Myrl Ward

 Mrs. Myrl Ward, 99, passed away on Friday, January 28, 2022, at Louisville Healthcare. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, January 31st, at Porter Funeral Home, with Rev. Tim Hudson officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 9:30 A.M. until service time at the funeral home. Interment will be in Ellison Ridge Cemetery. Porter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Ward was born December 4, 1922, in Russellville, Alabama, to Daisy and Bob Bobo. She was one of 9 siblings of whom she was the last survivor. She was a graduate of Leighton High School in Leighton, AL, where she was the valedictorian of her class. She worked all of her life as a nurse in hospitals, nursing homes, and private duty nursing. 

 She was preceded in death by her husband, Horace H. Ward, who she was married to for 51 years. She loved taking care of others and was always ready to offer a meal when you came to visit. She loved animals – especially cardinals as she felt they were sent from heaven to watch over us - reading, gardening, and most of all loved her family. One would rarely see her without a smile on her face. She was feisty, loved hard, drove fast, and fed each and every stray animal that ever visited.

She is survived by a daughter, Janis (John) Madden of Louisville; three grandchildren, Brian (Dedra) Parker, Keith (Christie) Parker, and Kristi (Jeffrey) Shurden, six great grandchildren, Zach Parker, Grey Robertson, Christian Robertson, Georgia Parker, Cassidy Shelby, and Taylor Parker; and one great great grandchild, Parker Shelby.

Pallbearers will be Brian Parker, Keith Parker, Taylor Parker, Zach Parker, Grey Robertson, and Christian Robertson. Honorary pallbearers are Tommy Madden Jeffrey Shurden.

Memorials may be made to the Ellison Ridge Cemetery Fund.

Judith Bowen

Judith Bowen, age 72, passed away on January 29,2022, at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. A memorial service will be planned at a later date.

Judy was born September 26, 1949, to Estelle Eads Bowen in Michigan. She worked at both Polo and Angelica factories in Louisville. Judy was a very talented artist creating pottery, sketching, and painting, and was an excellent seamstress.

Judy is survived by two daughters Karen Baczkowski (Russell Wolfe) of Louisville and Kathleen Baczkowski of Philadelphia, Mississippi. One of her greatest joys was being “Grandma Judy” to her nine grandchildren: James Reed, Marsha Reed, Samantha McGahey, Leslie McGahey, Lauren Devine, Jennifer Baczkowski, Crystal Smith, Marcus Smith, and Brandon Smith as well as her 19 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her sisters Camille Lawson and Andrea Luke, brother Mark Bowen, and her niece Angela Harms. Judy was preceded in death by her special friend David Pace, her great-granddaughter Nina Estelle Pierce, her mother Estelle Smart, brother Jeffrey Bowen, and her sister Kathy Innes.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nowell-Massey Funeral Home to help with service expenses.

Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.

Wesley "Shorty" Tanksley

Wesley “Shorty” Tanksley, age 81, passed away on January 30,2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Leake in Carthage, Mississippi. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, February 5 in the Nowell-Massey Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be the day of the service from 1 p.m. until service time at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville, Mississippi. Interment will immediately follow the service in Union Ridge Cemetery in Noxapater, Mississippi.

Shorty was born November 13, 1940, to James Felbert “Fel” and Lillie Mae Justice Tanksley. He retired from Taylor Machine Works as a welder. Shorty was always fun to be around and enjoyed making others laugh.

Shorty is survived by his son Wes (Lorynn) Tanksley of Louisville, and two daughters Ralinda (Pat) Yocom of Springfield, Missouri, and Angel Tanksley of Nixa, Missouri. One of his greatest joys was being “Shorty” to his seven grandchildren: Skylar Moore, Tyler Tanksley, Alexis Warner, Ryan Yocom, Gari Dawn (Wes) Bowden, Derek (Whitney) Allen, and Jordan (Katelyn) Keeney as well as his 9 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his sister Dessie VanDevender of Carthage and his brother Presley (Minnie) Tanksley of Hartville, Ohio. Shorty was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Lesley Tanksley.

Serving as pallbearers are Brandon Jones, Joe Jones, Lucas Jones, Darrell Moore, Tyler Tanksley, and Danny Martin.

Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.

 

Candace M. Stephenson

Candace Michelle Stephenson was born February 06, 1978 at University Medical Center in Jackson, MS. She was 43 Years Old.

