Opal Kathleen Akins Benham

RIDGELAND– Opal Kathleen Akins Benham, 88, died Friday, January 7, 2011, in Highland Nursing Home.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday at Dickins Funeral Home.

Benham, born Sept. 8, 1922, in Ripley, to Clifton Pascal and Grace Reaves Akins, was a member of the United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John

Survivors include: one son, John Robert Benham Jr.  and his wife, Susan, of Madison and grandchildren, Jeff Benham of Hattiesburg, Sherry Darby of Little Rock, Perry Darby of Jonesboro and Ross Darby of Southaven; eight great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 119 Panola Ave., Batesville.

Olga Holloway Harris

FORT BAYARD, NM–Courtland native Olga Holloway Harris, 84, died December 30. Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Harris was born in Courtland to the late Victor Horne Holloway and Clara Moore Herron. She was the widow of Joseph C. Harris.

She is survived by her daughter Holly Harris Shinault of Albuquerque and two great grandchildren.

Baca’s Funeral Chapel of Silver City, N.M. has charge of arrangements.

BATESVILLE– James Lewis Norwood, 79, died Friday, January 7, 2011, at his residence.

Services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Wells Funeral Home. Burial will be in Magnolia Cemetery.  

Norwood, born Oct. 15, 1931, in Cruger, to William C. and Madie Leona Sanders Norwood, was retired Chief Master Sergeant with 26 years of service, serving his country in United States Air Force during the Korean War and two tours in the Vietnam War. Also he was Chief of Recruitment and Replacement with the VA Hospital. His military decorations include Bronze Star Medal, Airman Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Joint Services Commendation Medal. He was a member of VFW Post No. 7175 in Millington, Tenn. Also he was an officer in Batesville Chapter of AARP. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Batesville and a member of the Joe B. Hartley Sunday School Class.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Keri J. Bodine.

Survivors include: his wife, Lucille “Lucy” Nix Norwood of Batesville; one daughter, Debra Hawkins Freeman of Bartlett, Tenn.; one son, James L. Norwood Jr. of Antioch, Calif.; his mother, Leona Sanders Norwood of Tupelo; four sisters, Ann Norwood Abernathy of Okolona, Gertie Norwood McNelly of Pearl, Marilyn Norwood Davis of Amory and Minnie Norwood Sanders of Courtland; three brothers, John L. Norwood of Okolona, Donnie R. Norwood of Marks and Albert L. Norwood of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; four grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.