James Franks

MANTACHIE - James Odell Franks, 80, died Monday, March 9, 2009, at his home after a sudden illness. He was born Sept. 25, 1928, to Garvin and Alice Franks. He retired from Itawamba County Schools as a long-time school bus driver. He was an avid fisherman and hunter.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Mantachie with Bro. Castor Buse officiating. Burial was in Mantachie Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Hazel Franks; one son, Johnny Odell Franks; one brother, Glen Allen Franks; three grandchildren, Rodney Dale Franks, Christopher Allen Franks and Atesa Rena Gardner; four great grandchildren, Laken Franks, John Weston Franks, Alayna Gardner and Nelia Gardner.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Pallbearers were James Francis, Tommy Franks, Jamie Franks, Jimmy Dale Franks, Danny Wayne Franks and Danny Lane Franks.

Nellie Deaton

TISHOMINGO - Nellie South Deaton, 88, died Sunday, March 15, 2009, at the Red Bay Hospital. She was born April 19, 1920, in Paden to Willis and Eliza Shackelford South. She was retired from Lance Garment in Red Bay, Ala., and she was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, at Bethlehem Baptist Church with Dr. Tom Whatley and Bro. John Bray officiating. Burial was in the Bethlehem Cemetery. Deaton Funeral Home of Belmont was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include three children, Ida Nell Hughes of Tuscumbia, Ala., Donna Deaton of Tishomingo and David Addis Deaton (Toni) of Burton; six grandchildren, Chris Greene (Maria), Karen Parris (Rex), Bruce Greene (Carrie), Katie Deaton, Lacey Cain (FiancampÎ Eric Harris) and a special grandson, Chan Merrell; five great-grandchildren, Hunter Greene, Olivia Greene, Will Parris, Emilio Greene and Allison Brooks; three sisters, Marjorie Stephens of Fulton, Ilene Greene (Thadus) of Paden and Hester Sartain of Tupelo.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Edgar Pace and Addis Deaton; one granddaughter, Jil Merrell; her parents; two sisters, Gertie Byram and Lorene Gortney; and one brother, Melvin South.

Pallbearers were Mark Birmingham, Charles South, Tommy Nunley, Mike Smith, Tim McClung and Stanley Page.

Willie Ray Franks

TREMONT - Willie Ray Franks, 64, died Sunday, March 15, 2009, at his home. He was born May 28, 1944, in Itawamba County to John Erman and Francis McMillian Franks. He was a welder employed by Big Bee Metal Manufacturing Co. in Tremont.

Private memorial services were held. Senter Funeral Home of Fulton was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include one daughter, Teresa Wise of Prattville, Ala.; two grandchildren, Charles and Joseph Wise of Prattville; one great-grandchild, Isaiah Wise of Prattville; two sisters, Pearl Franks of Tunica and Verley Franks of Indiana.

Nora Ann Warren

MANTACHIE - Nora Ann Warren died Monday, March 16, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. She was born Nov. 23, 1959, in Itawamba County. She was a member of Mt. Pisgah M.B. Church in Mantachie.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 20, at the Mantachie High School with Rev. Copeland officiating. Burial was in Warren Chapel Cemetery at Mantachie. N.L. Jones and Son Funeral Directors was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include one son, Chatado Warren of Mantachie; her mother, Bobbie Sue Warren of Mantachie; three sisters, Barbara (Willie) King of Clearwater, Fla., Sharon (Jerrod) Smith and Ellen Warren, both of Mantachie; two brothers, Willie (Linda) Warren of Belden and Lee Anthony (Juanita) Warren of Grand Rapids, Mich.; 16 nieces and nephews; seven great-nieces and great-nephews; one aunt, Wilma (Eurtis) Jones; two uncles, Willie Paul (Margaret) Dixon and Willie Dee (Glenda) Dixon; special friends, Anita Culver, Peggy Stephens, Phyllis Kitchens, Kay Umfress and Dennis Sanders.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Milton and Lola Mae Dixon, and a brother, Michael Lee Warren.

