Tom Wood Jr.

WREN – Thomas Elkin “Tom” Wood Jr., 74, died Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at his residence in the Wren community, where he lived most of his life. He was born in Okolona on Dec. 1, 1934, to Thomas Elkin Sr. and Geneva Hood Wood. He graduated from Wren High School in l946 and served for eight years in the Okolona Unit of the Mississippi National Guard. He retired in l989 after 35 years service with the GM&O Railroad. He married Helen Grissom Phillips on April 21, 1970. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Okolona. He was a 32nd degree KCCH Scottish Rite Mason affiliated with Prairie Lodge 86 in Okolona and active in the Hamasa Shrine organization. In his early life, he enjoyed fishing, houseboating and hunting. His great joy came from his large family and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who affectionately knew him as “Big Daddy.”

Services were held Friday, June 26, 2009 at the Okolona Chapel of Holland-Harris Funeral Directors with Bro. Eric Boykin and Bro. Danny Rushing officiating. A Masonic committal service followed in the chapel. Private burial was in Lee Memorial Park.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Helen Grissom Wood of Wren; his six daughters, Catherine Jane Pannell (Vick) of Little Rock, Ark., Linda Lee Smith (Dr. Don) of Tupelo, Sarah Ellen Flake (Travis) of Okolona, Margaret Elkin Callahan (John) of Pontotoc, Paula Gaye Anglin of Tupelo and Shelia Ann Sassar of Tupelo; one sister, Mary Armon Gilliland (Edward) of Wren; one a brother, Allen Cox Wood (Sandee) of Clinton, Ky.; 12 grandchildren, Kevin Thornton, Lisa Phillips (Todd), Carl Breedlove (Chasity), Lauren Smith, Mary Margaret and April Callahan, Scott Jones, Rachel Pickett (John Mark), Jody Pannell, Jim Flake (Johnna), Brandon and Allison Anglin; his great-grandchildren, Hannah, Allie, Kelsey, Tyler and Jackson Phillips, Baylee, Cole and Kendall Breedlove, Benji Jones, Anna Claire Anglin and Trey Riley, Tyler and Ethan Pannell, and Cade and Grayson Pickett. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son-in-law, Clyde Anglin.

Pallbearers were Vick Pannell, Dr. Don Smith, Travis Flake, John Callahan Jr., Todd Phillips, Kevin Thornton, Brandon Anglin, Carl Breedlove and Benji Jones.

Honorary pallbearers will were members of the Bill Stewart Sunday School Class from First Baptist-Okolona.

Memorials may be made to LeBonheur Children’s Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 41817, Memphis, TN 38103.

Condolences may be e-mailed to holland-harrisfuneralhome@comcast.net.

Mildred Martin

HOUSTON – Mildred Hobson Martin, 94, died Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at Baldwyn Nursing Facility in Baldwyn. She was born June 25, 1914, to Leland Curry Hobson and Ida Amelia Patterson Hobson. She was a retired secretary for the Superintendent of Education of Chickasaw County School System, a member of Houston Presbyterian Church and a charter member of Houston Pilot Club.

Services were held Friday, June 26, 2009 at Houston Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Don Locke officiating. Burial followed at Rose Hill Cemetery in Houlka. Houston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include two granddaughters, Susan Cockrell (Stuart) of Baldwyn and Beth Bailey (Mike) of Brandon; one grandson, Mike Gregory (Kerri) of Fairhope, Ala.; one sister, Blanche George of Pontotoc; seven great-grandchildren, Taylor Cockrell, Haley Cockrell, Tucker Bailey, Katherine Bailey, Jordan Gregory, Jamie Gregory and Gates Gregory.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, William Ralph McKnight and Joe Bob Martin; and a daughter, Lynne Gregory.

Pallbearers were Mike Bailey, Hershall George, Larry Bonds Jr., Kim Chrestman, Jimmy Hood, James Meyers and Stuart Cockrell.

Family and friends may visit and sign the online register at www.houstonfuneralhome.com.

Loyd Wayne Berry

HOULKA – Loyd Wayne Berry, 66, died Monday, June 22, 2009, at his residence. He was born June 16, 1943, in Greenville to Ruben Loyd Berry and Earlene Parker Berry. He married Barbara Marsh on March 12, 1982. They made their home in Houlka, where he worked as an agronomist. He served in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam veteran. He was a member of St. Christopher Catholic Church in Pontotoc.

