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Obituaries

Elsie Marie Keen Ayres

Elsie Marie Keen Ayres, 88, died July 30 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. A school teacher in Hickory Flat, she lived near Hickory Flat for over 65 years.

Services were held at 11 a.m., Aug. 1 at Hickory Flat United Methodist Church with Rev. Brownie Tohill, Rev. Neal Vick and Rev. Lanny Autry officiating. Burial was in McKay Cemetery in Hickory Flat. Holly Springs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

She leaves her husband of 65 years, Sidney Rivers Ayres; a daughter, Deborah Autry (Lanny) of New Albany; a son, Sid Ayres (Karr) of Hickory Flat; a sister, Betty Sue Adams (Everett) of Ackerman; a brother, Lamar Keen (Clarise) of Oxford; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold Keen and Leon Keen.

Pallbearers were grandsons-in-law, Ken Williams, Glenn Simmons, Brandon Barnes; great-grandson Luke Williams; Gerry Paul Moffitt and French Woods.

For online condolences visit www.hsfuneralhome.com.

Deborah Ritter Crapa

Deborah Ritter Crapa, 53, died July 20, 2012, at Baptist Hospital DeSoto in Southaven. She was a manager for Kroger.

A memorial service will be held a later date. Wells Funeral Home & Cremation Services will be in charge of arrangements.

She leaves two daughters, Jennifer Leigh Brister, Lisa Kay Huddleston, both of Byhalia; four sisters, Donna Hollifield, Teresa Marcum, Pamela Massengill, Kimberly Kelley, all of Byhalia; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Rose Rains Fitch

Rose Rains Fitch, 76, of Holly Springs, died July 25, 2012, at Trinity Missions in Holly Springs. She was the widow of Robert G. Fitch and a school teacher.

Services were held at 10 a.m. on July 28 at First Baptist Church of Holly Springs, where she was a member. Burial was in Hill Crest Cemetery. Bro. Curtis Ferrell officiated. Holly Springs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

She leaves her son, Robert “Bo” Fitch (Polly) of Pickwick Dam, Tenn.; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, Daryl Fitch.

For online condolences visit www.hsfuneralhome.com.

Joseph Honduras Ford Jr.

Joseph Honduras Ford Jr., 82, of Holly Springs, died July 24, 2012, at his home. He was a church trustee, class leader, Sunday school superintendent, choir member, a member of the steward board, a former lay leader, active Sunday school teacher for more than 60 years, active on the district and regional levels. He received his high school diploma from M.I. College high school department. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Tuskegee Institute, a master’s degree in agriculture from Tuskegee Institute and a master’s in administration from Michigan State University. He held a teaching position at Water Valley Colored High School in Water Valley. He taught science and coached the basketball team and was a former principal. He was principal of W.H. Sims High School. In 1970, he became the first African American principal of Holly Springs High School until retirement in 1990. He received many awards and honors, including first African American president of Mississippi Association Secondary School principal 1978-1980 (MASSP); first African American real estate agent of Marshall County; a member of Marshall County School Board for many years; NAACP, AARP, lifetime member of MAE and NEA; Marshall County Retired Teacher Association; member of Men’s Breakfast; 33 degree Mason, American Legion; past president Mississippi Principal Association 1978-1980; Powell Chapel Lodge #339; Oxford Consistory #183; U.S. Air Force veteran of Korean War; American Legion Post #250 and a GED instructor.

Services were held at 4 p.m. on July 28 at Anderson Chapel CME Church in Holly Springs, where he was a member. Burial was in Cottrell Memorial Garden. Rev. Denise Anders-Modest officiated. J.F. Brittenum and Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

He leaves his wife, Dwain Oliver Ford; four children, Joshua Honduras Ford, Jonathan Honduras Ford, both of Holly Springs, Kimberly Ford of Chicago, Ill., Tammy Ford Falkner of Olive Branch; a goddaughter and godson, Ja-Metra, Greg Bagley; three sisters, Thelma Mae Ford Morris (Cardell) of Victorville, Calif., Carol Jean Ford Moody of Holly Springs, Virginia B. Ford Jones of Washington, D.C.; and a brother, Melvin Sea Ford (Georgia) of Crete, Ill.

