MARTIN BANKSTON
Martin Bankston, 88, died Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012 at University Medical Center in Jackson.
Funeral services were Thursday at Midway Baptist Church with Rev. Steven Howell officiating. Burial followed at the church cemetery under the direction of Stricklin-King Funeral Home.
Mr. Bankston was born May 25, 1924 to Martin and Darel Boutwell Bankston. He was retired from insurance sales and a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Iva Pearl Bankston; a grandson, Clint Hood; a brother, J.D. Bankston and a sister, Mertle Rose.
Survivors include two daughters, Rosemary Hood and Francine Jeffcoat, both of Yazoo City; a son, Freddie Bankston of Richland;three grandchildren; one great-grandchild and two step grandchildren.

MICHAEL BARKSDALE
Michael A. Barksdale, 44, died Aug. 26, 2012 at University Medical Center in Jackson.
Mr. Barksdale was born Nov. 22, 1967 in Yazoo County to Otis and Shirley Brown Barksdale. He was a member of the Church of God.
Survivors include his wife, Lori Barksdale of Winterhaven, Fla.; mother, Shirley Barksdale of Yazoo City; sister, Peggy Smith of Yazoo City; three sons, Zachary Barksdale, Jacob Barksdale and Joseph Barksdale; two daughters, Jessica Barksdale and Samantha Barksdale; a brother, Darrell Barksdale of Anza, Calif.; and a sister, Kay Barksdale Fulton of Stone Mountain, Ga.

HENRY LARD
Henry George “Bae” Lard; 84, died Aug. 26, 2012.
Funeral services were Sept. 1 at Johnson Chapel M.B. Church in Jackson with Rev. Robert Rattler officiating.
Mr. Lard was born July 13, 1928 in Benton to George and and Viola Ben Lard. He graduated from St. Francis Catholic School before enlisting in the U.S. Army. After earning an honorable discharge, he returned to Benton before moving to Chicago to work for Best Foods for many years. After retiring he moved to Jackson and became an active member of Johnson Chapel.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Oliver Brookins, Essie B. Lard and Lee Andrew Lard.
Survivors include eight children, Vivian Ann Lard, Annie Lacey (Greg), Henry George Lard Jr., Dorothy McKenzie (Glen), Michael Lard (Sandra), Robert Lard (Loretta), Zalorie Smith (Vernard) and Fredrick Donnell Lard; a sister, Doris Lard-Evans; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Serving as pallbearers were Shun Lard, Michael Lard, Munsumi Lard, Lee Andrew Williams Jr., Glen McKenzie, Ray Gilmer, Calvin Williams Lard and Darryl Evans.
Honorary pallbearers were Roy Smith, Ozell Williams, Rowan Brinston, Elzra Hollins, Fred Bonner and Robert Smith.

J.W. WILLIAM
J.W. “Bubba” William, 69, died Aug. 31, 2012.
Funeral services were Sept. 7 at Community Baptist Church with Rev. Larry Thornton Sr. officiating. Burial followed at Glenwood Cemetery under the direction of Scott Memorial Funeral Home.
Mr. Williams was born July 7, 1943 in Holly Bluff to W.H. Williams and Cora Rogers. He worked for Stoner Farm in Holly Bluff before moving to Yazoo City and working for William Dorris and Jimmy Moore. He was a member of Community Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Aquilla Williams; 17 grandchildren; 66 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren; sisters, Marie Little, Jyuanita Price, Inella Blivens, Dorothy Mae Jones, Cora Mae Ervin, Mildred Webber (Michael), Cherry Mae Sebiere (Monroe); and a host of other relatives and friends.
Serving as pallbearers were Myron McCurry, Robert Edwards, Lionel Gibbs, Vernon Edwards, Joseph Edwards and Timothy Edwards.
Honorary pallbearers were Mitchell McCurry, Deveontae Jones, Calvin Williams, William Roland, Kenneth Bolden and Jerderrick Williams.

