Walter Chalmers

New Albany

Walter Chalmers, 70, died Monday, March 16, 2009, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County. He was born Oct. 18, 1938, in Pontotoc to Isaiah Chalmers and Lillie Pearl Sloan Chalmers. He worked for Robbins Oil Company and later for Carr Oil Company. He was a very loving and giving person to anyone who needed help.

Services were Friday, March 20 at Oak Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. David High officiating. Burial was in Cherry Creek M.B. Church Cemetery. Serenity Funeral Home of New Albany was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include three children, Gretta Chalmers Carter, Rickey (Ella) Cook and James Roberson, all of New Albany; one sister, Jia (Simon) Taylor of Holly Springs; 10 grandchildren, Howard Hunt, Marcus Jones, Rico Knox, Detedge Knox, Keith Knox, Whitney Carter, Halle Carter, Isaiah Chalmers, Natasha Roberson and Xavier Roberson; a special niece, Brenda Jones of Holly Springs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two daughters, Maurise Chalmers and Elecusia Hunt; and a brother, James Chalmers.

Ann Pearl Coppinger

Pontotoc

Ann Pearl Reece Coppinger, 75, of Pontotoc, Miss. passed away peacefully on March 11, 2009 at Pontotoc Hospital. Born in Pontotoc, “Pearl” worked for Oxford Healthcare as a home health aide and was a member of St. Christopher Catholic Church.

She was predeceased by her husband, George Coppinger; four sisters, Clara, Georgia, Nancy, and Thelma; five brothers, Walter, Russell, Aubrey, James and John.

She is survived by one daughter, Catherine Critelli of N.J.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas (Kathy) Critelli of N.Y. and Stephen (Linda) Critelli of N.J.; four grandchildren, Jessica, Megan, Sean and Stephen Jr.; one brother, Jimmy Reece of Memphis, Tenn., and many friends and relatives.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. with a service at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 28 at Baldwin-Nowell Funeral Home Chapel in Pontotoc with Father Bob officiating. Baldwin-Nowell Funeral Directors of Pontotoc is in charge of the arrangements. Burial will follow at Pontotoc Memorial Gardens.

Orice Hudson

Hurricane

Orice Russell Hudson, 92, died Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at Graceland Nursing Home in Pontotoc. She was a charter member of the Union Church of the Nazarene. She worked in food service at North Pontotoc Attendance Center for 14 years.

Services were Saturday, March 21, at the Old Union Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Bill Thompson and the Rev. Joe Morse officiating. Burial was in Union Cemetery. Tutor Memorial Funeral Home of Pontotoc was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include four sons, John Lyle Hudson (Jenny) of Hurricane, Thomas Jerry Hudson of Tupelo, Tim L. Hudson (Linda) of Sherman and David Hudson (Barbara) of Pontotoc; her grandchildren, Angela Christy, Kevin Hudson, Zack Hudson, Jennie Hudson Oglesby, Shanna Hudson Wise, Shea Hudson Lindsey, Jake Hudson, David Hudson II and Leslie Hudson Hood; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Hudson; a daughter, Mary Hudson Graham; four brothers, Autry, Audley, John Olon and Harley Gay Russell; and three sisters, Velma Russell, Opal Russell Sneed and Otis Russell Walker.

Pallbearers were Jake Hudson, David Hudson II, Zack Hudson, Kevin Hudson, Derek Oglesby and Josh Wise.

Ethylene Chrestman

Houlka

Demmie Ethylene Chrestman, 88, died Tuesday, March 17, 2009, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. She was born Oct. 30, 1920, in Calhoun County. She was a homemaker and a member of Victory Baptist Church.

Services were Friday, March 20, at Parker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Bruce with Bro. Danny Kelly officiating. Burial was in Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Bruce.

Survivors include two sons, Harold Chrestman of Pontotoc and Benny Joe Chrestman of Houlka; one daughter, Rebecca Ann Washington of Houlka; five grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Ramond Washington, Casey Washington, Craig Chrestman, Barrett Walls, Leroy Chrestman and Johnny Brummett.

Vertie Gillespie

Pontotoc

Vertie Mae Gillespie, 98, died Tuesday, March 17, 2009, at Sunshine Health Care in Pontotoc. She was a member of Cooke Baptist Church and a homemaker.

Services were Thursday, March 19, at Browning Funeral Home Chapel in Pontotoc with the Rev. Junior Ritchie officiating. Burial followed in Cooke Memorial Cemetery.

