United Funeral Service

New Albany-Sarah Gailor Duncan, 97, of New Albany, MS, died Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Magnolia Place in New Albany. She was born September 5, 1926, in Dumas to Johnie Edward and Effie Hill Mize, and she was the tiniest of twelve kids, that why they called her "Toy". She enjoyed many things in life such as knitting, crocheting, sewing, and cooking. She enjoyed spending time with family, especially her grandchildren She is survived by seven of her eight children and two of her three step children. She also raised two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Her children, Patricia Snyder of New Albany, Larry Gailor of Lake Mohawk, Freda Prather (Walter) of Baldwyn, Judy Gailor of...

John Kenneth Gardner, 73, passed away on Friday, November 24, 2023 at his residence. He was born May 16, 1950 in New Albany to Laurie Gardner and Irene Elizabeth Frazier Gardner. He was a graduate of W.P. Daniel High School and a veteran of Mississippi Army National Guard. He was a retired supervisor for Southern Motion. He was a NASCAR fan, enjoyed building all kinds of models and mowing the yard. He was a very loved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend; and will be missed by all who loved him. Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until funeral service time at 2:00 at United Funeral Service. Dr. Roger Stacy will officiate. Burial will be at...

New Albany-Ernest Young, 79, went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. He was born August 31, 1944 to Ernest and Mary Griffin Young. He was a humble, gentle, and thankful man. He never met and stranger and was loved by the entire community. Ernest was a life-long member of North Haven community and Wells Chapel Church. He will be missed by all who knew him. Service to honor his life will be on Friday, November 24 at 3:00pm at Wells Chapel with Bro. Chad Chism and Bro. Michael Lumpkin officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00pm until the start of the service at 3:00pm also at Wells Chapel. Burial at Wells Chapel Cemetery. He is survived by William "Billy" Latham...

Demetria Willard Walters, 88, passed away on Saturday, November 18, 2023. She was born December 24, 1934 to Orven "O.B." and I.C. Taylor Willard. She was member of Philadelphia Baptist Church, the choir at church, and the Heart-to-Heart Sunday School class. Demetria was an active supporter of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Museum of Art, and General Charities, Inc. She was also a big supporter of the West Union Eagles Basketball and Baseball teams. After many years of dual residency with Mississippi and Indiana, she completely became a Mississippi only resident in November 2023. Demetria was small in stature with a larger-than-life personality and unmeasurable love...

Franklin Scott Goode, 74, passed away in the early morning of Thursday, November 16, 2023 at New Albany Health and Rehab. He was born December 25, 1948 in Hickory Flat to Randolph Franklin Goode and Priscilla Scott Goode. He was a huge Ole Miss fan and went to all Myrtle School games. He was an avid coin collector. He was a kind-hearted gentleman and would give the shirt off his back to someone in need. He was well known in Myrtle. He was an active member of Ebenezer Methodist Church. He was a very loved brother, uncle and friend and will be missed by all who loved him. Funeral services will be at 2:00p.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at United Funeral Service with Bro. Eugene...

Bennie Ray Roberts, 72, passed away on November 9, 2023 as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born August 26, 1951, in New Albany, MS to Ethrel and Carolyn Roberts. He was a 1969 graduate of East Union Attendance Center. He played baseball at NEMCC and the University of West Georgia. He worked for over twenty years for the United States Postal Service as the Rural Mail Carrier for Route 3, Blue Springs. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved his family, farming, and East Union Sports. He was a member of Ellistown Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Gary Roberts. Survivors include his twin sister, Linda May Roberts;...

On Monday, November 6, 2023, Melinda Wood Johnson, passed away quietly from complications associated with Early Onset Alzheimer's. Melinda was born on March 21, 1962 in Memphis, TN, the youngest daughter of Billy and Dorris Wood. A few years later, her family relocated to New Albany, MS where she was raised on a dairy farm and attended Ingomar High School Class of 1980. Melinda's early years on the farm instilled a work ethic that eventually landed employment with FedEx. In addition to her FedEx career, she pursued and successfully achieved her most satisfying work as a volunteer Deputy Sheriff with the Shelby County TN Sheriff's Department. As a Reserve Officer, she rose to the rank...