CAROL BROWN
Carol Phillips Brown, 69, of Craig, Montana, died Monday, Sept. 3, 2012 at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, Montana.
O’Connor’s Funeral Home in Great Falls Montana handled her cremation and there was a family gathering at Glen Cleveland’s home in Bentonia on Sept. 8 in honor of Carol.
Mrs. Brown was a homemaker. She was born March 2, 1943 in Hattiesburg and was a longtime resident of Yazoo City before she moved to Montana in 1999. She  returned to Bentonia in 2010, where she resided at the Landview Manor Apartments for about a year, before deciding to go back to Montana. She entered into a nursing home there to live out her final days.
Survivors include her son, Robert Glen Cleveland and his wife Shawn Cleveland, their son, Noah Lee Cleveland, all of Bentonia; her sister,  Charlene Bardwell of Brandon; and several nieces, nephews and a great-niece.
She was preceded in death by a son, Lee Cleveland, of Yazoo City,, one sister, of Chicago and both parents, Mr. and Mrs. Phillips of Yazoo County.

JOHN HEMPHILL Jr.
John  A. Hemphill, Jr., 98, affectionately know as "Little Hemp" or "Poppa John" died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012 in Yazoo City.
Funeral services were Tuesday at Scotland Baptist Church.  Graveside services  followed at Lakewood Memorial Park.
Mr. Hemphill was born June 10, 1941 in Flora, where he later attended Flora High School.  He was a U.S. Army veteran and served in World War II. He was a meat cutter and was co-founder of Hemphill Souse and Sausage.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John A. and Mary Renfroe Hemphill, Sr.; his wives, Tina Tunstill Hemphill and Helen Bridges Hemphill; son James Bridges; daughter Bettie Bridges Uzzle; grandson Kenneth Overby; and all of his siblings: Audie Wiltcher, Hazel Harman, Lollie Warren, Elsie Whetstone, Viola Bridges, Gilbert Hemphill, Clyde Hemphill, Earnest Hemphill and Agnes Hemphill.
Survivors include three daughters: Sandra Oxner (Phil), Wanda King (Joe), and Debra McClain (Rayford); 9 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.  
Memorials may be made to Scotland Baptist Church, 5617 Scotland Rd., Bentonia, MS 39040.

HERBIE HOLMES
A memorial service for Herbert Hutson “Herbie” Holmes, 68, who died August 31, 2012 in Natchez will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012 at St Mary Basilica in Natchez, with visitation at 1 p.m. until service time in St. Therese Hall at the church.
Herbie was born December 8, 1943 in Vicksburg to Herbert Payne Holmes and Nancy Hutson Holmes. He lived with them in New York City where his father was in service with the US Navy during World War II. Herbie was raised in his father’s hometown of Yazoo City, to which the family returned after the war.
He graduated from Yazoo City High School and attended the University of Mississippi. He worked for a number of years in Yazoo City before moving to New Orleans several years ago. Herbie was displaced from New Orleans for several months by Hurricane Katrina and subsequently acquired a residence and made his home in Natchez. He was interested in art and historical preservation, receiving a restoration award in 2008 from the Historic Natchez Foundation.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Nancy Katherine “Kathy” Holmes and partner Clement Tricon “Tric” Sehrt.
Survivors include his uncle Miller P. Holmes (Jean) and his cousins Miller Holmes, Jr., Dale H. Simmons (Jim), Ethel H. Moak (Keith), George E. Donavan III (Ann) and Carl H. Donavan, special friend Clair O. Seward and many more friends in Yazoo City, Natchez and New Orleans.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary Basilica, 107 S. Union St.. Natchez, MS 39120, Trinity Episcopal Church, 323 N. Main St., Yazoo City, MS 39194, Mississippi Animal Rescue League, 5221 Greenway Drive Extn., Jackson, MS 39204 or a favorite charity.


