Obituaries 1-10-12
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, January 10, 2012
BATESVILLE – Paul E. Griffin, 83, passed away Saturday morning at his home.
Services were held Monday at Hosanna Family Worship Center in Pope, with burial in Forrest Memorial Park. Reverend Damon Plummer and Reverend Rayford Ables officiated. Wells Funeral Home had charge.
Griffin, born April 8, 1928 in Calhoun City, to the late Jesse E. and Dera E. Robertson Griffin, served his country in the U.S. Navy and was a retired self-employed aircraft mechanic. He was a member of Hosanna Family Worship Center in Pope and a member of the senior citizen J.O.Y. Club of Hosanna.
Survivors include: his wife of 50 years, Joan Wheeler Griffin; three daughters, Beverly Hemminger of Paris, Tenn., Shirley Tatum of Pontotoc, Melinda Jenkins of Batesville; four sons, Lewis Griffin of Utica, Frank Griffin of Greenville, Duane Griffin of Lena, Robert Paul Griffin of Paris; one sister, Mary Lou Vanlandingham of Saltillo; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
BATESVILLE – David Guyton Marshall, 43, died in his home in Batesville, on Thursday, January 5, 2012.
Memorial services were Monday at Harmontown Baptist Church. Wells Funeral Home had charge.
Marshall was born to Brenda Joyce Strawser andWilliam Thomas Marshall, Jr. on November 13, 1968, in Memphis. He was a member of Harmontown Baptist Church.
He is survived by his sister, Tamara Roberson of Como and one brother, William T. Marshall Jr. of Nesbit.
SARDIS – Bobbie Ruth Nolan, 83, died Wednesday, January 4, 2012, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi.
Services were held Saturday at Dickins Funeral Home. Burial was in Forrest Memorial Cemetery. Dickins Funeral Home had charge.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvis Nolan.
Survivors include: six sons, Bob Nolan, Dale Nolan and Tony Nolan, all of Sardis, David Nolan and Ronnie Nolan, both of Batesville, and Stacy Nolan of Columbia; one sister, Velma Krencik of Batesville; one brother, James Goodwin of Bentonville; 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
The family has requested memorial contributions be sent to Panola County Cancer Relief Organization, P.O. Box 1718, Batesville.
BATESVILLE – Martha Quay Reed, 80, died, Friday evening, January 6, 2012 at Golden Living Nursing Home in Batesville.
Services were Monday at Wells Funeral Home Chapel. Wells Funeral Home had charge.
She was born September 9, 1931 in Vance, to the late John Robert and Mary Alice Youngblood Wilkins, was a retired restaurantuer having owned and operated several restaurants in Batesville, and surrounding comunities.
Survivors include: her daughter, Linda Reed Stroup of Walnut; four sons, Eddie Reed of Amory, Bill Reed, Jr. and Bobby Reed both of Batesville, and David Reed of Sardis, and 10 grandchildren.
The family requests that memorial contributions in Mrs. Reed’s memory be sent to LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center, 50 North Dunlap, Memphis, TN 38103-9984.
BATESVILLE – Johnnie “John” Lee Todd, 63, died December 14, 2011 at Tri-Lakes Medical Center in Batesville.
Funeral services were held December 21 at Rux Funeral Home in Galva, Ill. Burial was in Evergreen Memorial Gardens Kewanee, Ill.
Todd was born December 24, 1947 to the late Willis C. Todd and Virginia Todd Young. John was founder and owner of Southern Courier & Consulting, LLC of Batesville and also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Batesville. Todd served in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Survivors include: one daughter, Jennifer Todd Resmini of Horn Lake; one son, Jeff L. Todd of Batesville; his mother, Virginia Todd Young of Galva, Ill.; one sister, Connie Todd Wong of Galesburg, Ill.; five grandchildren: Jon Patrick, Kadey, Amanda Lauren, Kourtnei and Kristen.
John was preceded in death by his father, Willis C. Todd and grandson, Christopher Todd.
