John H. Wescott

FULTON – John H. “Rocky” Westcott, 73, died Monday, Aug. 24, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. He was born March 30, 1936, in Filmore, Mo. He was baptized at Old Bethel Methodist Church at Dennis. He entered the United States Navy in 1955 with training at Steam Generator Plant Inspector School, Nuclear Power School, Warrant Officer School, Engineer Officer School, Small Boat Handling School and SERE training. He served aboard the USS Canberra, USS Bainbridge, USS Deliver and USS Escape. He was a company commander at Great Lakes Naval Training; an OM officer in Danang, Vietnam, during the Vietnam conflict; and a battalion commander at San Diego Naval Training. He earned the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star, Combat V, Navy Achievement Medal with Gold Star, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, four Good Conduct Medals, Vietnamese Service Medal (9) and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He retired from the Navy as Chief Warrant Officer 4 after 24 years of service, retiring from his last duty station at Naval Service Forces Atlantic in Mayport, Fla., in 1980. While in the Navy he participated in amateur boxing, earning his nickname, “Rocky.” After retirement from the Navy, he delivered motor homes for Tiffin, drove a truck for Hugh Nichols and worked at Cooper Tire.

Services were held at 3 p.m. Thursday, August 27, at Senter Funeral Home. Bro. Bobby Hankins officiatde, and Joshua Mongan delivered the eulogy. Burial was in Old Bethel Cemetery in Dennis.

Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Ruby Ivy Taylor Westcott of Fulton; two daughters, Patricia Mongan (Michael) of St. Charles, La., and Deonne Williams (Raymond) of Fulton; one son, Danny Taylor (Rita) of Fulton; nine grandchildren, Donny Taylor (Tina), Michelle Miller and Jimmy Taylor (Angelle), all of Louisiana, Tammy Strickland of Georgia, Clint Mongan (Kelly) and Joshua Mongan (Sarah), both of Iowa, Amanda Case (Terry) of Amory, B.J. Wiles of Tupelo, Christie Williams of Fulton, Marty Williams (Nikki) of Tremont and Amy Moore (Brent) of Dorsey; 18 great-grandchildren, Brooks, Elaina, Tory, Brock, Thorne, Gavin, Bryce, Caleb and Christian Taylor, Joseph and Brandon Hollier, Justin and Austin Strickland, Sadie and Ella Mongan, Lane Simmons, Riley Case, Ryder Wiles, Bayden Williams, and Briana and Avery Moore; three brothers, Ernest, Jerry and Rick Westcott; four sisters, Marlene Thomas-Cootle, Pam Lewis, Patricia Box and Janie Irwin; a special friend from the Navy, Tom Shirley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Winfield and Opal Westcott; his grandparents, Ernest and Mable Westcott, and Lewis and Verna Ordung; three brothers, Sheryl Dean, Karen Winfield and Verl Leroy Westcott; his father- and mother-in-law, George and Leona Ivy.

Pallbearers were Jimmy Taylor, Clint Mongan, Joshua Mongan, B.J. Wiles, Raymond Williams and Terry Case. Honorary pallbearers were Earnest Westcott, Jerry Westcott, Michael Mongan, Harold Ivy, Maynard Ivy, Shelby Ivy, Gordon Ivy, Chester Ivy and Tom Shirley.

Karen Guth

FULTON – Karen L. Guth, 53, went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Monday, Aug. 24, 2009, at her home in Tremont. She was born April 29, 1956, in Fort Knox, Ky. She was a homemaker and enjoyed her flowers and was an excellent seamstress. She was the best example of a mother and pastor’s wife. She was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Services were held at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, at Senter Funeral Home Chapel. Bro. Randy Taylor, Bro. Gary Guth and Bro. Terry Paul Graham officiating. Burial was in Asbury Cemetery.

Survivors include her lifelong sweetheart of 37 years, Gary Guth of Tremont; one son, Chris Guth (Danyel) of Hodges, Ala.; two daughters, Lori Hale (Johnny) of Mooreville and Marsha Ferguson (Tony) of Saltillo; her mother, Mary Bennett of Tremont; one brother, Mike Bennett (Sherry) of Tremont; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and loving friends. She leaves precious memories for her six grandchildren who know her as “Grammy.” They are Payton Guth, Courtney Hale, Mary Grace Hale, John Preston Hale, Eric Ferguson and Emily Ferguson.

She was preceded in death by her father, Lawrence Bennett, and a sister, Terri Sue Mayhall.

Pallbearers were Jerry Ellis, Jeff Martin, Larry Dover, Jeff Burks, Russell Manasco and Kerry Smith.

