Ruth Henley

Henley, Ruth P. - Ruth “Oopie” Pylate Henley, age 69, died at her home in Starkville Saturday afternoon following a two-year battle with ovarian cancer. Ruth will be remembered for her special musical talents which she used her entire life to serve her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The funeral arrangements include visitation at First Baptist Church, Yazoo City on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 from noon to 3:00 PM with the funeral at 3:00 PM. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 AM at Memorial Gardens in Starkville by Welch Funeral Home. Ruth Henley is survived by her husband of 43 years James Henley, Jr. of Starkville, daughter Carman H. Mullins, son-in-law Jason Mullins, grandson Henley J. Mullins and granddaughter Sydney E. Mullins all of Houston, TX. She is survived by the families of her sister Nora P. Sills of Starkville and her brother Irving Pylate and his wife Carlene also of Starkville. Ruth graduated from Kosciusko High School and received her Music Education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1963. She taught public school music in Meridian, MS and was on the staff of Jackson Public Library. She was employed by First Baptist Church of Kosciusko as education secretary and church organist in the late ‘60’s when she and James married on November 19, 1966. Ruth began her music ministry with First Baptist Church of Yazoo City in 1971 by directing the youth choir. A few years later she began the sanctuary choir ministry and progressed to Minister of Music where she led the church music program until her retirement in 2006. Through her music ministry, she touched and influenced the lives of many who participated in and witnessed the music programs she directed. Her ministry continues today through those she taught that continue her life’s work. One of Ruth’s pleasures in life was attending Mississippi State University sporting events with her extended family. She also enjoyed playing with and spoiling her young grandchildren who knew her as “Ruthie”. She relished in giving them musical instruments including harmonicas, tambourines, a ukulele, and drums. She is remembered by her daughter as her best friend, shopping partner, and role model. She was preceded in death by her parents Irving and Ruth Milner Pylate of Kosciusko and her brother-in-law Dr. Kent Sills of Starkville. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Ruth’s memory to the music ministry of First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 780, Yazoo City, MS 39194 where she served for 35 years. The family wishes to acknowledge the gracious support from all those who cared for and prayed for Ruth.

JOHNNY BROWN
Johnny Mack “Duck” Brown, 33, died Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at the University Medical Center in Jackson.
Funeral services were Saturday at the L.T. Miller Community Center with Rev. Emma Marie Shinal officiating. Burial followed at Hilliday Cemetery in Louise.
Mr. Brown was born Nov. 27, 1976 in Jackson to Willie Bee Brown and the late Willie Lee Brown. He graduated from Humphreys County High School in 1993.
Survivors include his mother, Willie Bee Brown; daughters, Shequita Allen and Jaliyah Brown, both of Yazoo City; two sons, Johnny Mack Brown Jr. of Yazoo City and Tony Lee of Louise; four sisters, Patricia (Willie) Robinson, Francis Brown, Sarita Brown, all of Yazoo City, and Jeanette (Donnie) Minor of Jackson; eight brothers, Paul (Scherry) Ray of Chicago, Willie  (Michelle) Brown Jr. of Jackson, Richard Brown of Milwaukee, Joshua Brown of Lawrence, Kan., and Joe Brown, Jeremy Stewart, Carlos Brown and Curtis Brown, all of Yazoo City; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Serving as pallbearers were Joshua Brown, Curtis Brown, Joe Brown, Jonathan Stewart, Anthony Sanders and David Stewart.
Honorary pallbearers were Roncedric Robinson, Cordell Robinson, Robert Robinson, Jermaine Robinson, Willie Robinson and Michael Marshall.

BUDDY McINNIS
Oscar “Buddy” McInnis, 65, of River Ridge, La. and formerly of Yazoo City, died Friday, May 28, 2010.
Funeral services were Monday at St. Matthew Apostle Church in River Ridge, La. Funeral mass followed on Tuesday at Glenwood Cemetery with burial under the direction of L.A. Muhleisen and Son.
Mr. McInnis was a native of Yazoo City and served with the U.S. Marine Corps during Vietnam.
After returning to the U.S., he worked in the shipping industry as a port captain for Delta Steamship Line and Waterman Steamship Corp.
He was preceded in death by his father, Oscar McInnis; and a brother, Robert “Bobby” McInnis.
Survivors include his wife, Gayle Belcher McInnis; daughter, Stephanie M. Arceneaux (David);  sons, Jacob M. McInnis (Nicole) and Will P. McInnis; stepdaughter, Samantha A. McInnis; stepson, Ron McInnis; mother, Louise Luckett Shackelford McInnis; sisters, Mary Anne Oberlies (Jerry), Linda Lambert and Patricia McInnis; six grandchildren, Jack, Noah, Sarah, Jake, Maggie, and Colin; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.