All Obituaries

Veria Lee Payton was born August 12th, 1947, in Sardis Mississippi to the late Mr. Leland Draper, Sr. and Mrs. Lucile Draper.  Veria accepted Christ as her LORD AND Savior at an early age.  She was a member at Worldwide Church   Of God in Flint MI and later became a member at Rock Hill Baptist Church in Oxford, MS.  She was dedicated to serving the Lord Jesus Christ, truly a doer of the Word, and a disciple, a follower of Christ. Jesus Christ came to this...

Sidney Lee Ward, son of the late Willie Lee Ward and Lurlene (Austin) Ward was born September 29, 1956, in Abbeville, MS. Sidney accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at West Saint Peter Missionary Baptist Church. He later joined Smith Chapel C.M. E. Church in Abbeville, MS and remained a member until he received his eternal rest.  He received his education from Gordon School in Abbeville, MS. Sidney was a hard worker, working various jobs throughout his life and a kind...

James Austen Woods, son of the late Austen and Accola (Flemons) Woods, was born December 31, 1942, in Lafayette County, Mississippi. James accepted Christ early in life and united with Water Valley Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Rev. Albert Pass. He received his education from Oxford Training School. Upon graduating from high school, James enlisted in the United States Army in March 1964 and served in the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in January 1966. While...

Mrs. Annie Lee Gillom Hill, daughter of the late Oliver Gillom and Susie Hamilton Gillom, was born in Lafayette County, Mississippi on April 15, 1927. She professed a hope in Christ at an early age and joined East St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church and remained a faithful member until her death. She served on the Mother Board and Culinary Committee until her health declined. She was married in holy matrimony to the late Mr. James Walter Fisher Hill on April 5, 1941; in Lafayette County;...

Thomas Earl Williams, the youngest child of the late Charlie and Ollie Williams, was born July 21, 1962, in Lafayette County, MS. Reared in a Christian home, he professed a hope in Christ at a young age and was baptized at Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. William Kelly. He remained a member until his death. When he attended church, Thomas would always praise God to the fullest. He loved going to church. “Tom Cat,” as he was affectionately...

Hattye Ruth (Banks) Strong was born August 24, 1935, to the late Hattie (Reno) Banks and Lee Nolia Banks, Sr.  in Lafayette County Mississippi. She joined Burns United Methodist Church at an early and shared her gift of singing in the choir there until she graduated from High School and attended Rust College where she became a member of the world-renowned Rust College Acappella choir.  On the campus of Rust College, she met her college sweetheart, Fred Strong, and the two were...

Lillie Mae Aikens, the eldest child of the late Elbert Aikens, Sr. and Rosie Mae Oliver Aikens, was born August 9, 1963, in Panola County, Mississippi. Lillie professed a hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized at Saint Peters M.B. Church in Arkabutla, MS. She later became a member of New Greater Life Church in Sardis, MS where she remained a member until her death. She was a proud graduate of North Panola’s class of 1984. After high school, Lillie began working for Air...

Sylvester “Shawty” Barr was born to the late Smiley and Lena Spears Barr on August 11, 1929, in Water Valley, Mississippi.  His love of music and song stirred spirits and his moving prayers often resounded throughout Worship Services and Revival Meetings across Yalobusha and Lafayette counties.  Converted to Christianity at an early age, he united with Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church, Water Valley, Mississippi, the family’s home church.  Whether...

Pattie Lue Harmon was born October 17, 1947, to the late Jessie Calvin (J.C.) and Carlean Blackmon (Harmon) Kimmons in Oxford, MS. Reared in a Christian home, Pattie professed her hope in Christ at a young age and was baptized at Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church. Along with her siblings, she received her education from Gordon School in Abbeville, MS. Pattie Lue, as she was affectionately called by her family, was employed a few years at Kellwood Company. At the age of 18, Pattie met...

Stephanie Vernette Carter was born May 3, 1964, to Phyliss A. (Roberson) Brady and the late Lawrence Brady in Carlisle, PA. Stephanie accepted Christ as her savior and united with Bibleway Church of God in Christ. She later joined Kingdom Embassy, Inc. in Harrisburg, PA and remained a member until her death. She was graduate of Carlisle High School and enjoyed cooking, reading, and listening to music. Stephanie also loved children and took many under her wing as her own. On Saturday,...