Southern Sentinel

Malcolm Kenneth Akin, the first born of the late Malcolm Graves and Ruth J. Akin, was born on January 22, 1943, in Memphis Tennessee. He passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at his home in Olive Branch, Mississippi. The family will receive friends on Friday July 29, 2022, from 10:00 A.M. - noon at Coleman Funeral Home (6815 Parkview Blvd, Olive Branch, Mississippi) with a service to immediately follow at noon officiated by Paster Christopher Neiswonger. Internment at Autumn Wood Memorial Park (6240 Davidson Road, Olive Branch, Mississippi). Kenneth grew up in Ashland, Mississippi, as part of a strong family farming community. Kenneth and Jamie were married for 58 years and resided in...

Eva Sue Hammons, age 84, of Collierville, TN went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, July 17, 2022 at home following a lengthy illness. She was born in Falkner, MS on March 26, 1938 to Charles Joseph and Effie Josie Shelton Butler. She graduated from Falkner High School in Falkner, MS and subsequently moved to Memphis where she worked in the proof department of First Tennessee Bank. Her career in banking spanned nearly 30 years before she retired to work with her husband in their family business. She faithfully attended Bellevue Baptist Church for several decades where she served by making coffee for multiple Bible fellowship classes on Sunday mornings. She enjoyed...

Mr. Mullins was born in Ripley, MS to the late Jay Z. Mullins and the former Ann Antwine, who survives. He grew up in Walnut and attended high school there. Working at Delta Faucet for over 20 years, he resided in Pinson, TN for the last 25. In his leisure time, he enjoyed hunting and was a talented taxidermist. He liked to collect guns and loved his pet dog, "Roam". Most of all, he deeply loved and cared for his children. He leaves his wife, Barbie Mullins of Pinson; two sons, Jay Thomas Mullins (Keisha) of Corinth, MS and Hudson Mullins of Pinson; his mother, Ann Spence of Crump, TN; two brothers, Robert Mullins of Walnut and Curtis Nelms, Jr. of Crump; a grandchild, McKenna Wadkins; and...

Mrs. Ruby Ellen Autry Childers of Ashland, MS died June 27, 2022. Ruby was born March 15, 1933 to Will and Molly Autry. She was the wife of James Rubel Childers. She served in support of her husband for almost 30 years in the United States Air Force. As a young wife and mother, Ruby started her own Beauty Salon in the Western Hills Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas. After retiring from the Air Force, they returned to their home in Ashland. Ruby then enrolled at Blue Mountain College and achieved an education degree. She taught Special Education in Benton County Schools for many years. Ruby loved to cook large dinners for her family and loved decorating her home. She was a wonderful sister, wife,...

Betty Jean Cox Harrison entered into Heaven peacefully at her home in Tiplersville, MS on May 21, 2022. She was born to Dovel and Virginia Cox in Covington, TN on January 23, 1949. She was a member of Providence Baptist Church in Tiplersville, MS. Betty was a hair stylist who owned her own beauty shop. She loved her clients. She retired in 2016. The Funeral Service was Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the McBride Funeral Home Chapel. Interment was at Tiplersville Cemetery. Betty is survived by her husband of 32 years: Jimmy Harrison; her sons: Steven, Moe and Michael Eubanks; her grandchildren: Kyle, Mikie, Whit, Ella, Amis, Shaw, Jessica, Seth and Bentley Eubanks; her sister: Denise...

Dorothy Earlene Hogue Booker passed away at the age of 88 on May 11, 2022 at the Tippah County Nursing Home. She was born January 19, 1934 to John Cullen Williams and Annie Huddleston Williams in Dumas, MS. She was a retired from Ripley Manor Nursing Home. She attended Springdale Baptist Church. The funeral was at the McBride Funeral Home Chapel on May 16, 2022 at 1:00 PM. Dorothy is survived by one son: Larry Hogue (Ann) of LaFayette, LA; two brothers: John Tate Williams of Ripley, MS, Bobby Neil Williams (Diane) of Branson, MO; two grandchildren: Angelle Toups (Ryan), Zane Hogue both of Lafayette, LA; two great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; one sister: Nylene...

Joel Elijah Bryant passed away peacefully at home on April 15, 2022. He was 71. Joel was born in Ripley, MS, on April 12, 1951, to Harmon Carter Bryant and Joyce Brady Bryant. He graduated from Ripley High School in 1969 and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1969 to 1973, achieving the rank of Sergeant. Joel worked in Maintenance at Oil-Dri, Benchcraft, and North American Pipe Co. He grew up attending Community Baptist Church. The service was April 20, 2022 at the Community Baptist Church. Interment was at the Antioch Cemetery. His survivors include his wife of 27 years, Mary Lou Rutherford Bryant, son Cory Bryant (Shana), daughter Cindy Hayes (Ryan), sister, Rita Bryant of...

