Donna Berry Byers
MILLINGTON, Tenn.—Donna Berry Byers, age 65, died Monday, February 27, 2012, at her home in Millington.
Born September 2, 1946, in Water Valley, Mrs. Byers was a daughter of the late Lester and Maureen Berry. She was a retired bookkeeper and owner of a tax preparation and accounting business. She enjoyed life and the fellowship of friends and family. Donna loved cooking, baking, playing card games, and she had a great love for all animals. She attended First Baptist Church of Millington.
Visitation was from 1-2 p.m. Thursday, March 1, in Seven Oaks Funeral Home, with the funeral service following. Bro. Sonny Simpson officiated. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley with Joel Simpson, Stephen Cossey, Matt Cossey, Johnny Holloway, Brent Holloway, Jimmy Holloway, and Mark Byers as pallbearers. Jim Morgan, Charlie Holloway, Bill Graham and W. E. Golden were honorary pallbearers.
Survivors include her husband, George W. Byers of Millington; a daughter, Andrea Collie Dykes (Drew) of Memphis; a step-son, George Brandon Byers of Fayetteville, Ark.; two grandchildren, Megan and Hannah Byers; two nieces, Leslie and Lauren Holloway; and three nephews, Johnny Holloway, Brent Holloway, and Wyatt Holloway.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Jerry Berry Holloway.
Earline Hawkins
WATER VALLEY—Earline Hawkins, 75, died Tuesday, February 28, 2012, in Baptist Memorial Hospital—North Mississippi at Oxford.
Mrs. Hawkins was a native of Yalobusha County. She was member of New Providence M.B. Church, where she served as choir president and was on the mother’s board and kitchen committee.
Visitation was held Friday, March 2, from 5 – 7 p.m. in New Providence M.B. Church. The funeral service was held Saturday, March 3, at one o’clock in the afternoon in Springhill North M.B. Church in Water Valley, with Rev. Tommy Goodwin officiating. Burial was in the New Providence M.B. Church Cemetery. Hodges-Freeman Funeral Home of Oxford was in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include her husband, John Hawkins of Water Valley; three daughters, Patricia Hawkins-Reed and Mona Hawkins-Hervey, both of Water Valley, and Virginia Hawkins-Lewis of Albaster, Ala.; six sons, Ray Hawkins, Levert Hawkins, Minister Calvin Hawkins, all of Water Valley, Perry Hawkins of Columbus, Ga., John Hawkins of Cincinnatti, Ohio, and Larry Hawkins of Germany; four sisters, Julia Cox, Annie Catherine Wright, and Carolyn Wright, all of Water Valley, and Jessie Pledger of Chicago; three brothers, William Wright of Taylor, Leon Wright of Edwardsville, Ill., and Kenneth Wright of Winston Salem, N.C.; 18 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Millard L. French
WATER VALLEY—Millard L. French, age 72, died Friday, March 2, 2012, at his home in Water Valley.
Born August 22, 1939, in Water Valley, Mr. French was a son of the late Edward Doke and Rose Eleanor Floyd French. He was a retired chemical engineer and served 38 years with Gulf/Chevron Oil Corporation. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who loved farm life, horses, fishing, gardening, and traveling. Mr. French was a member of the Water Valley Church of Christ.
Visitation was held Sunday, March 4, in Seven Oaks Funeral Home from three to five in the afternoon. The funeral service was held Monday, March 5, at ten o’clock in the morning in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home, with Bro. David Floyd officiating, and his son, Jason French, offering the eulogy. Burial was in Wyatt Cemetery near the family home in Yalobusha County with Clayton McCall, Paul Schmitz, Landon McDaniel, Travis Brooks, Patrick Parker, and Arthur Ray Gray serving as pallbearers. Frank Brooks, Bobby Schmitz, John Brooks, and Ralph Norwood were honorary pallbearers.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Joyce Ann Upchurch French of Water Valley; a daughter, Lee French (Arthur Ray) Gray of Tula; a son, Jason Edward French of Water Valley; one sister, Chryl French (Keny) Goodwin of Water Valley; and four grandchildren, Landon McDaniel, Taylor McDaniel, Maverick French, and Shane French.
Memorials may be made to Water Valley Church of Christ, 1005 N. Main St., Water Valley, MS 38965, or to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.
