MARIETTA, GA. – Helen Tate Goddard, 79, of Brazil, Miss., died on Sunday, December 16, 2007 at Metropolitan Hospice in Marietta of cancer. Born on April 6, 1928, in Brazil, she was the daughter of the late Harriet Maude and Baxter Laney Tate. She graduated from Webb High School in 1945 and was valedictorian of her class. She received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from the University of Mississippi.

During her career she taught multiple grades and almost every subject.  For 15 years, she was reading supervisor for the Quitman County Public School System.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry B. Goddard.

She is survived by her daughter, Starwyn Strickland Stark and her step-son Henry “Hank” B. Goddard, Jr. of Crofton, Maryland; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  

A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 29, at 2 p.m. at the Webb-Sumner Methodist Church on Highway 49 in Webb. Rev. C. Jerry Wages will officiate.

BATESVILLE – Willie Earl “Mann” Lee, 64, died Tuesday, December 18, 2007, at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi.

Services were Saturday, December 22 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  Father Sam Messina officiated.  Burial was at East Batesville Church of God Cemetery.

Lee, born May 17, 1943, in Panola County was a retired truck driver. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He was a Teamster and a member of the National Rifle Association.

Along with his wife, Betty Turner Lee of Batesville, Lee is survived by daughters Marla Taylor of East St. Louis, Illinois; Gwendolyn Lee-Flooree of. Belleville, Illinois; Gloria Willis and Yvette Lee of Centreville, Illinois;  and Lavern Lee-Jones of Batesville; sister Gwendolyn Pollard of Batesville; and brother Brody Lee of Hammond, Indiana.

Eddie Robinson & Son Funeral Home was in charge.

SARDIS – Shirley Wortham, 47, died Wednesday, December 19, 2007, at her residence.

  Services were held December 23 at Brim Chapel A. M. E.  Zion Church in Como. Burial was at Brim Chapel Cemetery. Rev. Bobby Conley officiated.

Wortham, born September 4, 1960, in Sardis to Mary Daniels Lamar and Jessie Wortham, was disabled. She was a member of Brim Chapel A. M. E. Zion Church.

Survivors include her daughter Jasheena Wortham and her mother Mary Lamar, both of Sardis; sisters Lashonda and Lacrisha Lamar of Sardis, and Georgia Mae Wortham of Oxford; and brothers Jessie Harris Wortham Jr. of Oxford and Andre S. Jones of Water Valley.

 Cooley’s Mortuary was in charge.