Obituaries

Tuesday, May 21 – 

Penny Melissa Phelps Sorrels passed away Monday, May 20, 2019. She was 53 years old.

Mrs. Sorrels was a native of Vicksburg, MS and had been living in Pattison and Brookhaven, MS most of her life. She was a devoted wife and mother and loved being a grandmother. She was a member of Beech Grove BaptistChurch.

She is survived by her husband Randy Eugene Sorrels; son Travis Sorrels (Kayla); daughter Cody Sorrels (Ben Norwood); sisters Deborrah Easom (Bobby), and Chandra Anderson (Wayne); mother Alice Sorrels; and grandson Raylon Tucker Sorells.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 23, 2019 at Glenwood Funeral Home in Port Gibson, MS from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. with services beginning at 12:00 P.M. in the chapel. Rev. Michael Jabour will be officiating. Burial will follow atSarepta Cemetery in Claiborne County, MS.

Pallbearers will be Emmett Roan, Travis Keene, Cody Teekel, Casey Sorrels, Kyle Sorrels, and Taylor Jones.

Memorials may be made to Beech Grove Baptist Church at 11122 Forest Grove Rd. Pattison, MS 39144

Monday, May 20 – 

Mayor Unita Zelma Blackwell, 86, died Monday, May 13, 2019, at Ocean Springs Hospital in Ocean Springs.

Born in Lula, Unita was a civil rights activist, community developer, politician, and author. She did not finish high school at her early age; she worked in the Delta cotton fields until she was 30 years old.

Later becoming a voter registration worker in the 1960s, Blackwell was the first female African-American Mayor in Mississippi; she was elected in 1976 in Mayersville, serving in office for 20 years.

After her lifetime struggles for voters rights for blacks, she was a fellow of the Institute of Politics at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. She also held a master’s degree from the University ofMassachusetts. Blackwell was the recipient of the MacAuthur Fellowship (MacAuthur Genius Award) in 1992.

Her autobiography, “Barefoot: Life Lessons From The Road To Freedom,” was published in 2006. She also served two years as the president of the National Conference of Black Mayors, founder and president of the National Conference of Black Woman Mayors and good-will Ambassador to China. Blackwell held four honorary doctorates and has received numerous other awards for her contributions to human rights.

Blackwell was the daughter of the late Virda Mae and Willie Brown. She is survived by her son, Jeremiah (Michelle) Blackwell, “JR;” and four grandchildren, Brandie, Miyah, Jermaine and Naji, all of Biloxi.

Services will be Thursday, May 23, 2019, at noon at Woodworth Chapel on the Tougaloo College Campus in Jackson. Hey body will lie in repose from 10 a.m. until the funeral.

The Rev. Regina Thomas will officiate the eulogy.

Interment will be Friday at 10 a.m. at Rose Hill Church Cemetery in Mayersville. Pastor Larry White will officiate the interment.

Walker Funeral Home of Rolling Fork, Mississippi in charge of funeral arrangements.

 

Funeral services for William Jerome Jones Sr. will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at Bethlehem M. B. Church with the Rev. Dennis Redden officiating.

Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of W. H. Jefferson Funeral Home.

Visitation will be Friday, May 17, at the funeral home from 6 to 7 p.m.

William J. Jones Sr. passed away Saturday, May 11, at Merit Health River Region Medical Center following a sudden illness.  He was 59.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Vinia Jones; his son, William J. Jones Jr.; sister, Bertha Maxwell; and brother Carl Vincent.

He is survived by Claudette King of Vicksburg; his sons, Tyrone King, Tevin Turner, Christopher Newell and Andrew King, all of Vicksburg; his daughters, Candace King and Raven Turner, both of Vicksburg; his brothers, Joe Willi Jones, John H Jones, Ernest Jones Jr. George E. Jones, Ronald Owens, Gregory Jones, Derrick Vincent; and Medgar May; and his sisters Lula Jones Bridges, and Annette Jones.

Virginia Ann Willard Smith died on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at The Arbors Nursing Home in Ridgeland, MS.

Virginia was born to Charlie B. and Ann Shealy Willard on September 24, 1931, in Utica, MS.  She attended the Utica schools and one week after graduation married her high school sweet heart, Herbert Franklin Smith. After Junior joined the army, she drove by herself from Utica to the base in Georgia to visit him.  After Junior finished his service duty, they settled in Vicksburg eventually building their first home on Carpenter Street in Utica. She worked as a bookkeeper at the bank and at the court house in Raymond, all while raising her family. After eleven years they were blessed with their only child, Jennifer Ruth.   Many years later Jennifer presented them with her son James Michael Boles. Michael became a Marine and has given Virginia two great-grandchildren. Later Jennifer added step-children, Jennifer Cain Smith (Chip), Josh, and Kristen Cain. They added four great grand children. Virginia is also survived by five nieces and three nephews.

Virginia loved her church, First Baptist of Utica, and when she lost Junior her church family became a great comfort for her.

The family wishes to thank all her friends, most she went to school with and enjoyed so much.  Their weekly appointments to the hair salon and later lunch with them was the highlight of the week.

