Billy Bell Sr.

William "Billy" Eugene Bell, Sr., 85, of Lexington died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010 at the University Medical Center in Jackson from injuries sustained in an ATV accident.
Funeral services  were Thursday at First Baptist Church in Lexington. Burial followed at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Lexington under the direction of Southern Funeral Home.
Survivors include his wife Erbie "Lee" Bell; sons, Billy Bell  Jr. (JoAnn) of Yazoo City, Dr. Bobby Jewell Bell (Lea)  and Charles Lee "Charlie" Bell both of Lexington; daughter, Judy Carpenter (Durwin) of Greenwood; 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

MILDRED CARROLL

Mildred Conaway Olita Carroll, 86, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010.
Funeral services were held at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Poplar Ave. in Memphis, Tenn. Entombment followed in the mausoleum.
Mrs. Carroll was born July 27, 1924 in Memphis, Tenn. and lived there most of her adult life. She moved to Yazoo City in 2006 to be closer to her daughter Judy and family. She was a resident of the Martha Coker Green Houses.
In addition to being a wonderful wife, Christian mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Mrs. Carroll was an active member and church secretary for Berclair Baptist in Memphis for over 42 years. She also taught Sunday school and was beloved by so many faithful Christian friends who stayed in touch with her after her move to Yazoo City. Before moving to Yazoo City, she was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Bartlett, Tenn. After moving to Yazoo, she was able to enjoy worshipping at Parkview Church of God for awhile.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, George and Rose Conaway of Memphis; her husband of 52 years, Joe Carroll and her sister, Babe Moate.
Survivors include three daughters, Peggy Olita Shettlesworth (Charles) of Bartlett, Tenn., Judy Olita Patterson (Walter) of Yazoo City and Lynda Carroll Savage (Sammy) of Memphis, Tenn.; five grandchildren, Susan Shettlesworth of Nashville, Tenn., Marty Shettlesworth of Memphis, Tenn., Kim Patterson Walton (Jim) of Yazoo City, Stefanie Patterson Dendy (Bryan) of Yazoo City and Laura Joe Caldwell (Tony) of Virginia; eight great-grandchildren, Chelsea Shettlesworth of Olive Branch, Ty and Barrett Walton of Yazoo City, Blayke and Dylan Dendy of Yazoo City and Courtney, Averi and Gavyn Jackson of Centreville, Va.
Memorials may be made to Parkview Church of God., First United Methodist Church of Yazoo City, Berclair Baptist of Memphis or Faith Baptist of Bartlett, Tenn.

CATHERINE GILRUTH

Catherine B. Gilruth, 95, of Benton died Saturday, Oct. 30 at King’s Daughters Hospital.
Funeral services were Thursday at Benton United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Gilruth was born Oct. 7, 1915 in Yazoo County to Samuel Berry Sr. and Allene Broock Berry. She was a teacher and a member of Benton United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harris Delvin Gilruth Sr.
Survivors include two sons, Harris Gilruth Jr. of San Francisco and Bill Gilruth of Montpelier, Vt.; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

SAMPSON GRANT Sr.