A memorial service was held Thursday, June 25, 2009 at St. Christopher Catholic Church with Father Tim Murphy and Father Gerald Peterson officiating. Baldwin-Nowell Funeral Home of Pontotoc was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Marsh; two sons, James Denney (Elaine) of Nashville, Tenn., and William Denney (Lauren) of Memphis; three sisters, Paula Brown of Hohenwald, Tenn., Sherry Neal of Louisville and Belinda Bean of Hohenwald; two grandchildren, Lily Marie Denney and Grace Blanchard; one great-grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Christopher’s Playground Fund.

Ilene Waldo

RANDOLPH – Ilene Tutor Waldo, 80, died Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at Graceland Nursing Home in Pontotoc. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and family. She also enjoyed gardening and her flowers.

Services were held Friday, June 26, 2009 at Tutor Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Pontotoc with Bro. Tootie Ward officiating. Burial was in Oak Forest Cemetery.

Survivors include three sons, Jimmy Tutor (Marty) of Mantee, Jerry Tutor of Toxish and John Paul Tutor (Julie) of Springville; three daughters, Betty Tackitt (Clyde) of Grenada, Patsy Holley (Joey) of Randolph and Lesa Tutor (David Swords) of Ecru; three sisters, Eurene Lantrip, Robbie Ann Smith and Joan Waldo (Gaither), all of Pontotoc; one brother, John Belk (Peggy) of Toccopola; five grandsons, eight granddaughters, 22 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two sons, Bobby Tutor and Roger Tutor; her parents, John and Daisy Austin Belk; and a sister, Inez Hupsey.

Family members served as pallbearers.

Bertie Blanton

HOUSTON – Bertie Thrasher Blanton, 90, died Sunday, June 28, 2009, at Floy Dyer Manor in Houston. She was born Aug. 25, 1918, in Chickasaw County to John Everett Thrasher and Kate Lavender Thrasher. She was a homemaker, a retired seamstress for Franklin Mfg. Co. and a member of Arbor Grove Baptist Church.

Services were held Monday, July 29, 2009 at Arbor Grove Baptist Church in Houston with Rev. Mike Mathena officiating. Burial followed in the Arbor Grove Cemetery. Houston Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include a host of nieces and nephews; and a sister-in-law, Lois Corrine Thrasher of Dallas, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie D. Blanton on May 22, 1988; four brothers, John Elmer Thrasher, Nelson Thrasher, Earl Thrasher and Evans Thrasher; five sisters, Grace Henderson, Loudean Fondren, Emma Thrasher, Gladys Thrasher and an infant girl.

Friends and family may sign an online registry at houstonfuneralhomems.com

Larry C. Galloway

OKOLONA – Larry Clay Galloway, 58, died Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at North Mississippi Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born in Pontotoc County on Dec. 28, l950, to William Edward and Eunice Carwyle Galloway. He lived most of his life in the Okolona area, where he worked in the furniture and garment industries before retiring. A pioneer pattern designer, he created the sofa “pocket” design while at 2Oth Century Furniture Manufacturers, their most successful design ever. An honorably discharged U.S. Marine, he loved Chickasaw Indian history and was an avid hunter, collector and trader of Indian artifacts, especially arrowheads. He enjoyed fishing before becoming ill.

Services were held Thursday, June 25, 2009 at the Okolona Chapel of Holland-Harris Funeral Directors with Bro. Robert Fowlkes officiating. Private burial followed in Upper Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Pontotoc County.

Survivors include his son, Chad Galloway of Houston; two daughters, Melanie West (Jerry) of Houston and Crystal Galloway Hicks (Kenny) of Booneville; three grandchildren, Andrew, Kayla and Kimberlyj; two sisters, Mary Lee (John) of Okolona and Jean Lowery (Jimmy) of Jackson, Tenn.; a brother, Ricky Galloway of Okolona.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Bobby Galloway.

Tommy Busby

OKOLONA – Thomas Calton “Tommy” Busby, 56, died Thursday, June 25, 2009, at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, Minn., after a brief illness. He was born Sept. 26, l952, to Billy and Lurinne Harris Busby. He grew up in Okolona and attended Mississippi School for the Deaf in Jackson. He worked for the Post Office in Memphis, Tenn., for 31 years and received many awards for his achievements before retiring on disability. He was one of the first deaf persons to be hired by the postal system. He was a member of the Kirby Woods Baptist Church in Memphis. He loved his family and friends, his computer and video phone.

He will be sorely missed by a grateful family and large host of friends. The family offers special thanks to Kathy Vogelphol, his wife’s sister, for all her support and help, and to a special friend, Joe Angle.

