Published: September 18, 2007 12:05 am            

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Carroll Cushman Sypher

Retired seaman



“After eight grades, I wanted to go to sea, but my aunt, of course, was violently opposed to it. When I deliberately flunked out, she gave in and signed the papers that permitted me to become a seamen at 16. I guess it’s in the blood of some members of our family. Down through the generations, somebody from the family has been a seafaring man.”



Carol C Sypher



CAMDEN, Ala. — A remembrance service for Carroll Cushman Sypher will be announced at a later date. Dunklin & Daniels Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Sypher, 79, of Possum Bend, Ala., died Friday, Sept. 14, 2007, at his home.

Born in Manhattan on July 24, 1928, Mr. Sypher was raised in Isle au Haut, Maine. It was there he set sail as an ordinary seaman at the age of 16. It was at sea that Mr. Sypher made his career.

He served his country as a merchant marine during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War.

Mr. Sypher’s love of the sea continued throughout his life. In 1945, he began employment with Waterman Steamship Corp., in Mobile. His employment with the company included distinguished service aboard lighter aboard ships such as the S.S. Edward Rutledge, the Robert E. Lee and most notably, the Stonewall Jackson, where he served as chief mate on its maiden voyage in August 1974. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Sypher was made master. He also served as master on the Edward Rutledge and Robert E. Lee.

During his career, Mr. Sypher held a U.S. Merchant Marine officer license to serve as master of United States steam, motor vessels and uninspected motor vessels of any gross tons upon oceans, also Radar Observer Unlimited. He retired after 52 years of service.

Mr. Sypher also held a private aviator’s license and was an active member of the Aircraft Owners Pilot Association. He was a longtime member of the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots, as well as the Seafarers International Union and the National Rifle Association.

Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Patricia Morgan Sypher; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family requests memorials be made to Mr. Sypher’s favorite charity, Snug Harbor, a retirement home for seaman: Snug Harbor, P.O. Box 150, Sealevel, N.C., 28577.

To send condolences online, go to the Web site dunklinanddaniels.com



Jewel A. May



Services for Jewel A. May will be held today at 11 a.m. at James F. Webb Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Raymon Leake officiating. Burial will be at New Hope Cemetery.

Mrs. May, 94, died Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007, at Richardson Regional Hospital in Richardson, Texas. She was a graduate of Dry Creek High School and a member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church.

Survivors include a daughter, Lorette Copeland and her husband, Ben, of Garland, Texas; three grandchildren, Donna Grayson of Houston, Texas, Donnie Grayson and his wife, Zina, of Meridian, and Thad Grayson and his wife, Kim, of Hazel Green, Ala.; three great-grandchildren, Tara, Kelsey and Kayla Grayson; and two sisters, Edna Petitfils of Lake Charles, La., and Eloise Reynolds of Butler, Ala.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Della McDuffie; her husband, Hodge May; and a sister, Myrtle Suggs.



Avis Watkins Swain

Retired factory worker



UNION — Services for Avis Watkins Swain will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Stephens Union Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Charles Morrow officiating. Burial will be in Union City Cemetery.

Mrs. Swain, 75, of Union, died Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, at J.G. Alexander Nursing Home. She lived in Union her whole life and worked at the shirt factory. Mrs. Swain was a Presbyterian. She was a good mother who loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include two daughters, Ginger Ammon and Gelaine Cannon, both of Union; two sons, Milton Swain of Little Rock and Rudean Swain of Union; a brother, Floyd Watkins of Sebastapol; four grandchildren, Travis Faith, Robert Ammon and Michelle Cannon, all of Union, and Amanda Bishop of Lena; four great-grandchildren, Levi Cannon, Eli Cannon, Shelby Faith and Sophie Ammon, all of Union; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Little Milton Swain.



Clayton Tune Jr.



SEBASTOPOL — Graveside services for Clayton “Bo” Tune Jr. will be held today at 11:30 a.m. at Unity Assembly of God Cemetery in the Ringgold Community, with the Rev. Hollie Tennison officiating. Milling Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Tune, 35, died Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, at his residence.

Survivors include two daughters, Morgan Destiny Tune and Angel Nicole Tune; a son, Trey Tune; his father, Clayton Tune Sr. of Union; a sister, Tammy Jones; his fiance’, Jennifer Thrasher of Union; and two stepchildren, Darivs Thrasher and Alina Hendrix.

He was preceded in death by his mother.



Willie Blueford Ivey

Retired, U.S. Navy



QUITMAN — Graveside services for Willie Blueford Ivey will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Stonewall Cemetery, with the Rev. Chris Cooksey officiating. Wright’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Ivey, 72, of Stonewall, died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007, at Rush Foundation Hospital, Meridian. He was the son of Blueford O’Neil and Willie Mae Tanner.

