Rev. Bobby Joe Butler

Rev. Bobby Joe Butler, 76, passed away on Monday, October 15, 2012, at his residence in Louisville, Mississippi, surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 16, 2012, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Zion Chapel Pentecostal Church in Louisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 17, 2012, at Zion Chapel Pentecostal Church with Rev. Rick Humphries, Rev. Scott Eaves, Rev. Dewayne Kelsey, and Rev. Gerald Butler officiating. Conducting graveside services will be Rev. Andrew Higginbotham and Rev. Fred Frasier, Jr. Interment will be in Ellison Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery.
Bro. Bobby Joe was born on October 30, 1935. He served as pastor of Zion Chapel Pentecostal Church for 34 years. He worked at Barge Timber Company in Macon, Mississippi, for 23 years. He also served this community for 44 years through his ministry on WLSM Radio Station. He was a member of Associated Brotherhood of Christians Ministerial Association and a lifetime member of the Beaver Mountain Hunting Club.
Bro. Bobby Joe is survived by his wife, Carolyn Butler of Louisville; one brother, Gerald Butler and wife, Brenda, of Shuqualak, Mississippi; 16 nieces and nephews; 31 great-nieces and nephews; and 11 great-great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emmett and Irene Higginbotham Butler; and five siblings, Elbert Butler; James Henry Butler; Mildred Butler Moody (Edmond); Rhodam Butler (Jean) and Dot Butler Hailey.
Pallbearers will be Wayne Moody, Woody Moody, Jerry Flowers, Doug Butler, Charles Hailey, Jr., Eric Breazeale, Danny Keene, Scott Barnhill, and Steven Breazeale. Memorials may be given to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Tribute Program, P. O. Box 1000 Department 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142. Arrangements 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.

Mr. M. O. Estes

Mr. James E. “M. O.” Estes, 75, passed away on October 15, 2012, at his residence in Louisville,Mississippi, surrounded by his loving family.  Visitation will be at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville, Mississippi, on Tuesday, October 16, 2012, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 17, 2012, at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Rickey McKay officiating.  Interment will be in Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mr. Estes was born on December 27, 1936.  He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.  Mr. Estes was a retired electrician with McWhirter Electric and Weyerhaeuser Corporation.   

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jane Chamblee Estes of Louisville, Mississippi; his daughter, LeAnn Boswell and husband, Kenny, also of Louisville; and two sons, Hal Estes and wife, Susan; and Patrick Estes and wife, Michelle, all of Noxapater, Mississippi.  Mr. Estes has three sisters:  Maxine McCool of Noxapater, Mississippi; Jean Woodruff of Louisville; and Elsie Carter (J. C.) also of Noxapater.  He also has three brothers:  Dee Estes (Patti) of Prentiss, Mississippi; Bob Estes (Faith) of Noxapater; and Jerry Estes (Ilene) of Louisville.  Mr. Estes is survived by seven grandchildren:  Trent Boswell, Taylor Smith, Brooke Smith, Jacob Smith, Kayla Estes, Braden Estes, and Cody Estes.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Littleton “Wert” Worthy and Lottie Craig Estes; and his brother, Wayne Estes.

Pallbearers will be Bobby McWhirter, Jimmy McWhirter, Troy Ward, Neal Chandler, John Vowell, William Holman, Billy Caperton, and Ray Sims.  Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Men’s Sunday School Class of Calvary Baptist Church.  Memorials may be given to Calvary Baptist Church, c/o Jo Ellen Johnson, 875 Old Robinson Road, Louisville, MS 39339. 

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

Mrs. Inez Tabor

Mrs. Inez Tabor, 97, died Sunday, October 14, 2012, at Winston Medical Center in Louisville, MS. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 16th, at Porter Funeral Home, with Rev. Mike Dowd and Rev. Leslie Mills officiating. Interment will be in Rural Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Porter Funeral Home.

Mrs. Tabor was born September 14, 1915, in Winston County, MS. She was a homemaker and member of Rural Hill United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Tabor.

