Shemkaa Birks
OAKLAND–Funeral services for Shemkaa L. Birks of Oakland were January 31 at at Massey Grove MB Church in Oakland.Townes Funeral Home had charge.

Kenneth Bloodworth
BATESVILLE–Kenneth Deward Bloodworth, age 68, passed away Thursday January 29, 2015, at Tallahatchie General Hospital in Charleston after a long illness of dementia.

Services were Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church. Dr. David Ball and Dr. Paul Middleton officiated.  Interment followed at Magnolia Cemetery.

Born August 28, 1946 in Greenville to Deward Dupree Bloodworth and Pauline Early Bloodworth, he was a graduate of Northwest Community College and Mississippi State University.  He was owner of Panola Farmers Services in Batesville for over 20 years.

Mr. Bloodworth served as a youth Sunday school teacher, chairman of the deacons, member of two church building committees, and chairman of numerous church committees. He was a member of the Cross Ministry and chaperoned youth groups on various mission trips. He was an avid Mississippi State University supporter and enjoyed traveling with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant child, Jason Bloodworth, and one sibling, Charles Wayne Bloodworth.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Karen Arnold Bloodworth; two sons: Kent Maxwell Bloodworth of Madison and Ward Forest Bloodworth of Hernando; one daughter, Anne Bloodworth Funches of Arlington, Texas; a sister, Sandra Gail Bloodworth of New York; sister-in-law, Margaret Puckett Bloodworth of Walls; and three grandchildren.Memorials may be made to the Calvary Baptist Church Youth Program: 305 Keating Road Batesville, MS 38606; Mississippi State University Foundation: P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762; or Paul and Stephanie Wendler Mission #292949: AGWM, Attention Contributor Services, 1445 Booneville Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802.

James Goodwin
BENTON–James Thomas Goodwin, 81, formerly of Batesville, passed away January 28, 2015.
Born June 13, 1933, in Houston to the late Thomas Edward and Litha Baker Goodwin, he was the husband of the late Jo Ann Reeves Goodwin of Batesville and the late Adine Hearst Goodwin of Benton. 

After graduating from Batesville High School in 1952, he served in the U.S. Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. 

In 1955 he married his high school sweetheart, Jo Ann Reeves.  They lived and raised their sons in Batesville where they were members of First Baptist Church.  James was employed for many years at the Hosiery Mill and later was a Case tractor dealer and partner in Como Tractor.  When he retired, he was employed by Custom Sign Company. 

He was a member of the Batesville Lions Club.

In 2005 he married Adine Hearst and they made their home in Benton.  James and Adine were active members of Benton Baptist Church where James served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher.

Funeral services were held January 30 at Benton Baptist Church.  Reverend Charles Moore officiated.  Interment was at Forrest Memorial Park in Batesville.

Survivors include his sister, Velma Krencik of Batesville; two sons, William Kenneth Goodwin of Senatobia and Alan Lee Goodwin of Chicago, IL; two grandchildren, one great-grandson, four stepdaughters, Sheila Bridges of Benton, Cheryl Carr of Madison, Debbie Braswell of Birmingham, Brenda Griffin of Millbrook, Ala.

Rev. Aubrey Moore
BATESVLLE–Reverend Aubrey L. Moore, age 89, passed away at his home January 28, 2015.
Funeral services were at First Baptist Church in Batesville January 30. Interment was at Magnolia Cemetery. Dr. Tommy Snyder officiated.

Born January 28, 1926 to the late Gabriel Moore and Lucy Cornelia Bell Moore in Batesville, he was a teacher and pastored multiple churches over a 65-year span in Mississippi and Arizona.
He is survived by his sons Robert Moore of Wickenburg, Ariz., and Philip Moore of Batesville; one daughter, Nancy Hughes of Batesville; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Annie Clair Joiner Moore; daughters, Beverly Moore Parker, and Brenda Moore Phillips Higgs; sister, Ruby Moore Randall; and one great-granddaughter, Taylor Marie Moore.

The family asked that memorial contributions be sent to New Vision Ministry Inc., P.O. Box 350, Batesville, MS 38606