March 5th 2011
| 
| 
WES COLEMAN
Wes Coleman, 57, died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 at St. Dominic Memorial Hospital in Jackson.
Funeral services were Saturday at Glenwood Cemetery with Rev. Dennis Duvall officiating. Burial followed under the direction of McClain-Hays Funeral Service.
Mr. Coleman was a native of Yazoo City. He graduated from Manchester Academy and Delta State University, where he played baseball. He attended East Mississippi Community College where he received his degree in Mortuary Science.
He worked with his grandfather, A.S. "Son" King at Stricklin-King Funeral Home in Yazoo City at the start of his funeral service career and had worked at McClain-Hays Funeral Service in Philadelphia the last five years. Mr. Coleman was a Baptist by faith and attended Hope Baptist Church in Neshoba County.
Survivors include his wife, Pat Coleman of Jackson; daughter, Melissa Ezelle (Josh) of Vicksburg; sons, Rob Coleman (Jessica) of Clinton and Josh Coleman (Julie) of Philadelphia; grandson, Ryan Ezelle of Vicksburg; mother, Elizabeth King Sanford (Wilbur) of Yazoo City; father, Cecil Coleman (Mary Jane) of Bentonia; sisters, Cathy Steinriede (Bobby) of Yazoo City and Mary Lou Collier (Seger) of Madison; brother, Bill Coleman (Lynn) of Benton; half-sister, Laura Nell Canard (Payton) of Bentonia; half-brother, Daniel Coleman (Bonnie) of Bentonia; and several nieces, nephews and their families.
GLENN SANFORD
Glenn Sanford, 59, of Jena, La. died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011 at home.
Funeral services were Sunday at Oliver Chapel in Winona. Burial followed at Shiloh Cemetery in Yazoo County under the direction of Oliver Funeral Home.
Mr. Sanford was the son of the late Ivan Leo Sanford and Louise Davis Tabor. He was correctional officer with GEO in Jena, La. and a member of Winona Church of Christ.
Survivors include his wife, Kathy Sanford of Jena, La.; daughter Misty Clark (Ricky) of Jena, La.; sons, Jim Randall (Becky) of Alexandria, La., Harrison “Hawk” Sandifer of Jena, La. and Mason Sanford of Jena, La.; sisters, Cathy Johnson of Belton, Texas and Peggy Lingenfelder of Flowood; brothers, Ivan L. Sanford Jr. and Norman Standifer; and four grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to French Camp Academy, One Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745.
JESSIE SIMMONS
Jessie Simmons, 82, of Ridgeland died Friday, Feb. 25, 2011 at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland.
Funeral arrangements are pending with Stricklin-King Funeral Home.
Mrs. Simmons was born July 25, 1928 in Columbia to Lem and Martha Reid O’Quin. She was a retired caregiver and a member of First Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband James W. Simmons.
Survivors include a daughter, Cindi Jackson of Yazoo City; and two grandchildren, Brandi Brewer of Hattiesburg and Lee Jackson of Prentiss.
Dear Editor,
The decision by the present school board not to renew the teaching and coaching contract of Mr. Archie Carlyle was a planned and calculated act of politics. This kind of thing has been happening for years.
They didn’t follow policies or procedures in this matter. The state’s report on the district asked the board to stop interfering in this kind of situation, but it seems they didn’t get the memo.
My mother always put her 11 children first in making decisions for their futures. It is clear this board did not do that.
Mr. Carlyle’s only crime was putting his students first. I feel like Jesus, when he told the people at the well, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.”
I and the 800 people who have signed the petition calling for Carlyle’s return can find no fault in his dedication to our community. We are being laughed at across the state, and on Facebook and Twitter.
Our community is losing faith in our ability to work in a productive and successful district. The Yazoo Herald’s sports editor called it a “travesty.” I ask the question, where are all those Christian folks, his co-workers, his pastor and his fellow church members?
Where are the athletes, past and present, and most of all where are the parents? He has mothered and fathered when you were unable to make it to a game or on the road, giving your children heart-to-heart talks of motivation and encouragement both in the halls of our schools and on the streets of this community. Now he deserves your support in this critical matter.
This affects us all, black and white, because the future of our community is at stake. I am asking everyone to show as much concern about this matter as they do during election time.
Mr. Clifton Jones, I sat on the school board when you and your wife in a 3 to 2 vote were denied what you rightfully deserved. When you first ran for alderman you were the only politician I ever spent an entire day with, walking the streets because I believed in you. When I ran for mayor as an independent, I endorsed McArthur Straughter in the primary. Many people thought I was crazy, but I was exercising my rights.
Mr. Aubry Brent Jr., I followed you from Vicksburg to Belzoni and saw people commit perjury to defeat you. When citizens support a candidate, they want something in return. As a citizen with the 800 petitioners, we are calling in our wager. Just get the record of the board of that decision, which is public record. Check the timeline of the action, and you will be amazed. Next month you will appoint or reappoint a board member, but before you do we deserve answers.
If you find me wrong I will come back and sit before you and the school board and give a public apology. Everyone deserves their day in court, and Mr. Carlyle certainly does.
What you do or don’t do will determine the caliber of teachers and coaches willing to come into our community and work with our children.
Johnny Staples
59°F, Windchill: 59°F
Wind: mph N
Humidity: 94%
Visibility: 0 mi
pressure: 30.2 in steady
Sunrise: 5:57 am
Sunset: 7:57 pm
Hi: 80°F, Low: 57°F
Hi: 86°F, Low: 62°F