Survivors include his wife, Mary G. Ivey of Stonewall; four daughters, Diane Crocker of Sanford, Fla., Ann Silva of Sacramento, Calif., Linda Cox of Medford, Ore., and Sheila Carroll of Quitman; two brothers, Frankie Sims of Amite, La., and Melvin Sims of Louisiana; a sister, Cathy Pearson of Quitman; 16 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and one expected great-grandchild.

Visitation will be today, from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., at the funeral home.



Iven L. Goforth



UNION — Services for Iven L. Goforth will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, with the Revs. Lin Chesney and Mike Truhitt officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with Milling Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Goforth, 77, died Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, at Heartfelt Hospice, Meridian.

Survivors include a son, Jerry Goforth and his wife, Kathy, of House; a daughter, Jean Hines of Little Rock; three sisters, Eloise Bishop, Barbara Boyd and Lanice Harris; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held today, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m., at the funeral home.



George Monroe Gartrell Sr.

Business owner



Graveside services for George Monroe Gartrell Sr. will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Magnolia Cemetery, with the Rev. Jack Kern officiating. Barham Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Gartrell, 91, died Monday, Sept. 17, 2007, at Poplar Springs Nursing Center. A graduate of Meridian High School, he served in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Merchant Marines as a ship engineer. Mr. Gartrell was founder of Automotive Products Company of Mississippi Inc., Automotive Engine and Crankshaft Co. and Engine Parts Warehouse Jackson Inc.

Mr. Gartrell was past president and charter member of the Mississippi Automotive Wholesalers Association. He also was a past member of the Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association and the Production Engine Rebuilders Association.

Survivors include his children, John Gartrell and his wife, Kathy, of Guntersville, Ala., Alan Gartrell and his wife, Andrea, of Meridian, Nancy Gartrell of Jonesboro, Ark., and Monroe Gartrell and his wife, Kim, of Madison; a niece, Francis Lee Gartrell Gaddis of Vicksburg; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothea Scholtes Gartrell; his parents, Francis Eugene and Gladys (Williamson) Gartrell Sr.; and his brother, Francis Eugene (FE) Gartrell Jr.

The family requests memorials be made to Hope Village for Children, P.O. Box 26, Meridian, MS 39301, Telephone, (601) 553-8660.

Visitation will be on the day of services, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.



Evelyn B. Scarbrough

Homemaker



Services for Evelyn B. Scarbrough were held Monday at 10 a.m. at Barham Funeral Home Chapel, with the Revs. Derick Simmons and Mike Boles officiating. Burial is in Coker’s Chapel Cemetery.

Mrs. Scarbrough, 77, of Meridian, died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007, at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center.

Survivors include her children, Roger D. Scarbrough, Sylvia Renae Graham and her husband, Randall, and Charles Shawn Scarbrough, all of Meridian; three grandchildren, Roger Scarbrough Jr., Hunter Graham and Lindsey Marie Graham; a great-granddaughter, Jewell Shyann Scarbrough; five brothers, William Evan Briggs Jr. and his wife, Maxine, of Bailey, Raybon Briggs and his wife, Joyce, of Meridian, and Glenice Briggs and his wife, Dot, Gerald Briggs and his wife, Debbie, and Gail Briggs and his wife, Linda, all of Whynot; a sister, Sylvia Sanders of Causeyville; a very special niece, Debbie Holyfield and her husband, Dale, of Causeyville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie F. Scarbrough; and her parents, William Evan and Lela Briggs Sr.

The family requests memorials be made to United Blood Services.

Pallbearers were Larry Briggs, Kendall Briggs, Tony Briggs, John Culpepper, Lance Holyfield, Lane Holyfield and Dale Holyfield.



Robbie Thomas



Arrangements are incomplete at Barham Funeral Home for Robbie Thomas, 39, of California, who died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007, in California.



Jimmie Gillespie



DEKALB — Arrangements are incomplete at E.E. McDonald Funeral Home Inc. for Jimmie Gillespie, 81, of Scooba, who died Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, at The Specialty Hospital, Meridian.



Bryant Butler



Arrangements are incomplete at Clark’s Memorial Funeral Home for Bryant Butler, 52, of Meridian, who died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007, at University of Alabama Hospital at Birmingham.



A.V. Miller Alford



Arrangements are incomplete at Berry & Gardner Funeral Home for A.V. Miller Alford, 24, of Mesquite, Texas, who died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007, in Dallas, Texas.



Robert J. Evans



Arrangements are incomplete at Berry & Gardner Funeral Home for Robert J. Evans, 78, of Lauderdale, who died Monday, Sept. 17, 2007, at Heartfelt Hospice.



Margierene McNeil



Arrangements are incomplete at Berry & Gardner Funeral Home for Margierene McNeil, 68, of Porterville, who died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007, in Meridian.

        

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