CHARLES MAUK
Charles B. Mauk, 64, died Sept. 10, 2012 at the VA Hospital in Jackson.
Funeral services are today at 3 p.m. at the Concord Baptist Church Cemetery wit Rev. Lewis Kalil officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Stricklin-King Funeral Home.
Mr. Mauk was born Sept. 13, 1947 to Frank B. and Clara Kirk Mauk. He was a U.S. Army veteran.
He was preceded in death by his father, Frank B. Mauk; a son, Charles B. Mauk Jr.; and a brother, Albert B. Mauk.
Survivors include his mother, Clara K. Rodgers of Bentonia; and a brother, Stephen K. Mauk of Yazoo City.      

GEORGE MONTGOMERY Jr.
George P. Montgomery, Jr., died peacefully at his daughter’s home in Madison on September 6, 2012.  
Funeral services were Monday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Madison. Burial followed at Parkway Memorial Cemetery in Ridgeland.
Mr. Montgomery was born Nov. 28, 1921 in Yazoo City to George Powell and Meadie Exum Montgomery. After high school graduation, he attended the University of Mississippi for one year before leaving for the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.  Upon graduation, he became a pilot in the navy and continued to serve his country in many different and far reaching locales for over 25 years.  He retired with the rank of Commander in 1965.
After retirement in 1965, he moved his family back to his childhood home of Yazoo City.  He started another career with Southland Oil Company and retired from there in 1988.  After retirement he and Ann moved to Madison where he spent his last years as an avid volunteer for Riveroaks Hospital.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of fifty years, Ann Weinacker Montgomery; his sister, Meadie Montgomery Switzer, her husband, George and son Frank.
Survivors include his daughters Georgianna Wright of Madison, Betty Sauer (Bob) of Ridgeland, and Dixie McCaleb (Bobby) of Vaughan; his sons, Dr. Charles Montgomery (Betty) and George Montgomery (Liz) of Kansas City.  He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Ministries, Inc., 450 Towne Center Blvd., Ridgeland, MS  39157 or a charity of your choice.

JAMES SLIGH
James Ray Sligh, 81, died Sept. 7, 2012 at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson.
Funeral services were Sunday at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Bill Poole and Rev. Pamela Cameron officiating. Burial followed at Midway Methodist Cemetery under the direction of Stricklin-King Funeral Home.
Mr. Sligh was born July 20, 1931 in Schlater to Marvin and Willie Mae Meeks Sligh. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran who served in the Korean War, a retired crew leader for Southern Natural Gas and a member of First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara “Bobbie” Sligh of Yazoo City; a daughter, Raye Sligh (Ray) of Yazoo City; two stepsons, John Alderman (Carol Ann) of Oxford and Lee Alderman (Cindy) of Madison; stepdaughter, Nancy Bray (Barry) of Tupelo; grandson, Landon Hodges; step grandchildren, Anna Coley, Ryan Alderman, Megan Alderman, Mallory Alderman, Jessie Perry (Daniel) and Travers Bray; and two brothers, Charles Sligh (Faye) of Yazoo City and Fred Sligh (Recil) of Bentonia.
Serving as pallbearers were Justin Hodges, Freddie Sligh, Harold Miller, John K. Wilson, Channing Hodges, Kim Sligh, Sammy Strickland and Landon Hodges.
Honorary pallbearers were Marlin Stubblefield, Jeff Ingram, Mike Davis, Joe Boggan, Trey Shipp and Tommy Clay.