Visitation on Wednesday, May 22, at Utica Baptist Church will begin at 10:00 am; with service to follow at 11:00 am officiated by Dr. Rocky Henriques. Burial will follow in Utica Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Blaine Powell, Joshua Swain, Joshua Cain, Michael Boles, Kevin Coughran and Chip Smith.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Alzheimers Association.

Sunday, May 19 –

Camelia Davidson Abbott, 75, was called home to Heaven by her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, May 17, 2019, after a lengthy illness.

Camelia was born and raised in Vicksburg, MS. She was baptized in her Christian Faith at an early age in a metal wash tub at Northside Baptist Church in Vicksburg. She was currently a member of the First Baptist Church of Vicksburg.

After graduating from LPN school at Kuhn Memorial Hospital in 1972 she served her hometown for many years as a nurse at both Kuhn Memorial Hospital and Vicksburg Hospital. She served her community and Savior faithfully until her death.

Camelia is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Lois Cox Davidson; her daughter, Jeni Kowaluk; her sons, Charles Guin and Brit Abbott and her maternal and paternal grandparents who all welcomed her into Heaven.

Her life is celebrated by her daughter and son-in-law, Dana and Thomas Grant; her step-granddaughter, Anna Grant; her granddaughter, Sidney Abbott, Carlotta Eiland, Rick and Carol Eiland and a host of friends, especially David Hensley, Claudia West, Susie Adams, Judy and Rusty Barnes, Jan and Danny Hays, Gene and Patsy Abbott. TK Grant, Linda Dickson and Dorothy Johns.

Special thanks to Merit Health River Region, The Bluffs, Encompass Hospice and Dr. Sligh for their exemplary and compassionate care.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at Glenwood Funeral Home and graveside services will follow at 11:00 AM in Cedar Hill Cemetery with Dr. Matt Buckles officiating.

 

Mr. Jimmie Vernon Chandler passed away Friday, May 17, 2019. He was 84 years old.

Mr. Chandler was a native of Montana and had been living in Hermanville, MS for the past 40 years. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War recieving the Purple Heart Medal. He was a long distance truck driver.

Mr. Chandler is survived by his wife Mary Daniels Chandler; daughters Bonnie Broughton, and Eloise Laurey; 9 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Monday, May 20, 2019 from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at Glenwood Funeral Home in Port Gibson, Ms with services starting in the chapel at 11:00 A.M.. Rev. David Holton will be officiating. Burial will follow inHermanville Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be grandsons.

 

Friday, May 17 – 

Helen Elizabeth Jones Davis, 81, of Vicksburg passed away May 16, 2019 with her family beside her. Mrs. Davis was currently under the care of Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland,MS. Mrs Davis was born on July 22, 1937 in Sunflower,MS and moved to Vicksburg with her late husband, Doyle A. Davis, in 1956.

She served as a Nurse’s Aide at Vicksburg Convalescent Home for 20 years. Mrs. Davis was a member of Trinity Baptist Church of Vicksburg. She often spoke of her love for the Lord and his people. She is surely rejoicing in Heaven on the day.

Mrs. Davis is preceded in death by her loving husband, Doyle A. Davis: her grandparents William Henry and Rose Ella Smithart: her father, Ben F. Jones: her mother, Nancy Marie Smithart Jones: her brother, Ben G. Jones: her sisters, Shirley Womble, Laura Staggs, Martha Robinson, and Nelda Walley. She is survived by her Sisters, Diane Dent,Carol Hughes, and Brenda Jones: brothers Jimmy Jones, and Travis Jones: her daughters Rhonda Alford (Jason), and Donna Davis: two grandchildren, Adren Cooksey, and Brandy Lee.

Visitation will be Saturday, May 18, 2019 from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at Glenwood Funeral Home with services starting at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel. Rev. Mike Alford will be officiating. Burial will follow at 3:00P.M. at IndianolaMemorial Gardens Cemetery, in Indianola, MS.

Pallbearers will be Adren Cooksey, Cameron Cooksey, Cory Lee, Richard Brumfield, and  Jason Alford.

 

Effle Lee Griffing died Thursday, May 16, 2019, at the Heritage House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was 91.
A lifelong resident of Vicksburg, she was formerly employed by the Warren Co. School District. She was an active member of Trinity Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Dolly Hedrick Cook; her husband, William Griffing and her 2 brothers, Ernest Lee Cook and Richard Cook.

She is survived by her 3 sons, Phil (Linda) Griffing, Tom (Melody) Griffing and Steve (Sue) Griffing all of Vicksburg; her 2 sisters, Nadine Ables and Zedith (George) Ozburn both of Vicksburg; 7 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, May 18, 2019, in the chapel of Glenwood Funeral Home with Revs. Ron Burch and Charlie Harris officiating. Interment will follow in the Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery.
Visitation will be 12:30 PM until the hour of the service.

Pallbearers will be John Griffing, James Griffing, Phillip Griffing, Gary Jackson, Marion Love, Jr. and Mac McKnight.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Gillis, Steve Cook, William Cook and the Deacons at Trinity Baptist Church.

 

Thursday, May 16 – 

Carolyn Aziz passed away Sunday, May 12, at her home following a brief illness.  She was 62.  She had worked as a lab tech and was a member of the Pleasant Valley M. B. Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Percy and Noreen Bounds; her son, Emanuel Aziz; her brother, Randy Bounds; and her sister, Sherry Spivey.

She is survived by her husband, Walley Aziz of Vicksburg; her son, Walley Aziz Jr. of Niceville, Fla.; her daughter, Maryam Husband of Brandon; her three brothers, Percy Bounds of Jackson, Stanley Bounds of Las Vegas, Nev., and Roger Bonds of Morton; and her sister, Doris Wess of Hamon, Ind., and six grandchildren.

Funeral Services for Douglas Walters Jr. will be Sunday, May 19, 2019, at 2 p.m. at Greater Grove Street MB Church.

Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be Saturday 1 to 7 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 7 p.m. at CJ Williams Mortuary Services, and from 1 p.m. until the hour of service on Sunday at the church.

Mr. Walters passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2019, in Houston Texas. He was 30.

He was a professional rapper known as “D O DA  HOOD HERO” .

He is survived by three children, Douglas Walters, Myrikal Walters, and Da`Cari Walters; his parents, Hugh Myles and Sandra Maureen Morris Myles and Douglas Walters Sr.; nine siblings, and a host of other relatives and friends.

 

Funeral services for William Jerome Jones Sr., will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18, at Bethlehem M. B. Church with the Rev. Dennis Redden officiating.

Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of W. H. Jefferson Funeral Home.

Visitation will be Friday, May 17, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

William J. Jones Sr. passed away Saturday, May 11, at Merit Health River Region Medical Center following a sudden illness. He was 59.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Vinia Jones; and his son, William J. Jones Jr.; sister Bertha Maxwell; and brother Carl Vincent.

He is survived by Claudette King of Vicksburg; his sons, Tyrone King, Christopher Newell and Andrew King, all of Vicksburg; his daughters, Candace King and Raven Turner, both of Vicksburg; his brothers, Joe Willi Jones, John H Jones, Ernest Jones Jr. George E. Jones, Ronald Owens, Gregory Jones, Derrick Vincent and Medgar May; and his sisters, Lula Jones Bridges and Annette Jones.

Wednesday, May 15 – 

Funeral services for Mr. Ronnie Bedgood, age 71, will be Thursday, May 16, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at the Crothers-Glenwood Funeral Home Chapel in Tallulah. Visitation will be one hour before the service from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

 Mr. Bedgood was a lifelong resident of Madison Parish. Ronnie retired in 2015, after farming 42 years with his wife, Myrtis.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Ola Bedgood.

 Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Myrtis Bedgood, his son, Ron Bedgood (Stacie), his daughter, Karen Hale (Matt), grandchildren, Avery, Emery, Finley, and Elizabeth, brothers, Melvin and Steve, and sisters, Betty and Joyce.

 Pallbearers are Jim Diel, Bruce Copes, Rodger Bedgood, Nap Book, Lance Cone, and Paulino Diaz. Honorary pallbearers are Romaen Berry, Kenny Burrell, Micheal Dames, and David Atcheson.

Monday, May 13 – 

Patsy Wilma Harmon Hattaway died Saturday, May 11, 2019, at her home. She was 84. She was born Nov. 12, 1934, in Webster County.

Pat was a loving and loyal wife, mother, sister, friend and dedicated servant of her Heavenly Father, Jehovah.

She was always busy ensuring the care of her family. Never ceasing to worry about husband, her children and grandchildren, other family members, and friends.

After the loss of her dear husband, she was sustained by her faith in the resurrection hope. She would daily talk about how wonderful it will be to see family and friends who have passed away in death. But, her greatest joy was the hope of seeing Loyd again when he will be resurrected in the paradise on earth.

Her hope was firmly founded in the Holy Scriptures that teach God’s purpose to have the earth transformed into a beautiful paradise where we can live forever.  Scriptures like…. Revelation 21:3,4 and John 5:28,29.

In fact Nita found a poem that Pat had in her desk drawer.

“A loved one lost can grieve the heart and make us yearn for tomorrow…

When Jehovah will keep the promise he made of:

“No death, No pain, No sorrow.”

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Loyd Hattaway; her father, Horace Benton “Jack” Harmon, and mother, Essie Hazel Harmon; brother, Eugene Harmon; and her sisters, Moviline Sanders, Margaret Sullivan and Sonoma Martin.

She is survived by her son, Alan Hattaway and wife Darlene; her daughter, LaNita Cleveland and husband Wayne; her grandson, Mark Cleveland and wife Kristina; and great-granddaughter, Taylor Cleveland; her sister, Juanita Henderson, and sisters-in-law, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Additionally, Pat leaves behind many special dear friends, Jennifer and Lee Savage, Jackie Greer, Melody Daniels, Inez Heidelberg andMarilyn Weaver, only to mention a few.

Memorial services will be 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery with Glenwood Funeral Home of Vicksburg in charge of arrangements.