Velera Rodgers

FULTON – Velera Mae Rodgers, 90, died Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. She was born April 23, 1919, in Alabama to William Presley and Mellie Beatrice Early Morris. She was a homemaker and had worked for Blue Bell Manufacturing for many years. She was a member of the Southern Hills Church of Christ. A wonderful mother who lived for her children, she enjoyed quilting, yard work, flowers and cooking.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, August 28, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Fulton with Minister Clyde Mize and Charles Riley officiating. Burial was in the Saucer Creek Cemetery.

Survivors include two sons, Bobby Gene Rodgers (Lanell) of Fulton and Stanley Dale Rodgers (Joyce) of Unity; two daugthers, Ruth G. “Gerri” McMellon and Della Faye Justice (Ray), both of Fulton; one son-in-law, Dwight Rikard of Fulton; one daughter-in-law, Johnnie Bea Rodgers of Marietta; one brother, Bloyce Morris of Fulton; two sisters, Betty Taylor and Plumer Francis Timms, both of Fulton; 11 grandchildren, Todd Rodgers, Donna Mason, Randy Rodgers, Tammy Bowen, Angie Thomas, Aprylle Guin, Shane Rodgers, Pamela Walters, Kimberly Comer, Philip McMellon and Heather Freeland; and 22 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, G.C. Rodgers; two sons, Gordon Royce “Dub” Rodgers and MacUtah Rodgers; one daughter, Phyllis Ann Rikard; two sisters, Dean O’Rear and Faye Hutchinson; one brother, Eddie Morris; and her parents.

Pallbearers were Shane Rodgers, Randy Rodgers, Philip McMellon, Todd Rodgers, Nathan Rodgers, Justin, Thomas, Bradley Thomas and Chance Rodgers.

Honorary pallbearers were Jacob Shane Rodgers, Dalton McMellon, Landon McMellon, Wesley Rodgers, Dillion Arriola, Dakota Arriola, Alec Comer, Reed Comer, Josh Tiner, Blake Thomas and Clayton Mason.

Hazel Crane

BELMONT – Hazel Pounders Crane, 77, died Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, at her residence.

Services were held at 4 p.m. Saturday, August 29, at New Bethel Baptist Church in Belmont with Bro. William McClellan officiating. Burial was in Lindsey Cemetery at Dennis. Deaton Funeral Home of Belmont was in charge of arrangements.

Survivors are three children, Linda Poores (Jessie), Bruce “Bud” Crane (Janet) and Tommy Crane (Marilyn), all of Belmont; two sisters, Jewell Savage and Ella Hellums, both of Golden; five grandchildren, Phyllis, Jeff, Nikki, Kim and Devon; three stepgrandchildren, Samantha, Jess and Lynlea; five great-grandchildren, Tiffany, Kyle, Tori, Mary and Olivia; five stepgreat-grandchildren, Ashley, Tabatha, Briana, Shea and Addy; and six stepgreat-great-grandchildren, Kain, Austin, Harleigh, Kyleigh, Maddison and Trevor.

Arnie V. Davis

FULTON – Arnie V. Davis died Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, at his home. He was born Oct. 5, 1930, to the late Steve and Laura Davis in Itawamba County. He was a member of the Pine Grove M.B. Church. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1959 in the Korean War. He was SFC.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 30, at Pine Grove M.B. Church in Fulton. Pastor Greg Pegues officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. N.L. Jones Funeral Directors was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Davis; three sons, Donald Davis, William Sanders and Vernon Sanders; two daughters, Sharla Daniel and Aneesha Davis, all of Detroit, Mich.; seven grandchildren, Billy, Shiyara, Keke, Lashina, Bailey, Eric and Malique; two sisters, Magell Davis and Ella Mae Gillespie; three special nieces, Andoria Smith, Jasymne and Shelbi; his caregivers, Gwen Davis and Butch Davis, and Brianne Rogers; two special cousins, Trish and Robert Blackmon; two godchildren, Kanda and Kenvee Blackmon.

He was proceeded in death by his parents; a daughter, Laura Davis; special aunt and uncle, Warnie Mar and Rommie D. Green; his stepmom, Johnnie Davis; and a brother, Verett Davis.

Alice Moore

WOODLEAF – Alice Marie Moore, 87, of Woodleaf died Saturday, July 18, 2009, at Genesis Healthcare of Salisbury.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at Woodleaf United Methodist Church with Rev. Ron Hartman officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with Summersett Funeral Home in charge of the services.