Sampson Grant Sr., 78, died Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010.
Funeral services were Oct. 30 at St. Matthews Church of God In Christ with Rev. James Thomas officiating. Burial followed at Cypress Garden under the direction of Scott Memorial Funeral Home.
Mr. Grant was born Nov. 17, 1931 in Yazoo County to the late Milton and Virginia Luse Grant. He was a veteran of the Korean War and a member of the Whitney Wood Legion Post #201 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a member of New Hope M.B. Church in Benton, where he was a choir member and a deacon.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Emma Hope; a brother, Willie Grant; a granddaughter, N’Kevia Jones and a grandson, Kameron Grant.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Ora Grant; three children, Sampson Grant Jr. (Carla) of Yazoo City, Kerioon Grant (Venessa) of Madison and Alvita Grant-Haymer (Quincy) of Yazoo City; adopted daughters, Ashley Thomas of Yazoo City and Aggiefean Genous (Lynn) of Lexington; six brothers, Charlie Grant and Joe P. Grant (Bettye), both of Jackson, Monroe Grant (Lillie) of Charleston, Milton O. Grant (Itelia) of Florence, Johnathan Grant (Clarice) of Altanta, Ga. and Anderson Grant (Florence) of Clarksville, Tenn., seven sisters, Mary A. Schaffer and Vera Lee Anderson, both of Jackson, Rosie Williamson of Los Angeles, Annie L. Boykins of Compton, Calif., Louella Gartley of Norwalk, Calif., Maggie Larry (Herman) of Chicago and Corine Hammond of Augusta, Ga.; 16 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Serving as pallbearers were Milton Grant Jr., David Clayborn, Joseph Grant, Aaron Greenfield, Kenny Sadberry, Kenneth Allis, Kirk Thomas and Eric Flemming.
Honorary pallbearers were Benny Green, Cleotha “Joe” Moore, Abbie Jackson, Eddie Kirkland, Fred Dixon and Joseph Thomas Sr.

MARIE JAMES

Marie Madison James, 90, of Biloxi died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010 at home.
Funeral services were Thursday at the Stricklin-King Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David Bryant officiating. Burial followed at Cypress Garden Cemetery.
Mrs. James was born Feb. 10, 1920 in Carroll County to John M. Hill and Daisy Weaver Hill. Marie married Edwin M. James, Jr. on May 14, 1939 and he preceded her in death February 28, 1992. They had four boys: Edwin III, Don, Francis, and David. Francis died January 10, 1945 just prior to Edwin’s deployment to Europe in WWII.
Marie was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars over 60 years, serving as Southern Conference President comprising fourteen Southern States.  She also served as the Department of Mississippi Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars president.
Her love and devotion for our Veterans enriched members and many times rejuvenated the whole process of believing and keeping the faith of helping  those who served our country and lived, as well as honoring those who served and died. She served as District 7 president for many years before moving to the Mississippi coast where she became a member of the D'Iberville Ladies Auxiliary, holding true to her devotion to the Veterans organization she so dearly loved. She served many Department Presidents as their Chief of Staff to provide guidance and leadership throughout the state in any action needed. Her wisdom and knowledge was a valuable asset that she so freely shared with those Department presidents who were not as knowledgeable as she. Her ability to emulate "The good of the order.” in counsel and in deliberation exemplified the perfect example of uniting harmony and love for all.
She continued to be a pillar in programs, chairmanships and committees. Marie always believed our Veterans deserved more. Her determination and dedication inspired all. Her thoughtfulness of others, her gentle heart and hands were her examples of devotion to family, friends, sisters and veterans. When Marie's health began to fail, she fought back and fought back hard to return to her dreams of helping our Heroes -- she lost the battle but she won the war.
Marie loved family gatherings with her extended family of siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and their children. Summer reunions were always a source of food, fun, and family stories. She was an avid fisherman and, with her buddies, tried most of the lakes and ponds around Yazoo City.  Edwin and Marie raised their family in Yazoo City, until 1964 when they moved to Marietta, Ga., and then to Clinton,. Marie moved to Biloxi, where she lived with David.
Marie is survived by daughter-in-law, Nanci James, wife of the late Edwin James, III; Don and wife Carol James; David and wife Faye James; brothers Henry and John Hill; half-brothers Robert and William Hill; grandchildren Angela James, Beth James Roberts, and Edwin James, IV; Don, Jr. and C. Renee James; Rachel Marie and Sarah Beth James; great-grandchildren Ian and Lucas Hutchinson; Brittany Roberts; Josh, John, and Jacob James; Drew and Brett James; Sean James, Megan and Jamie Beard.
The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Tamara McGee who was Marie’s patient, untiring caregiver.
Memorials may be made to Blair Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson.