Wayne Sumner

Randolph

Vestel Wayne Sumner, 75, died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010, at his home in Randolph after a long illness. He was a devoted Christian and attended Antioch Freewill Baptist Church. He was an ironworker for Local 157 for 58 years. A loving husband, he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Services were Saturday, Feb. 20, at Tutor Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Junior Ritchie officiating. Burial was in Carey Springs Cemetery in Randolph.

Survivors include his wife, June Sumner; one son, Jerry Sumner; one daughter, Cynthia Strohm; two stepdaughters, Regina Austin and Julie Tutor; one brother, James Sumner; two sisters, Joyce Gilliaham and Sue Sheffstall; and nine grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Diane Sumner.

Pallbearers were J.R. Hollis, John Paul Tutor, Scott Tutor, Mark Daniels, Ronnie Allen and Mike Daniels.

Sue Coats

Randolph

Alma Sue Coats, 73, died Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010, in Pontotoc. She was a member of the Judah Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. She was a beloved wife and mother.

Services were Thursday, Feb. 18, at Judah Church of the Lord Jesus with the Rev. Danny Washington officiating. Burial was in the Judah Cemetery. Tutor Memorial Funeral Home of Pontotoc was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Malcolm Coats of Randolph; four sons, Donnie Coats of Robbs, Dewayne Coats of Ecru, Kelvin Hamilton of Caledonia and Brad Coats of Florida; six daughters, Cathy Betts of Randolph, Cindy Gryder of Randolph, Rebecca Mooneyham of Randolph, Orethia Ward of Bethlehem, Tammy Dugan of Springville and Pam Weeden of Ingomar; four brothers, Kenneth Stone, Charles Stone, David Stone and Billy Stones; five sisters, Francis Turner, Virginia Murphree, Barbara Bardwell, Vicki Darnell and Reda McFarlane; 35 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Therria Stone; three sisters, Jean Starks, Mildred Hamilton and Brenda Barnett; two sons, James Coats and Gary Coats; one grandson, Timmy Coats; and two great-grandchildren, Caitlin and Chloe Criddle.

Pallbearers were Don Coats, Brandon Coats, Daniel Coats, Mikey Watson, Paul Watson, Andrew Watson, Matthew Mooneyham, Gary Mooneyham, Clayton Mooneyham and Quay Criddle.

Willie Buggs

Houlka

Willie A. Buggs died Feb. 15, 2010, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo.

Services were held Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, at Trinity Outreach Church of God in Christ with the Superintendent Huggins officiating. Burial was in East Chickasaw Cemetery. Westbrooks Funeral Home in Aberdeen is in charge of arrangements.

Erma L. Pope

Tupelo

Erma Lee Pope, 101, died Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010, at the North Mississippi Medical Center after a brief illness. A Sherman native, she was born Feb. 12, 1909, to Samuel Presley and Willie McCarty Caldwell. She was an active member of Sherman Baptist Church for over 88 years.

Connie Taylor

Bridge City, Texas

Connie Ann Nichols Taylor, 48, formerly of Houston, died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010, at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas. She was a member of West Heights Baptist Church in Pontotoc.

Services were Saturday, Feb. 20, at Parkway Baptist Church in Houston with Bro. Keith Benefield, Bro. David Hamilton and Bro. Randy Rinehart officiating. Burial was in Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorial Funeral Home of Houston was in charge of arrangements.

Charles Isabell

Horn Lake

Charles Edward Isabell, 60, died Friday, Feb. 11, 2010, in Tunica County. He was formerly of Milwaukee. He worked as a service tech with Ameritech until his retirement in 2003.

Services were Sunday, Feb. 21, at Second Baptist Church in Houlka. Kenneth I. Roberson Funeral Home of Pontotoc was in charge of the arrangements.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda Isabell of Horn Lake; his mother, Carrie Isabell of Pontotoc; three daughters, Tiffany Leaphart of Hampton, Ga., Cortney Isabell of McDougah, Ga., and BreAnne Horton of Milwaukee; one son, Victor Dunlap of Milwaukee; three sisters, Dorothy Tatum and Colette McClinton of Helena, Ark., and Brenda Turner of Houlka; two brothers, Robert Isabell of Pearl and R.C. Isabell of Norcross, Ga.; 10 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Jay Simmons

Pontotoc

Jessie “Jay” Simmons, 65, died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. He was born Aug. 8, 1944, in Tallahatchie County to Silas and Ruby Simmons. He was a heavy equipment operator, loyal to his customers and friends. He love spending time with his family. A little man with a big heart, he was loved and will be missed by all who knew him.