Survivors include her children, Donald Ray Moore (Candice) of Choctaw, Ark., Ann M. McCullough (Ron) of Sebastain, Fla., and David A. Moore (Sue Ellen) of Woodleaf; one brother, James A. Malone (Nancy); eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to Woodleaf United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 299, Woodleaf, NC 27054.

Wanzell I. Adams

STRATFORD, Wisc. – Wanzell Adams, 91, of Stratford, Wisc., formerly of Zion, Ill., died Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009.

Services were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009, at Congdon Funeral Home with Joshua Gilmore officiating. Burial was in Pineview Memorial Park in Beach Park, Ill.

Survivors include three children, Sharon Johansen (Niels), Mary Gibson (Tom) and Terry Adams (Denise); friendship daughter and son, Sandra and Delt Petree; daughter-in-law, Virginia Adams; sister-in-law, Bea Ruth; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Tommy Turner

EGGVILLE – Tommy Gerald Turner, 69, died Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center after a brief illness.

Services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, August 30, at Eggville Free Will Baptist Church with Dr. Gerald Gann officiating. Burial was in Eggville Cemetery. W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Margaret Ann Lamb Turner of Eggville; his son, Lynn Turner (Sherry) of Eggville; his daughter, Gail Harris of Saltillo; one sister, Patricia Ann Roberts (Bobby) of Baldwyn; two brothers, Bonnie Charles Turner (Ouida Mae) of Eggville and James Harold Turner of Eggville; three grandchildren, Melissa Turner of Eggville, Brandon Stanford of Lemoore, Calif., and Courtney Stanford of Saltillo; three stepgrandchildrn, Craig Brown of Nettleton, Brent Hall of Nettleton and Amanda Wright of Evergreen; four great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson.

Memorials may be made to Eggville Free Will Baptist Church, 1153 CR 1498, Tupelo MS 38804; or the Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214.

Shirley Henry

GATLINBURG, Tenn. – Shirley Ann Henry, 73, died Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, at her residence in Gatlinburg after a brief illness. She was born Feb. 13, 1936, in Fulton to Roscoe and Ervin Green Works. A graduate of Itawamba Agricultural High School, she attended Itawamba Community College. She was an avid flower gardener. enjoyed bird watching and appreciated the beautiful area in which she lived. She also enjoyed motorcycle rides with her husband, Dude. She was a member of the Pentecostal church.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 30, at Senter Funeral Home with Sammy Lansdell officiating and Rev. Glen Wiygul assisting. Burial was in Bourland Cemetery near Fulton. W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband of seven years, Dane “Dude“ Henry of Gatlinburg, Tenn., and Saltillo; one son, Brian Rand (Kristie) of Detroit, Mich.; one sister, Lanell Schmidt of Fulton; three grandchildren, Nathan, Nolen and Sara Rand; two stepchildren, Tim Henry (Jennifer) and Angie Scott (Donny, both of Saltillo; three stepgrandchildren, Morgan and Derek Scott, and Jacob Henry; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two infant sisters.

Pallbearers were Brian Rand, Tim Henry, Donny Scott, Barry Green, Tony Green and Doug Smith.

Martha Sue Ringley

MANTACHIE – Martha Sue Ringley, 67, died Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center after a lengthy illness.

Services were held at 4 p.m. Monday, August 31, at Lee Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Robert Fowlkes officiating. Burial was in Lee Memorial Park.

Survivors include one son, Bobby (Shelia) Mulligan of Plantersville; her special friend and companion, J.R. Harbin of Mantachie; two step-sons, Roger (Shannon) Harbin of Fulton and Eddie (June) Harbin of Amory; one son-in-law, Johnny Westmoreland of Fulton; one sister, Betty Yon of Red Banks; one brother, Mike (Audrey) Stevenson of Southaven; 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Bro. John Loden

DORSEY - Bro. John Tyrus Loden, 91, died Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, at Community Hospice-Darlington Oaks in Verona. He was born May 24, 1918, in Dorsey to James Allie and Rennie Mae Clayton Loden. In his earlier years, he sold vacuum cleaners and watches so he would have a chance to witness to people. He then began what would be a 62-year career as a Baptist minister. He was a missionary and started churches on the Gulf Coast and Texas. He ministered churches in Mississippi, Alabama and Texas. He locally was the minister at Oak Grove, Ballardsville and Greenwood Baptist Church, where he was a member. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and flowers.

Services were held at 4 p.m. Monday, August 31, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home chapel in Fulton with Bro. Gary O'Neal and Bro. Timothy Loden officiating. Burial was in the Dorsey Cemetery.