John R. Bennett passed away March 24, 2022 at Magnolia Regional Medical Center at the age of 81. He was born September 6, 1940 to Kelsie Bennett and Mary Lee Nelson Bennett in Tippah County, MS. He was retired from working at Westvaco and was a member of the Ebenezer Church. A Funeral Service was held March 26, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Ebenezer Church in Walnut, MS. Committal: Ebenezer Cemetery. John is survived by his wife: Dorothy Bennett of Tiplersville, MS; one son: Steve Bennett (Kristie) of Walnut, MS; three sisters: Diane Roten (Loyd), Nelda Swindle both of Walnut, MS, Bobbie Burgess (Joe) of Memphis, TN; three grandchildren: Casondra (Scott), Kelsie (Justin), Luke (Kelsey); three...

Amye Alyce Givens Scott, 78, of Eudora, died Monday, March 14, 2022. Amye was born on Sept 21, 1943, at Ripley, Mississippi, the first child of Charles Melvin and Eunice (Pannell) Givens. In 1960, she graduated from Centre High School, Ripley, Mississippi, and in 1963 graduated from Blue Mountain College in Mississippi. She taught school for a year before moving to Memphis, Tennessee in 1964. In Memphis, she met a Navy Sailor there named John Scott and they were married on February 21, 1965, at Ripley, Mississippi. She is survived by her husband, John; three children, Karen Lewis of Lawrence, Lee Scott, of Lawrence, and Mary Scott, of Eudora, two grandchildren, Kathy Barlow and...

Carolyn Barefield, 85, passed away March 14, 2022, at her son's home in Tippah County, MS. She had been a resident of Lakeshore Senior Apartments in Pontotoc, MS for the last 7 years. She was a beautician in the Randolph Community where she lived until 2015. She a member of Randolph Baptist Church all her Christian life. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Carolyn was a faithful member to her church and loved her Saviour Jesus Christ. Carolyn is survived by her sons, Ronnie Barefield(Donna) and Donald Barefield(Renee); her daughter, Diane Thorn(Donnie); grandchildren, Kevin Barefield(April), Anna Ward(Michael), Kim Watts, Jason Watts(Asheley), Lindsey...

Brenda Faye Wilbanks Boyd passed away March 2, 2022 at her home in Walnut, MS. She was born April 19, 1952 to James Clinton Wilbanks and Lillian Inez Jones Wilbanks in Marked Tree, Arkansas. She worked at Karen's Cake Shop as a Caterer and was a Sunday School Teacher for 48 years at the Harmony Baptist Church. A Graveside Service was held March 4, 2022 at Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. Brenda is survived by her two-stepdaughters: Ruth Hopkins of Gulfport, MS, Susan Street of Starkville, MS; two sisters: Linda Wilbanks of Corinth, MS, Patricia Benefield (Bobby) of Olive Branch, MS; special caregivers: Karen Brown, Margie Clark, Betty Tomlinson, Kitchie Cutbirth, Judy Garrett,...

Professor Bettie A. Duncan, born June 21, 1933 in Ashland, MS, died February 21, 2022 at Lakewood Ranch Hospital in Bradenton, FL. She was 88 years old. She was preceded in death by parents Clyde and Annette Duncan and brother Paul Harrison Duncan of Shannon, MS, as well as close friends and colleagues at Pittsburg State University (PSU) Dr. Claire Demand and Dr. Cary Clasz. She is survived by Sisters-in-law Mary Jane Rinehart of Shannon, MS and Brenda Williams of Amory, MS. Beloved nieces Sherrye Duncan, Nancy Duncan Hutcheson (Michael) and Amy Duncan Beasley (Joseph), all of the Shannon, MS; Grand nieces and nephews, Jake, Anna Grace, Dallas, Jordan, Stone and Hope, all of the Shannon, MS...

Kimberly Lynn "Kimmie" Heavener, 54, passed away Thursday, February 3, 2022, at Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth. She was born in Berwyn, IL, on August 31, 1967, to Bonnie Joe Heavener and Loyce Gurley Heavener. She enjoyed spending time with family, going places, watching game shows and cooking show. She absolutely loved watching and listening to the Monkees. Funeral services will be Sunday, February 6, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Booneville Funeral Home with Bro. Terry Ray Vuncannon and Bro. Jay Houston officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, February 5, 2022, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Booneville Funeral Home. Burial will be in Booneville Cemetery. Booneville Funeral Home...

Mr. Eddie Wayne Cathey of Ft Walton Beach, Florida, formerly of Ashland, MS, passed away on January 16, 2022 at Ft Walton Beach Medical Center. Mr. Cathy was a 1977 graduate of Ashland High School. He was an Inventory Maintenance Handler with United Technologies. Graveside services were 2:00 pm Sunday January 23, 2022 at Mt Zion CME Church Cemetery. Mr. Cathey was survived by Spouse Angela Workman Cathey Ft. Walton Beach, Fla; Mother Verdia Cathy Ashland, MS; Daughters Felicia Watkins Shiloh, Ill, Michelle Cathey-Tate Bellville, Ill, & Tijuana Metelko-Odenton, MD. Son Jason Cathey Memphis, TN. Sisters Leigh Cathey Madison, AL, Mary Evans Ashland, MS, Mattie Woods New Albany, MS...