She is survived by a son, Harry Bernard (Vale) Tabor, Jr. of McCool, MS; 4 grandchildren, Tammie Morgan, Debbie Arnett, Tim Tabor, and Terry Hickey; and 11 great grandchildren, Phillip Watson, Laura Watson, Tyler Tabor, Teryn Tabor, Andrew Arnett, Matthew Arnett, Stephen Arnett, Amanda Arnett, J. P. Arnett, Anna Claire Morgan, and Liam Hickey

Memorials may be made to Rural Hill United Methodist Church, c/o Dale Shumaker, 12878 Hwy 14 West, McCool, MS, 39108.

Mrs. Ophelia Holton

Mrs. Ophelia Holton, 94, died Saturday, October 13, 2012, at Neshoba General Nursing Home in Philadelphia, MS. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 15th, at Porter Funeral Home, with Rev. Fred Frazier officiating. Interment will be in Vernon Assembly of God Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Porter Funeral Home. . Mrs. Holton was born August 1, 1918, in Winston County, MS. She was a homemaker and a member of Vernon Assembly of God.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Holton; her parents, Sue Robinson and James Davis Miles; two grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

She is survived by two daughters, Mary Ruth (Asa) Thomas of Noxapater, and Freda ( the late Henry Rhodes) Rhodes of Louisville; two sons, James Berlin (Shirley) Holton of Noxapater, and Jesse Gene (Emily) Holton of Madison, MS; 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren.

Pallbearers are T. J. Thomas, James Gully, Sam Gully, Brady Thomas, Chase Thomas, and Jerry Thomas.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Ruthie Gladney

Ruthie Gladney, 69, Ackerman, died 10-05-2012. 

Arrangements: Williams & Hampton.

Sarah Winnice Spencer

FUNERAL SERVICES: Sarah Winnice Spencer--Visitation: Sunday October 14, 2012, 2PM until Service Time @ Coleman Funeral Home in Ackerman, MS. Service: Sunday October 14, 2012 @ 3PM @ Coleman Funeral Home. Interment: Enon Cemetery.---SIGN GUESTBOOK UNDER CURRENT OBITS @www.colemanfuneral.com

Rev. James A. Townsend

 Rev. James A. Townsend--Visitation: Monday October 8, 2012, 5PM until 8PM @ Coleman Funeral Home in Ackerman, MS. Service: Tuesday October 9, 2012 @ 1PM @ Louisville United Methodist Church in Louisville, MS. Interment: 3 PM Tuesday October 9, 2012 @ Parkway Cemetery (Kosciusko,MS).---SIGN GUESTBOOK UNDER CURRENT OBITS @www.colemanfuneral.com

Mrs. Thelma Clay Keen

Mrs. Thelma Clay Keen, 101, died Friday, October 12, 2012, at Winston County Nursing Home in Louisville. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Saturday, October 13th, at Porter Funeral Home, with Rev. Mike Childs and Rev. Leslie Mills officiating. Interment will be in Bevill Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 2:00 P.M. until service time at Porter Funeral Home.

Mrs. Keen was born December 31, 1910, in Winston County, MS, to George and Mary Bradford Clearman. She graduated from Betheden High School, and Meridian Business School. She worked extensively with the construction of Bluff Lake in Winston County and Choctaw Lake in Choctaw County. She then went to work in the local A.S.C.S. office and retired there after 31 years of service. Mrs. Keen was a respected member of the Winston County community for many years, and was chosen Louisville’s Woman of the Year in 1979. She was a devoted Christian, and dedicated to her beloved Bevill Hill United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by three husbands, Priest Perkins, Leon Keen, and Joe Keen.

She is survived by a sister, Mary Clearman of Louisville; and numerous nieces and nephews in the Perkins, Keen, and Clay families.

Memorials may be made to Bevill Hill United Methodist Church, c/o Jeanette Mills, 1747 Betheden Road, Louisville, MS, 39339.