Candace attended school in Ackerman, MS where she graduated in May 1996. She attended Mississippi State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2001 and a Master of Arts Degree in 2003. She studied French at Laval University in Quebec Canada.

Candace was the 1986 Easter Seals Poster Child. She was an artist at the TK Martin Center at Mississippi State and many of her designs were used on Christmas cards for the University.

Candace was a substitute teacher for Choctaw County Schools, Community Volunteer, enjoyed working with children at Ackerman Baptist Church Mission Friends ministries, volunteered at the Choctaw County Hospital and Nursing Home.

Candace is proceeded in death by her Paternal Grandparents W.G. "Speck" and Ila Mae Stephenson, Maternal Grandparents Louis and Joyce Varner, "Pop" James D. "Jimmy" Irving and Aunt Judy Irving Melton.

Candace is survived by her Mother Dannell Varner Irving, Father James William "Steve" (Susan) Stephenson, Brother Chris (Amy) Stephenson, Brother Ryan (Whitney) Irving, "Bestie"- Sister Kenya Lee and her daughter Abby.

Services will be held Monday January 31, 2022 at Ackerman Baptist Church. Visitation at 10:00 and Funeral at 11:00. She will be laid to rest at Weir Presbyterian Cemetery.

In honor of Candace donations can be made to Ackerman Baptist Church Mission Friends.

Johnny Will Jackson, Jr.

Johnny Will Jackson, Jr., 76, of Louisville, MS., passed on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, at his home. Funeral Service will be Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, at 2 p.m., from Beck Funeral Home. Visitation will be Saturday, from 4 until 6 p.m., from the Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Louisville Memorial Cemetery. Beck Funeral Home of Louisville in charge of arrangements.

Helen Carr

Helen Carr, 91, of Louisville, Mississippi, passed on Monday, January 24, 2022, at the Winston County Medical Center, Louisville, MS. Funeral Service will be Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022 at 11 a.m., from Beck Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Louisville Memorial Cemetery. Beck Funeral Home of Louisville in charge of arrangements.

Lucille S. Whitten

Lucille Stinnett Whitten passed away on Friday, January 21, 2022, at her residence in Suwanee, GA. Mrs. Whitten was born September 24, 1930, in Stephensport, KY, to Clinton Hook and Minnie Lee (Tate) Stinnett. She was 91 years old. Mrs. Whitten was a retired librarian.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, January 28, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at Weir Cemetery in Weir, MS. Burial will follow in the Weir Cemetery. There will be no visitation.

Mrs. Whitten is survived by a son, Warren Allen Whitten; two grandsons, Wade Allen Whitten and Travis Ryan Whitten; one granddaughter, Casey JoAnne Whitten; 1 great-grandson, Xavier Whitten; one sister, Audrey Reburn; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, and close friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Willie Amzie 'WA" Whitten, Jr. and her parents.
Mrs. Whitten graduated from Breckinridge County High School, and in 1951 graduated from Mississippi College with a B.A. She was married for 68 years to Willie Amzie "WA" Whitten. As a devoted wife, she accompanied her husband as he continued his education and advanced in his career to Louisville, KY, Nashville, TN, Bloomington, IN, Liberia, Tanzania, Afghanistan, and parts of Asia. She spent her later years in McLean, VA, Norcross and Sugar Hill, GA. Mrs. Whitten provided years of research, editorial and administrative support toward the publication of W.A.'s book, To Beulah and Beyond: A Story of the Beulah Baptist Church and Community in Historical Perspective 1835-1999 Choctaw County, Mississippi.

She was an active and beloved member for many years at First Baptist Church of Chamblee, GA, which later became Johns Creek Baptist Church. In retirement, she enjoyed participating in the local chapter of the Good Sam R.V. Club. She was known for her love of birds and butterflies, the latter serving as a decorative motif throughout her home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Johns Creek Baptist Church, 6910 McGinnis Ferry Rd, Alpharetta, GA, 30005, or to the W.A. Whitten, Sr. Memorial Endowment Fund at Mississippi College, Attn: Barbara Brown King, Box 4005, Clinton, MS, 39058