Jacqueline Carolina Mitchell Ambrose was born on March 29, 1964, to Jeannie Mitchell and the late Lucian Howard Mitchell. She departed this life on January 16, 2022, at the Union County hospital in New Albany, MS. Jackie confessed Christ at an early age and joined the Bethlehem Baptist Church which she loved. She met and married Elvin Patrick Ambrose and to this union one daughter was born. She then joined Mt. Zion M.B. Church in Verona, MS where her husband attended, where she served there faithfully as pastor and church secretary, sung in the choir, and she was on the financial committee until her death. Jackie graduated from Falkner High School in 1982. She was a graduate of Northeast...

Joseph "Joey" Franklin Gray passed away at the age of 66 on January 6, 2022 at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS. He was born August 30, 1955 to John Franklin Gray and Adeline Billingsley Gray in Detroit, MI. He was a retired RN and was a member of the Oakland Baptist Church. Visitation will be: Saturday, January 8, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Sunday, January 9, 2022 from 11:00 AM until the service starts at 2:00 PM. Visitation and service will be at Oakland Baptist Church. Interment will be at New Salem Cemetery. Joey is survived by his wife: Deborah B. Gray of Walnut, MS; one daughter: Jackie A. Gray of Walnut, MS; two sisters: Karen Barnes (Dwight) of Walnut, MS,...

Ida Lee Maxine Ray Gunn passed away December 30, 2021 at the Magnolia Regional Health Center at the age of 83. She was born February 12, 1938 to Marion Clyde Ray and Ruth E. Hopkins Ray in Tippah County, MS. She was a homemaker who loved gardening, growing flowers and attended the Harmony Baptist Church. Visitation will be January 3, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Harmony Baptist Church. Service will be January 4, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery. Maxine is survived by two sons: Charles Gunn (Paulette) of Tiplersville, MS, Fred Gunn of Tiplersville, MS; one daughter: Sandra Joy Gunn (Fiance' George Allison) of Tiplersville, MS; one sister: Lena Mae...

Barbara Kay Newby Carter was born October 8, 1959 to Homer and Virginia Heavener Newby in Tippah County, MS. She worked for BenchCraft as a Factory Worker and was a member of the Church of Christ. Barbara is survived by four daughters: Miranda Danyale Britt (Kenneth) of Walnut, MS, Ryan Nicole Urquides (Ivan) of New Albany, MS, Christie Nicole Clemmer of Ripley, MS, Heather McCallister (Chris) of Ripley, MS; two brothers: J.C. Newby (Sandy) of Ripley, MS, James Newby (Nora); two sisters: Geraline Cissom of Ripley, MS, Brenda Groger (Anthony) of Denham Springs, LA; fourteen grandchildren: Regan Britt, Madison Britt, JJ Britt, Manning Britt, Isabella Rose Urquides, Kamilah Rea Urquides,...

RJ Wilbanks, 99, of Batavia, IL and formerly of Olive Branch, MS, passed away Monday, December 27, 2021, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born December 3, 1922, in Ripley, MS the son of William and Merley (Medford) Wilbanks. He was united in marriage to Mary Ruth Jamieson May 9, 1947, in Durant, MS. RJ was a proud veteran who served in the United States Army during World War II. RJ worked 30 years in the insurance profession as a salesman. He then worked another 35 years as a real estate agent for Crye-Leike Reality. RJ was also very active with his faith where he was a member of the United Methodist Church in both Memphis, TN and Olive Branch, MS. He is survived...

William Harvey White, age 79, passed away at his home in Memphis, TN on December 25, 2021. He was born March 21, 1942 to Sylvia Naomi White in Blue Mountain, MS. Bill graduated from Central High School in Memphis and attended Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS. Bill was a veteran of the United States Army. He was employed at Baxter Healthcare Corporation for more than 25 years. Bill is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sandra Truett White; his daughter, Victoria Naomi White; his aunts, Mavis White Bennett of Blue Mountain, MS and Betty Jo White Rasco of Richland Hills, TX. Arrangements are by Family Funeral Care, 4925 Summer Avenue, Memphis, TN 38122.

Mary JoAnn Alexander Carter, 79, passed away Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at North MS Med Center in Tupelo. Services will be on all services will be private. at private location. ASSOCIATED FAMILY FUNERAL HOME - TUPELO. For more information please log onto associatedfuneral.com. Our family at Associated are very grateful to have been chosen to serve Mary's family.