Bettye Martin
BRANDON—Bettye Martin, age 78, died Tuesday, February 28, 2012, in Brandon.
Born June 10, 1933, in Bassett, Ark., Mrs. Martin was a daughter of the late Robert Walter and Beatrice Lucille McCain Richards. She was a seamstress for a number of years and was a member of First Baptist Church of Water Valley.
Visitation was held from 10-11 a.m. Saturday morning, March 3, in Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley. The funeral service followed visitation at eleven o’clock in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home, with Bro. Ken Izzard officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery at Water Valley with Lee Blackwell, Sr., Lee Blackwell, Jr., Jaime Hernandez, Wade Hester, Rocky Bell, Curtis Cole, and Marcus serving as pallbearers.
Mrs. Martin is survived by her daughter, Melissa (Jaime) Hernandez of Brandon; two grandchildren, Ashley Marie and Juan Roberto Hernandez; and one great-granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lewis Martin, a sister, Zula Mae Bell, and a brother, Robert Richards. Online condolences may be made at www.sevenoaksfuneralhome.com.
Lois Young Mitchell
GRENADA—Mrs. Lois Young Mitchell, 93, of Grenada, passed away Wednesday, February 29, 2012, in Providence Assisted Living at Grenada.
Born January 26, 1919, in Coffeeville, Mrs. Mitchell was a daughter of the late Vernon and Maggielie Smith Young. She was a member of Van Dorn Street Church of Christ and had retired from Pennaco Hosiery in Grenada with 29 years of service.
A stateroom service was held at noon Saturday, March 3, in Garner-Harper Funeral Home. Private burial followed in the Grenada Memorial Garden.
Survivors include two sons, Perry R. Mitchell (Ann) of Sacramento, Calif., and Edwin Y. Mitchell (Sandra) of Water Valley; four grandchildren, Alison Renee Milobar, Megan Marie Cearly, Howard Edwin Mitchell, and Kellie Mitchell Burress; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Ollie Marie Young Hardy of Grenada; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, A. P. Mitchell, and a brother, W. M. Young.
Elizabeth “Babe” Turner
CHARLESTON—Elizabeth “Babe” Booker Turner, age 87, died February 28, 2012, at 2:30 a.m., at her home in Charleston.
A homemaker, she was a life-long resident of Charleston. She was born July 1, 1924. Mrs. Turner was a member of Bethlehem M.B. Church and enjoyed gardening and cooking.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, March 8, at 12 p.m. in Bethlehem M.B. Church, with Pastor Larry McGhee officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Eddie Robinson Funeral Home of Grenada has charge of arrangements.
Survivors include three sons, Michael Turner of San Diego, Calif., Gene Turner and Alex Turner, Jr., both of Oxford; six daughters, Lorraine Turner of Oxford, Mary White of Oakland, Dorothy Turner and Elizabeth “Tiny” Turner, both of Charleston, Bettye Laws of Memphis, and Ruby Neely of Water Valley; a sister, Ora Lee Harris McGee; and two brothers, Willie Booker and Jimmy Booker.
John E. Watson
WEST POINT—John E. Watson, age 65, died Tuesday, February 21, 2012, at his home in West Point.
Born January 8, 1947, in Water Valley, he was a son of the late John Dart and Edna Pearl Watson. John attended Camp Ground Baptist Church in Water Valley and Everlasting Covenant Church in West Point. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing and working in his yard. He especially liked woodworking, cabinetry, and spending time with his grandchildren.
The funeral service was held at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, February 24, in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home, with Bro. Zane Parker officiating. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley, with Joshua Guest, Steve Cochran, Jon Dendy, Chris Dendy, Patrick Peaco*ck and Dan Murrell serving as pallbearers.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanette Watson of West Point; his daughter, Katie Watson of Water Valley; two step-daughters, Lisa Thomas of Water Valley and Heather Guest (Josh) of Goodman; a step-son, Chris Weaver of Starkville; two sisters, Judy Watson of Water Valley and Peggy Dendy (Jerry) of Cabot, Ark.; six grandchildren, Mikey Watson, Kayla Thomas, Gracie Guest, Caleb Guest, Daniel Peterson, and Justin Thomas; and one great-grandchild, Amelia Thomas.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Eddie Watson, and his sister, Linda Pearl Watson.
Online condolences may be made at www.sevenoaksfuneralhome.com.
