LOUISE ABSHAW

Louise Abshaw, 94, died Saturday Jan. 1, 2011.
Funeral services were Jan. 8 at St. Matthew Church of God in Christ with Rev. Robert Earl Toombs officiating. Burial followed at Glenwood Cemetery under the direction of Shaffer & Collins Funeral Home.
Mrs. Abshaw was born July 9, 1916 in Louise to the late Tweet Wyatt and Clara Williams-Wyatt. She received her elementary and high school education in Louise. She worked in private home, for the American Shoe Company and at the Afro American Hospital. She later became a Foster Grandparent and served for many years. She was an active member of St. John M.B. Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carey Abshaw; two sons, George Washington Jr. and Matthew Abshaw; a daughter, Cather Washington; 12 siblings and three grandchildren.
Survivors include her children, James O. Jones (Odessa), of South Holland, Ill., Betty Brown of Dalton, Ill., Robert Washington (Evelyn) of Blue Island, Ill., Jeania Gray of Racine, Wisc., Gloria Wynn (Willie) of Jackson, Bobby Wilkerson (Cary) of Canton, Mich., William Abshaw (Rudene) of Warrenville Heights, Ohio, Mattie Bell of Chicago, Frankie Rushing (Ned) of Carthage and Willie Berry of Gary, Ind.; a sister, Clara Davis of Chicago; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Serving as pallbearers were Robert Collins, Rob Robinson, Walter Ross, Vito Kyles, Nicklous Washington, Darryl Brown, Keith Foreman and Walter Lockhart.
Honorary pallbearers were James Jones, Robert Washington, William Abshaw, Willie Wynn, Carey Wilkerson, Curtis Berry Jr., Ned Rushing and Bryant Quinn.

MINNIE ADAMS

Minnie Warner Christmas Adams, 105, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011.
Funeral services were Saturday at Tri-Union M.B. Church with Rev. A.B. Brown officiating. Burial followed at Glenwood Cemetery under the direction of Shaffer & Collins Funeral Home.
Mrs. Christmas was born Sept. 3, 1905 in Edwards. While residing in Edwards, she married the late David Christmas and they had seven children together. She later moved to Yazoo County and married the late Alex Adams. They had two children. She was a member of Tri-Union M.B. Church.
She was preceded in death by six sons, Issac, Charlie, Jessie Lee, David Jr. and Alex Jr.; and three daughters, Mary Jane, Rosie Lee and Helen.
Survivors include a son, Joseph “John” Christmas of Yazoo City; daughters-in-law, Marie Christmas of Yazoo City and Mary Adams Green of Syracuse, N.Y.; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

LURLIE LEWIS

Lurlie Ree Jones-Lewis, 63, died Jan. 5, 2011.
Funeral services were Jan. 15 at Old Concord M.B. Church with Rev. Albert Williams officiating. Burial followed under the direction of Shaffer & Collins Funeral Home.
Mrs. Lewis was born Nov. 5, 1947 in Yazoo County to the late Lula and Lacy Jones. She was a member of Old Concord M.B. Church, where she served in the Usher Ministry.
Survivors include her husband, Willie Lewis; four children, Joyce Annette Spires of Savannah, Ga., Darryl Demetres Spires (Angelique) and Sharon Renee Davis (James), both of Beverly Hills, Mich., and Anthony Spires (Elizabeth) of Bentonia; six stepchildren, Tina Lewis of Houston, Texas, Elaine Lewis, James Edward Lewis (Pamela) and Jacqueline Lewis all of Lake Charles, La., Kenny Lewis of Yazoo City and Willie Pittman of Meridian; nine siblings, Eddie Lee Jones (Luvenia), Annie Lee Jones (Paul), Elvira Ingram, Vernell Jones, Minnie Vearl Polk (Alfred), Willie Jones (Barbara), Albert Jones (Shirley), Stella Myles and Earnestine Spires (Hubert); 23 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Serving as pallbearers were James Harber, James Williams, Eddie Rucker, Robert Demus, Hurbert Spires and Neal Young.
Honorary pallbearers were James Green and Alvin Ellis.

HANNAH LITTLE
Hannah Granderson Little, 92, died Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011.
Funeral services were Monday at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Lewis Ellis Jr. officiating. Burial followed at Oak Grove A.M.E. Cemetery in Benton.
Mrs. Little was born Feb. 29, 1918 in Benton to Elijah and Sarah Grayson Granderson. She was a member of Cedar Grove M.B. Church in Benton.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Wesley Little, a child who died at birth, five sisters, three brothers, two granddaughters, three grandson and two great-grandchildren.
Survivors include eight daughters, Christine Little, Evelyn Wright, Helen Waters (Julius) of Yazoo City, Ethel Powell and Johnnie Rawls (John) of Flint, Mich., Mary Christmas of Narcross, Ga., Doris Triggs of Jackson and Maggie Williams of Mt. Morris, Mich.; six sons, James Little Jr., Charles Little Sr., and Wayne Little (Joann) of Yazoo City, Charlie Earl Little (Joan) of Newburgh, N.Y., Marion and Fread Little of Schenectady, N.Y.; 54 grandchildren; 112 great-grandchildren; 62 great-great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Serving as pallbearers were Larry Little, Evans Triggs, Earnest Little, Donald Ellis, Willie Earl Wright, Charles Little Jr., Curtis Little and Jerry Fowler.

