Gene Garner

Houlka

Gene H. "Peewee" Garner, 72, died Monday, March 1, 2010, in Bruce. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a deacon at Hopewell Baptist Church in Randolph for 27 years.

Services were Thursday, March 4, at Tutor Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Pontotoc with Bro. Donald Austin officiating. Burial was in Poplar Springs Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Frances M. Garner; his children, Tammy (Eddie) Williams of Houlka, Vicki (David) Callahan of Woodland and Stacy (John) Vance of Houlka; a sister-in-law, Jo Ann Garner; five grandchildren.

Nellie Ferguson

Houston

Nellie Ruth Holley Ferguson, 83, died Friday, March 5, 2010, at Trace Regional Hospital in Houston. She was born Feb. 22, 1927, in Pontotoc County to Loss Holley and Charlotte Austin Holley. She was a retired seamstress for the furniture industry. She was a member of North Jackson Street Church of Christ in Houston.

Services were Sunday, March 7, at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Houston with Bro. Don Brady and Bro. Bob Stantz officiating. Burial was in the Buckhorn Cemetery in Pontotoc County.

Survivors include one son, Mike Ferguson of Houston; one daughter, Gail Allen (Tweety) of Houston; one sister, Luna Corder of Pontotoc; two grandsons, Josh Allen (Lauren) of Brandon and Bradley Allen (Ashley) of Houston; and one great-granddaughter, Annie Claire Allen of Houston.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dennis Wayne Ferguson; and three brothers and five sisters.

Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo.

Janie Malone

Booneville

Janie Inez Malone, 78, died Saturday, March 6, 2010, at her home. She was a Baptist.

Services were Tuesday, March 9, at the McMillan Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Eugene Harrison officiating. Burial was in the Liberty Memorial Gardens.

She is survived by two daughters, Laquita Strange and Shelia (Steve) McClellan, both of Booneville; one son, Tommy Strange of Booneville; three sisters, Betty Sue Mills of Orlando, Fla., Joyce Everette of Memphis and Carolyn Roberson of Jonesboro, Ark.; three brothers, Dan (Evelyn) Roberson of Jonesboro, Ark., Charles Larry Roberson of Pontotoc and Billy Roberson of Booneville; six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren.

C.B. Hutcheson

Belden

C.B. Hutcheson, 77, died Monday, March 1, 2010, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. He was born Jan. 26, 1933, to Cass B. and Elsie Hutcheson. He was a member of the Birmingham Ridge Baptist Church. He was a former salesman and owner of Tops Quality Foods and Marie's Italian Beef. He also was a pest control tech. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He was an avid car trader and a friend to all.

Services were Thursday, March 4, at Waters Funeral Home in Baldwyn with Bro. Bobby Holland officiating. Burial was in the Endville Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Esther Hutcheson of Belden; one daughter, Barbara Howell (Roger) of Belden; stepchildren, Steve Duncan (Linda) of Brewer, Tim Duncan (Melinda) of the Palestine community; one sister Lynn Wackenhuth of Iowa; one brother, Escue Hutcheson of Saltillo; his grandchildren, John McCullough, Cassie Jones (Jessie) and Katie Howell; his stepgrandchildren, Toby Duncan, Ginger Dabbs, Lindsey Duncan, Chelsia Duncan and T.J. Duncan; four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley Hutcheson; his parents; and brothers and sisters, Elbert Hutcheson, Humphrey Hutcheson, Earl Hutcheson, Christine McBrayer, Doris Jean White, Rhoda Hutcheson and Alma Moore.

Pallbearers were Jimmy Chapman, Rickey Parks, Nick McClement, Benard Wallis and Ron Adkins.

Olen White was an honorary pallbearer.

Kathleen Snipes

Ripley

Kathleen Roberts Snipes, 81, died Friday, March 5, 2010, at the Rest Haven Nursing Home in Ripley. She was a member of the Center Baptist Church.

Services were Monday, March 8, at United Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Billy Foley officiating. Burial was in the Center Cemetery. United Funeral Service in New Albany was in charge of arrangements.

She is survived by her mother, Lillian Reid Bell of Ripley; a daughter, Sandra Steele (Brooks) of Belden; a son, David Snipes (Linda) of Cotton Plant; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Leroy McGillivray

Pontotoc

Leroy McGillivray, 75, died Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. He was a Baptist, a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner.