Brenda Audine Flake

Mrs. Brenda Audine Flake, 80, passed away on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridian, MS. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday, January 30th, at Porter Funeral Home, with Rev. Richard Burks and Rev. Jared Glover officiating. Visitation will be Saturday from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Porter Funeral Home. Interment will be in Sunrise Cemetery in Noxapater, MS. Porter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Brenda was born September 16, 1941, in Neshoba County, MS. She was a seamstress at Polo Company for many years, and a homemaker who loved gardening and spending time with her grandchildren. She was a member of Zion Chapel Pentecostal Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elner and Odell Pope; a son, Jimmy Flake; and two brothers, Willis Pope and Raymond Pope.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Ernest A. Flake; daughters, Paulette Bailey of Virginia, Cynthia Creekmore of Noxapater, and Alisa (Dennis) Duncan of Louisville; a daughter-in-law, Sandy Flake; sons, Timmy (Shari) Flake of Louisville, Gary Willis of Texas, and Mark (Kathy) Pope of Genoa, IL; fourteen grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, a step-sister, Janet Tonia Collins of Oregon; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Billy Ray Ballenger

Billy Ray Ballenger, age 80, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday January 26, 2022, at his home in Louisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will be held in the Nowell-Massey Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, January 29 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Kenneth Hall officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Interment will immediately follow the service in Memorial Cemetery.

Bill was born August 13, 1941, to Earl and Esther Barton Ballenger in Dora, Alabama. He enjoyed hunting and was an avid Alabama football fan but most of all he loved to spend time with his family. He answered the call of his country by serving eight years in the United States Air Force as an aircraft mechanic and later retired as a truck driver traveling all over the United States.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 46 years Sandra Dukes Ballenger and his children: Christina (Bradley) Williams, Nanette Lane (JJ), Billy Ballenger, Tammy Bressler, Amanda Wallace, and Charlie Ballenger. One of his greatest joys was being “PawPaw” to his 12 grandchildren: Alexis Rae Ballenger, Meagan Ballenger, Brendan Ballenger, Quinton Lane, Kerrie Wallace, Kyle Wallace, Drayton Burton, Jeffery Burnette, David Burnette, Elizabeth Belk Hunter, Randall Belk, and Shayla Ballenger; his great-grandchildren Audrey Raye Davis and Braylon Reide Lane as well as other great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Bill is also survived by his four sisters: Faye (David) Creel, Sue (Jim) Ponds, Linda (Freddie) Davenport, and Janet (Keith) Chism. He was preceded in death by his son Greg Ballenger, his granddaughter Nicole Burnett, his great-granddaughter Kelsey Nicole Burnett, and his parents.

Serving as pallbearers are Brendan Ballenger, JJ Jenkins, Austin Johnson, Quinton Lane, Jamie Nash, and Bradley Williams. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in honor of Bill be given to the American Heart Association online at heart.org.

Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.

Geraldine Stevenson

Mrs. Geraldine Mills Stevenson, 87, passed away on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at her home in Choctaw County, MS. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, January 28th, at Hopewell Baptist Church, with Rev. Bobby Parrish and Rev. Terrell Mayo officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 12:30 P.M. until service time, at Hopewell Baptist Church. Interment will be in Mt. Zion Cemetery. Porter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Geraldine was born September 8, 1934, in Leflore County, MS. She was a nurse’s assistant at Winston County Hospital for over 30 years. She was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, W. R. Stevenson; her parents, Esther and William Mills; a sister, Geneva Griffith; and a brother, Calvin Mills.

She is survived by her daughters, Sandra Babb of McCool, MS; Glenda (Terrell) Mayo of Louisville; and Becky (Mike) Arthur of Brandon, MS; six grandchildren, Missy Thompson, Stacey (Chris) Clark, Steven Mayo, Brian (Louisa) Whitmire, Jessica Garrard, and Ben Whitmire; ten great grandchildren, Hannah (Michael) Prewitt, Cole (Danielle) Clark, Alec Thompson, Cody Clark, Kallye Garrard, Bristal Brooks, Talen Brooks, Harrison Whitmire, Sadie Whitmire, and Henry Whitmire; and four great great grandchildren, Paxton, Gabby, Ricki, and Baileigh Prewitt.

Pallbearers will be Steven Mayo, Chris Clark, Cole Clark, Cody Clark, Brian Whitmire, Ben Whitmire, Alec Thompson, and Michael Prewitt.

Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion Cemetery Fund, c/o Brenda Cagle, 199 Gordon Road, McCool, MS, 39108; or Hopewell Cemetery Fund, 443 Hopewell-Kerr Road, McCool, MS, 39108..