Survivors include one daughter, Mary Evelyn Beachum (Roger) of Dorsey; one brother, Bro. Timothy Loden (Dean) of Tupelo; two sisters, Janie Breeding of Mooreville and Jean Robinson (Frank) of Tupelo; two grandchildren, Eugene Beachum (Amy) and Debra Bailey (Jeff); and four great-grandchildren, Darbie Bailey, Reid Bailey, Eva Beachum and Jonathan Beachum, all of Dorsey.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Mae Loden, who died March 9, 2009; an infant son, Donnie Loden; one brother, James Loden; two sisters, Maelene Reschke and Jan Breeding; and his parents.

Pallbearers were deacons of Greenwood Baptist Church.

Dora Ruple

PONTOTOC - Dora Retha Ruple, 84, died Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, at her home.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 25, at the E.E. Pickle Funeral Home Chapel in Amory with Bro. Tim McMillan and Bro. Robert White officiating. Burial was in the Keyes Cemetery.

Survivors include five sons, Horace Box (Julia) of Manilla, Ark., Calvin Box (Paula) of Amory, Elmer Box (Pam) of Belmont, Donald Box (Patricia) of Amory and Gary Box (Brandy) of Columbus; four daughters, Doris Dean of Pontotoc, Patty Brush (Jimmy) of Tupelo, Joyce Itzen (Ronnie) of Wing, Ala., and Melba Cox of Fulton; 34 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren, 20 great-great-grandchildren; and two nephews and three nieces.

Gad Kitchens

KIRKVILLE – Gaddis Lamar “Gad” Kitchens, 89, died Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. He was born April 23, 1920, in Itawamba County to Wes and Minnie Johnson Kitchens. He was retired from Horner Walford Box Plant in Tupelo and was a member of the Gilmore Chapel Methodist Church. He was a Shriner and a member of the Kirkville Masonic Lodge No. 517 where he received his 50-year pin. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II where he received four battle stars and a number of awards. He marched over 3,000 miles across Europe en route to Austria and was awarded a bronze star for his service at the Battle of the Bulge. He was an avid gardener and bird hunter and enjoyed watching sports. He was known for being the best-trained bird dog trainer in the area as hunters from several states would bring their dogs to him.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, August 31, at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in Mantachie with Bro. Tim Jones and Bro. Ray Guin officiating. Burial was in the Kirkville Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Dovie Kitchens, of Kirkville; four brothers, J.W. Kitchens of Booneville, Wilburn Kitchens of Tupelo, James Kitchens (Phyllis) of Mantachie, and Haskel Kitchens (Carol) of Dorsey; one brother-in-law, Charles Hale (Judy) of Kansas City, Kansas; five sisters-in-law, Della Jean Bleedsoe (Lee) of Zion, Ill., Mitzi Woodrow (Gary) of Mantachie, Hazel Kitchens and Lois Kitchens both of Kirkville, and Louise Kitchens of Muscle Shoals, Ala.; a special great-niece, Whitley Hale of Kirkville; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Phyllis Ann Kitchens; his parents; his stepmother, Pearl Kitchens; two sisters, Burton Moreland and Varnell Kitchens, and nine brothers, Marvin, Harley, S. A. “Tint,” Earl, Elmie, Dexter, Ullie, Bob, and Talmadge Kitchens.

Pallbearers were Hoyle Pounds, Tim McClung, Roy Garrison, Randy Hale, Douglas Kitchens, and Barry Kitchens. Tim Moore was an honorary pallbearer.

Polly Klaesen

FULTON - Sarah Pauline "Polly" Klaesen, 65, died Monday, Aug. 24, 2009, at the North Mississippi medical Center after a short illness. She was born Jan. 26, 1944, in Rome, Ga., to Samuel Newton and Bessie Pauline Touchstone Youngblood. She traveled to various places with the amusement park industry in her early years. She later worked at Itawamba Manufacturing Co. and cooked in various restaurants. She loved to cook and she enjoyed playing bingo.

Services were held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 26, at McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Phil Benton officiating. Burial was in the Tilden Community Cemetery.

Survivors include one daughter, Maria Klaesen of Valley, Ala.; one daughter-in-law, Lynn Klaesen of Fulton; one stepson, Rudy Junior Klaesen of Fort Pierce, Fla.; two brothers, J. Max Youngblood of Birmingham, Ala., and Samuel Newton Youngblood Jr. of Guin, Ala.; one sister, Patsy Ann Gann of Birmingham, Ala.; eight grandchildren, Matthew Klaesen, Mikayla Klaesen, Marty Klaesen, Bubba, Dalton, Hayden, Jackie and Sharron; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a son, Randy Klaesen; a brother, Guy Youngblood; and her parents.