Services were Friday, March 5, at Tutor Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Pontotoc. The Rev. James McMillen and members of Pontotoc Masonic Lodge 81 officiated. Burial was in Baldwin Memorial Gardens.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Shelba McGillivray; one son, Rod McGillivray; one grandson, Sgt. Russ McGillivray; one granddaughter, Nikki Fair; four great-grandchildren, Cameron and Errin McGillivray, and Bobby and Georgia Fair; one brother, Joe McGillivray; two sisters, Donna McGillivray and Linda Mayberry; his nieces and nephews; a half brother, Jon McGillivray; and a special friend, Jaime Tucker.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eschol and Dorothy McGillivray; a brother, Alvin McGillivray; and a sister, Jewel McMillen.

Pallbearers were Steve McGillivray, Randy McMillen, Barry Boone, Craid Boone, Curt Boone and Cory Boone.

Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children or the Cancer Center at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo.

Wilma Matthews

Pontotoc

Wilma Jean Matthews, 61, died Thursday, March 4, 2010, at Sunshine Health Care in Pontotoc after a brief illness. She was a faithful member of Victory Baptist Church and a factory worker.

Services were Sunday, March 7, at Browning Funeral Home Chapel in Pontotoc with the Rev. Doug Jones and the Rev. Michael Williams officiating. Burial was in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Browning Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Delaine Matthews; her mother, Imogene Kelley Jamison, her two daughters, Mendy Michelle Trest (Stephen) and Merissa Williams (Michael); her son, Mitchel Matthews (Donna); her brothers, Larry Rutledge (Shirley) of Pontotoc, Howard Rutledge (Margaret) of Shannon, Roger Rutledge (Rita) of New Albany and Wesley Jamison of Pontotoc; her nine grandchildren, Ashley Brooks, Hayley Stephenson, Madison Trest, Faith Williams, Kobbe Trest, Grace Williams, Desire’e Matthews, Hope Williams and Alexis Smith.

She was preceded in death by her father, James Malachi Rutledge; her sister, Shelia Heinzleman; and her brother, Greg Jamison.

Pallbearers were Shane Phillips, Steve Bramlett, Niel Perry, Mitchell Todd, Shay Priest and Scott Foster.

Edna Jones

Oxford

Edna Immonia Mathis Jones, 91, died Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, at the Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford. She was a member of Jordan Chapel CME Church. She loved to cook, sew, and be a mother to her children and others in the community. She was the widow of Curtis “Bilbo” Jones.

Services were Friday, March 5, at Clear Creek M.B. Church. The Rev. Eddie Goliday Sr. officiated. Burial was in Clear Creek Cemetery. Kenneth I. Roberson Funeral Home of Pontotoc was in charge of the arrangements.

She is survived by four daughters, Mattie (Frank) Bruton of Norfolk, Va., Edna (Harry) Parker of Chicago, Helen (Darryl) Pettis and Bernice Pettis, both of Oxford; six sons, Alonzo Jones and Freddie (Mary) Jones, all of Gary, Ind., Lee Russell Jones of Memphis, Curtis (Wanda) Jones of Chicago, Jesse Jones and Pernell Jones, both of Oxford; 35 grandchildren, 76 great-grandchildren and 51 great-great-grandchildren.

Alicia Vasconcelos

New Albany

Alicia Vasconcelos, 67, died Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010, at the Pontotoc Hospital.

Services were Saturday, March 6, at Serenity Funeral Home in New Albany. Burial was Sunday at Glenfield Memorial Gardens.

Sam Burns

New Albany

Sam Burns, 69, died Saturday, March 6, 2010, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. He was a Baptist.

Services were Monday, March 8, at Ripley Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Marvin Cox and Bro. Dan Burns officiating. Burial was in Shady Grove Cemetery.

He is survived by two daughters, Jennie Barnett (Ricky) of New Albany and Brenda Willis (Davy) of Blue Mountain; four sons, Charles Thomas (Suzy) of Iuka, Kenneth Thomas (Darlene) of Myrtle, Larry Thomas (April) of Pontotoc and Donnie Thomas (Jane) of Ripley; twenty-nine grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Betty McCreight

Pontotoc

Betty Mae McCreight, 67, died Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. She was a member of West Heights Baptist Church and retired from Taylor Made.

Services were Wednesday, March 3, at Browning Funeral Home Chapel in Pontotoc with Dr. David Hamilton, Dr. Ken Hester and Rev. Billy Ray Nelson officiating. Burial followed in Baldwin Memorial Gardens.

