OBITUARIES

Beryl Carson

Beryl Carson

March 18, 2023

Beryl Carson Shannon- Beryl Juanita Carson, 91, died Saturday, March 18, 2023 at North Mississippi Medical Center. Beryl was born December 26, 1931, to Sam and Christine Sargeant Benson. She attended Shannon High School, after which she married her husband of 68 years, Bennie Ray Carson, who died in 2017. The family they created together was what Beryl cherished most...

Connie Kennedy

Connie Kennedy

March 17, 2023

Connie Kennedy Pontotoc- Connie Kennedy was born March 14, 1958 to Ottis and Virginia Kennedy. She passed away Friday, March 17, 2023 at the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. She was reared in Furrs, Mississippi. She graduated from Pontotoc City School with the Bicentenal Class of 1976. She continued her education at Itawamba Junior College and the University of Mississippi....

Naomi "Mimi" Moss VanDevender

Naomi "Mimi" Moss VanDevender

March 16, 2023

Naomi "Mimi" Moss VanDevender Naomi Ruth Moss VanDevender, known as Mimi to her friends and family, passed away Thursday morning, March 16, 2023, after an extended illness. Born April 11, 1943, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Charles and Louise Moss, she was the twin to her brother David. She was raised in Cleveland and attended Ohio University majoring in accounting. She...

Midge Earnest

Midge Earnest

March 16, 2023

Midge Earnest Tupelo- Margaret “Midge” Bradley Earnest, 78, passed from this world peacefully Thursday afternoon, March 16, 2023. She was surrounded by her beloved husband and two precious daughters who knew when she drew her last breath; she met her Savior face to face. They have no doubt Midge ran, not walked, to kneel at the feet of Jesus. Midge...

Coline Merritt

Coline Merritt

March 16, 2023

Saltillo-Frances Coline Smith Merritt, 81, met her Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo following a short illness. Born in the Jug Fork Community on June 10, 1941, Coline was the only daughter of James Burress Smith and Lottie Mary McNutt Smith. At the tender age of 16, Coline married Malone Merritt on...

Dr. Marvin Murphy

Dr. Marvin Murphy

March 11, 2023

Dr. Lindsey Marvin Murphy, age 78, went to his eternal home in heaven, on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at the Sanctuary Hospice House. He was born May 1, 1944 in Lee County, the son of Lindsey Woodrow Murphy and Tempest Dewdrop Young Murphy. At a young age Marvin professed his faith in Christ and answered the call to ministry. Following...

Pearlie Loftin Parker

Pearlie Loftin Parker

March 6, 2023

Verona—Pearlie Loftin Parker, age 81, passed away Monday, March 6, 2023 at the North Mississippi Medical Center. She was born November 8, 1941 in Tupelo, the daughter of James Farris Loftin and Mildred Turner Stembridge. Pearlie worked as a hair stylist for many years. She also enjoyed different forms of needlework including crocheting, and trips to Tunica. Pearlie leaves behind...

Bobby Stone

Bobby Stone

March 2, 2023

Saltillo- Bobby Joe Stone, 71, passed away Thursday, March 2, 2023 at his home. He was born in Baldwyn on July 22, 1951 to Loraine and J. B. Stone. The majority of his working life he was a skilled plumber. Bobby loved his family and spending time with his grandchildren. Bobby is survived by his children, Leslie Kline and her...

Sherry Ann Sheffield

Sherry Ann Sheffield

February 27, 2023

Sherry Ann Sheffield Mooreville- Sherry Ann Sheffield went to her Heavenly home Monday, February 27, 2023. Sherry Ann was born March 31, 1964 in Tupelo. She is the only child of Jack Thomas Sheffield and the late Clara J. Cochran Sheffield. Sherry Ann was a strong sweet soul, who never let her circumstances negatively affect her attitude. She brought joy...

Robert H. Stanley

Robert H. Stanley

February 22, 2023

Tupelo—Robert H. Stanley departed this life at the age of 85 on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at the Baptist Hospital in New Albany. He was born in Tupelo on December 26, 1937, the son of Luther and Dorothy Stanley. Bob grew up in Tacoma, Washington where his father built ships for the U.S. Navy. He served in the Army National...