Inez Greene Mathis

In Starkville, MS, on Friday, January 21, 2022, Inez Greene Mathis, age 93 was received home by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A graveside celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Corinth Church Cemetery, Lake City FL, Rev. Mark Mathis will officiate. An online guestbook is located at www.gatewayforestlawn.com. 

Inez Greene Mathis was born April 10, 1928 in Lake City, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents, Allie and Henry “Hickey” Greene, her husband of 53 years, Leon H. Mathis, Jr., her sons, Donald Edward Whitehead, Jr. (Eddie) and Michael Ray Whitehead (Mike). She is survived by her sister, Ernestine Saunders, Lake City, FL, a nephew Richard Saunders, Lake City, FL, her daughters, Nancy Whitehead Martin, Starkville, MS, and Rhonda Mathis Shotts (Charles), Louisville, MS and her sons, Leon H. Mathis, III (Matt) and Mark Lee Mathis, Starkville, MS. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of Inez Greene Mathis be made to the Inez and Leon Mathis Memorial Scholarship at www.msufoundation.com (662) 325-7000 or the charity of your choice.

Jannie Odene Mays

Jannie Odene Mays, 82, of Louisville, MS., passed on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, at the Louisville Health Care Center, Louisville, MS. Funeral Service will be Saturday, January 29, 2022, at 2 p.m., from Beck Funeral Home. Visitation will be Friday, from 4 until 6 p.m., from the Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Mount Vernon Church Cemetery, Noxapater, MS. Beck Funeral Home of Louisville in charge of arrangements.

Dennis Kincaid

Dennis Kincaid, 64, of Louisville, MS., passed on Thursday, January 20, 2022, at University Medical Center, Jackson, MS. Funeral Service will be Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at 11 a.m., from Beck Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Harrington Cemetery. Visitation will be the same day from 9 a.m., until funeral hour on Wednesday. Beck Funeral Home of Louisville in charge of arrangements.

John William Corley

John William Corley passed away on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at his residence in Mathiston, MS. John was born March 30, 1940, in Shaw, MS, to William and Jewell(McCool) Corley. He was 81 years old. John was a retired paint contractor.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 2:30 p.m., at Chester Baptist Church near Ackerman, MS, with Rev. Rob Faulk officiating. Burial will follow at Chester Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday beginning at 1:00 p.m. till service time at the church.

John is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann(Hood) Corley; 1 daughter, Theresa(Danny Ray) McBride of Durant, MS; 2 sons, William Eddie(Stephanie) Corley of Mathiston, MS, Bobby Earl Corley of Belden, MS; and 3 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Billy Neal White

Billy Neal White, age 86, passed away at Noxubee General Hospital in Macon, Mississippi, on Friday January 21, 2022. Funeral services will be held in the Nowell-Massey Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, January 24 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Wayne Hill officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville from 9 a.m. until service time. Interment will immediately follow the service in Murphy Creek Cemetery.

Neal was born November 8, 1935, to John and Ada Harris White in Louisville, Mississippi. He attended Wess Chapel Baptist Church and was a retired welder after dedicating 30 years to Taylor Machine Works. Neal loved his family dearly and loving cared for his wife, Mary, during her sickness.

Neal is survived by her two daughters Ann Pigg and husband Daniel of Carthage, Mississippi, and Nancy Jenkins and husband Tommy of the Nanih Waiya Community. One of his greatest joys was being “PawPaw” to his grandchildren: Delisa (Sam) Pennel, Teresa Eaves, Kayla (Bruce) Fulcher, and Mason (Shellie) Bennett. Neal is also survived by his sisters Laura Blackstock of Starkville, Mississippi, and Marvel Thompson of Bryram, Mississippi, his brother Travis White of Louisville, and his brothers-in-law Travis Hutchinson and Johnny Allen. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years Mary White, his parents, and siblings: Earline Hutchinson, Tony White, and Carolyn Allen.

Memorial contributions in honor of Neal may be given to Wess Chapel Baptist Church, Louisville, MS 39339.

Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.

Taylor Walker

Taylor Walker, 92, of Louisville, MS., passed on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at the Winston County Nursing Home. Funeral Service will be Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, at 2 p.m., from the Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Louisville Memorial Cemetery. Beck Funeral Home of Louisville in charge of arrangements.