Survivors include her daughters, Bridget Taylor (Donny) and Tammy Hannon, both of Pontotoc; her two sisters, Dorothy Coker (Jackie) and Jean Lantrip, both of Pontotoc; her brother, Odis Dean Owens (Virginia) of Hernando; two grandsons, Cody Taylor and Jon Michael Hannon.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Odis Linville Owens and Q.V. Herndon; and two sisters, Mary Opal Hooker and Linda Faye Owens.

Pallbearers were Craig Hooker, Mike Easterling, Gene Turner, Chad Winter, Dewayne Graham, Martin Scarlett, John McCreight and Sam McCreight.

Cyndi Jaggers

Pontotoc

Cyndi Jaggers, 41, died Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010, at her residence in Belzoni. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Pontotoc and a pharmacist at Fred's Pharmacy in Belzoni. She was a graduate of Pontotoc High School Class of 1986, Miss ICC and a Star Student in 1988. She was a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy Class of 1991, where she was a member of the Rho Chi honor society.

Services were Thursday, March 4, at First Baptist Church in Pontotoc with Dr. Ken Hester officiating. Burial followed in the Zion Cemetery. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her parents, Shelia and A.M. Norwood Jr. of Pontotoc; her brothers, James Chad Jaggers of Pontotoc and Marty Norwood (Nancy) of Starkville; her sister, Anna Furr (Mark) of Pontotoc; her aunts, Deb Spears (Royce), Sherry McKinney (Mike) and Barbara Niemczyk, all of Pontotoc, and Dotsy Williamson (Bobby) of Eupora; her uncle, Bill Stewart (Sherry) of Pontotoc; three nieces, Lauren Furr of Nashville, Callie Jaggers and Claire Jaggers of Jackson, Tenn.; three nephews, Paul Furr of Pontotoc, Art Norwood of Starkville and J.D. Jaggers of Jackson, Tenn.

She was preceded in death by her father, Gerald Lane "Bobie" Jaggers; her grandparents, James K. and Janie Jaggers, Wayne and Faye Stewart, and Arthur and Etoyle Norwood; her aunt, Elizabeth Pannell; and her uncle,Kenneth Jaggers.

Pallbearers were David Owen, Shane Bridgman, Richie Wingo, Sam Stewart, Dickey Austin and Mike Holloway.

Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 13 Washington St., Pontotoc, MS 38863.

Charles Fair

Booneville

Charles Shelton Fair, 66, of Booneville, died Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at his home.

Services were Tuesday, March 9, at McMillan Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was in the Asbury Methodist Cemetery.

He is survived by two daughters, Marti Hodge of Mantachie and Courtney (Brian) Crump of Blue Springs; one son, Mike (Angel) Fair of Mooreville; four sisters, Donna Eldridge of Burnsville, Shirley Puckett of Corinth, Mary Walker of Burnsville and Brenda Owens of Booneville; three brothers, Wayne Fair of Savannah, Tenn., Phillip Fair of Booneville and Paul Fair of Corinth; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Jonathan Harrison

Randolph

Jonathan Tyler Harrison, 2, died Thursday, March 4, 2010, at LeBonheur Children's Medical Center in Memphis.

Services were Monday, March 8, at Parker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Bruce with Dr. Michael Waldrop and the Rev. Robert Earl Alexander officiating. Burial was in Spring Hill Cemetery. Parker Memorial Funeral Home in Bruce was in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include his parents, Tyler and Jessie Harrison of Randolph; two brothers, Steven Busam and Daniel Lee Harrison of Randolph; his grandparents, Steve and Kathy Gann of Grenada, Darrell Harrison of Randolph and Rebecca Faye Weinman of Lake County, Fla.; his great-grandparents, James and Anna Schwalenberg of Pittsboro, Linda and Jerry Dooley of Pittsboro, Ray and Carolyn Gann of Houston and Joyce Jackson of Randolph; his uncle, Thomas Ray Gann of Grenada; his aunt, Kimberly (Jerry) Manseill of Grenada; his godparents, Precious and Preston Harrison of Pontotoc; and a host of nieces and nephews

Pallbearers were Tyler Harrison, Thomas Gann, Otis Schwalenberg and Preston Harrison.

