All Obituaries

Okolona - Robert Edward Tallant, 79, passed away Monday, March 30, 2020, at Monroe Regional Hospital after a recent illness.  He was born October 6, 1940, in Vardaman to James E. Tallant and Ruth Roman Tallant. He was raised in Vardaman and Houston where he was a 1958 graduate of Houston High School.  During his senior year, Robert worked nights, attended school, and served in the National Guard. A classmate selected his senior quote “Blessed is the man who invented...

Tupelo- A great husband and father, a great DJ, a great, gregarious personality at many levels in these parts met his Creator while jogging in Ballard Park from a sudden, massive heart attack on Saturday morning, March. 28, 2020.  Paul Eric Dunklee, known by admiring radio fans everywhere as Paul Stone, was born in Oyster Bay, New York on June 21, 1971 to Kirk Morrell Dunklee and the late Virginia Mare Cross.  His years of youth were spent primarily in the greater Dallas, Texas...

Dorothy W.Montgomery Bissell-Dorothy Witcher Montgomery, 82, crossed over to eternal life from Sanctuary Hospice House on Saturday, March 28, 2020.  “Dot” as she was known by her closest friends, was born in Lee County on April 10, 1937 to James Lea and Katie “Mama Kate” Hubbard Witcher.  She married the love of her life, Billy Hugh Montgomery, on Feb. 12, l955.  They made their home in Bissell primarily but did live in Alabama, Louisiana and even one...

BALDWYN - James Hoyt Dill, 81, died at Diversicare Nursing Center in Amory on Friday, March 27, 2020.  Born in Saltillo on April 7, 1938 to the late Beland Dill and Flora Mae Bell Dill, he lived most all his life in this area. He retired as a production worker for Leggett and Platt at age 67. James married Linda Reynolds on May 22, 1981. James was a faithful attendee of the First Assembly of God Church in Pontotoc and Saltillo later in life.  He was a gospel singer...

TUPELO - Bettye Ryan Moore died peacefully, surrounded by her children, on Friday March 27, 2020 at Rosewood Senior Living in Tupelo, MS, following a brief illness. She was 82. Bettye was born on March 16, 1938, in Booneville, MS to Charles C. Ryan and Mittie Lou Howell Ryan.  Bettye married her sweetheart, JD Moore, on July 17, 1955 and graduated from Booneville High School with the class of 1956.  Bettye was a longtime member of the Monument Drive Baptist Church.  Due...

GUNTOWN – Danny “Dan” Robinson died Thursday, March 26, 2020 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. He was 73. He was born August 30, 1946 to William Warren Robinson and Della Hayes Robinson. A lifelong Lee County resident, he attended Saltillo High School where he first met the love of his life, Betty Sue, and later married her on February 24, 1966. They later adopted two children, Will and Dana. He graduated in the Marine Corp in 1967 where he fought in the Vietnam War. He...

PALM BAY, FL / TUPELO, MS - Ralph Frederick "Derick" Pitts, 52, son of Fred and Carol Pitts, met his Creator at 12:51 AM on Thursday, March 26, 2020 from his residence in Palm Bay, Florida after a protracted battle with cancer. A local celebration of life will be announced at a future date here in Tupelo. A full obituary will follow. Please send condolences for Fred and Carol to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net. 

Tupelo - Ms. Methel Vaught Brown, age 77, died Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at North MS Medical Center following an extended illness.  Arrangements are pending at this time and will be announced at a later date.  Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be entrusted with arrangements. Condolences to the family may be posted at hollandfuneraldirectors.com.

Decatur, Ala./Tupelo - Troy Stephen “Steve” Maxcy, 65, crossed over from his residence in Decatur, Ala. on March 23, 2020 while surrounded by his loved ones after a valiant 5 month battle with cancer.  Born September 5, 1954 in Nashville while his father, Troy and Mother, Dorothy were stationed at Stewart Air Force Base,  he grew up in Florence, Ala. and Tupelo where he attended the public schools and graduated in 1972 from Tupelo High School.  A standout...

Blue Springs – Mr. Stanley Ivan Wood, Sr., U.S. Navy, Retired, died Sunday, March 22, 2020 at his residence following an extended illness. He was born in Oneonta, New York on January 30, 1940 to the union of Austin D. Wood and Norma Taylor Wood.  Stanley joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 and retired after 22 years of service. During that time he made multiple tours in Vietnam, Japan, the South Pole, and other places. After retirement, he worked in construction.  Stanley was a...