Annie Lawson Dowdy

Mrs. Annie Lawson Dowdy, 85, passed away on Friday, October 5, 2012, at the Beehive Homes in Louisville, Mississippi, surrounded by her loving family.  Visitation will be Sunday, October 7, 2012, from5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville, Mississippi.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 8, 2012, in the Nowell-Massey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Billy Bowie officiating.  Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mrs. Dowdy was born on March 28, 1927.  She was a homemaker and was a 56-year member of FirstBaptist Church in Louisville.  She was also very active in her Sunday School class and was a member of the Senior Adult Choir as well as a member of the Eastern Star. 

Mrs. Dowdy is survived by three daughters:  Sharon Dowdy Moore (Ron) of Canton, Mississippi; Linda Williams Fulton (Ronnie) of Diamond Head, Mississippi; and Pamela Dowdy Wilson of Louisville, Mississippi.  She also is survived by two sons:  Michael E. Dowdy (Pam) of New Hope, Mississippi; and Keith Dowdy (Marilyn) of Louisville, Mississippi.  She has eight grandchildren:  Sonya Dowdy Williamson (Scott); Amy Showalter Schwal (Chuck); Ryan Smith; Eric Smith (Alexis); James Smith; Kristopher Wilson; Marc Wilson (Stephanie); and Jessica Henry, and six great-grandchildren.  Mrs. Dowdy was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd E. Dowdy; her parents, Bennett and Bessie Venable Lawson; her grandson, Michael Earl Dowdy, Jr.; two sisters, Pauline Bunch and Catherine Smith; and two brothers, John Lawson and George Bennett Lawson.

Pallbearers will be Mark Lawson, Steve Smith, Talmadge Bunch, Eric Smith, Scott Williamson, Ryan Smith, Clay Williamson, and Brantley Williamson.  Memorials may be given to the PalmerHome for Children, P. O. Box 746, Columbus, MS 39703. 

Arrangements 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.

Mrs. Bobbye Ivy Holder

Mrs. Bobbye Ivy Holder, 79, died Saturday, October 6, 2012 at Winston Medical Center in Louisville. 
She had made her home in Winston and Neshoba counties all of her life. Mrs. Holder was a member of Hight Assembly of God Church.
Visitation will be Sunday, October 7th from 5 - 7 pm at McClain-Hays Funeral Home in Philadelphia. The funeral service will be Monday, October 8th at 11 am at Hight Assembly of God Church near Noxapater with Rev. Toby Halfacre officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Survivors include her daughter, Dianne Parker and her husband, Hank of Noxapater; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Vivian Lowe of Collinsville, Doris Russell of Noxapater and Dorothy Anderson of Purvis.
Mrs. Holder was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Holder.
To leave a message for the family, go to http://www.mcclainhays.com/

Bessie Triplett

Bessie Triplett, 85, Louisville, died 09-29-2012. 

Arrangements: Beck.

Ethridge Hampton, Jr.

Ethridge Hampton, Jr. , 55, Louisville, died 10-01-2012. 

Arrangements: Williams & Hampton.

Mattie Patridge Burton

Mrs. Mattie Patridge Burton, 75, passed away on Monday, October 1, 2012, at Oktibbeha County Hospital in Starkville, Mississippi.  Visitation will be Thursday, October 4, 2012, from 1 p.m. until service time at Whitehall United Methodist Church in Louisville, Mississippi.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 4, 2012, at Whitehall United Methodist Church with Rev. Kyle Ivy officiating.  Interment will be in Whitehall United Methodist Church Cemetery.  

Mrs. Burton was born March 27, 1937.  She was a member of Whitehall United Methodist Church and she was a homemaker.

