Mary Kate Bowden

BUENA VISTA - Mrs. Mary Kate Bowden, 89, passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS.

Services were held Sunday, November 1, 2009 at St. Matthew's Church in Houston with Rev. David Walker officiating. Burial followed in Pleasant Grove Cemetery in the Buena Vista Community in Houston.

Carter Funeral Home in West Point was in charge of arrangements.

David Harold Shankle

CALHOUN CITY- David Harold Shankle, 64, died October 28, 2009 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS. He was born November 3, 1944 in Houston, MS and was a lifelong resident of Northeast Mississippi, residing in the Duncan Hill Community. He was retired from work as a self-employed meter-reader with the Natchez Trace Electric Power Association. Ad adept jack-of-all-trades, he loved working with his hands and above all spending time with his family. He was a member of Grace Southern Baptist Church in Calhoun City.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Christopher Shankle and Etoyle Powel Shankle.

Services were held Saturday, October 31, 2009 at Parker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Jon Haimes, Rev. Carl Morris, and Rev. Sherman Adams officiated and burial followed at Taylor Cemetery in Vardaman, MS.

Survivors include his wife, Erma Faye Owens Shankle (48 yrs.) of Calhoun City; three sons, Dave Shankle and Barry Shankle (Tammie), both of Calhoun City, and Stacey Shankle of Jackson; four grandchildren, Blair McKelroy of Calhoun City, Laken Shankle of Bruce, Karringan Shankle of Calhoun City, and Scott Shankle of Calhoun City.

Pallbearers included his nephews, James David Owens, Tony Owens, Jeff Shankle, Brandon Shankle, Tim Parker, David's son, Stacey Shankle.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1380 Livingston Lane, Jackson, MS 39213.

Richard C. Hill

FOREST - Richard C. Hill, 72, of Forest, died Tuesday, Octc. 27, 2009 at Lackey Hospital.

Services were held Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 at Forest United Methodist Church with internment following at the Hope Cemetery in Neshoba County.

Mr. Hill was born in Booneville and graduated from Wheeler High School in 1955 where he was a proud member of the State Championship Wheeler Eagle basketball team his senior year. He went on to attend Mississippi State University where he played on the freshman basketball squad and received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1961. He later attained his Master's degree from Mississippi College.

Mr. Hill was a lifelong educator. He began his teaching and coaching career in Florence, Prentiss and Forest Hill schools. From 1970 until 1972, he served as principal at Utica High School. In 1972, he became principal at Forest High School. He was appointed Superintendent of the Forest City Schools in 1975 and served in this position until his retirement in 1995. He served as interim Superintendent of the Meridian Public Schools from 1995-1996.

In his retirement, he remained a constant supporter of the Forest City Schools. His favorite pastime was cheering on the Bearcats at every opportunity.

Mr. Hill was an active member of Forest United Methodist Church where he served as Administrative Council Chairman and on various committees within the church. He taught the Gleaners and the Austin-Hunt Sunday school classes for many years.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Elizabeth "Lib" Smith Hill, of Forest; sons, Rich Hill of Houston, Scott Hill (Melisa Polk Hill) of Decatur and Rob Hill of Jackson; grandsons, Joel and Lee Hill of Decatur; brothers, Jerry Hill (Yvonne) of Brandon, and Ted Hill (Sharon) of Wheeler; sister, Janice Browning of Jackson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Ruby Hill; brothers, Ronny Hill and Larry Hill.

Memorials may be made to the Forest United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 68, Forest, MS 39074.

Ott and Lee Funeral Home of Forest was in charge of arrangements.

Thomas Lee Langford

VICKSBURG – Thomas Lee Langford, 93, died Monday, Oct. 26, 2009 in Hot Springs, Ark.

Mr. Langford was born Aug. 21, 1936 in Isola to Sim and Ocey Champion Langford.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Hot Springs, Ark., on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 with Monsignor Bernard G. Malone and Deacon Larry Lipsmeyer officiating. Interment will be held Friday, Nov. 6, 2009 in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Vicksburg. Caruth Village Funeral Home of Hot Springs Village, Ark. was in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Joanna Cathey Langford of Hot Springs Village, Ark.; two daughters, Cathey Cameron and husband, Richard, of Madison, MS, and Tracey L. Loper and husband, Jimmy, of Flowood, MS.; two grandchildren, Jake Cameron and Leanna Cameron.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Richard D. Langford and B. Wayne Langford; one sister, Emmis Langford.