Services were Friday, Feb. 19, at Tutor Memorial Funeral Home in Pontotoc with Bro. Laron Self and Bro. Tim Williams officiating. Graveside services were at Union Cemetery at Tillatoba.

Survivors include his wife of 17 years, Reggie Free Simmons; his children, Debbie Williams (Thomas Sappington), Diane Carroll (Bobbie), Keith and Dawn Williams, Wally and Donna Witt, Angel Williams and Billy Joe Staten; grandchildren, Jessica Woolfolk, Jason, Kelly, Jacob and Kari Williams, Chasity Carroll, Lydia Witt, Chance Witt, Lanell Roberson, Daniel and Regina Scott; five great-grandchildren; his mother-in-law, Geneva Free of Houston; 10 brothers and sisters, Ollie Dogan, Ellen Mitchell, Hazel Harris, Linda Jones, Betty Osborne, Patricia Lindley, Gail Williams, and James, Robert and Wayne Simmons.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Lloyd Simmons; and his first wife, Linda Dean Simmons.

Pallbearers were Wally Witt, Chance Witt, Jason Williams, Jacob Williams, Daniel Scott and Cody Woolfolk.

Joe Steele was an honorary pallbearer.

Pauline Welch

Pontotoc

Leeta “Pauline” Welch, 95, died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. She was a member of the Oak Hill Baptist Church and retired from Joyner Fields in Sherman. She enjoyed spending time with her family, caring for her granddaughter and working with her flowers.

Services were Saturday, Feb. 20, at Browning Funeral Home Chapel in Pontotoc with Rev. Rick Parks officiating. Burial followed in the Oak Hill Cemetery.

Survivors include her daughter, Christy Chapman (Andy) of Endville; a sister, Audrey Reeder (Noel) of Pontotoc; one granddaughter, Nicole Landrum; a great-granddaughter, Kendall Landrum of Endville; two stepgrandchildren, Kaye Stults (Kevin) of Florida and Kim Harbor of Palmetto; four stepgreat-grandchildren, two stepgreat-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by parents, F.E. Pitts Sr. and Fannie McCord Pitts; her husband, James Clyde Welch; a sister, Lola Wages; and two brothers, F.E. Pitts Jr. and Grover Hugh Pitts.

Pallbearers were Ronnie Pitts, Earnest Wilder, Jerry Austin, Martin Ball, Mickey Baker and Michael Harkness.

Condolences may be offered at www.Browningpontotoc.com.

Tony Hollingsworth

Villa Ridge, Ill.

Tony S. Hollingsworth, 63, formerly of Pontotoc, died Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, at the Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. He was born Sept. 13, 1946, in Hattiesburg to John W. and Birdie J. Obannon Hollingsworth.

Services were Wednesday, Feb. 17, at Browning Funeral Home Chapel in Pontotoc with the Rev. Joey McKinnis officiating. Burial followed in the Jernigan Cemetery. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his sisters, Louise Garrett of New Albany and Carolyn Jenkins of Pontotoc; his brother, Shannon Hollingsworth of Villa Ridge, Ill.; a half brother, Harold Williams of Guy, Ark.; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Pallbearers were Randy Vernon, Logan Raines, Andy Tidwell, Jimmy Garrett, Brandon Garrett and Austin Garrett.

Online condolences can be left at Browningpontotoc.com.

Bob Culpepper

Okolona

Robert Cleo “Bob” Culpepper, 81, died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010, at Gilmore Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. He was born in Pontotoc County on April 24, 1928, to James David Culpepper II and Beulah Bell Aston Culpepper. He was a member of Pierce Chapel Freewill Baptist Church.

Services were Saturday, Feb. 20, at First Methodist Church in Okolona with Bro. Tommy Whaley officiating. Burial was in New Chapel Cemetery with Masonic Rites. Holland Funeral Directors-Okolona was in charge of arrangements.

Emma O’Neal

Tupelo

Emma Jean Ezell O’Neal, 57, died Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. She was a member of Living Word Praise Sanctuary. She attended Belden High School.