Mrs. Burton is survived by her son, Silas Walter Burton, Jr., of Louisville, Mississippi; her step-son, Bobby Burton of Beulah, Mississippi; four sisters:  Mary Ann Griffin of Mathiston, Mississippi; Shirley Arney of Sturgis, Mississippi; Christine Black also of Mathiston; and Linda Kitchens of Stewart, Mississippi.  She is also survived by three brothers:  Thomas Wayne Patridge of Eupora,Mississippi; Jimmy Patridge of Mathiston, Mississippi; and Eddie Patridge of Maben, Mississippi.  She also has four grandchildren:  Alex Burton of Sturgis, Mississippi; Courtney Burton, Selena Burton and Brianna Burton all of Louisville, Mississippi.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Silas “S. W.”Burton, Sr.; her parents, Gennie Oscar and Annie Lucille Hubbard Patridge; and her brother, James Oscar Patridge.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. 

Arrangements 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.

Ernest Gene Fleming

Mr. Ernest Gene Fleming, 73, died Sunday, September 30, 2012, at his home in Louisville, MS. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, October 3rd, at Campground United Methodist Church, with Rev. Larry Haggard officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home. Interment will be in Campground Cemetery. Porter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Fleming was born December 22, 1938, in Scooba, MS. He was a 1958 graduate of Louisville High School. He was retired as assistant district supervisor for Southern Natural Gas Company. He was a Mason, a Shriner, and a member of Campground United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Huntley Fleming of Louisville; a daughter, Angela Fleming Gohring, Fort Gibson, OK; a son, Lee Fleming of Henderson, TX; four grandchildren, Blake Gohring, Garrett Gohring, Brooke Gohring, and Linzie Fleming; three brothers, Bobby Fleming, Joe Fleming, and Terry Fleming; and four sisters, Virginia Mitchell, Laverne McKay, Eula Betts, and Gloria Cade.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Linzie Danner and Owens Paulette Fleming, Sr.; two brothers, Owens Paulette Fleming, Jr. and Billy Ray Fleming; a nephew, Russell Fleming; and a niece, Cynthia Fleming.

Pallbearers are Mark Fleming, Scotty Fleming, Ronnie Mitchell, Wally Cade, Blake Gohring, and Garrett Gohring.

Memorials may be made to Campground United Methodist Church, c/o Becky Waddell, 4431 Young Crossing Road, Louisville, MS, 39339; or St. Judes Children’s Hospital.

Rudolph Holton

Mr. Rudolph Holton, 90, born in Louisville, Mississippi, on November 15, 1921 to Robert Henry and Leona Barnhill Holton, passed away on Friday, September 28, 2012, in the State Veteran’s Home, Kosciusko, Mississippi, with his wife and family by his side.

Mr. Holton was a Veteran of the U. S. Army during World War II serving in Normandy, North France, and Rhineland. He served in the Army for 3 and ½ years and was captured by the Germans and imprisoned by 109 days in the German Prison Camps. Upon his discharge from the military, he received the Purple Heart as well as numerous other medals and meritorious citations.

Mr. Holton was a graduate of Calhoun High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Mississippi State University.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Norine Moore Holton; one son, Dr. Ron Holton of Austin, Texas; two daughters, Tanya Holton and Salenthia Holton Scott both of Brandon, Mississippi; one sister, Pearl Robinson of Louisville, Mississippi; one granddaughter, Shauna Holton; three grandsons, Dr. Lance Holton, Ryan Underwood and Christopher Scott; numerous half-brothers, half-sisters, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. His parents preceded him in death.

The family will receive friends from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday, September 30, 2012, at Lakewood Memorial Funeral Home, 6011 Clinton Blvd., Jackson, Mississippi.

The funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, October 1, 2012, in the chapel of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville,Mississippi, where visitation will begin at 2 p.m. and continue until service time. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Louisville.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the State Veteran’s Home, 310 Autumn Ridge Drive,Kosciusko, MS 39090. Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS, will be handling the local arrangements. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family by signing the guestbook at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.