Ouida McKinney

HOUSTON – Ouida Putt McKinney, 77, died Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. She was born March 13, 1932, in Lee County to R.C. Putt and Zula England Putt. She was a homemaker, a retired businesswoman and a member of Houston First Baptist Church.

Services were held Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009 at Houston First Baptist Church with the Rev. Daniel Heeringa officiating. Burial followed in Chickasaw Memorial Gardens in Houston. Houston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Wendell McKinney of Houston; her daughter, Patricia Beatty (Hart) of Houston; her son, Dr. David McKinney (Kim) of Chattanooga, Tenn.; her sister, Sara Castanis (Nick) of Frankfort, Ky.; her grandchildren, Josh Earnest, Jordan Earnest, Brandon McKinney, Tyler McKinney and Hunter McKinney; her stepgrandson, Sam Beatty (Esther); and her stepgreat-granddaughter, Olivia Beatty.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Orville H. Putt and Dewey Putt.

Friends and family may sign the online register at www.houstonfuneralhome.com.

Florence Colburn

HOUSTON – Florence Guinn Byars Colburn, 85, died Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, at Trace Regional Hospital in Houston. She was born June 22, 1924, in Houlka to Jessie James Byars and Lula Mae Guin Byars. She was a homemaker and a member of Houston First United Methodist Church. She was a charter member of the Trace Regional Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and served 5,518 hours as a Pink Lady. She was an active member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

Services were held Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 at Houston Funeral Home in Houston with the Rev. Phillip Dearman officiating. Burial followed in Concord Cemetery in Houston.

Survivors include her daughter, Patricia Ann Pearson of Memphis; her son, T.J. Colburn Jr. (Nola) of Houston; her sister, Louise Suriani of Memphis; her granddaughter, Dyana Guinn Pearson; her great-granddaughter, Athena Perera; her nieces, Jane McDonald and Mary Emma Marion; and her nephew, James Clark.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Thomas J. Colburn Sr.; her grandson, Mark Pearson; and her sister, Maline Clark.

Pallbearers were Wallace Norman Jr., Jeff Whitt, Jimmy Guy McDonald, Marty Pearson, Pete Dexter and Bobby Pearson.

Friends and family may sign the online register at www.houstonfuneralhomems.com.

Mary Brown

CHICAGO – Mary Virgie Brown, 83, formerly of Houston, died Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009, at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Chicago.

Services were held Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009 at Second Baptist Church in Houston with the Rev. Jimmy L. Washington and the Rev. Eugene Brandon officiating. Burial followed in Houston City Cemetery.

N.L. Jones & Son Funeral Directors was in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the guestbook at nljonesandson.com.

Lucille Bray

HOULKA – Lucille Partee Bray, 95, died Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo.

She was born Dec. 14, 1913, in Pontotoc to Era Lester Partee and Ruth Dodson Partee. She was a homemaker and a member of Houlka First Baptist Church.

Services were held Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 at Houston Funeral Home with Rev. David Blackwell and Dr. Craig Bailey officiating. Burial followed at Williams Cemetery in Pontotoc County.

Survivors include her son, Glen Bray of Houlka; her sisters, Nellie Davidson of Columbus, Ga., and Billie Jean Greer of Macon, Ga.; her grandchildren, Glenda Huffman (Victor) of Houston and Tammy Bray of Maumelle, Ark.; her great-grandchildren, Justin Earnest and Sullivan Bray; and a great-great-grandson, Aram Earnest.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Talmadge Bray, on June 28, 1966; her son, Danny Bray; two brothers; and four sisters.

Pallbearers were Jerry Bray, Craig Bailey, Bill Thornton, Justin Earnest, Bert Easley and Gary Linton.

Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O. Box 2177, Tupelo MS 38803.

Friends and family may sign the online register at houstonfuneralhomems.com.