Services were Friday, Feb. 19, at Red Hill M.B. Church in Sherman with Pastor Tony Hereford officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. N.L. Jones and Son Funeral Directors was in charge of the arrangements.

Sue Anglin

Tupelo

Rubye Sue Anglin, 92, died Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010, at The North Mississippi Medical Center after a brief illness. She graduated from Sherman High School. She was a member of First United Methodist Church.

Services were Friday, Feb. 19, at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with Rev. Andy Ray and Rev. Jimmy Criddle officiating. Burial was in Lee Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Helping Hands, P.O. Box 854, Tupelo, MS 38802.

Robbie Love Williams

Belden

Roberta Brannin Love Williams, 55, went home to be with the Lord at The Sanctuary Hospice House on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010. Robbie was born in Tupelo on Sept. 5, 1954, to Dr. Ross Brown and Evelyn King Love. She was a graduate of Tupelo High School, attended Mississippi State University for Women and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a BSN. She grew up in Calvary Baptist Church.

Memorial services were Thursday, Feb. 18, at The Orchard. The Rev. Brian Collier officiated. There will be private graveside services at a later time. Holland Funeral Directors, Tupelo Chapel, was in charge of arrangements.

She is survived by her husband, Edwin Dale Williams; her daughter, Amy Allison Williams Gray and her husband, Brent; her son, Edwin Dale Williams Jr.; her grandchildren, Ava Lyn Gray and Caleb Brannin McMurry, all of Tupelo; and her sister, Kathy Love Carter and her husband, Bobby, of New Albany; her nieces, Kathryn Douglas of Oklahoma City, Okla. and Mandy Ladner of New Albany; her nephews, Ross Gaston of Mobile and Dr. Rob Carter of Aberdeen.

Robbie was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Lyn Love Gaston; and her nephew, Mitch Carter.

Honorary pallbearers were Brent Gray, Ross Gaston, Brown Douglas, Benton Douglas, Charlie Douglas, Bobby Carter, Dr. Rob Carter and Damon Ladner.

Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803.

Heather Ramirez

Cairo

Heather Memory Opal Vargas Ramirez, 7 months, died Friday, Feb. 19, 2010, at her home. She loved to try and be like her big sister, getting into everything, laughing and playing. She loved it when her dad would sing to her. She also loved going to church and her family.

Services were Tuesday, Feb. 23, at Tutor Memorial Funeral Home in Pontotoc with Bro. Steve Denton officiating. Burial was in Cairo Cemetery.

Survivors include her mother, April Bunting; her father, Christopher Codi Vargas Ramirez; her big sister, Theora Patricia Faith Rutledge; her grandpa, James Darrell Hill; her nana, Lisdann Hill; her grandpas, Ezequiel Ramirez and Jose Tirado; her mamaw, Brenda Gail Tirado; her great-grandmas, Linda C. Haulcomb and Barbara Gail Hall; her great-great-grandmother, Mary V. Haygood, Ark.; her uncles, Frederick D. Bunting, Darrell L. Hill, Corey D. Hill and Eilla R. Parker; her aunts, Melissa G. McKibben, Brandi G. Ramirez, Nicole G. Ramires and Mia V. Ramirez; others in Florida; her grandparents, Freddy Bunting and Tammy Bunting; her uncles, Cody Bunting and Garrett Bunting; Jessica Bunting; and Samantha Bunting.

She was preceded in death by her aunt, Heather Bunting; great-grandma, Katie Theora Haulcomb; and Kenneth Haulcomb; and great-great-grandfather, Ford Haygood.

Pallbearers were Corey D. Hill, Darrell Hill and Ezequiel Ramirez.

Bro. Thomas Burchfield

New Albany

Bro. Thomas Owen (Tom) Burchfield Sr. went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 16, 2010, at Methodist University Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, following a brief illness. He was born July 26, 1934, in Hurricane, Mississippi, to Jack and Opal Burchfield. Bro. Tom was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who cherished times spent with his wife and family most of all. He loved studying the word of God, attending Bible conferences, and spending time with his preacher friends. He was a successful businessman, working for forty years as a drug wholesale salesman, and served as pastor of Rocky Branch Baptist Church in Bruce, Mississippi, for ten years. During his later life, Bro. Tom served as a supply minister throughout countless churches in the Mid-South.