JAMES VEAZEY
James Thomas Veazey, 75, died Sept. 8, 2012 at King’s Daughters Hospital.
Funeral services are today at 11 a.m. at the Stricklin-King Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery.
Mr. Veazey was born Jan. 11, 1937 in Alligator to Smith and Louise Gammil Veazey. He was a U.S. Army veteran, a construction superintendent for Malouf Construction and a member of Melrose Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jessie Mae Veazey.
Survivors include two sons; James W. Veazey of Grenada and Bill Veazey of New York; two brothers, Johnny Veazey of Cleveland and Robert Veazey of Oxford; a sister, Janice Safley of Rome; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

CHARLIE CLARK
Charlie Quekemeyer Clark,  91, of Yazoo City died Tuesday,  Sept. 4, 2012.
Funeral services are today, Saturday, Sept. 8, at 11 a.m. at Trinity  Episcopal Church  preceded by a 10 a.m. visitation.
Mr. Clark was born on February 8, 1921, to Anna Quekemeyer and Andrew Belton Clark. He graduated from Yazoo High School and Mississippi State University.
As a pilot in the 13th Army Air Corps in the 13th squadron during World War II, he served in the Pacific Theater, including the invasion of the Philippines.
After returning from the war, he spent his lifetime as a successful cotton planter in Yazoo and Humphreys Counties. In the 1950s, he earned the World Champion Cotton Producer title for producing the most pounds of lint cotton on one acre of land.
He married Georgie May Williams on February 10, 1949, and this year they celebrated their 63rd anniversary. Their daughter, Georganna Clark Meismer (Charlie), lives in Victoria, Texas. He is also survived by his sister, Elizabeth Ann (Libby) Clark, of New York City; grandchildren Wade (Krista) Meismer, Kyle (Jacklyn) Meismer, and Katie Meismer; great-grandchildren Shayne Meismer and Alec Westfall; sisters-in-law Josephine Ledbetter and Dora Lee Clark, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, A. B. Clark, Col. George E. Clark, and Frederick R. Clark.
Serving as pallbearers are grandsons Wade Meismer and Kyle Meismer, nephew Seger Collier, and Bob Malouf, Bill Simmons, Thomas Hines, Louis Thompson, and Harris McGraw.
Honorary pallbearers are John Byrd, Bob Cato, Michael Curran, and Sam Smith.
The family wishes to offer their sincere gratitude to his faithful and loving caregivers Renee Ward, Shannon Carlton, and Lisa Caston.
Memorials can be made to Trinity Episcopal Church or the charity of your choice.

HENRINE STEWART
Henrine Marie Whitney  Stewart, 72, of Itta Bena, died on Aug. 29, 2012.
Funeral services will be held today, Saturday, Sept. 8, at 11 a.m. at New Bethel Church in Itta Bena.
Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery under the direction of Sanders and Sanders Funeral Home.
Born in Yazoo City on April 9, 1940, she was the oldest of three daughters of Minnie Harmon Whitney and Fleming Whitney Jr. She graduated from Yazoo Training School in 1957 as salutatorian of her class. She went on to acquire her bachelor’s degree in English from Tuskegee Institute and her master’s degree from Mississippi State.
Her first teaching position was with the Louisville public schools in Louisville, Miss. It was there that she met her loving husband, Dr. William Stewart, a math teacher. Shortly thereafter, they had twin sons, Dennis and Darryl Stewart. They moved from Louisville to work in the Greenwood public schools, all the while continuing their graduate education. They both ultimately become professors at Mississippi Valley State University. Both finished their careers at the university. Henrine celebrated 40 years of service as a faculty member in the English and Foreign Language Department before retiring. She was a member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority and had been involved in various activities.
Henrine was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
She is survived by her sons, Dennis (Tiffany) of Columbia, Maryland and Darryl of Silver Spring, Maryland; two granddaughters, Taylor and Tyler; two sisters, Carolyn Whitney Alexander (Willie) and Flenda Whitney, both of Houston, Texas; niece, Alexis Whitney Alexander and nephew, Michael Sterling Alexander of Houston, Texas; a very special aunt, Velma Becks of St. Louis, Mo.; and numerous other extended family members.
Condolences may be offered at Sanders and Sanders Funeral Home, 6171 Highway 49 South, Greenwood, MS.