Family request memorials be sent to the Hagberg-Hamlin American Legion Post 45 P.O. Box 64 Galva, Ill. 61434.
Bill was born October 29, 1935, in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The eldest of six children of Bill and Bessie Mae Watkins, he was an honor student at South Park High School. He went on to attend Texas A&M University where he was a member of outfit AAA of the Corp of Cadets.
Bill Watkins was a born leader with a brilliant mind and a caring, generous heart. He respected people for who they were, and they respected him. Also known as “Hat,” Bill had experience as a manager of a poultry farm, electrician, carpenter, auto sales, shrimp boat owner, founder and owner of Watkins Company in Beaumont, co-owner of ACI Building Systems, Inc., in Batesville, Mississippi, and founder and owner of Precision Steel Buildings. As the ultimate entrepreneur, Bill worked endless hours for the success of the many organizations with which he was involved.
Family and friends meant the world to Bill and he often looked out for others in unexpected ways. He was quick to notice if someone was in need and would always lend a helping hand or kind word. Every day, even after a long day’s work, he baked cakes to give to people. Bill was an excellent cook who delighted in serving others special delicacies that only he could conjure up. His love and compassion will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Bill Watkins was also an avid sportsman who loved hunting and fishing. He was a great marksman and earned many trophies to show for his adventures. Hunting and fishing with family and friends included trips all over the United States, Canada, Alaska, Cuba, and the Panama Canal. When Bill was in his fifty’s, he decided to pursue his childhood dream of flying. He rapidly progressed through flight school, acquired his pilot license, and enjoyed getting places quickly while exploring the wild blue yonder.
Survivors include his wife of thirty-nine years, Margie Watkins of Beaumont, TX; his daughter, Jo Lynn Leal and her husband, Steve of Vidor, TX; his daughter, Lorraine Davenport and her husband, Mike of Silsbee, TX; his son, Charlie Watkins and his wife, Darcie of China; his son, Billy Baird and his wife, Carla of Beaumont, TX; and his son, Mark Baird of Beaumont, TX; twelve grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brothers, Jim Watkins and Tom Watkins of Beaumont, TX; sister, Peggy Martin of Friendswood, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his sons, Michael Watkins and Bobby Watkins; his parents, Bill and Bessie Mae Watkins; and his brothers, Larry Watkins and Terry Watkins.
The family has requested in lieu of flowers that a donation be made to the Bill Watkins Memorial Fund, at First Security Bank, P.O. Box 690, Batesville, MS 38606. Continuing in Bill’s desire to help others, the fund will be used to help a local charity.
Ann Gates Womble
BATESVILLE – Ann Gates Womble, 71, died Saturday, January 7, 2012, at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 11 at Batesville First United Methodist Church at 9:30 a.m. Services will follow at 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Magnolia Cemetery. Dickins Funeral Home has charge.
Womble, born to the late Ben and Annie Gates, was a graduate of Mississippi State College for Women and was a math educator.
She retired after teaching 35 years in the public and private school systems. She was selected Star Teacher for the State of Mississippi (2007 – 2008).
She was especially devoted to her sponsorship of advanced math students as they, under her direction, participated in Mathcounts, a national enrichment club and competition that promotes middle school mathematics achievement.
She was a member of the First Methodist Church and a lifetime member of Batesville Junior Auxiliary.
Survivors include: her husband, Fred Allen Womble of Batesville; one daughter, Suzanne Womble Talbot and her husband, Lee, of Nesbit; one son, Allen Womble and his wife, Allison, of Lafayette, La.; one sister, Sue Gates Bennett of Jackson; one brother, Greekly Leonard Gates and his wife, Nancy, of Memphis; five grandchildren, Caroline Talbot, Mary Gates Talbot, Andrew Womble, Anna-Clayton Womble and Isabella Womble.
Memorials may be made to the Batesville First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 797, Batesville, Miss. 38606.