Services were Friday, Feb. 19, at Bethel Baptist Church, Pinedale with Bro. Harvey Reeves, Bro. David Barnett, and Bro. Ronnie Galloway officiating. Burial was in Bethel Cemetery.

He is survived by the love of his life for 56 years, Sue, a son, Thomas Owen Burchfield Jr. of Cookeville, Tennessee, three daughters, Leisa Ford (Terry) of Pinedale, Carol Cornelius of New Albany, Susan Burchfield of New Albany; two sisters, Jacklyn Pence of Pontotoc, Helen Richardson (Boyce) of Ecru; eleven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren.

The family requests that memorials be made to Wall of Grace Ministries, C/O Grace Baptist Church, 747 W. Magnolia, McKenzie, Tennessee, 38201, to aid ministers in need or to the American Cancer Society.

Bettye Bates

Sherman

Bettye Mabry Bates, 74, died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, at her home in Sherman after an extended illness. She was born April 20, 1935, in Baldwyn. She grew up in Belden, where she graduated valedictorian of the Class of 1953, and was a member of the Grand Slam Team of 1953. She married Clilon L. Bates on Feb. 12, 1955, and moved to Sherman. She worked in the clothing and furniture industry. She was a member of the Sherman Baptist Church. She enjoyed watching sports with her grandson, Zach.

Services were Tuesday, Feb. 23, at Waters Funeral Home with Bro. Scott Cockrell officiating. Burial was in the Sherman Cemetery. Waters Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include two daughters, Jacque Buzzard (Chris) of Gardiner, Maine, and Christie Gory (John) of Sherman; one son, David Bates of Tennessee; a special grandson, Zach Gory of Sherman; one sister, Helen Cook (Murray) of Baldwyn; and one brother, Michael Carrithers of Tupelo.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clilon Bates; and her parents, Pete and Mary Lou Carrithers.

Pallbearers were Todd Bates, Terry Bates, Toby Bates, Phil Bates, Harold Cleveland, Mike Lester, Greg Hughes, Terry Jolly and Reggie Jolly.

Mary J. Solomon

Tupelo

Mary J. Solomon, 72, died Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, at Community Hospice at Darlington Oaks after an extended illness.

There was no public service. W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors assisted the family with arrangements.

Survivors include her daughter, Cheryl McKiernan of Belden; her son, Michael A. Solomon (Valerie) of Tupelo; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Community Hospice at Darlington Oaks, P.O. Box 1028, Verona MS 38879.

Larry M. Franks

Tupelo

Larry Mooney Franks, 53, died Friday, Feb. 19, 2010, at the North Mississippi Medical Center after suffering a stroke on Feb. 5. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo. He enjoyed cattle ranching in Pontotoc County west of Chesterville.

Services were Sunday, Feb. 21, at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with Dr. David Eldridge officiating. The Rev. Kevin Wood delivered the eulogy. Burial was in Yellow Leaf Cemetery in Lafayette County near Oxford.

Robert Braziel

Abbeville

Robert Lee Braziel, 45, died Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, at his residence in Abbeville. He was a member of Smith Chapel CME Church and a mechanic. He loved to fish, cook and work on cars.

Services were Saturday, Feb. 20, at Smith Chapel CME Church. The Rev. Michael Paul James officiated. Burial was in Smith Chapel Cemetery. Kenneth I. Roberson Funeral Home of Pontotoc was in charge.

He is survived by his mother, Jessie Doris Braziel of Abbeville; one sister, Loretta (William) Sims of Oxford; three brothers, Jerome (Maxcine) Woods of Abbeville, Tommy (Rhonda) Braziel of Las Vegas, Nev., and Joe (Christine) Braziel of Minneapolis, Minn.

He was preceded in death by his father, Willie H. Braziel.

Clara Vance

Houston

Clara Loudene Criddle Vance, 77, died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo She was a member of Parkway Baptist Church in Houston.

Services were Monday, Feb. 22, at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Randy Rinehart officiating. Burial was in Chickasaw Memorial Gardens. Memorial Funeral Home of Houston was in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Jimmy Brown Vance of Houston; one son, David Clifton Vance (Cami); one grandson; two granddaughters; two sisters, Shirley Eastman of Shannon and Joy Johnson of Pontotoc.