Obituaries

James R. Childres

James R. “Crawdad” Childress, 68, passed away at Methodist Hospital in Memphis on February 15, 2017.
Funeral services were held February 18, at Wells Funeral Home.  Interment was at Forrest Memorial.  Reverend Cain Wheeler officiated the service.
Mr. Childress was born June 25, 1948 to the late George R. Childress and Addie L. Rodgers Childress in Marks.  He was a truck driver.

Joseph Gregory Ernest

SENATOBIA–Joseph Gregory Ernest, 60, died Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Union City, Tenn.
Born in Memphis on January 17, 1957 to the late Bessie Elizabeth Rasberry Ernest and Joseph Lacy Ernest, he was employed with Wilson Trucking Company in Memphis, and served in the Army and Army Reserves.
A memorial service was held Sunday at Ray-Nowell Funeral Home in Senatobia.

Earnest James Handerson

MILLINGTON, Tenn–Earnest James “EJ” Handerson, 70, passed away February 12, 2017 at his home.
He was born on October 24, 1946 to Ida Mae Lewis and Frank Ivory Hanson Jr. in Sardis.
Mr. Handerson retired from the United States Air Force with the rank of master sergeant.

Gerald Wayne Morris

BATESVILLE–Gerald Wayne Morris, 64, died Friday February 10, 2017 at Merit Health Batesville.
Funeral services were held February 12 at Wells Funeral Home. The Reverend Brad Burnett officiated. Interment was  in Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery.
Gerald worked for John Kyle State Park. He was born September 18, 1952 to Howard Wesson and Bernice McCullar Morris.

Charles Edward Tyler

JACKSON, Miss.–Charles Edward Tyler, age 84, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, February 18, 2017 after a lengthy illness.
A celebration of his life will be held Tuesday, February, 21 at 11 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson following a visitation in the Great Hall at 10 a.m.
Visitation in Batesville will take place Tuesday, 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Wells Funeral Home, and a graveside service will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Batesville Cemetery.
Mr. Tyler is survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Marlyn King, and two children, Diane Tyler of Peachtree City, GA, and John Tyler and wife Dina of Ft. Worth, Texas.  He also leaves three grand-daughters, Katie Tyler of Plano, Texas, Rebecca Tyler of Plano, and Anna Tyler of Ft. Worth.  He is also survived by his sisters Mary Anne McCurdy of Batesville, Shirley Pitcock of Batesville, his sister-in-law, Marianne Tyler of Southaven, and multiple nieces and nephews.
Charles was born in Batesville in 1932.  He graduated from Batesville High School where he was a stellar basketball player, and attended Mississippi State University on a basketball scholarship.  He served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War.
He retired as Vice President of Havertys Furniture Company after 30 years with the company.  He also spent five years with Chromcraft Furniture in Senatobia.
Charles was a long-time member of Christ United Methodist Church, Jackson, where he served as an usher.  He was devoted to the Lord and to his family.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Christ United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund, 6000 Old Canton Rd., Jackson, MS 39211 or the charity of your choice.