Willie King Butler Bending, 97, went to her heavenly home on Thursday, November 2, 2023. She was born September 13, 1926 to William and Lonie King Butler. She was born and raised in New Albany and attended W.P. Daniel High School. Mrs. Bending later went on to Mississippi State where she completed two-year business degree. She was a homemaker and gave so much of her time to the community as a Girl Scout Leader, Sunday school teacher, youth fellowship leader, and a member of the Modern Mothers Club of New Albany. She and Mr. Bending did volunteer work with the Meals-on-Wheels program, Salvation Army, and St. Jude, and LeBonheur. She was so loved and well respected by her community,...

Mildred Faye Hall Brown, 93, passed away on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at New Albany Health and Rehab. She was born July 29, 1930 in New Albany to Elbert David and Ora Lou Bailey Hall. She was a homemaker and a great cook with experience, having grown up cooking for her younger siblings, while others worked in the field. She was an avid bowler, enjoyed traveling, loved shopping and dressing up. She was a member of Willow Oaks Pentecostal Holiness Church in Memphis. Visitation will be Sunday, November 5, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m. All times will be at United Funeral Service. Bro. Don Chandler will officiate. Burial will be at Martin Cemetery. She is survived by...

Sara Paulette Speck, known to her friends and family as Polly, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. She was born May 25, 1946 to Homer and Omie Lessel Dye in New Albany, MS. She attended Blue Mountain College and received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Mississippi College. She married Dr. James Speck on August 20, 1965 at Blue Springs Baptist Church. Together they raised four beautiful children, Jeannie, Anna, Jodie, and Wilson. Her love and dedication for her family was immeasurable. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Polly was a member of Ecru Baptist Church and lived her life as a testament to her faith in Jesus...

Roy Davis Alexander, 85, passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at Baptist Memorial Hospital- Union County in New Albany. He was born October 17, 1938 to George and Marie Bailey Alexander. He was a former district manager for Midwest Ice Cream and had six businesses in New Albany. In 1968, he started in the car business, where he would work in car sales over the years, from general manager, manager, wholesale dealer and self-employed. He was also a former candidate for Public Service Commissioner. In 1983, Roy was asked to put his Bible in the cornerstone of Wildwood Baptist Church in Tupelo. He always loved and cared for everyone. He is survived by daughters, Phyllis Uzzle of...

Mavis Delco Taylor Smith, 87, passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. She was born December 6, 1935 in Tippah County to the late John and Emma Box Taylor. She was a homemaker and a former First Lady of West Ingomar Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, where her late husband, Bro. Gene Smith pastored. She was retired, but had worked at Futorian and, later, at a daycare. She enjoyed gardening, canning and cooking. She was a dearly loved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend; and will be missed by all who loved her. Visitation will be Sunday, October 29, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until service time at 3:00 p.m. All times are at Victory Life Church. Bro....

NEW ALBANY -- Randy Cobb , 75, passed away Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023, in Tupelo. at Sancuary Services will be at November 11 at 11:00am at United Funeral Service Visitation will be at November 11, 9:00 - 11:00am United Funeral Service.

Thomas Randy Cobb, 75, entered Heaven on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. Mr. Cobb was born in Pontotoc, but was a lifelong resident of Union County. He was preceded in death by his parents, Troy and Lorene Cobb, and a brother Herbert Cobb. Randy was a 1965 graduate of Ingomar High School. He attended Northeast Mississippi Community College, then graduated from The University of Mississippi Law School. Randy's early work life began as a package boy at Big Star, followed by getting his broadcasting license in Nashville, then working as a DJ at WNAU radio and then WTVA television station. He practiced law in New Albany for a brief time. He worked in media...