Chuck Cochran

Chuck Cochran

February 20, 2023

William Chuck Cochran, age 47, passed away unexpectedly Monday, February 20, 2023 in Booneville. Chuck was born June 18, 1975 in Tupelo, the son of Danny and Brenda Woodruff Cochran. After graduating from high school he began his career in pest control. He later began working in residential construction and was the owner of Cochran Construction for over 20 years....

Jake Morris

Jake Morris

February 19, 2023

Jake Morris Nettleton- Andrew Jackson “Jake” Morris died Sunday, February 19, 2023, at his grandson’s home in Tremont after a short illness. He was born on May 6, 1935, in Berry, Alabama to Columbus Washington Morris, Sr., and Arra Kizzire Morris. In August of 1954, he married Grace Morris; they shared 52 years together before her death in 2006. He...

Kenny R. Fisk

Kenny R. Fisk

February 18, 2023

Kenny R. Fisk Carrollton, Mississippi- Kenny Ray Fisk died peacefully in his sleep following recent illnesses on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at his home. He was born September 25, 1970, to Clayton Earl and Patricia Ann Mims Fisk. Kenny was a mechanic in his younger years but most recently he spent his time fishing, hunting, and spending quality time with...

Shiral Hines Mallette

Shiral Hines Mallette

February 16, 2023

Saltillo- Shiral Jean Hines Mallette, age 69, passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. Shiral was born November 30, 1953, in Cleveland, Mississippi, to James Howard Ash and Nell Jean Gable Ash. Shiral was a seamstress at Richie Manufacturing for 20 years and Lucky Star Manufacturing for 11 years before opening up Bates and...

Ben Patton

Ben Patton

February 16, 2023

Ben Patton Fulton- On Thursday, February 16, 2023, Willie Ben Patton, Jr., loving husband, father, and son, passed away at the age of 66. A public celebration of Ben’s life will be 2 p.m. Saturday, February 25, 2023, at East Fulton Baptist Church gymnasium. During this time the family welcomes friends to share their stories and memories of Ben Patton....

Dewayne Kemp

Dewayne Kemp

February 14, 2023

Dewayne Kemp Mooreville- Gary Dewayne Kemp after an extended illness died Tuesday, February 14, 2023. He was born June 30, 1973, in Tupelo to June Dill and J.B. Payne. After the untimely death of his mother, Dewayne, along with his three brothers, was adopted by Robert Junior and Nancy Lee Dill Kemp. Dewayne was a carpenter and roofer during his...

Mike Fly

Mike Fly

February 14, 2023

Mike Fly Saltillo- James Michael “Mike” Fly, 75, died Tuesday, February 14, 2023. He was born April 21, 1947, in Jackson, Tennessee to James Drake “Jimmy” Fly and Merle Evelyn Fitch Fly. He graduated from Jackson High School and served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict. While stationed in Italy, he participated in the building of a...

Wanda Bryan

Wanda Bryan

February 13, 2023

Saltillo--Wanda Gerlinde Bryan, 67, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, February 13, 2023. She passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family and friends. She was born December 4, 1955, to John and Güdren Alexander in a United States Army Hospital in Neubrücke, Germany. Although she moved around a lot as her father served...

Frannie Hester

Frannie Hester

February 12, 2023

Fulton—Francis Marie “Frannie Hester passed away Sunday, February 12, 2023 at her home. She was born July 17, 1959 in Itawamba County to Willie Marshall Rhyne and Mable Jean Tacket Rhyne. Frannie worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Tupelo Manor Nursing Facility for many years. She was a member of Richmond Pentecostal Church. Frannie loved being out side. Some...

Doris B. Friday

Doris B. Friday

February 7, 2023

Verona- Doris Branyan Graddy Friday at the age of 95 died Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at her home. She was born June 16, 1927, in Union County to Homer Branyan and Sarah Hamric Branyan. She was a Sherman High School graduate and started her career at South Central Bell in New Albany, she retired after 30 years. Doris was a...