oct. 16, 1934, in Clay County to Lovie Dell Morgan and William Howard Brand. She was a machine operator for Red Kap beginning in 1980. She was a member of Midway Church of Christ. She married James Robert White on May 29, 1953. He preceded her in death on Dec. 3, 1997.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Calvert Funeral Home Chapel with the Minister Don Bearden officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery at Dancy. Calvert Funeral Home of West Point is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include three daughters, Erma Dell Thompson of Memphis, Theresa Lynn Peay of Pheba and Brenda Joyce Ward of Pontotoc; four sons, Floyd Kenneth White of Cumberland, James David White of Starkville, Robert Wayne White of Tavernier, Fla., and Christopher Lee "C.L." White of Mathiston; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; five sisters, Josephine Coltharp of Nashville, Maggie Louise Parker of Montpelier, Betty Sue Davis of West Point, Karen Norris of Cedar Bluff and Catherine Brand of Cumberland; and three brothers, William Louis Brand of Aberdeen, Byron Morgan Brand of Pensacola, Fla., and Lonnie Brand of Montpelier,

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Opal Annette Brand.

Pallbearers will be Bradley White, Chad White, Bruce Peay, Aaron Peay, Shane Kelley, Tony Mark Raines and Logan Raines.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Calvert Funeral Home.

Friends may leave an online condolence at www.calvertfuneralhome.com.

Charlie Mae Isby

FULTON – Charlie Mae Isby died Thursday, March 8, 2012, at Courtyard Nursing Home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Grayson-Porter’s Mortuary in Tupelo.

Mabel Hood

AMORY – Mabel Elliott Conwill Hood, 90, died on Friday, March 9, 2012, at Golden Living Center. Born on Nov. 28, 1921, in Itawamba County, she was a daughter of the late Presley Bailey and Dora Belle Elliott Conwill. She was a graduate of Itawamba County public schools. She married Melvin Hood on Aug. 8, 1942. She worked as a seamstress at Wilson Manufacturing before working at Hood’s Cleaners. A God-fearing lady, she was a charter and active member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church. Her life was guided by her faith and her mother’s love. She enjoyed working with her husband at Hood’s Cleaners, spending time with her grandchildren, square dancing, water skiing and playing cards.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at E.E. Pickle Funeral Home with the Rev. Glyn Wiygul officiating. Burial will follow in Haughton Memorial Park.

She is survived by her son, Kennon Hood (Kathryn) of Amory; sister, Jimmie Conwill of Amory; brothers, Lawrence Conwill (Doris) of Florence, Ala., and Wayne Conwill (Mavis) of the Carolina community; grandchildren, Ashley Hood-Schermerhorn (Jimmy), Joey Hood, Erynne Hood-Messina (George) and Melissa Hood; special friends, Ruth Fowlkes, Dorothy Jean Richardson, Mable Johnson-Hood and Opal Moffett; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband of 67 years, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Hazel McDonald and Nelda Justice; and a daughter-in-law, Beverly Hood.

Pallbearers will be Don Wiygul, Navid Alim, Eric Larson, Ed Hood, Jimmy Schermerhorn, Frank Hood and Bob McDonald. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Hogan and Sgt. George Messina, USMC.

Visitation will be from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Andrews United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 535, Amory, MS 38821.

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

Mary Brown

NEW ALBANY – Mary Ann Whittington Brown, 77, died Friday, March 9, 2012, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County. She was born Aug. 6, 1934, in Myrtle to Roy M. and Beulah Mae Taylor Whittington. She was a member of Ingomar Methodist Church. She was a retired dental assistant for the late Dr. Chuck Crews.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at United Funeral Service Chapel in New Albany with the Rev. Kerry Powell officiating. Burial will be in Vista Memorial Park. United Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

She is survived by her husband, David Brown; one daughter, Lisa Hicks of New Albany; two sisters, Frances Basil of New Albany and Sarah Spencer of Myrtle; one brother, Jimmy Whittington of Memphis; five grandchildren, Amy Farris Whiteside, Ellen Farris Thompson, Lyndsey Hicks Dunn, Beth Farris and David Hicks; and six great-grandchildren, Anna Beth Gandy, Carly Thompson, Jaci Catlin, Mary Claire Dunn, Leah Harper Dunn and Whit Whiteside.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Cynthia Farris; one sister, Jeffie Mayhew; and six brothers, Elliott Whittington, Edward Whittington, Buddy Whittington, Carl Whittington, Carol Whittington and Fred Whittington.

Pallbearers will be Jackie Dodd, Donald Dodd, Cecil Pannell, Terry Sisk, John Dunn and Donnie Hicks.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today.

For online condolences, visit www.unitedfuneralservice.com.

Jestine Cox

RIPLEY – Jestine Cox, 73, died Thursday, March 8, 2012, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Foster and Son Funeral Home of Ripley.

John Allen Armstrong

CALHOUN CITY – John Allen Armstrong died Wednesday, March 7, 2012, at his home in Calhoun City. He was born Oct. 8, 1927, in Calhoun County to George and Dora Glaspie Armstrong. Affectionately known as “Little John,” he worked various jobs including sharecropping, timber contracting and assisting Hal Reese Sr. with his brick masonry. He loved gardening and fishing. He married Lula Welch in 1948, and joined the Clear Springs CME Church. They had five children. He sang with a gospel quartet known as “The Friendly Four” and traveled throughout communities singing in different churches. On Nov. 25, 1968, he married Devoria Howard Porter-Armstrong. During this time, he became a member of the Bryant Chapel M.B. Church. In 2010, he rededicated his life to Christ.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Bryant Chapel M.B. Church in Pittsboro with the Rev. Toney Armstrong officiating. Burial will be at Bryant Chapel. Eddie Robinson Funeral Home of Grenada is in charge of the arrangements.

He is survived by his sons, Charles (Ada) Armstrong, Willie Allen (Annie) Armstrong and Jell (Ora) Porter, all of Calhoun City; his daughters, Clemmie Jean and Wilma Armstrong, both of Tulsa, Okla., Odessa Albright of Woodbridge, Va., Annie (Willie) Armstrong of Calhoun City, Christine (Larry) Owens of Woodbridge, Va., and Jessie Harley of Norman, Okla.; a daughter-in-law, Doris Knox of Vardaman; 28 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren, three great- great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Odie V. Armstrong, in 1981; his wife Devoria on Nov. 27, 2011; his parents; two sisters, Cliffie Petty and Pearlie Lyons; and two brothers, Robert and D. Spencer Armstrong.

Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Eddie Robinson Funeral Home.

William Taylor

WEST POINT – William Henry Taylor died Tuesday, March 6, 2012, in Memphis.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. today at Houston Chapel CME Church in Houston. Carter Funeral Home of West Point is in charge of the arrangements.

Ervin Moxley

BIRMINGHAM – Ervin L. Moxley, 98, died Thursday, March 8, 2012.

Graveside services will be at noon Sunday at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Golden. Deaton Funeral Home of Red Bay, Ala., is in charge of the arrangements.

Kitty Norman

IUKA – Kitty Norman, 69, died Friday, March 9, 2012, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka.

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