Wednesday, October 11, 2006

October 11, 2006 12:17 am

— John F. Shirley Sr.
Retired

QUITMAN — Services for John F. Shirley Sr. will be held Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at Union Baptist Church in Clarke County. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Wright’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Shirley, 69, of Meridian, died Monday, Oct. 9, 2006, in his home. He was retired from Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, Parks and Marine Resources. He retired as the States’ Lands Manager after more than 30 years. He was appointed as commissioner to the Wildlife, Fisheries, Park and Marine Commission for the Third Congressional District by Governor Ray Mabus.
He served as PTA president of the Clarkdale Attendance Center School and was elected to the Enterprise School Board of Trustees and served for five years. He served on the Board of Mississippi Grape Growers Association with one year as its president. He served four years as Boy Scout Master of Troop No. 25, and served on the Advisory Board of Choctaw Area Council of Boy Scouts of America.
After retiring from Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, Parks and Marine Resources, he was employed by Paul Broadhead as advisor and later general manager of PBI until August, 1993.
He was a member of Union Baptist Church living and raising his family in the community all of his adult life. He loved his country, state and fellow man. He was a lifetime avid conservationist.
Survivors include his wife of more than 48 years, Gloria Brock Shirley; sons, John Franklin Shirley Jr. “Brock” and his wife, Betty, James David Shirley; a daughter, Stacey Shirley, all of Meridian; sisters, Ruby Shirley Graham of Hattiesburg, Sarah Shirley Long of Houston, Texas; a brother, Harvey Miles Shirley of Meridian; grandchildren, Brittany Gibson, Victoria O’Quin, John O’Quin and Abigail Shirley, all of Meridian and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eula J. Brunson Shirley and James Edward Shirley Sr. and a brother, James Edward Shirley Jr.
Memorials may be sent to Union Baptist Church, American Cancer Society or a charity of choice.
Pallbearers will be Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks honor guard.
Visitation will be today from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

George Hays Duett
Forester

PHILADELPHIA — Services for George Hays Duett will be held today at 11 a.m. at Salem Baptist Church with the Revs. Stacy Madison, Duaine Morgan and Dr. Eugene Dobbs officiating. Burial will be in Salem Cemetery in Neshoba County. McClain-Hays Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Duett, 60, of Philadelphia, died Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006, in his home. He was a native of the Burnside Community of Neshoba County. He was a registered forester, real estate broker and appraiser. He was a graduate of Mississippi State University with a forestry degree. He was a member of Salem Baptist Church and the Mississippi Forestry Association.
Survivors include his brothers, Stuart Duett and Greg Duett, both of Philadelphia and Steve Duett of Sebastopol; his step-father, Tommy Wren, of Philadelphia; step-brother, Ricky Wren, of Philadelphia and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Duett and Waldine Duett Wren.

Frances Thomas Williams
Retired

PHILADELPHIA — Services for Frances Thomas Williams will be held today at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Philadelphia with the Rev. Dr. Dan Howard officiating. Burial will be in Cedarlawn Cemetery. McClain-Hays Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Williams, 86, of Philadelphia, died Monday, Oct. 9, 2006, at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center.
She was born on July 20, 1920, the daughter of the late John S. and Mary Thomas. She had nine brothers and sisters. She graduated from Shady Grove High School and was an All-State basketball player. While attending East Central Junior College, she was bestowed the honor of May Queen.
Mrs. Williams became the second woman in Mississippi to become a licensed airplane pilot in 1941. In 1943, she married Cooper Williams, her husband of more than 58 years. Until her retirement, she worked for Williams Brothers Store.
She was a member of First Baptist Church, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild and the Philadelphia Woman’s Club. She loved playing bridge with her friends and keeping up with the activities of her family were her favorite pastimes. She will be remember as a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Survivors include her children, Olivia Manning and her husband, Archie, of New Orleans, Tommy Williams and his wife, Jo Lynn, Sid Williams and his wife, Mickie, and Cynthia Jordan, all of Philadelphia; grandchildren, Cooper Manning, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, Amzie Williams, Ellen Williams, Lindsey W. Eakes, John Williams, Sidney Williams, Frances Jordan, Porter Jordan, Cooper Jordan and Margaret Jordan; great-grandchildren, May Manning, Arch Manning and Heid Manning; brothers, Bo Thomas and Bob Thomas, both of Philadelphia and Jim Thomas of Laurel; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; brothers, Abe Thomas, Sam Thomas, John Thomas; sisters, Lelly Perkins, Tab Sanders and Jean Webb.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Future by Faith, 414 Pecan Avenue, Philadelphia, MS 39350.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons.
Martha Perry Hardin
Retired