Bobby Van Smyth

Mr. Bobby Van Smyth, 81, died Tuesday, September 25, 2012, at The Care Center of Louisville. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, September 28th, at First Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Scott Phillips and Dr. Bob Schwanebeck officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Porter Funeral Home. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Porter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Smyth was born May 12, 1931 in Louisville, MS. He was the son of Ruby Vanlandingham and Sylvester Hayes Smyth. He was a graduate of Louisville High School, and received his B.S. degree from Mississippi State University, where he majored in Industrial Management. After graduation from MSU, Bobby spent 17 years in South Louisiana with National Supply, a division of Armco Steel. He moved back to Louisville in 1974 and was co-owner of Lake Tiak O’Khata. He was an Air Force veteran and a member and elder of First Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife, Vera Smith Smyth of Louisville; two daughters, Lou Ann (Frank) Gaulding of Covington, GA, and Jennifer Tillman of Tucson, AZ; a son, Harold Hayes Smyth of Fort Pierce, FL; a sister, Sylvia R. Clark of Louisville; twelve grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.

Bobby was a kind and gracious man, who seldom met a stranger and always offered a generous smile and warm “hello” to everyone he met. He lived a life of integrity and honor as he fulfilled the roles of devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and son. He loved the Lord, cherished his family, and treasured his friends. He was a man of great strength and quiet dignity, whose unselfish and caring heart endured him to all.

Pallbearers are Bobby Lightner, Michael Lightner, Jeremiah Lightner, Matthew Tillman, Steve White, and Phillip Cunningham. Honorary pallbearers are Elders of First Presbyterian Church.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assn., Palmer Home for Children, or First Presbyterian Church.

Veterine Thames

Veterine Thames, 58, passed away on Sunday, September 23, 2012, at the Baptist Golden Triangle Hospital, Columbus, MS. Funeral Service will be Saturday, September 29, 2012, at 2 p.m., from Pleasant Ridge Missionary Baptist Church, Noxapater, Mississippi. Burial will be at the Friendship Cemetery, Gholson, MS. Visitation will be Friday from 12 noon until 6 p.m., from Beck Funeral Home. The body will be placed in the church on Saturday one hour before service time.

Marlene Collins McDrew

Funeral Service for Marlene Collins McDew, 59, will be Saturday at 11 a.m., from Wesley United Methodist Church, Louisville, Mississippi. Visitation will be Friday from 12 noon until 6 p.m., from Beck Funeral Home. The body will be placed in the church on Saturday one hour before service time. Burial will take place at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Louisville, Mississippi.

Fern W. Henderson

Mrs. Fern Wentzel Henderson, 94, died Monday, September 24, 2012, at Winston County Nursing Home in Louisville, MS. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, September 30th, at Center Ridge United Methodist Church, with Rev. Larry Haggard officiating. Interment will be in Center Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Porter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Henderson was born April 30, 1918, in Reading, Pennsylvania. She was a retired receptionist for a physician’s office. She was a 1934 graduate of Mulhenburg High School in Reading, PA. She was a past Worthy Matron in the Order of the Eastern Star, and a member of St. Stephens United Methodist Church in Columbus, MS. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald D. Dowd, Sr.

She is survived by two sons, Rev. Mike Dowd of Louisville, MS, and Donald D. Down, Jr. of Phoenix, AZ; four grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Center Ridge Cemetery Fund, 336 Shiloh Road, Louisville, MS, 39339.

Helen Duncan Skipper

Services for Helen Duncan Skipper will be held Monday, September 24,2012 at 10 a.m. from Salem Baptist Church in Kemper County with Rev. Jerry Jones and Rev. Ben Skipper officiating. Burial will follow in Chamberlain Cemetery in Kemper County with McClain-Hays Funeral Homein Philadelphia, MS in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Skipper, 86, died, Friday, September 21, 2012 at Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian.
She was a native and lifelong resident of the Preston community in Kemper County. Mrs. Skipper was a member of Salem Baptist Church. She was a retired teacher assistant with the Kemper County School System. She loved her family, friends, garden and flowers.

Survivors include her sons, James Skipper (Sue) of Shuqualak and Michael Skipper of Louisville ; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and sister, Melinda Sue "Susie" Skipper of Preston.
Mrs. Skipper was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred Skipper and son, Wayne Skipper.

Visitation will be held Sunday, September 23, 2012, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at McClain-Hays Funeral Home.