Viola Wilson

Water Valley

Viola S. Wilson, 88, died Saturday, March 6, 2010, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford after a lengthy illness. A Marshall County native, she was born Oct. 10, 1921, to Jace and Fannie Lou Betts Wilson. She had lived a number of years in Verona and Water Valley. Retired after many years as a seamstress, she worked with Rice Sticks Manufacturing in Water Valley and with Reed's Manufacturing while living in Vorona. She was an avid animal lover and especially enjoyed taking care of her dog, 'Sparky.' She was known for her wonderful sence of humor and the gift she had for making friends wherever she went. She was a member of the Baptist Church.

Services were Tuesday, March 9, at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with Sammy Lansdell officiating. Burial was in Post Oak Cemetery in Pontotoc County.

Survivors include one niece, Rose Jennings of Potts Camp.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Mildred Wilson; and two brothers, Muldrew and J.E. Wilson.

Sammie Isbell

Pontotoc

Sammie Otis Isbell, 79, died Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010, at the Pontotoc Nursing Home. He was a native and former resident of Houlka. He was a member of Thompson Chapel CME Church. He loved traveling and gardening.

Services were Saturday, March 6, at Thompson Chapel CME Church. The Rev. Lawrence McKenzie officiated. Burial was in East County Line Cemetery. Kenneth I. Roberson Funeral Home of Pontotoc was in charge of the arrangements

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Clemmie Isbell of Pontotoc; two goddaughters, Samya Brooks of Pontotoc and Brianna Brooks of Clinton: two godsons, Jacobe Johnson and Brenton Vaughn of Houlka; three sisters, Delores Garrett of Pontotoc, and Mary Nell Pulliam and Ida Bell (Aaron) Berry of Houlka; four brothers, Charlie (Iris) Pulliam, Willie Van Pulliam, Melvin (LaVada) Pulliam and Leroy (Betty) Pulliam, all of Houlka.

James Hutcheson

Plantersville

James Andrew Hutcheson, 75, died Friday, March 5, 2010, at Sanctuary Hospice House after an extended illness. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Verona.

Services were Monday, March 8, at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with the Rev. Lynn Hughes and the Rev. Dennis Finch officiating. Burial was in Lee Memorial Park.

Survivors include a daughter, Tina Hutcheson (Rusty) of Houlka; two sisters, Mary Evelyn Clark (Bobby) of Plantersville and Helen Juanita Garner Hankins (Bud) of Verona; two half brothers, Randall Hutcheson of Yazoo City and Wesley Hutcheson Jr. of Belmont; his stepmother, Beatrice Hutcheson of Saltillo; four grandchildren; one great-grandson.

Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, 5159 West Main St., Tupelo, MS 38801.

Eva Pressnell

Pittsboro

Eva Lue Austin Pressnell, 64, died Friday, March 5, 2010, at her home. She was born Oct. 28, 1945, in Pontotoc County. She was a member of County Line Baptist Church.

Services were Saturday, March 6, at County Line Baptist Church at Randolph with Bro. Wayne Cobb and Bro. Kevin Chrestman officiating. Burial was in County Line Cemetery. Parker Memorial Funeral Home of Bruce was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Wayne Pressnell of Pittsboro; a daughter, Gay Tedford (Robert) of Bruce; a son, Tony Pressnell of Pittsboro; two brothers, Lance Austin (Vicky) and David Austin (Shelia), all of Randolph; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.

Pauline Conner

Pontotoc

Pauline Bevill Conner, 97, died Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at Graceland Care Center in Pontotoc. She was born Sept. 3, 1912, in Calhoun County. She was a homemaker.

Services were Saturday, March 6, at Pryor Funeral Home Chapel in Calhoun City with the Rev. Melvin Crawley and the Rev. Billy Conner officiating. Burial was in Montevista Cemetery in Webster County.

Survivors include one son, William Conner of Pontotoc; one brother, William Ray Bevill of Houston; one grandson, two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Elton Conner; her parents, Willie Lonzo Bevill and Jinnie Mae Adams Bevill; a daughter, Willie Jean Conner; and four sisters and five brothers.

Pallbearers were Bro. Joey Johnson, Manchel Wages, Earl Abbott, Jimmy Heair, Jimmy Kirby and Larry Methvin.

James M. Estes

Troy

James M. Estes, 76, died Monday, March 8, 2010, at the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Tutor Memorial Funeral Home of Pontotoc. (See NEMS360.com)

Mary Miller

Pontotoc

Mary Miller, 86, died Monday, March 8, 2010, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Browning Funeral Home of Pontotoc. (see NEMS360.com)