All Obituaries

SHERMAN - Jerrell Wayne Turner left his earthly home and entered life eternal on Wednesday, October 16, 2019. He was 91. He was born July 27, 1928 to Claude Turner and Wincie Watson Turner in Baldwyn, MS. A veteran of the U.S. Army in the Korean War, he served as tank commander of the 155th Battalion attached to the 45th Infantry Division. He was married in Saltillo, MS on March 16, 1951 to Yancie (Wade) Turner and worked as a route supervisor for Barber’s Milk. A longtime Tupelo...

TUPELO - Rita L. Hitt, 82, passed away October 14, 2019 at North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice in Tupelo, MS. She was born on January 19, 1937 in Pangburn, AR, grew up in Ironton, MO, and attended Southeast Missouri State University.  She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and cherished her family. In 2001, Rita and Harold, her husband of 63 years, packed up as much as could fit in their motor home and traveled all over North America, living full time in a...

NASHVILLE – Andrew Douglas Hill, 24, died unexpectedly on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019 at his residence in Nashville. Andrew was born in Concord, North Carolina, on March 13, 1995 to Douglas Lamar Hill and Gwendolyn Hogan Hill. He lived much of his growing up years in Tupelo where he first attended Tupelo Christian Preparatory School until the 8th grade. He transferred to Tupelo High School where he was a standout soccer player, graduating in 2014. Andrew began his higher education at...

OKOLONA - One of Okolona’s most beloved citizens and matriarchs, Betty Sue Williams Carlisle, at age 86, went to Glory on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019 and rejoined her family in that unbroken circle of eternity.  Born in Chickasaw Co. on Dec. 10, l932 to the late Luther M. Williams and Ruby Shipman Sanders Williams, Betty Sue grew up in Okolona where she graduated from Okolona High School in l952.  She married Charles “Buck” Carlisle, Sr. on Aug. 31, 1952 and, to this...

CHESTERVILLE – Kimberly Faye Bone Davis died Wednesday morning, Oct. 9, 2019, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis after an extended illness. She was 39. Born on August 9, 1980 to Roger Bone and Lisa Culver Wilson, Kimberly lived most of her life in the Tupelo area. She attended Tupelo High School and for many years was self-employed as a cosmetologist before working as a CNA. She loved watching movies and riding 4-wheelers. A Celebration of Life Service for Kimberly will be held...

VERONA - Sara Jane Cates Wilson died Monday, October 07, 2019, at NMMC in Tupelo. She was 85. The daughter of Fred and Faye Evans Cates, she was born June 7, 1934 and was a lifelong Lee Countian and a descendent of the Cates, one of the county’s pioneer families. She grew up in First United Methodist Church in Tupelo and attended Verona Christian Church. She graduated from Tupelo High School, where she was head cheerleader, and went to Millsaps College, where she was a member of Kappa...

TUPELO - Richmond Earl Zeigler died Saturday, October 05, 2019, at Diversacare in Ripley. He was 73. He was born Oct. 15, 1945 to Harry Eugene Zeigler and Roma (Neeld) Zeigler in Springfield, OH. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War and worked at Pettigrew Cabinets as a cabinet-maker. He was a huge Beatles fan, loved fishing, and was a true child of the ’60s.  Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral...

Tupelo - Vernel Howard Hancock, a precious soul, met her Creator and Savior on Thursday, October 4, 2019 after a brief stay at North Miss. Medical Center at the beautiful age of 92. Vernel lived a Christ-filled life and brought joy, encouragement and love to countless souls during her long, fruitful earthly pilgrimage. Vernel Howard was born in Benton County, Hickory Flat, MS on January 19, 1927 to the late Boothe Howard and Jessie Goode Howard. She grew up there enjoying the love of a close...

Tupelo - Barry Lane Bedford, 60, died in the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, October 3, 2019 at Sanctuary Hospice House after a two-year illness.  Barry was born on Feb. 11, 1959 in Tupelo to the late Leroy Bedford and Sue McCaskill Bedford.  He grew up in East Tupelo and attended Lawhon Schools and graduated in 1977 from Tupelo High School. Barry worked in the construction industry, owning Woodworks Construction. He was an avid fisherman, loved making “stuff,” was a lover...

Brewer Community - Helga Hammacher Bowles, 82, won the victory of her faith and transformed to glory from her cherished Brewer residence on Wednesday, October 2, 2019.  Helga was born in Schonebeck, Germany, to the late Johannes Hammacher and Charlotte Schneider Hammacher on Sept. 11, 1937.  She grew up in Germany and moved to America 60 years ago when she wedded Carl W. Bowles, Jr.  In 2003, Helga retired from Hunter Douglas and began focusing her energy on volunteering...