Larry Keith Bennett, 61, passed away on Monday, October 16, 2023 at his residence. He was born March 30, 1962 in Jackson, TN to Clara Simpson Bennett and the late Alex Houston Bennett. He was retired from Ford Motor Company. He and his sons enjoyed working on trucks and cars. He was a dearly loved son, husband and father and will be missed by all who loved him. Visitation will be on Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. at United Funeral Service. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at New Albany City Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Patty Nunley Bennett; his mother, Clara Simpson Bennett; and two sons, Alex Tyler Bennett and Justin Reid Bennett. ...

Patty Downs Dillard, 84, departed this life on Sunday, October 15, 2023. She was born October 17, 1938, to Walker and Eris Warrington Downs. She had a Masters Degree in Education and retired from teaching at West Union. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved her family and friends passionately. She found joy in teaching, reading, cooking, cook books and QVC. She was a member of Center Baptist Church. Services to celebrate the life of Patty will be on Friday, October 20, at 11:00a.m. with Dr. Jeff Lawrence officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday October 19 from 6:00p.m. until 8:00pm and on Friday from 10:00am until the start of the...

Mary Jeanette Dorrough Jones, 90, passed away on October 5, 1923 at Magnolia Place in New Albany. She was born October 9, 1932 in Union County to John Arthur Dorrough and Eunice Graham Dorrough. She attended Ingomar High School, where she enjoyed playing basketball. Some of the places she worked was Irwin B. Schwabe and Munsingwear, but she retired as a cafeteria worker for the New Albany School System. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting, fishing, and camping. She was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church, where she served with the children's ministry. She was a dearly loved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend; and will be missed by all who loved her. A visitation will be on Saturday,...

Charles Leroy Coltharp, 94, departed this life on Thursday October 5, 2023 surrounded by the love of his family. He was born July 30, 1929, to Newt and Dorothy Crane Coltharp. Mr. Leroy served our country in the Army during the Korean War. He spent his entire life in Myrtle, Mississippi, were he and his wife, Norma raised their four children, Anita Charlene, Juanitta, and Sandra. Mr. Leroy was a devoted Christian who loved the Lord with all his heart and enjoyed worshiping every chance he got. For a time, he sang in the group the "Jolly Gospel Singers". He worked until his retirement from Piper Impact. After his retirement, he found much joy in activities with his grandchildren and...

Mary Jeanette Dorrough Jones, 90, passed away on October 5, 1923 at Magnolia Place in New Albany. She was born October 9, 1932 in Union County to John Arthur Dorrough and Eunice Graham Dorrough. She attended Ingomar High School, where she enjoyed playing basketball. Some of the places she worked was Irwin B. Schwabe and Futorian, but she retired as a cafeteria worker for the New Albany School System. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting, fishing and camping. She was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church, where she served with the children's ministry. She was a dearly loved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend; and will be missed by all who loved her. A visitation will be on Saturday, October...

Julie Ann Betts Morris, aged 50, peacefully entered her Heavenly abode on Friday, September 29, 2023, from her residence. She was born on February 10, 1973, in Greenville, MS, to Willie "Bill" and Shirley Mathis Betts. Julie was a devoted wife and a loving mother of three. She achieved her Bachelor's Degree in Speech Science from Delta State University and dedicated herself to the role of Speech Therapist at North Pontotoc School. Her interests included boating and enjoying the beach with her family, as well as expressing her love for Jesus and serving others. However, her most cherished moments were undoubtedly those spent in the company of her family and friends. Julie was an active member...

Bobby Henry Staggs, 72, departed this life unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. He was born March 17, 1951 to Henry Staggs and Rebecca Williams Staggs Cobb. He was a truck driver for over 30 years. He enjoyed farming and working outside. He was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church. Services to celebrate Mr. Staggs life will be on Friday September 29, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Baptist Church. A visitation will be prior to the service from 12:00 noon until the start of the service at 3:00 also at the church. Burial will be at Ingomar Cemetery. He is survived by his wife JoAnn Ashley Staggs, two sons Jeff Staggs (Amy) of Ingomar and Jeremy Staggs (Amanda) of Pontotoc,...