BETTY ANN SMITH
Betty Ann Smith, 69, died Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011.
Funeral services were Saturday at Tobeka M.B. Church with Rev. Kenneth Griffin officiating. Burial followed under the direction of Shaffer & Collins Funeral Home.
Mrs. Smith was born Dec. 25, 1941 in Spokane, Wash. to Fred and Dorothy Bouldin McDaniel. She and her family moved to Mississippi when she was young. She was a member of Tobeka M.B. Church.
Survivors include her husband, Lennel Smith Jr.; three children, Rodney Terrell Richardson of Tupelo and Terry Renaldo Richardson  (Toni) and Belinda Richardson of Yazoo City; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Serving as pallbearers were Floyd Banks, Terry Richardson, C.L. Brown, Dertex Young, Andre Fox and Gerry Green.
Honorary pallbearers were Terry Palmer, Tyranny Johnson, Donell Anthony, Rodney Richardson, Walter Jackson and Rafael Richardson.

LILLIE SWINNEY

Lillie B. Swinney, 70, died Dec. 29, 2010.
Funeral services were Jan. 9 at St. Paul C.M.E in Bentonia with Rev. Willie A. White officiating. Burial followed at the church Cemetery under the direction of Shaffer & Collins Funeral Home.
Mrs. Swinney was born Jan. 9, 1940 in Bentonia to Singular Dale Swinney and J.C. Roberts. She received her early education in Bentonia and did domestic work most of her life.
She was preceded in death by her only child, Jessie Charles Swinney.
Survivors include seven grandchildren, Curtis Nolan (Jean), Cheffon Carter, Charlette Carter, Chevonda Carter, LaKeith Swinney (Monique) and Latcha Swinney, all of Bentonia; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Serving as pallbearers were Cornell Swinney, Bobby Swinney, Wayne Hubbard, John Swinney, Victor Granderson and Reggie Swinney.
Honorary pallbearers were Curtis Nolan, LaKeith Swinney, Keon Carter, DeManuel Carter, Tavaris Cooper and Keith Cooper.

MELVENE KENNEY

Melvene Roberts Kenney, 66, died Monday, Jan. 10, 2011 at home in Dubois, Wyoming.
A spring memorial service in Bentonia at a date to be announced.
Mrs. Kenney was born March 9, 1944 in Yazoo City to Wade H. and Florine Hilderbrand Roberts. She was the owner of M Bar Seven Seasonings.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Wade Hughes Roberts Jr.
Survivors include her husband, Timothy J. Kenny of Dubois, Wyo.; a son, Ronald Paula Stupka; a daughter, Robin Yvette Stupka; a brother, David Buford Roberts; nine grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Mom was creative in many ways. She was an excellent seamstress and over the past 10 years had become very dedicated to quilting. She has made incredible quilts for her grandchildren and had 3 more started when her illness began making it too difficult to focus and use her hands. She loved her grandchildren and wanted to make each one a quilt that reflected their own individual personality.
Mom also loved cooking and creating new flavors and dishes for Tim and all of us to experience and enjoy.  In the late 1990s she created her own line of spices and jellies that sold all over the United States under the Business name of “M Bar Seven Seasonings.”
Mom was born in Yazoo City, but grew up most of her childhood years in Bogalusa La. While growing up in Bogalusa, she fell in love with the food and the Cajun French Culture.  Mine and Paul’s Cajun French Grandmother taught Mom how to cook Cajun style and Mom never stopped, always taking her skills a step further to even teaching Cajun cooking classes out West introducing the culture she loved to new friends.  She enjoyed the Ocean and the Mountain’s, but Mom loved her home and family in Bentonia, where she roamed the hills and hallows as a child and held so many precious memories with grandparents, family and friends. Just minutes after her passing her childhood best friend called to check on her and we cried together as she shared their love for each other and the fun they had together as children.  That was priceless! Love grows deep in our early years.
Mom was such a lady beautiful and feminine yet she taught my brother and I how to tote and shot a gun and ride motorcycles.  I never will forget the time out at the old home place in Bentonia when Paul brought a water moccasin up to the house in a bucket.  Mom needless to say had a few choice words for my snake-toting brother and while still telling him off took a shotgun and blew the snake and the bucket into pieces.  Yes, this is the same beautiful mother that made sure I knew the importance of using the right moisturizer’s on my face, eyes and of course don’t forget the neck area and God forbid that you didn’t keep those toenails pretty and painted at all times.  Mom was a Christian and very committed to growing closer to Jesus and sharing her faith. So many have shared with me how her faith and testimony has influenced their walk with Jesus.
We are so grateful for the years we have had her and for this last Christmas where we gathered around her like presents under her tree.  It was a beautiful painful time where Paul and I and our children and Uncle David (Mom’s brother) gathered at her and Timmy’s house to hug and love on her one last Christmas.  Mom we love you and to say we miss you is so shallow.  It is more like a gaping hole that no one else will ever be able to fill.  It is only knowing you are with Jesus and that we will see you again that makes the pain feel any better.
Memorials may be made to: “In Memory of Melvene Roberts Kenney”, Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone NC 28607   or online at   www. samaritanspurse.org.

