CHISM n Gary L., 57, Nesbit, formerly of Memphis, died March 22, 2008. Co-owner of Hairlines Salon, Southaven. Survived by loving wife of 34 years, Jeanna Chism; sons, Brad and Ben Chism; mother, Marion Chism; sister, Jamie Bynum; and brothers, Jan Chism and Mike Morse. Visitation was at 1 p.m. and service was at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 25 at Forest Hill East Funeral Home. Burial, Forest Hill East Cemetery.
DAUBERT n William “Hammer” Franklyn, 42, Senatobia, died March 14, 2008, at home. Service was at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22 at First Assembly of God Church, Hernando, where he was a member. Leaves best friend, companion, and care taker, Mary A. Gray, Hernando; son, Richard Hal Daubert; half-sisters, Mary Elllen Hutson, Carol Eckler, Debbie Mackert, Susan Cairns, and Janet Crew; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Preceded in death by an infant son and by his mother. Memorials may be made to the American Heart and Lung Association.
DUREN n Loma C., 65, Horn Lake, born June 27, 1942, died Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at Baptist Memorial Hospital n DeSoto, Southaven. Visitation was from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, March 25 at Twin Oaks Funeral Home, Southaven. Services followed at 11 a.m. at Twin Oaks Memorial Gardens. Survived by niece, Amy Duren-Poyner (Keith), Firestone, Colo.; and nephew, Will Duren (Lisa), Memphis. Preceded in death by parents, William and Catherine Duren; and brother, William C. Duren. The family requests memorials be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
GOURLEY n Cynthia, 53, Hernando, passed away March 21, 2008, after a motor vehicle accident. Survived by children, Sunni Thompson, Drummonds, Tenn.; and Kelan Gourley, Burlison, Tenn.; mother, Rubye Anglin, Hernando; sisters, Judy Fisher, Ft. Worth, Texas; Pam King, Manhattan, Kan.; and Rowena O’Guin, Lakeland, Tenn.; brothers, Harley Anglin, Olive Branch; Ronnie Anglin, Counce, Tenn.; and Mark Anglin, Franklin, Tenn.; and twin grandchildren, Tristan and Kaitlyn Gourley. Services were at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 26 at Brantley Funeral Home, Olive Branch. Burial, Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation was from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 25 at the funeral home. Memorials may be sent to St.Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.
GREEN n Joyce C., Hernando, retired nurse, passed away March 17, 2008, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis. Visitation was from 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 19 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Cordova, with services following at 2:30 p.m. Burial, Goodrum Cemetery. Survived by husband, Gary Green, Hernando; son, Bryan Green, Hernando; and brother, S.D. Bray, Blytheville, Ark.
GRIFFIN n James E., 86, Holly Springs, passed away Saturday, March, 22, 2008, at his home. Services were at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 25 at Forest Hill South with visitation from 5-7 p.m. March 24. Burial, Forest Hill South Cemetery. Griffin retired from Spector Red Ball Trucking Co. after 34 years and was of the Church of Christ faith. Preceded in death by son, Dan M. Griffin. Leaves wife of 61 years, Lorine Griffin; daughters, Carolyn Poore (James), Collierville; and Betty Hall (Randy), Holly Springs; daughter-in-law, Judy Griffin, Olive Branch; sisters, Jessie Harris and Kathy Raper, both of Mooreville, Miss.; seven grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and children by a previous marriage, Gertude Tate and George Griffin, both of Arkansas; and Dorothy Fulper, California.
HOLMES n Ernest Sr., 61, Memphis, died March, 15, 2008. Viewing was from 10 a.m. until service time at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 22 at M.J. Edwards Funeral Home. Survived by daughters, Sharon McNiel (Tyrone), Shady Side, Md.; Noveaka Dominique Holmes, Austin, Texas; and Brandy Holmes, West Memphis, Ark.; son, Ernest Holmes Jr., Memphis; brothers, Charles Holmes, Memphis; and William H. Holmes (Carolyn), Olive Branch; sisters, Edith Fisher (Richard), Berlin, N.J.; and Ernestine Lawrence, Memphis; sister-in-law, Jackie Alexander, Los Angeles, Calif.; eight grandchildren; three aunts; four uncles; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.
HOUSTON n Marvin Lee, 70, Southaven, died March 14, 2008. Arrangements by: J.E. Herndon Funeral Home Golden Cross Chapel (901) 346-1291.