NEWTON — Graveside services for Martha Perry Hardin will be held today at 2 p.m. at Lawrence Cemetery with the Rev. Brent Parks officiating. James F. Webb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Hardin, 81, of Magee, died Monday, Oct. 9, 2006, in her home. She was a retired federal employee of the U.S. Record Center after more than 30 years of service in St. Louis. She was a Baptist and attended Louisville High School and Draughon’s Business College in Jackson.
Survivors include her son, William L. Hardin and his wife, Mayilyn, of Magee; a step-brother, James Duncan of DeLand, Fla.; grandchildren, William Hardin V, and Patrick Hardin, both of Bogue Chitto, and James Hardin of Pineville, La.; five great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren, Robert Bryant of Mize, Walter Bryant of Mendenhall and Tammy Marshall of Magee; four step-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Turner and Annie Mae Parks Perry.
Memorials may be made to a charity of choice.
Visitation will be 30 minutes prior to the service at the cemetery.

Joe P. Jefcoat
Retired

QUITMAN — Services for Joe P. Jefcoat will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Wright’s Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Grady Crowell officiating. Burial will be in Archusa Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Quitman.
Mr. Jefcoat, 78, of Quitman, died Monday, Oct. 9, 2006, in his home. He was retired from Roadway Express. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He will be remembered as a beloved husband, father and grandfather and will be missed by all of his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife of more than 56 years, Weeda Jefcoat of Quitman; sons, Michael Jefcoat and his wife, Patricia, of Quitman, Roy Jefcoat and his wife, Alice, of Hattiesburg; a daughter, Jo Ann Lewis and her husband, Butch, of Rose Hill; a sister, Catherine Butler of Ellisville; a brother-in-law, Jim Phillips of Kenner, La.; grandchildren, Ashley Jefcoat and Amanda Jefcoat, both of Quitman, Benjamin Jefcoat and Madeline Jefcoat, both of Hattiesburg, and Jessica Lewis, of Rose Hill; and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Wayne Phillips, Steve Phillips, David Howard, W.T. Phillips, Kenny Allen and Sherwood Bynum.
Visitation will be today beginning at 5 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mildred Winstead Johnson
Homemaker

PHILADELPHIA — Services for Mildred Winstead Johnson will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at McClain-Hays Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Gene Higginbotham officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery in the House Community of Neshoba County.
Mrs. Johnson, 86, of Philadelphia, died Monday, Oct. 9, 2006, at The Specialty Hospital of Meridian. She was a native resident of the House Community of Neshoba County. She was a Baptist by faith.
Survivors include nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Duff Johnson; parents, Willie and Johnnie Mae Winstead and a brother, Horace Winstead.
Visitation will be today from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Edwin Ross McArthur Jr.
Retired

Services for Edwin Ross McArthur Jr. will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at James F. Webb Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Cory Scott officiating. Burial will be in Magnolia Cemetery.
Mr. McArthur, 85, of Meridian, died Monday, Oct. 9, 2006, at Riley Hospital. He was a retired conductor for I. C. Railroad, where he worked for more than 40 years. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed the outdoors. He was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church and was a Mason and a Shriner. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Virginia McArthur of Meridian; daughters, Sheryl Craft of Meridian, Amelia Broussard and her husband, Robert, of Jasper, Ga. and Betsy Renfroe and her husband, Kenneth, of Pearl; grandchildren, David Craft, Kim Winters and her husband, Brian, Chris Renfroe and his wife, Brandye, and Kenneth Renfroe and his wife, Felicia; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Rebecca Hesse and her husband, Robert, of Lumberton, N.J.; two nephews and one niece.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Faye Elizabeth and Edwin Ross McArthur Sr.
Visitation will be today from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
DeLoris Singley