Survivors include one daughter, Lujean Wages Herring of Pontotoc; one granddaughter, Brenda Hadaway (Dale) of Pontotoc; one grandson, Terry Wages (Lora) of Sherman; and three great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Ritchie and Molly Tutor Ritchie, and her husband, Sherman Gillespie.

Pallbearers were Jerry Gillespie, Royce Roberts, Chris Ritchie, Billy Ferguson, Charles Cowsert and Jim Cowsert.

Rea Tutor

Randolph

Addison Rea Tutor, 70, died Thursday, March 19, 2009, at the Pontotoc Hospital. He was a member of Carey Springs Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and songleader. He was a building contractor. He touched many lives with his talent for writing songs and poems. He was a devoted husband and daddy.

Services were Saturday, March 21, at Carey Springs Baptist Church at Randolph with Bro. Jr. Ritchie and Bro. Pete Gregory officiating. Burial was in Carey Springs Cemetery. Tutor Memorial Funeral Home of Pontotoc was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Glenda Tutor, whom he married April 8, 1965; two sons, Greg (Valerie) Tutor and Lawayne (Sharla) Tutor, all of Randolph; one daughter, Beverly (Clyde) Roye of Pontotoc; three grandchildren, Cristin Tutor of Randolph, and Josh Perkins and Jessica Perkins of Pontotoc; one brother, Buster Tutor Jr. (Deborah) of Pontotoc; his stepfather-in-law, Flake Fooshee of Randolph; a half brother-in-law, Roger (Dara) Fooshee of Randolph; two half sisters-in-law, Jennifer Scarborough of Randolph and Stephanie (Glen) Inman of Pontotoc; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Buster and Ola Rea Tutor; his grandparents, Mac V. and Eric Tutor, and Melvin and Maudie Rea; and his mother-in-law, Catherine Tutor Fooshee.

Pallbearers were Rickey Miller, Ronnie Jenkins, Mark Gregory, Nathan Gregory, Tim Quarles, William Holcomb, F.G. Tutor and Q.P. Phillips.

Honorary pallbearers were Walton Houpt, Malton Houpt, David Poyner, Charles Cowsert, Paul Heath and Joey Oswalt.

Memorials may be made to Carey Springs Baptist Church.

Clyde Wilson

Pontotoc

Clyde Wilson, 90, died Saturday, March 21, 2009, at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Booneville after a brief illness. He was retired from Key Stone Medal Molding and a member of Zion Baptist Church. He enjoyed gardening and was an avid Ole Miss and Atlanta Braves Fan.

Services were Monday, March 23, at the Baldwin, Nowell & Clark Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Calvin Warren officiating. Burial was in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Baldwin, Nowell & Clark Funeral Directors of Pontotoc was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include two sons, Bobby Wilson (Melba) of Tupelo and Sam Wilson (Lisa) of Amory; two sisters, Christine McNutt (G.W.) of Jackson, Tenn. and Louise Brown of Memphis, Tenn.; two brothers, Romey Wilson (Mabel) and James Wilson, both of Pontotoc; four grandchildren, Britt Wilson, Crystal Wilson, Callie Wilson and LeAnn Pannell; three great-grandchildren, Kaleb Pannell, Anna Claire Pannell and Loughren Wilson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Christine Wilson; his parents, Archie and Liddie Hester Wilson; one brother, David Wilson; and four sisters, Obine Reeves, Elsie McGregor, Evoile Pounds and Inez Warren.

Ruby Canerdy

Etta

Ruby Lee Canerdy, 83, died Sunday, March 22, 2009, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. A lifelong resident of Etta, she was born Sept. 2, 1925, in Union County to Harvey A. and Ellie Roby Hardin. She was a member of Faith Assembly of God in Myrtle and a retired employee of Mohasco.

Services were Tuesday, March 24, at Mortimer Funeral Home in Pontotoc with Bro. Lamar Grisham officiating. Burial was in Christian's Rest Cemetery.

Survivors include two daughters, Virginia Beardsley and Dolly Whiteside, both of Etta; one son, John Canerdy of Nettleton; one sister, Mary Ruth Grisham of Pontotoc; one brother, W.T. Hardin of New Albany; seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Canerdy; a son, Jimmie Hardin; and two sisters, Lola Coleman and Earlene Floyd.

Pallbearers were Greg Canerdy, Earnie Gates, Cody Carr, Randy Carr, Richard Beardsley and Jimmy Hardin Jr.