KENNETH GASTON
Kenneth Lorenzo Gaston,29, died Aug. 23, 2012 in Nashville, Tenn.
Funeral services were Saturday at Antioch M.B. Church with Rev. Walter Williams officiating. Burial followed at Anderson Cemetery under the direction at Scott Memorial Home.
Mr. Gaston was born March 17, 1983 to I.W. and Patricia Willis in Hinds County. He attended Yazoo City Public Schools and was a member of True Light M.B. Church.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Tommy C. Gaston; grandmother, Opal Baker; and a brother, Patrick Willis.
Survivors include his parents; daughters, Keitijah and Keitiyah Gaston; sisters, Natasha Gaston, Ieshia Willis and Anerial Cowans; grandmothers, Allene Willis and Mary Gaston; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Serving as pallbearers were Roy Harrington Jr., Kelvin Gaston, Melvin Green, Henry Williams Jr., Antoine Gaston and Jeremy Gaston.
Honorary pallbearers were Mike Clark, Andrew Burns and Jonathan Smith.

DOUG GRANTHAM
William Douglas “Doug” Grantham, 66, of Canton died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012.
Funeral services were Monday at Breeland Funeral Home in Canton with Rev. Larry Saxton and Rev. Donnie Grantham officiating. Burial followed at Canton Cemetery.
Mr. Grantham was born May 12, 1946 in Indianola to the late William Edward Grantham and Elizabeth Grantham Dyson. He graduated from Canton High School in 1964, then attended Holmes Junior College from 1966-1968 and continued on to receive a bachelor's degree at Delta State University in 1970.
He started teaching history and coaching in 1970. He taught and coached at Canton Academy, Yazoo City High School, Velma Jackson High School, Old Towne Middle School, Crystal Springs High School, and Madison County Alternative School. After retiring he was a substitute teacher at Madison County Schools and Benton Academy. Coach Grantham had a tough exterior, but a tender heart that he devoted to teaching and coaching.
His accomplishments included being inducted into the Mississippi Semi-Pro Baseball Hall of Fame and the Delta State Athletic Hall of Fame, where he is the current career ERA record holder with a 1.10. While at Delta State, Doug pitched in the first Division II College World Series. He was Canton Dixie Youth Baseball Commissioner from 2000-2012. He was a member of Grace Fellowship Baptist Church.
He was  preceded in death by his parents; a brother, John D. Grantham; and sisters, Deloris Marie Grantham of New Orleans, Mary Ann Holmes of Springfield, La and Warrene Jean Keyes of Atlanta, Ga.
Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Kathy Crum Grantham; son Wayman Grantham (Carol) of Benton; daughter Suzy Coleman (Ken) of Brandon; brother Billy Wayne Grantham of Madison; sister Katie Amis of Shreveport, La.; sisters Dottie Garland of Metairie, La. and Billie Jean Waites of Ponchatoula, La.; and four grandchildren Cody Coleman, Colton Coleman, Hunter Grantham, and Landon Grantham.
Serving as pallbearers were Tommy Hudson, Denny Langley, C.L. Presley, Benny Street, Robert Street, and Ronnie Yeates.
Honorary pallbearers were Doug Simms, Wayman Sowell, and the Benton Academy football team.
Memorials may be made to Benton Academy or Grace Fellowship Baptist Church.
An online guestbook is available at www.breelandfuneralhome.com.

JACK ROBINSON
Jack E. Robinson, 53, died Friday, Aug. 31, 2012.
Funeral services were Sunday at the Stricklin-King Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed at Glenwood Cemetery.
Mr. Robinson was born Jan. 18, 1954 in Port Sulphur, La. to Eugene and Frances Parker Robinson. He was a Baptist.
Survivors include a son, Jack E. Robinson Jr. of Yazoo City; his parents, Eugene and Frances Robinson of Yazoo City; and a sister, Betty Robinson of Gretna, La.