Obituaries 2-19-13
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Mr. Orr was born in Memphis, TN on October 1, 1927. He was a life-long resident of Como. Mr. Orr was preceded in death by his grandparents: John Burnett “J.B.” Wardlaw and his wife, Bessie Paslay Wardlaw and, Mr. Edward Robert Orr, Sr. and his wife Eugenia McCoy Orr. Also, preceding him in death was: his father, Edward Robert Orr, Jr.; his mother: Miriam Wardlaw Orr; a brother, John Wardlaw Orr, Sr.; a brother-in-law, Elisha White “E.W.” Atkinson, Sr. and his wife of 41 years, Buford “Bea” Morris Orr.
Survivors include a sister: Betty-Gene Orr Atkinson, of Memphis, TN. Mr. Orr is also survived by two sons: Carl Robert Orr and his wife, Elise Marie Johnson Orr of New Orleans, LA. and Robert “Bob” Wardlaw Orr, Jr., and his wife: Cathy Hornsby Orr of Dothan AL. He is survived by a granddaughter: Miss Caroline Hornsby Orr of Dothan, AL. Nephews include: Elisha White “E.W.” Atkinson, Jr., and his wife, Ginny Patterson Atkinson of Memphis, TN.; and, John Wardlaw Orr, Jr., of. Austin, TX. Mr. Orr’s surviving niece is Mrs. Miriam Atkinson Smith, and her husband, Mr. Robert “Bob” Irwin Smith of Memphis, TN.
Also surviving Mr. Orr is a step-daughter: Glenda Ann Tingle of Oxford; and a step-son: Ronald Joe Thornton of Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica; three step-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.
Affectionately known to family and friends as “Bob-Low,” Mr. Orr attended Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN. returning to Como after his senior year to assist in management of the family farming and related interests (J.B. Wardlaw & Co.). For much of his adult life he was an active member of the Como Rotary Club and was honored in October of 1997 to be named a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International. Additionally, Mr. Orr served several terms on The Panola County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. He was a lifelong member Como United Methodist Church.
The family of Mr. Orr would like to express their heartfelt appreciation for the loving care and assistance provided to Mr. Orr during the past few years by Ms .Glinnie Leach, Ms. Rosie Phillips, Ms. Thelma Townsel and Ms. Georgette Yates. In lieu of flowers the family requests that you consider a gift in Mr. Orr’s name to Como United Methodist Church, Post Office Box 277, Como, MS. 38619-0277; The Friendship Cemetery Association, c/o Charles Jackson, 11003 Covington Way, Oxford, MS 38655, or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Charles “Buddy” Simmons
Simmons was self-employed as a diesel mechanic at his business, Buddy’s Truck Salvage, in Batesville. He was a member of Anchor Baptist Church in Lafayette County.
Services were held Monday at Coleman Funeral Home with Pastor Fred Eakes officiating. Burial was in the Turkey Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Calhoun County. Coleman Funeral Home had charge.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd Eugene Simmons and a granddaughter, Brittany Simmons.
Survivors include his wife, Bess Simmons of Water Valley, MS; his mother, Nat Dempsey of Oxford; three sons, Barry Simmons and Blake Simmons, both of Water Valley, and Brandon Simmons of Tupelo; one sister, Sandy Bishop, of Oxford,; one brother, Lloyd Eugene Simmons Jr. of Cabot, Ark. and three grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Turkey Creek Baptist Church Building Fund, 80 CR 289, Water Valley, MS 38965 or the Buddy Simmons Funeral Fund, P.O. Box 160, Oxford, MS 38655.
