Obituaries – Apr 25, 2013 (2024)

Stanley Crow

WATER VALLEY—Stanley Crow, longtime band director from Water Valley, passed away peacefully at his home, Monday, April 8, 2013, surrounded by his family.
Born in Ruleville to the late James Eldon and Evie Lou Smith Crow, he was a retired band director from Water Valley where he devoted his entire career and touched countless lives. He was the music director for the Water Valley Community Band, First Baptist Church handbell choir, and was a charter member of the Oxford Community Band.
Mr. Crow also served as past president of Lion’s Club, I-55 Band, North East Miss. Band Director’s Association, and was a coordinator between the Lion’s Club and the Mississippi Lion’s All State Band. In his retirement, he traveled the state performing instrument repairs and mentoring young band directors until his recent illness. Stan accumulated many awards and accolades through the years, but he was loved for his gentle spirit and well known for his strong Christian principles. He was a deacon at First Baptist Church.
Services were held at two o’clock in the afternoon Thursday, April 11, in First Baptist Church at Water Valley, with Dr. Randy Bain officiating. Visitation was held Wednesday, April 10 from 5-8 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church. Burial followed in Oak Hill Cemetery with Barron Caulfield, Al Davis, Larry Hart, John Mixon, Lawrence Perkins, and Keith Sanders as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Tommie Arendale, Ernie Aune, Curtis Berry, Larry Carr, Melvin Ford, Keith Morgan, and Larry Hart’s Sunday School Class. Seven Oaks Funeral Home of Water Valley was in charge of arrangements.
Stanley is survived by his wife, Becky Crow of Water Valley; one son, Michael J. Crow of Oxford; a brother-in-law, David Miller and his wife, Joy, and their children, William, Katie, and Robert Miller; sister-in-law, Roseanne Miller; a brother-in-law, Doug Graham, and his children, Spencer and Erin Graham, and a host of close friends.
The Water Valley Lions Club has established a memorial fund in memory of Stan Crow to endow a Lion’s Band Chair for future Lion’s Band students.
Memorials may be made to Water Valley Lion’s Club Memorial Fund, Water Valley First Baptist Church Handbells, or the American Cancer Society.

Joseph Henry Norris

WATER VALLEY—Joseph Henry “Joe Henry” Norris, age 67, died Wednesday, April 17, 2013, in his home at Water Valley.
Born May 5, 1945, in Grenada, Mr. Norris was a son of the late Samuel Lamar and Josephine Boschert Norris. Joe Henry was a music teacher in various public schools until he became disabled in 2003. He was formerly an active member of Cherry Street Baptist Church in Clarksdale, where he served as organist. When he moved to Water Valley he was a faithful member of Water Valley First Baptist Church. He was a member of Larry Hart’s Sunday School Class and he also helped in the video and sound booth. Joe Henry loved music, fishing, reading, and spending time with his best friend, Mack.
A graveside service was held at two o’clock in the afternoon Friday, April 19, in Shelby Cemetery at Shelby, Miss. Mack McLain and family members were pallbearers. Seven Oaks Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Andrea Norris of Clarksdale; two brothers, Sammie Norris, Jr. of Cleveland and William Craig Norris (Teresa) of Pontotoc; and special friend, Mack McLain, of Water Valley.

Williams Parks ‘Bill’ Sissell

BATESVILLE—William Parks “Bill” Sissell died Sunday, April 21, 2013, in Sanctuary Hospice House at Tupelo. He was 87.
Born August 25, 1925, in Water Valley, he was s son of the late John Reuel and Sarah “Sadie” Thomas Brower Sissell. He grew up farming and raising cattle, interests he pursued throughout his life.
A veteran of World War II, he served in the Army Artillery in Germany. Upon discharge he completed his education, receiving degrees from Mississippi State University and later the University of Mississippi.
In 1947 he married Amy Nannette Shipp. They made their first home in Crowder, following farming interests, and it was there that Bill began his long teaching career.
In the mid-1950s Bill and Nannette moved to Batesville, again because of farming and cattle interests. He worked for many years in the South Panola School District, teaching high school chemistry and acting as assistant principal and district Title I Coordinator. He served as Panola County Superintendent of Education. In his final years as an educator, Bill taught at Northwest Community College.
Throughout his life, Bill was actively involved in his community. He was a member of Civitan, Friends of the Library Veterans of Foreign Wars, and PanGens. He was a contributing writer for the North Mississippi Herald’s column, “Out on the Mudline” and an honorary ambassador for Water Valley.
Bill was a member of Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church. He served as president of Mississippi United Methodist Men and was named to the Society of John Wesley. He was honored as a lifetime member of the Ole Miss Wesley Foundation Board of Directors. He participated in Walk to Emmaus #127.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, John Reuel Sissell, Jr., and two sisters, Lucile Sissell Martin and Ruth Sissell Jenkins.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Nannette, and their three children, Nancy Parks Sissell Bridges (Gil), Susan Frances Sissell Riddick (Taylor), and William Shipp Sissell (Denise); grandchildren, Melba Major, James Robert Major, Bowen Bridges (Abbey), William Riddick, Louise Riddick Whitmire (Brian), Parker Sissell, and Kristin Sissell McClenic (Steven); and great-grandchildren, Harrison Whitmire, Sadie Whitmire, and Anne Ruth Bridges.
Funeral services were held in Dickins Funeral Home at Batesville Monday, April 22, at ten o’clock in the morning. Visitation was held from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, April 21.

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Added Saturday, April 27