Ella Pearl Gray

Ella Pearl Gray, 80, of Senatobia, formerly of Ashland, died July 25, 2012, at her home. She was the widow of Lee Russell Gray Sr.

Services were held at 3 p.m. on July 27 at Ashland Baptist Church. Burial was in Ashland Cemetery. Bro. Gerald Hodges officiated. Holly Springs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

She leaves a daughter, Karen Loretta Gray of Senatobia; a son, Lee R. Gray Jr. of Nashville, Tenn.; two brothers, Frank Thompson, David Thompson, both of Hickory Flat; a sister, Maxine Weatherly of Ripley; and two grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Wes Gray, Nathan Gray, Steve Thompson, Justin Thompson, Ronnie Thompson and Eddie Gray.

For online condolences visit www.hsfuneralhome.com.

Wayne Greer

Wayne Delaine Greer, 73, of Hickory Flat, died July 24, 2012, at his home. He retired from the Mississippi State Highway Department of Transportation after 35 years of service. He was a member of the Cornersville Baptist Church.

Services were held at 11 a.m. on July 27 at the United Funeral Service Chapel. Burial was in Cornersville Cemetery in Potts Camp. Rev. Gary Linville officiated. United Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

He leaves a special friend, Joan Kennon of Hickory Flat; a sister, Mary Jane Greer Robbins (Larry) of Ripley; and a brother, Bobby Greer (Margaret) of Hickory Flat.

Pallbearers were Walter Gadd, Glen Clossitt, David Greer Jr., Allen Gray, William Byers, James Byers, James Smith and James Gray.

Bobby Leon Griggs

Bobby Leon Griggs, 40, of Holly Springs, died July 21, 2012, at Crittenden Regional Hospital, West Memphis, Ark. He was a member of Williams Temple Church of God In Christ in Moscow, Tenn. He was disabled.

Services were held at 1 p.m. on July 29 at Salt & Light Ministries in Lamar. Burial was in Williams Temple Church of God In Christ Cemetery. Supt. Robert Lee Williams officiated. J.F. Brittenum and Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

He leaves his mother, Dorothy Franklin Griggs of Holly Springs; his father, Eugene Griggs of Holly Springs; three children, Jeremiah Marr, Clarissa Griggs, Martavious Marr, all of Memphis, Tenn.; two sisters, Aretha Griggs of Holly Springs, Lisa Griggs of Lamar; two brothers, Eugene Griggs Jr. of Mt. Pleasant, Timothy Griggs of Holly Springs; and three god brothers, Tracey Jones, Marco Jones, both of Slayden, Chris G. of Olive Branch.

Rickey Hughes

Rickey Hughes, 57, of Holly Springs, died July 22, 2012, at his home. He attended Christ Temple Church of God In Christ and was a former factory worker.

Services were held at 12 noon on July 28 at Christ Temple Church of God In Christ. Burial was in Cottrell Memorial Garden. Supt. Albert Pass officiated. J.F. Brittenum and Son Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

He leaves two sisters, Ferristeen Clayborn and Theresa Boyd, both of Holly Springs.

Estelle Lomenick

Estelle Lomenick, 85, of Iuka, died July 28, 2012, at Sotuhern Magnolia Estates. She was the widow of Harold T. “Dickie” Lomenick. She was formerly employed at Genesco Shoe Factory and the office of Dr. John Hora, and later retired as branch manager from Iuka Guaranty Bank. She also served as coordinator of the Tishomingo County Red Cross for 20 years.

Services were held at 11 a.m. on July 31 at Iuka United Methodist Church, where she was a member for more than 50 years. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery. Rev. Jon Kaufman, Rev. Joe Reynolds and Andy Chumley officiated. Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka was in charge of arrangements.