WILMA HEATHCOCK

Wilma C. Heathcock, 62, died Friday, Jan. 21, 2011 at University Medical Center in Jackson.
Funeral services were Monday at Fletcher’s Chapel Cemetery with Rev. Ray Woods officiating. Burial followed under the direction of Stricklin-King Funeral Home.
Mrs. Heathcock was born Dec. 12, 1928 in Yazoo County to Seabron and Helen Hanna Thomasson. She was a homemaker and a member of Oil City Baptist Church.
Survivors include four sons, Tracy Carl Carlton, Ricky Carlton and Shawn Heathcock of Bentonia and Shannon Lee of Harrisburg, Ark.; two half-sisters, Fay Glenn of Tillar, Ark. and Sue Wildmon of Arkansas; and 12 grandchildren.
Serving as pallbearers were Shelton Burrough, Richard Moore, Justin Neese, Wade Spiars, James Gallagher and Wayne Fielder.

SANDRA JACKSON

Sandra K. Jackson, 51, died Monday, Jan. 25, 2011 at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church. Funeral services are Friday at 1:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church with Rev. David Bryant and Rev. Lewis Kalil officiating. Burial will follow at Stricklin-King Funeral Home under the direction of Stricklin-King Funeral Home.
Mrs. Jackson was born Jan. 22, 1960 in Yazoo City to James and Peggy Screws Jackson. She was a retired nurse and a member of First Baptist Church.
Survivors include her mohter, Peggy Jackson of Yazoo City; brother, Jimmy Jackson (Cindy) of Yazoo City; sister, Julie Kraft (Ernie) of Florence, nephew, Lee Jackson of Prentiss; two nieces, Melissa Kraft of Florence and Brandy Brewer of Hattiesburg; and two aunts, Mickey Laney of Lake Chotard and Jennie Watson of Lucedale.
Pallbearers are Roy Watson, Lee Jackson, Ernie Kraft, Wade Watson, Carl Rayfield Jr. and Andrew Mayhan.
Honorary pallbearers are Taz Ketchum, Nich King, Vernon Sikes, John Sandlin, Chris Campbell, Keith Myers, Albert Carver, David Borganogni, Glynn Babb, B.J. Malley, Mitcher Mixon and Medgar Gibbs.

ANNIE SHARBROUGH

Annie Lois Childress Sharbrough, 81, died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011.
Funeral services were Tuesday at Stricklin-King Funeral Home. Burial followed at Glenwood Cemetery.
Mrs. Sharbrough was born Nov. 19, 1929 in Satartia to Sam and Ethyl Byrd Childress. She attended Satartia Central High School and graduated from Whitworth College High School Department. She attended the University of Mississippi, where she was a member of the Phi Mu Sorority. She was a member of Holly Bluff United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Samuel Hall Childress Jr.; a son, Samuel Sharbrough; and a grandson, Samuel Sharbrough Jr.
Survivors include her husband, Red Sharbrough; son, William C. Sharbrough III (Dana); daughter in law, Linda LeMoine Sharbrough; and grandchildren, Geoffrey, Matthew, Kathryn and Fletcher.
Memorials may be sent to Holly Bluff United Methodist Church, St. Jude’s Hospital or the American Cancer Society.

KATHRYN STOKES

Kathryn L. Stokes, 77, died Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011 at home in Crystal Springs.
Funeral services were Saturday at the Stricklin-King Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Gary Henderson officiating. Burial followed at Glenwood Cemetery.
Mrs. Stokes was born Oct. 18, 1933 in Yazoo County to James Monroe Pierce and Willie Kate Porch Pierce. She was a homemaker and a Baptist.
She was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Kathryn Alexis Johnson.
Survivors include her husband, Walter Lee Stokes of Crystal Springs; two daughters, Kathryn Dorothea Stokes of Jackson and Debbie Yvonne Johnston of Jackson; a brother, Charles Pierce of Birmingham, Ala.; two grandsons, Charlie Walter Johnson and Casey Lee Johnson;  a granddaughter, Rachael Marie Mitchell; and six great-grandchildren.