Orell Gregg

FULTON - Orell Gregg, 92, died Tuesday, March 17, 2009, at The Courtyards in Fulton. She was born July 7, 1916, in Alabama to Joe and Susan Cromer. She was a retired employee of Toll Gate Garment in Hamilton, Ala., and a member of the Hamilton Primitive Baptist Church.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 20, at Hamilton Funeral Home Chapel in Hamilton, Ala., with Bro. Frank Wood and Bro. Bobby Payne officiating. Burial was in Memorial Gardens in Weston, Ala.

Survivors include one son, Gay Wilson Gregg (Cherry) of Zion, Ill.; one daughter, Wanda Adams (Kenneth) of Fulton; five grandchildren, Michael Gregg (Sherri), Kim Fulton (Dave), Mitzi Nasce (Richard), Lori Little and Gregg Adams; six great-grandchildren, Tara, Gary, David, Spencer, Lucas and Hayley; one sister, Caralene Terry; and one brother, Jerry Cromer.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Gay Gregg; her parents; and four brothers and five sisters.

Lercy C. Willis

FULTON - Lercy C. Willis, 84, died Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at Cornerstone Health and Rehab Complex in Corinth. He was born March 28, 1924, in Itawamba County to Columbus Cleveland and Martha Eulander Samples Willis. He was a retired employee of Pennsylvania Tire Company and a member of Union Chapel Church of God. He was an avid guitar player and gardener and a master storyteller.

Graveside services were held at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Mt. Gilead Cemetery with Richie Lesley officiating. Senter Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include one daughter, Diane Stacy (Paul) of Corinth; two grandchildren, Meredith and William Stacy of Corinth; two sisters-in-law, Ouida Bishop of Marietta and Wilma Barnes of Fulton; a special sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda K. and Roger Howell of Fairview; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lula B. amp"Pollyamp" Willis; two sisters, Exie Lesley and Sederie Gilliland; and five brothers, Lesley Willis, Lovie Willis, Cloice Willis, Lemois Willis and Troyce Willis.

Ethelene Rogers

PLANTERSVILLE - Ethelene amp"Pugamp" Rogers, 68, formerly of Fulton, died Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at the Sanctuary Hospice House. She was born Nov. 11, 1940, to Trice and Charlie Mae Williams of Peppertown. She was a retired seamstress. She enjoyed visits from her great-grandchildren and her dog, Coco.

Services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 20, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Fulton with Bro. Danny Balint officiating. Burial was in Walton Cemetery.

Survivors include two daughters, Debbie Wilemon (Steve) of Plantersville and Kathy Goatley (Terry) of Mayfield, Ky.; one sister, Nell McKinney of Tupelo; three brothers, Chuck Williams and Donnie Williams, both of Dorsey, and Eddie Williams of Virginia; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Trice Rogers; one son, Chris Rogers; one daughter, Pam Bradshaw; and her parents.

Pallbearers were Russell Shawn Wilemon, Cory Goatley, Christian Goatley, Michael Williams, Larry Rogers and Freemon Rogers.

Patty Barber

PEACEFUL VALLEY - Patty Jo Moore Barber, 56, died Thursday, March 19, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. She was born Nov. 2, 1952, in Tupelo. She graduated from Tupelo Beauty School and Cosmetology, and worked as a beautician for many years. After becoming disabled, she made and showed Native American arts and crafts. She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church. She loved her family dearly.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at the McNeece Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Mantachie with Bro. Castor Buse and Bro. Lloyd Minor officiating. Burial was in Walton Cemetery.

Survivors include her husband, Mike Barber of Peaceful Valley; two sons, Russell Engle (Angie) of Mantachie and Wayne Murphree (Jessie) of Peaceful Valley; her parents, Windell amp"Tamp" and Mildred Moore of Mantachie; two stepchildren, Becky Graham (Brant) of Fulton and Chris Barber (Sam) of Mantachie; one brother, Bobby Windell Moore (Nellie) of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; 12 grandchildren, one niece and one nephew.

Pallbearers were Joey Thompson, Brant Graham, Chris Barber, Jeff Moore, Shaw Engle and Jimmy Moore.

Maelene Reschke

TUPELO - Maelene Reschke, 87, died Friday, March 20, 2009, at Community Hospice at Darlington Oaks after a brief illness. A native of Itawamba County, she was born May 7, 1921, to James Allie and Rennie Mae Clayton Loden. After growing up in Dorsey, she lived more than 50 years in Benton Harbor, Mich. She was a cosmetologist and beautician for many years, and owned Maelene's Styling Salon in Benton Harbor before she retired at age 79. She then returned to Mississippi. She enjoyed taking care of the elderly by bringing them to her beauty shop to do their hair. She also enjoyed cooking.

Graveside services were held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 23, at Dorsey Cemetery with Rev. Tim Loden officiating. W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include two sisters, Janie Breeding of Mooreville and Jean Robinson (Frank) of Tupelo; two brothers, the Rev. John T. Loden of Fulton and the Rev. Tim Loden (Dean) of Tupelo; one granddaughter, Jeana Maelene Pasino (Robert Brian Pasino) of Bricktown, N.J.; two great-grandchildren, Jeanie Cariello and Robert James Pasino; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Otto Reschke; a sister, Janice Breeding; a brother, James Loden; a daughter, Jeanie Strachan; a son, George Kirby Hicks; her sister-in-law, Mae Loden; and her brother-in-law, Bill Breeding.

Tom Adams

FULTON - Tom Adams, 32, died Saturday, March 20, 2009, at his residence. He was born Oct. 24, 1976, in Amory to Reed and Regina Adams. He was a member of Pine Grove Church of Christ and an avid Ole Miss and Shreveport Mudbugs Fan. He had a certificate in Diesel Mechanics from ICC and was an employee of Itawamba County Solid Waste.

Services were held at 1 p.m. Monday, March 23, at the Senter Funeral Home Chapel with Jeremy Pierce and Cliff Jarrell officiating. Burial was in the Pine Grove Church of Christ Cemetery. Senter Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Lorinda Morris Adams of Fulton; one daughter, Delta Grace Adams of Fulton; his parents; one brother, Matt Adams (Amelia) of Clarksdale; one sister, Kim Aldridge (Jeff) of Hattiesburg; grandparents, Willene Adams of Fairview; his mother-in-law, Anita Morris of Fulton; nephew and niece, Logan and Mia Aldridge; and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Marvin Adams, Carl Adams and Reaple Adams; and his father-in-law, Richard Morris.

Pallbearers were Ricky Adams, Nathan Murphy, Isaac Adams, Chris Dolittle, Heath Morris, David Thomas, Richard Johnson and Jimmy amp"Cottonamp" Franks.

Honorary pallbearers were employees of the Itawamba County Sanitation Department and special friends, Nicholas, Micah and Jordan Laney.

James Jackson

BALDWYN - James Lowell Jackson died Saturday, March 21, 2009, at his residence after an extended illness. He was a retired farmer and factory employee. He was a member of Parkers Chapel Baptist Church.

Services were held at 4 p.m. Monday, March 23, at Waters Funeral Home with Bro. Dempsy Rowland, Ray Guin and Bro. Loyd Stephens officiating. Burial was in the Kirkville Cemetery. Waters Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife and caregiver, Mary Beth Jackson of Baldwyn; son, Halbert Jackson (Paulette), Lonnie Jackson (Tae) of Mantachie, Larry Jackson (Marsha) of Fulton; daughters, Hellen Lindsey (Billy) of Baldwyn, Doris McCreary (Mitchell) of Marietta; stepson, Billy Wright (Jean) of Cherokee, Ala.; brother, Paul Jackson (Annette) of Marietta; sister, Irene Thurmond of Byhalia; grandchildren, Butch Jackson (Kim), Chris and Stephen Lindsey, Jessica Yielding, Nathan and Cassie Jackson, Brent Jackson (Carrie), Melyndie and Reebekah McCreary, Jonathan, Jesse and Holly Guin and Jeff and Billy Wright Jr.; great-grandchildren, C.J. and Victoria Jackson, Marlee Kindsey and Annalissa Yielding.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Edna Pearl Jackson; his parents, Ewell and Pauling Jackson; and a brother-in-law, Carroll Thurmond.

Pallbearers were his grandsons and a great-grandson.