Jennifer Rogers

Blue Springs

Jennifer Hope Rogers, 30, died Saturday, March 21, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. Born April 17, 1978, in Tupelo to Joe and Sandra Kay Speck Rogers, She was a member of Ellistown Baptist Church.

Services were Monday, March 23, at Ellistown Baptist Church with Bro. Mike Powell officiating. Burial was in Ellistown Cemetery. United Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her son, Austin Lee Horton of Blue Springs; her mother, Sandra Kay Rogers of Blue Springs; her grandmother, Opal Speck of Blue Springs; a brother, Ken Rogers (Julie) of Andover, Kan.; and nieces, Kathryn Rogers, Grace Rogers and Claire Rogers.

She was preceded in death by her father, Joe Rodgers; and grandparents, J.D. Speck and Lacey and Marie Rogers.

Pallbearers were Timothy Lee Rogers, Tim Hatcher, Neil Roberts, J.D. Roberts, Sid Priest and Larry Coker.

For online condolences and guest registry, visit www.unitedfuneralservice.com

Lawyer Hobson

Houlka

Lawyer Adam Hobson, 93, died Thursday, March 12, 2009, in Chickasaw County. He was born to Lee and Emma Hobson in Houlka. He was a member of West County Line CME Church, where he was a steward and Sunday School superintendent.

Services were Saturday, March 21, at Thompson Chapel CME Church in Houlka. The Rev. Judy Stovall-Leggett officiated, and the Rev. Luther Minor delivered the eulogy. Burial was in Pontotoc City Cemetery. Kenneth I. Roberson Funeral Home of Pontotoc was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include two stepsons, John Albert (Annie) Ware and Haywood Ware, both of Pontotoc; two brothers, Elige "Tee" (Katie) Hobson of Houlka and Wilbert Hobson of Kansas City, Kan.; two sisters-in-law, Geneva Hobson of Houlka and Gertrude Hobson of Philadelphia, Pa.; eight stepgrandchildren; 15 stepgreat-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maudie Hobson, and his parents.

Annie Griffin

Pontotoc

Annie Bell Griffin, 76, died Friday, March 20, 2009, at her residence. She was a native of Van Vleet and the daughter of Hudell Hobson Sr. and Flora Hobson. She was a member of Usher Valley UM Church. She loved praising the Lord, fishing, hook cheese and ragged bologna.

Services were Monday, March 23, at Usher Valley UM Church with Rev. Maurice McIntosh officiating. Burial was in East County Line Cemetery in Houlka. Kenneth I. Roberson Funeral Home of Pontotoc was in charge of the arrangements.

She is survived by two sisters, Flozel (Robert) Woodard and Zelda Wilson of Pontotoc; and two brothers, Eddie Hobson and Freddie Hobson of Pontotoc.

Bishop Pearl Tate

Pontotoc

Bishop Pearl Olivia Tate, 97, died Thursday, March 19, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. She was born in Union County to Ed Weatherall and Slettie Weatherall. She was a member of the Church of the Living God. She was called into the ministry in 1946 and ordained as a bishop in 1998. She served as area bishop of three churches in Mississippi: Amory, Houston and Brown Chapel. She was the first appointed Church Mother of Toccopola Church of the Living God and a faithful member of that church until death. She was the widow of Murry Tate.

Services were Sunday, March 22, at the Toccopola Church of the Living God. Bishop Calvin Worthem officiated. Burial was in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Kenneth I. Roberson Funeral Home of Pontotoc was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her niece and caregiver, Ethel "Sis" Keys (Rad) of Pontotoc; a great nephew, Carl (Janice) Keys, and a great-niece, Teresa Keys, all of Pontotoc; and a godgrandson, Cameron Flemons of Toccopola.

Clyde L. Taylor

Pontotoc

Clyde L. Taylor, 79, died Monday, March 23, 2009, at the Tupelo Nursing and Rehab Center. He was a retired employee of Deville Furniture and a member of the Church of Christ in Pontotoc. He enjoyed gospel music, fishing and going to church.

Services were Tuesday, March 24, at Tutor Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Pontotoc with Bro. Robert Kingsley officiating. Burial was in Jernigan Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Geraldine Taylor of Pontotoc; two sisters, Nora Lockley and Minnie E. Dillard, both of Pontotoc; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis Taylor and Mary Lee Taylor; two brothers, W.D. Taylor and Walter Taylor; a sister, Mary Ruby Taylor; and his first wife, Mattie B. Taylor.

Family members served as pallbearers.