BATESVILLE– Georgia Sue Nicholson Evans, 50, died Friday, April 29, 2011, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi.

Services were Sunday at Waller Funeral Home. Rev. Terry Floyd officiated. Burial was in Forrest Memorial Park.

Evans, born in Nashville, Tenn., was a member of First Faith Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her step-father, Curly T. Vinson.

Survivors include: her husband, Bo Evans of Batesville; two sons, Michael Lynn Evans of Oxford and Nathaniel Lee Evans of Sardis; her mother, Ann Vinson of Batesville; her father, Harold Dean Nicholson Sr. of Centerville, Tenn.; three brothers, Thomas Nicholson of Batesville, Tony Vinson of Olive Branch and Terry Vinson of Shelbyville and nine grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1800 West Main St., Tupelo.

David Lee Griffin Sr.

BATESVILLE– David Lee Griffin Sr., 44, died Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at his residence.

Services were Monday at Springhill Asa M.B. Church in Courtland. Pastor Lewis Wilson officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery. Cooley’s Mortuary had charge.

Griffin, born Oct. 28, 1966, in Batesville, to Jimmy Griffin and Irene Kuykendall Griffin, was a member of Second Concord M.B. Church.

Survivors include: his mother, Irene Griffin of Batesville; one daughter, Jacambria Griffin of Courtland; two sons, David Lee Griffin Jr. of Courtland and Carlos Griffin of Batesville; one sister, Gwen Lamar of Courtland and four brothers, James Killebrew, Marvell Kuykendall, Danny Ray Griffin and Benard Griffin, all of Batesville.

Robert Dale “Bob” Griffin Sr.

SHREVEPORT–Funeral services for Robert Dale Griffin, 80, were held Saturday, April 30, 2011, at Centuries Memorial Chapel. Mr. Griffin was the father of Debbie Honnoll of Batesville. He died April 26 in Batesville.

Pastor Trey Lewis of Kingston Road Baptist Church officiated the service.

Mr. Griffin was born April 12, 1931, in Queen City, Texas, to the late Felton Alexander and Edna Lena Bobo Griffin. He served in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a MSgt. and held the position of Radar Tech.  

Mr. Griffin was a Master Mason with the 32nd Degree in Spain and had the opportunity to show his marksmanship skills during a 500 round skeet shoot.

He enjoyed playing the guitar and loved listening to country music.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Janie Stout Griffin and one sister, Dorothy Still.

Survivors, in addition to his daughter in Batesville, include: his daughter Rhonda Griffin Curtis, and sons Felton Griffin and Gary Griffin; six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made in honor of Mr. Griffin to a charity of the donor’s choice. 

Evelyn George Nosef

CLARKSDALE– Evelyn George Nosef of Clarksdale, mother of Batesville businessman Fred Nosef and grandmother of Joe Azar of Batesville, passed away at her home April 28.

Funeral services were Saturday, April 30 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church with burial in Memorial Gardens Cemetery. National Funeral Home of Clarksdale was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Nosef was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, J. D. Nosef, Sr. and a son, Joe Nosef, Jr., former mayor of Clarksdale, a sister and three brothers.

She is survived by a son, Fred M. Nosef, Sr., two daughters, Virgie Nosef Azar of Greenville, and Barbara Nosef Zarzaur of Birmingham, 14 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

A longtime member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, she and her late husband owned and operated J. D. Nosef Supermarket in Clarksdale for 52 years.

She and her husband were very involved in growing their son Fred’s business, Mississippi Distributors, Inc., now located in Batesville.

Jim Shannon Scates-Howard

GATESVILLE, Texas– Jim Shannon Scates-Howard, 40, died Tuesday, April 26, 2011. He was raised by his late grandparents, Lillie and Charles Darden Howard, in Batesville. He graduated from South Panola High School in 1989.

Services were Monday at Gatesville Funeral Home with Pastor Jeff Ripple officiating. Burial with full military honors was at Central Texas Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.  

Howard, born March 28, 1971, in Memphis, attended The University of Mississippi and then joined the U.S. Army in 1991.

During his career he earned the following awards and decorations: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (5OLC), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal (6OLC), Good Conduct Medal (Sixth Award), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Air Force Service Medal, NCOES (3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3), Certificate of Achievement (9), Combat Action Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, Drivers Badge (Wheel), and Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Expert).

His military education included: Multiple Launch Rocket System Crewmember Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Hazardous Materials Handlers Course, Veterinary Technician Course, Brigade Command and Staff Course, Basic Non Commissioned Officer Course, Senior Leaders Course, and Equal Opportunity Management Course.

He married Deanne Rogers on January 17, 2004 and they have resided in Gatesville since marrying.

He also spent a great deal of time leading Little League Baseball and Boy Scouts of America. He was recently elected Cub Master of the Gatesville Pack #272, as well as the Den Leader of the Tiger Scouts.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, who raised him from the age of six, Lillie and Charles Darden Howard; mother, Joy L. Howard-Rikard; father, Jim Scates; and brother, Sam Howard.

Survivors include: his wife, Deanne; and sons, Garrett Howard of Lawn, Texas and Cort Darden Howard; brother, Scott Howard of Dallas, Texas; step-mother, Pat Scates; step-sister, Jennifer Steinhauer; and step-brother, Todd Steinhauer;

The family asks that memorials may be made to Boy Scouts of America/Cub Scout Pack #272 at any Extraco bank.