Toni McMullen Starks

Graveside service and burial for Mrs. Toni McMullen Starks, 52, will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 22, 2022 in the Weir, Chapel M.B. Church Cemetery, Weir, MS. Visitation will be Friday, January 21, 2022 from 12PM - 5PM at Taylor Funeral Service Chapel, Louisville, MS.

Frankie Parker Johns

Frankie Johns, age 79, passed away surrounded by her loving family at John C. Stennis Memorial Hospital in DeKalb, Mississippi, on Wednesday January 19, 2022. Funeral services will be held in the Nowell-Massey Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, January 22 at 3 p.m. with Rev. Bert Jones and Rev. Jonathan Peeples officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville from 1 p.m. until service time. Interment will immediately follow the service in Memorial Cemetery.

Frankie Anita Parker was born July 13, 1942, to Frank and Christine Kelly Parker in Dr. Kirk’s Hospital below Nanih Waiya School. She grew up living in Louisville and Corpus Christi, Texas, until the family returned to Louisville in 1955. She married Robert “Bob” Johns in 1959. They made their home in Louisville and raised three girls. She began nursing school at Meridian Junior College where she received her LPN degree. Later, she received her RN degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. She was head nurse at Tri-County Nursing Home for 13 years. She was known for her kindness and generosity to others and was a pleasure to work with and be around. She left Tri-County Nursing Home to start a personal care home venture in Louisville named Community Care Inn, which she ran for several years. Frankie took an administrative position with the State Department of Health in the Licensure and Certification area and was responsible for inspecting nursing homes for the north half of the state. She served on the Nursing Home Board of Health under Governor William Winter as well as two other governors; and she was awarded for her expertise and professional contribution to the nursing home program in the state. Years later she accepted a position as director of nursing at Jaquith State Hospital and remained there until her retirement from the state health system. Ever the professional student, she decided when she was more than 60 years old that she would return to school and she received her Family Nurse Practitioner degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Frankie took Bob with her to Alaska several times serving as a Nurse Practitioner working in different community clinics rendering care to the Alaskan people. Together, she and Bob travelled and made friends with people everywhere they went. Frankie worked here in Louisville for local doctors and has lately been working for Diamond Grove facility. Everywhere Mrs. Frankie has been and worked people respected her and loved her. A professional lady known for her kindness, she was a super sweet person and treated all people the same. If she knew anybody in need she was so quick and eager to help them get better.

Frankie is survived by her three daughters: Melinda Johns Richardson and husband Johnny, Tammie Johns Cherry and husband Billy, and Deborah Johns Halfacre and husband Paul all of Louisville. To say Granny Frankie loved her children and grandchildren is an understatement. She loved and nurtured each one and was very proud of each of their accomplishments. Among her greatest joys was being “Granny” to her eight grandchildren: Kendra Johns, Robert Johns, Jon (Meredith) Cherry, Addison (Justin) Jones, Kari, Ethan, Daniel (Kaitlyn), and Hagan Halfacre; as well as her six great-grandchildren: C. J., Marlei, Sawyer, Micah, Avey Clayton, Kyleighe Ray, and she was looking forward to the birth of her seventh great-grandchild in May. Frankie is also survived by her brother Barry (Paula) Parker and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and acquaintances. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Bob Johns, her parents, her sister JoAnn Parker Jennings, and her brother Leroy Parker.

Serving as pallbearers are Jon Cherry, C. J. Hagan, Daniel Halfacre, Ethan Halfacre, Hagan Halfacre, , and Robert Johns. Memorial contributions in honor of Frankie may be given to Poplar Flat Baptist Church, P. O. Box 684, Louisville, MS 39339.

Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.

Brenda King

Brenda Jane Oswalt King, 76, of Ackerman, MS died Thursday, January 20, 2022, at the Choctaw Regional Medical Center with loved ones by her side.

Brenda was born November 15, 1945 in Starkville, MS and spent much of her childhood wandering the campus of Mississippi State. She graduated from Starkville High School in 1963 and then attended Mississippi State University where she was a majorette in the Famous Maroon Band and during her freshmen year was bestowed the honor of being the sponsor of the MSU Air Force ROTC Blue Knights. It was at MSU that she met her husband, James Waverly King, Sr.