She leaves three sons, Harold Lomenick (Judy), Gary Lomenick (Teresa ), both of Iuka, Bob Lomenick (Penny) of Holly Springs; a brother, J.E. Hudson (Mae) of Iuka; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Robert Lomenick Jr., John Travis Lomenick, Van Patrick Lomenick, Blake Thomas Lomenick, Barney E. Hudson and Danny D. Hudson. Honorary pallbearers include Jimmy Lomenick, Butch Daugherty, Lane Harris, Chris Lomenick, Jerry Hudson, Neil Hudson, Wayne Hudson, Charlie Cutshall, Brownie Lomenick, Mike McRee, David Nichols, special caregivers Goldie Phifer, Peggy Davis, Sue Smith, Linda Copeland and Anita Bullock and the staffs of Southern Magnolia Estates in Iuka and Hospice Advantage.

She was preceded in death by five brothers, Earl, Dow, Bert, Bart and Milton “Jim” Hudson; two sisters, Otha Cutshall, Irene Harris; and three infant siblings.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Iuka United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 101 E. Eastport St., Iuka, MS 38852, or by phone at (662) 423-6097.

Mayline Nolan Nelson

Mayline Nolan Nelson, 47, died July 23, 2012 at Baptist Hospital in New Albany. She was the widow of Willie Lee Nelson Sr.

Services were held at 1 p.m. on July 28 at Cornerstone Church of Christ in Byhalia, where she was a member. Min. Gary B. Young officiated. Burial was in Cottrell Memorial Gardens. Serenity Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

She leaves three daughters, Toccara Nolan, Lorna Nelson, Keosha Nelson; a son, Willie Jr. Nelson of Holly Springs; two stepdaughters, Carolyn Winford (Lee), Brandy Braden (Rodney), both of Memphis, Tenn.; a special son/nephew, Todd Richardson (Jackie) of Horn Lake; three sisters, Clara Lewis, Earline Richardson of Chicago, Ill., Betty Threatt (Clarence) of Memphis, Tenn.; and 11 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Georgia Nolan; and two brothers, Howard Richardson and Roy Richardson Jr.

Pallbearers were Tracy Nelson, Marcus Lewis, Kendrick Lewis, Darius Nelson, Derrick Richardson and Henry Webster. Honorary pallbearers were Willie Nelson Jr., Todd Richardson, Lee Winford, Rodney Braden, Lawrence Evans and Bobby Lewis.

Miller Tipler Jr.

Miller Tipler Jr., 83, of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Benton County, died July 28, 2012 at Baptist DeSoto Hospital in Southaven. He was a member of Greenwood MB Church in Lamar, an auto mechanic and a retired laborer for E.L. Bruce Company in Memphis.

Visitation will be Aug. 3 at the funeral home from 12 noon to 3:30 p.m. and at St. Paul MB Church, 2124 Holmes Rd., Memphis, from 5-7 p.m. and on Aug. 4 from 9–9:55 a.m. at the church.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Aug. 4 at St. Paul MB Church with burial in Greenwood MB Church Cemetery in Lamar. Minister Darvin Sanders will officiate.

He leaves his wife, Naomi McKay Tipler of Memphis; a son, Keith Tipler of Bartlett, Tenn.; five daughters, Shirley Edwards of Olive Branch, Anne Woodard, Martha Bell, Lovell Ray, Tosha Poplar, all of Memphis; two brothers, Albert Tipler of Ashland, Sylvester Tipler of Memphis; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two children, Beverly Jackson and Michael Tipler.

Lois Rebecca Yearwood

Lois Rebecca Yearwood, 69, of Collierville, Tenn., died July 27, 2012 in Southaven. She was the widow of Dan Yearwood and Donald Gene Garrison. She was a member of the Church of Christ and a dental assistant.

Graveside services were held at 1 p.m. on July 30 at Magnolia Cemetery. Bro. Henry Walls officiated. Holly Springs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

She leaves two daughters, Dennie Garrison of Rossville, Tenn., Cindy Turnmire (Dan) of Southaven; a brother, Edward Johnston of Rossville; a sister, Charlotte Thomas of Collierville; four grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

For online condolences visit www.hsfuneralhome.com.

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