GILBERTOWN, Ala. — Services for DeLoris Singley will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Hickory Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Alvin Tucker and Charles Allbrooks officiating. Burial will be in Advent Cemetery with Phillips Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Singley, 77, of Silas, died Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2006, in Mobile.
Survivors include her husband, Lyman B. Singley of Silas; a son, Larry Singley and his wife, Judy, of Silas; and a daughter, Dianne Waites and her husband, Harold, of Millry; five brothers; six sisters; and four grandchildren.
Visitation will be held today from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Rev. Clifton Thornton
Minister

FOREST — Services for the Rev. Clifton Thornton were held Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Pine Ridge Baptist Church with the Revs. Dr. Leon Everett, Larry Laird, Lynn Chesney and Victor Bugg officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Ott and Lee Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Rev. Thornton, 76, died Monday, Oct. 9, 2006, at St. Dominic Jackson Memorial Hospital.
He was born on April 24, 1930, in Newton. He was saved at the age of 15 at Beatline Baptist Church. He graduated from Newton County Agricultural High School in Decatur in 1951 and attended Clark College for two years. On Aug. 14, 1966, he surrendered to preach and was ordained on March 4, 1967, at Pine Ridge Baptist Church. His ministry consisted of the following: three years at Union Baptist Church in Harperville, seven years at Pine Ridge Baptist Church in Lawrence, 15 years at Goodhope Baptist Church in Lake, two years at Rock Hill Baptist Church in Meridian, eight years at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Little Rock, and four years at Pine Bluff Baptist Church in Newton. He was with the radio ministry on WMAG in Forest for three and one half years. He was on television in Meridian and was with the prison ministry throughout Mississippi. He pastored churches and conducted revivals in Newton and Scott counties for more than 30 years. He served as president of the Mt. Pisgah Association for six terms, served on Foreign Mission Board for 20 years and on the board of trustees at Mississippi Baptist Children’s Home in Laurel for more than 20 years.
Survivors include his wife, Inez Thornton “Queenie” of Lawrence; sons, William Clifton Thornton Jr. of Brandon and William Anthony Thornton and his wife, Teresa, of Tampa, Fla.; daughters, Daphne McMillan and her husband, Raymond, of Hickory, Beverly Jo Thornton of Florence, Melanie Wolfe and her husband, Shane, of Melbourne, Fla. and Felicia Blackburn and her husband, Tim, of Lawrence; sisters, Chlodell Mayes of Decatur and Ann Gaines of Newton; grandchildren, Chasity Bounds, Sha Alderman and her husband, Kelly, Neil Thornton and his wife, Mae, Jim Pace Wolfe, Ryan McMillan and his wife, Charity, Curt Blackburn and his wife, Lauren, Andy McMillan, Lindsey Wolfe, LeAnn Morgan and her husband, David, Lee Blackburn and Nick Thornton; great-grandchildren, Ty Alderman, Kemp Alderman, Tanner McMillan and Emma Claire Thornton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joel and Velma Thornton and a brother, A.Z. Thornton.
Memorials may be made to Gideons International.
Pallbearers were Ryan McMillan, Andy McMillan, William Clifton Thornton III, Jim Pace Wolfe, Kelly Alderman, Lee Blackburn, Curt Blackburn and Nicholas Andrew Thornton.
Honorary pallbearers were all ministers present.

Annie Gordon

Arrangements were incomplete at Berry and Gardner Funeral Home for Annie Gordon, 67, of Meridian, who died Monday, Oct. 9, 2006, at Riley Hospital.

Anita Williams

Arrangements were incomplete at James F. Webb Funeral Home for Anita Williams, 91, of Meridian, who died Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2006, at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center.

Photos

Shirley