HUNT n Ella Mae, 68, Walls, died March 16, 2008. Arrangements by: Henderson Funeral Home (662) 363-2531.
JOHNSON n Kermit G. Jr., 79, Nesbit, died March 16, 2008. Arrangements by: Oliver Funeral Home (662) 283-2121.
JOHNSON n Rebecca “Daddy Rhea,” 78, Olive Branch, passed away March 18, 2008. Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 21 at Gillespie Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 22 at St. Luke Church of God in Christ, Olive Branch. Burial, Botts Chapel Cemetery, Olive Branch. Preceded in death by husband, George Johnson Sr. Survived by daughters, Mary Perkins and Rachel Owens, both of Memphis; Pearlie Perkins, Byhalia; and Betty Johnson, Olive Branch; sons, George Johnson Jr. and James Willie Johnson, both of Olive Branch; sisters, Delia Mae Kizer, Memphis; and Agnes Brown, Olive Branch; brother, R.T. Crutcher, Indianapolis, Ind.; 21 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren.
JONES n Jerry Louise, 48, Memphis, passed away Friday, March 14, 2008, at Methodist University Hospital. Visitation was Friday, March 21. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 22, both at M.J. Edwards Funeral Home. Burial, New Park Cemetery. Leaves mother, Wilma Jones, Memphis; sisters, Rosie Jones, Memphis; Betty Dockery, Nashville, Tenn.; Dorothy Jones, Memphis; Doris (Calvin) Jones, Olive Branch; Valeria (Michael) Watson, Memphis; and Cheryl Jones, Memphis; brothers, Wilbert Jones, Detroit, Mich.; Lester (Lillian) Jones, Byhalia; Isaac (Imelida), Texas; and Terrance Jones, Memphis.
KEY n Billie Gene Austin, Montgomery, Ala., formerly of Memphis, died on Sunday, March 16, 2008. Born April 15, 1929, in Batesville, Ark., to William and Emogene Austin, both deceased. Preceded by husband, William H. “Bill” Key; and son, William Douglas Key. Survived by sons, Steve Key, Hot Springs, Ark.; and Mike Key, Southaven; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Services were held at Memorial Park Funeral Home, Memphis, at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 22. The family received friends beginning at 1:30, an hour before the service. In lieu of flowers, please send a memorial to a charity of your choice.
KLEPZIG n Ivan, 69, Oxford, Miss., a retired Vice President of BancorpSouth, died Saturday, March 22, 2008, at Baptist Memorial Hospital North Mississippi in Oxford. Services were at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 25 at First Baptist Church, Abbeville. Burial, Abbeville Cemetery. Visitation was 5-8 p.m. Monday, March 24 at Waller Funeral Home. Member of First Baptist Church of Abbeville and served in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Tech Petty Officer 2nd Class. Survived by wife, Jerry Lynn Little Klepzig, Abbeville; daughter, Julie Klepzig Phillips, Olive Branch; sons, Curt Klepzig, Oxford; and Mike Klepzig, Olive Branch; and six grandchildren. The family has asked that expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church of Abbeville Building Fund, P.O. Box 80, Abbeville, MS 38601.
MATTSON n Linda, 67, Southaven, passed away at her home Tuesday, March 18, 2008. Survived by daughters, Dianne Parker, Memphis; Billie Mann, Southaven; Sandy Jones (Tom), Hernando; grandchildren, Lindsey Parker and Brandon Parker, both of Memphis; Taylor Jones and Sydney Jones, both of Hernando. Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. March 20 with graveside services at 11 a.m. March 21, both at Forest Hill Funeral Home Midtown.
MEEK n Tommy C., 84, Southaven, died Saturday, March 15, 2008, at his home. Member of Christ Episcopal Church, Holly Springs. Services were at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 18 at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues. Burial, Beech Springs Cemetery. Visitation was from 4-8 p.m. Monday, March 17 at the funeral home. Survived by wife of 44 years, Freda H. Meek, Southaven; daughter, Catherine Carter, Southaven; son, Alan Meek (Jeanne), Plantersville; granddaughters, Callie Henderson, Starkville; and Caroline Carter, Southaven; grandsons, Tyson Meek, Pontotoc; and Aaron Meek, Plantersville; sister, Frances Hill (Robert), Memphis; brothers, Roy C. Meek (Grace), Baldwyn; and Dennis M. Meek (Betty), Baldwyn; sister-in-law, Sarah Meek, Galloway, Tenn.; and extended family including numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents; brothers, Carl Fred Meek, Charles Esque Meek and Melvin C. Meek (Marsha); sister, Mable Morgan (Irvin).