 
She would later return to college at Mississippi University for Women and graduate summa cum laude while being a coach’s wife and raising three small children. Brenda also received her Master Degree in Education from Mississippi State University. Her children had also bestowed upon her an honorary medical degree due to her hours of studying medical journals and watching medical documentaries. She was quite good a diagnosing sickness and prescribing treatment. Her friends called her Dr. King and would often call her for medical advice. She was once known to call in prescriptions for her children to one unnamed pharmacist in Ackerman.

 
Brenda began her teaching career as an elementary teacher with the Columbus Municipal School District. After moving to Ackerman, she continued teaching with the Choctaw County School District retiring in 2010 after a 35 year teaching career. She loved her students and enjoyed running into them over the years around Ackerman often hearing a “Mrs. King” yelled down the aisle at the grocery store.
Brenda had a love of music and enjoyed singing and playing the piano and clarinet. One of her requirements of her children was that they must pursue some type of musical interest. She had a beautiful voice and often drew an audience from those seated nearby when singing the National Anthem at MSU football games. She loved flowers and gardening and spent many years with Waverly working in their flower beds and vegetable garden. Brenda enjoyed beekeeping, canning vegetables and making pickles and jelly. There was always an “extra” jar of jelly or honey in the cabinet to send home with her children.

 
She was a talented seamstress often sewing cheerleader outfits, prom dresses, and curtains for her children and grandchildren. Her work could be found in Ole Miss dorm rooms, the Phi Mu House and she once recovered a sofa that ended up in her son’s room at the Kappa Alpha House. Brenda also enjoyed attending football games with Waverly at Mississippi State and other stadiums throughout the SEC and tailgating with friends. She did though tell one of her sons that she was actually a “closet Rebel” most likely due to years of tailgating in the grove during the years her 3 kids were at Ole Miss. Brenda also had a love of animals once having a pet racoon that was known far and wide on South Montgomery Street in Starkville.

Brenda was a member of Ackerman Baptist Church and former member of the church choir.

Brenda was a survivor of Acute Myeloid Leukemia and was always thankful for the support she received from her husband, Waverly, family, friends, MD Anderson and the University of Mississippi Medical Center during that time.

Brenda is survived by her husband, Waverly and their three children, James “Jimbo” Waverly King, Jr (Elisabeth) of Tuscaloosa, AL, Natalie King Turner (Spencer) of Oxford, MS, and Charles “Charlie” Lawson King (Allison) of Madison, MS. Grandchildren; Trip King, Runa King, Rebekah Turner Frink (Ethan), Jack Turner, Phillips King (Maggie), Mason King (Allie) and Allie King.
Brenda was preceded in death by parents, Meadie Britt and Dora Mae Lemmons Oswalt of Starkville, MS.

Services will be held Monday, January 24 at 11:00 am at Ackerman Baptist Church with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at South Union Cemetery. Coleman Funeral Home in Ackerman is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Ackerman Baptist Church, 185 East Cherry Street, Ackerman, MS 39735.

Robert Franks “Bob” Oakley

Robert Franks “Bob” Oakley, age 78, went to meet his Lord and Savior on January 18, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lillian “Doll” Oakley, of Louisville, MS; his son Sean and wife Kendra of Brandon; daughter Shea Oakley of Louisville; grandchildren, Mia and Sam Oakley; and his sister Gaye Calhoun of Oxford. Bob was born on April 5, 1943 in Booneville to parents George Enoch and Virginia Franks Oakley. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother George Samuel Oakley of Booneville.

He graduated from Booneville High School in 1961 where he excelled in basketball. He followed in his brothers footsteps and attended Mississippi State University where he played on the basketball team his freshman year. Upon graduation from MSU, he taught school and coached at Ackerman and Louisville High School for seven years and then served as the Winston County director of Health and Human Services for over 20 years. Upon retiring from the state, he then began a second career as a Farm Bureau agent in Oktibbeha County for 13 years. Bob was an avid sports fan who loved playing golf with all of his friends and he also loved his Mississippi State Bulldogs and St. Louis Cardinals. Bob was a true family man and he deeply loved and cared for his wife, children and grandchildren. He was a positive influence on so many of the people he encountered at various points in his life and made a positive impact on so many of lives he touched.

A “Celebration of Life” will be held at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home at 742 N. Columbus Avenue in Louisville, MS on Saturday, January 22. Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with a service to follow immediately afterwards. During the service the family would love for people to share stories and memories as a tribute to his life.

Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN online at stjude.org/donate.

Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.