Services were held Sunday, June 28, 2009, at the Okolona Chapel of Holland-Harris Funeral Directors with Rev. Frank Millender, Dr. Larry Newell and John Michael Tacker officiating. Burial followed in Shannon Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife of seven months, Virginia L. Busby of St. Paul, Minn.; two sons, Bruce Alan Busby of Baltimore, Md., and Daniel James Busby of Memphis, Tenn.; his mother and father, Lurinne and Billy Busby of Okolona; one brother, John Robert Busby (Mary Ann) of Pontotoc; one sister, Bonnie Wells (Barry) of Pontotoc; several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife and the mother of his children, Betty Busby, on March 29, 2008; his grandparents: Mr. and Mrs. Floyd T. Harris, and Mr. and Mrs. Calton Busby.

Pallbearers were Charlie Busby, Ripp Wells, Tripp Tacker, John Michael Tacker, Barry Wells and Joe Angle. Honorary pallbearers will be James A. Wise and R.C. Culpepper.

Memorials may be made to the Mississippi Kidney Foundation, P.O. Box 55802, Jackson, MS 39296 to advance research in kidney diseases or to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 436, Okolona, MS 38860.

Wade Easley Jr.

HOULKA – Wade Earnest Easley Jr., 70, died Friday, June 26, 2009, at his residence. He was born Feb. 14, 1939, in Chickasaw County to Wade Earnest Easley Sr. and Mary Opal Griffin Easley. He was a retired employee of MDOT, a “shade tree jack of all trades”, a member of Victory Baptist Church and a Navy veteran.

Services were held Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at Schooner Valley Baptist Church in Houlka with Rev. Danny Kelly officiating. Burial followed in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Houlka. Houston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Joann Brown Easley of Houlka; two daughters, Mary Ernesta Smith (Wesley) of Booneville and Marsha Ranae McVay (Charles) of Pontotoc; one grandson, Samuel A. McVay; two stepdaughters, Barbara Spratlin (Larry) of Germantown, Tenn., and Marta Tunnell (Joe Boy) of Bruce; two brothers, Charles Easley (Doris) and Rhea, both of Houlka; and one sister, Mary Kinard of Hernando.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Thomas Ann Logan Easley; three brothers, Bro. Buford Easley, Donald B. Easley and Theo M. Easley; one sister, Marjorie Caviness; and one brother-in-law, Roy Kinard.

Memorials may be made to the Rose Hill Cemetery Fund, c/o Ken Westmorland, P.O. Box 128, Houlka, MS 38850; or to the Collums Cemetery Fund, c/o Toni Brown, 1518 CR 20, Houlka, MS 38850.

Family and friends may sign an online register at houstonfuneralhomems.com.

Carolyn Bivens

OKOLONA – Carolyn Kay Lambert Bivens, 62, left to be with her Lord on Thursday, June 25, 2009. Born in Bruce to the late James and Prebble Lambert, she worked many years in the furniture industry where she was a supervisor and loved by everyone who worked for and with her. She believed in an honest days work and being outdoors around her family and friends. She had a collection of Croc shoes that she added to every chance she got and wore them proudly for everyone to see. She loved all people, and her door and table were always open to everyone and she never turned her back to lend a helping hand or give you a hug.

She attended Bethany Church of God of Prophecy in Okolona and loved her church family. She never missed a chance to give thanks for her blessings and her life. She will be missed by many loved ones and friends.

Services were held Saturday, June 27, 2009 at the Bethany Church of God of Prophecy in Okolona with Bro. Edwin Pharr and Bro. William Clay officiating. Burial followed at Calvary Cemetery near Bruce. Holland-Harris Funeral Directors, Okolona Chapel, was in charge of arrangements.

She is survived by two sons, Hank and Terry Bivens of Okolona; one daughter, Tammy Bivens of Okolona; nine grandchildren, Christopher, Nicole, Cody, Courtney, Terin, Lauren, Dustin, Joshua and Alazah; three great-grandchildren; three brothers, Billy Joe Lambert (Becky) of South Carolina, James Ray (Cindy Lambert) of Troy and Michael Lambert of Lexington, Tenn. two sisters, Paula Box (Calvin) of Wren and Renee Tackett (David) of Okolona.

Pallbearers were Billy Lambert, Calvin Box, James Ray Lambert, Michael Lambert, Billy Tackett and Daniel Tackett.

Honorary pallbearers were her nephews.