RIEM n William A. Jr., 81, Hernando, died March 18, 2008, at his home. WWII Navy veteran and member of New Prospect Baptist Church, Olive Branch. Retired after 42 years from CSX railroad. Survived by wife of 55 years, Mary Loyce Riem; daughters, Susan Pace and Sharon Penna; sons, David Riem and Barry Riem; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Visitation was from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 20 at High Point Funeral Chapel and services were at 11 a.m. Friday, March 21 at High Point Funeral Chapel. Interment was private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the New Prospect Baptist Building Fund in Olive Branch or Paragould Children’s Home in Paragould, Ark.
SMITH n Jesse Wayne, 72, Southaven, died March 16, 2008. Arrangements by: Holly Springs Funeral Home (662) 252-1161.
SMITH n Wayne S., 52, Southaven, plastics plant foreman, died Sunday, March 16, 2008, at his home. Born April 10, 1955, in Pasadena, Calif. Visitation was from 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, March 19 at Twin Oaks Funeral Home, Southaven. Survived by wife of 25 years, Renee Smith, Southaven; sons, Daniel Eric Soyland, Southaven; and Robert Willis Soyland, California; parents, William and Lorene Smith, New Mexico; and grandchildren, Dylan Daniel Soyland, Brittnee Paige Soyland, and Dominick Trygbe Soyland. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society.
SOJOURNER n Jimmie P. Boyette, 90, Memphis, died March 21, 2008, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis. Member of Merton Street Church of Christ for over 60 years. Widow of Hugh Sojourner. Survived by sons, David Sojourner (Sheila), Germantown; and Dale Sojourner (Robin), Southaven; brother, Robert D. Boyette, Pocahontas, Tenn.; and two granddaughters. Visitation was from 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 24 at Forest Hill Funeral Home Midtown. Services were at 2 p.m. March 25 at Forest Hill Midtown. Burial, The Garden of the Apostles.
TAYLOR n Wilbur Ray, 67, Independence, passed away in Senatobia on Wednesday, March 19. Retired welder from Dover Elevators and veteran of the U.S. Army. Survived by wife, Kay Taylor, Strayhorn, Miss.; sons, Danny Taylor and Tracy Taylor, both of Independence; sisters, Verna Lee Todd, Hernando; brothers, Russell Taylor, Wayne Taylor, Coldwater; Floyd Taylor, Howard Taylor, both of Hernando; and Kenneth Taylor, Pope, Miss.; and five grandchildren. Preceded in death by parents, Cecil and Marguerite Taylor, Coldwater; brother, Charles Taylor; and sisters, Kay Nesbitt and Betty Miller. Visitation was held at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, March 21. Services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 22 in the Chapel of Pate-Jones Funeral Home Burial, Mt. Zion Cemetery, Independence.
WELCH n Martha Jane, 80, Memphis, passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at Saint Francis Hospital. Services were at 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 21 at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Interment, Memorial Park Funeral Home. Visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. March 20. She was a homemaker, member of Christ United Methodist Church, played tennis, and enjoyed cooking and the outdoors. Leaves husband, John Welch; son, Carl Welch, Hernando; daughters, Michelle Barton, Statesboro, Ga.; and Patsy Welch, Grays Lake, Ill.; sisters, Bonnie Clark, Baton Rouge, La.; and Violet Willis, Nashville, Tenn.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
WITUCKI n Richard, 70, Olive Branch, passed away March 21, 2008, at his home. Retired pilot with Delta Airlines, was a decorated U. S. Marine fighter pilot in Vietnam. Preceded in death by wife, JoAnn Witucki. Survived by daughter, Victoria Stirek, Olive Branch; sons, Richard T. Witucki, Peachtree City, Ga.; Gary Witucki, Gallatin, Tenn.; and Christopher Witucki, Peachtree City; sisters, Susan Kaminski, Kenosha, Wis.; and Pat Allen, Muskegon, Mich.; and 10 grandchildren. Visitation was from 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Olive Branch with the service 10 a.m. March 26 at the church. Burial, Memorial Park Southwoods Cemetery. The family requests that memorials be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
