Thursday, July 9, 2026

Volia M. Gaddis

 Volia M. Gaddis, 86, passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Winston Medical Center in Louisville, Mississippi, surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, at Hight Assembly of God Church in Noxapater, Mississippi, with Rev. Tom Bentley and Rev. Cherish Morrison officiating, assisted by The Honorable Michael Watson. Visitation will be held at the church on the day of the service from 9:30 a.m. until the service begins. Interment will follow at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 10, at Machpelah Cemetery in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Volia was born on September 12, 1939, in Columbia, Mississippi, to Howard and Edna Magee. She was a devoted Christian whose faith in God was the foundation of her life. A longtime member of Hight Assembly of God, she faithfully served as church secretary-treasurer for many years. Her love for the Lord was evident in the way she lived and in the Christian values she instilled in her children and grandchildren.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker who lovingly cared for her six children while also serving as co-owner of Yarbrough Wood Products. Volia had a servant’s heart and found great joy in caring for her family. She was an exceptional cook, and one of her family’s most treasured traditions was gathering around her table each Thanksgiving. She deeply cherished the close relationships she shared with her siblings and extended family. In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing, reading, and creating a warm, welcoming home for those she loved.

One of Volia’s greatest joys was being “Mamaw.” Her legacy of faith, love, kindness, and devotion to family will continue to live on through the generations she so dearly loved.

Volia is survived by her loving husband, Roger Gaddis of Noxapater. She is also survived by her children: Mark Forsman (Kay) of Noxapater; Merry Barnes (Rodney) of Panama City, Florida; Richard Gaddis (Kay) of Oviedo, Florida; William Gaddis (Lisa) of Aledo, Texas; and Joe Gaddis (Anne Kristine) of Vicenza, Italy. She is also survived by her 19 beloved grandchildren: Kerri Neal (Carl); Michael Watson (Lauren); Jessie Lott (Tyler); Jamie Yarbrough; Sara Feldman (Brett); Adam Forsman (Mindy); Josh Forsman (Blair); Cherish Morrison (Shane); Jacob Stewart (Kaleigh); Erin Stewart; Candace Savarese (Tyler); Allison Gaddis; Michaela Gaddis; Charles Gaddis (Anastasia); Thomas Gaddis; Susanna Gaddis; Emily Gaddis; Kristian Gaddis; and Derek Seay; 21 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters: Ouida Bryant, Linda Forsman (George), and Sybil Bullock; along with many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, and cherished friends.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Frank J. Forsman and Kary Yarbrough; her children, Robert Lenn Forsman, Jimmy Yarbrough, Carol Watson, and Joy Watson; her parents, Howard and Edna Magee; and her siblings, Margaret Harvey, Grayson Magee, Edsel Magee, Frank Pittman Magee, and Dan Magee.

Serving as pallbearers are Michael Watson, Adam Forsman, Josh Forsman, Jacob Stewart, Charles Gaddis, and Thomas Gaddis. .