Patsy M. Brasell

Patsy M. Brasell, age 69, passed away Wednesday afternoon, July 27, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. Patsy is the wife of Mr. Mike Brasell.
Funeral services were Friday, July 29, 2016 in the Martin Willingham Memorial Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with interment at Magnolia Cemetery in Batesville, MS.
Patsy was born January 8, 1947 in Grenada, MS to the late Pat and Frances Honeycutt Mullin. She was a homemaker and member of Batesville Presbyterian Church.
Earlier in her life, Patsy was an active member of the Batesville Jr. Auxiliary. Patsy enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved watching and supporting her grandchildren, whether it was sports, hunting, or whatever they may be doing at the time. You could always find her in the stands at North Delta School cheering on her beloved Green Waves.
Patsy leaves a legacy and many cherished memories with her husband of fifty two years, Mike Brasell of Batesville, MS; daughter, Michelle Brasell Taylor of Batesville, MS; son, Michael Brasell (Angela); niece, Mary Anne Reidy of Hammond, LA; five grandchildren, Alli McBrayer (Seth), Tres Brasell (CiCi), Janie Katherine Brasell, Patrick Ellis, and Leslie Taylor. Also, she leaves behind her furry companion, Muffin.
Besides her parents, Patsy was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Mullin.
Anyone wishing to send a memorial contribution may forward those to North Delta School, 330 Green Wave Lane, Batesville, MS 38606.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all their friends and community for the love and support shown to them during this trying time.

Linda Louise Hanks Chrestman

Linda Louise Hanks Chrestman, age 66, passed away Thursday, July 28, 2016 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, TN. Mrs. Chrestman is the wife of Joel T. Chrestman, Sr.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, July 30, 2016 at Sardis Lake Baptist Church with the family receiving friends from 12:00 P.M. until service time.
Linda was born March 24, 1950 in Oakland, CA to the late Jim and Estelle Jenkins Hanks. She was member of Sardis Lake Baptist Church. She was a former assistant manager of the Batesville Jr. High School Cafeteria and went on to open her daycare, where she cared for children for many years.
Linda is survived by her husband, Joel T. Chrestman, Sr. of Batesville, MS; two daughters, Melinda Golf of Duck Hill, MS, Christy Ann Harper of Batesville, MS; son, Joel T. Chrestman, Jr. of Batesville, MS; one sister, Cheryl Bunch of Huntsville, AL; four brothers, Kenny Hanks of Benton, AR, David Hanks of Abbeville, MS, Rodney Hanks of Yazoo City, MS, Richard Hanks of Oxford, MS; fifteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

J.C. Cook

OAKLAND–James Christopher “J.C.” Cook, 77, of Oakland passed away Thursday, July 28, 2016 at his residence.
Funeral services were held Sunday, July 31 from the McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service with Rev. Clay Baker and Rev. Frank Samples officiating. Interment was in the Cook Cemetery in Oakland.
He was born October 14, 1938 in Oakland to Clyde Roy and Mary Elizabeth Cockrell Cook Sr. He was a retired civil engineer for the MDOT and former employee of Baker engineering. He was an army veteran and a member of the Tillatoba Methodist Church.
He is survived by brothers Milers Cook of Clarksdale, Robert Cook of Calhoun, GA. , Billy Cook of Greenwood, and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Martha Ann Cook; three brothers, Clyde Roy Cook Jr., Bradford Cook and Jimmy Lee Cook.
Memorials may be made to Tillatoba Methodist Church.

Porter Eugene Cook

Porter Eugene “Gene” Cook, age 77, formerly of Collierville, TN, passed away at his home in Batesville, July 27, 2016. Mr. Cook is the widower of the late Shirley Yarber Cook.
A Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Gene Cook will be held at Wells Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 6, 2016. The family will receive friends beginning at 1 p.m. prior to the service.
Gene was born December 12, 1938 in Grenada, to the late Jim Porter Cook and Lucille Crenshaw Cook. He grew up in Tallahatchie County, graduating from East Tallahatchie and joining the U.S. Navy where he served his country for four years.
He went to work for the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District, where he retired from the Marks field office after a 36-year career with the Federal Government.
Gene enjoyed life. He cherished his family. He was an avid cook and gardener, best known for his hot tamale recipe, homemade chow chow and cheering on his beloved Mississippi State Bulldogs.
He leaves behind to cherish his loving memory, two daughters; Julie Cook Graves (Ben) of Batesville, Portia Cook Tye of Elkins, W.V.; stepchildren, Jeff and Rose Mink of Collierville, Rob and Chris Mink, and Billy and Nancy Mink, all of Jackson; one sister, Judy Cook of Charleston; one brother, Jack Cook of Meridian; the mother of his children, Jimmie Lauderdale (David) of Charleston; grandchildren, Emily and Wyatt Appleton of Batesville, and Matt and Anna Tye of Elkins.
In addition to his parents and beloved wife Shirley, Gene is preceded in death by his daughter, Allison and one brother Rex Cook.

Joan Lowry Houston

BATESVILLE–Joan Houston passed from this life on Tuesday, July 26, 2016, at Hospice Ministries in Jackson.  
Visitation for friends will be held at 2 P.M. on Sunday, August 7 in the sanctuary of Batesville First United Methodist Church.  
A private family memorial service will follow at 3 P.M. in the sanctuary. Dickins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Joan was born in Houston, on July 2, 1927, to Mrs. Fannie Mottley Lowry and Mr. Chistopher Columbus Doss  Lowry.  
Her family resided on ‘the farm’, an old fashioned family farm outside Houston city limits, where she and her four siblings grew up.
In the 1940’s when enrollment of females at MSU was limited, Joan attended her beloved Mississippi State University. She delighted in her time at State.  
During football season she served as a cheerleader during the first half of the football game, changed into her majorette uniform and marched and twirled with the band at halftime, and changed back to her cheerleader outfit for the second half. No doubt she was in her element.
Later she moved to Batesville, and married the love of her life, Charles R. Houston, owner and pharmacist of Houston Drugs.  She and Charles had two daughters, and until his sudden death in 1969, Joan was a homemaker and devoted wife and mother.
She was a life long member of Batesville First United Methodist Church, Batesville Garden Club, and a founding member of Panola Country Club .
Throughout her adult life she enjoyed playing bridge with dear friends and more often than not had dinner with ‘the Group’ every Friday night.
She had a passionate interest in sports, particularly football and basketball, as well as natural talent and love for flowers, gardening and fishing, all of which she kindly passed along to her two girls.
Following her husband’s death, she explored a variety of new hobbies and activities including  a stint as Housemother for the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity at Ole Miss, golf lessons at Panola Country Club, pottery making and glazing classes at Northwest Community College, and art lessons in drawing and painting.
She became accomplished enough at golf to play with her friends in various golf tournaments around the state, as well as the State Ladies’ Tournament a few times.  Her goal was always camaraderie, not competition.  
Pottery and art were outlets for her creative side, plus she enjoyed giving much of her artwork to family and friends.
Towards the end of Mother’s life there were some very special helpers and friends whom we want to thank for their tender and compassionate care.  As Mother Teresa said, “Do small things with great love.”
Our family wishes to thank these amazing people for doing just that:  Tierra Penquite, Janice Penquite, Carolyn Penquite, Mae Walls, and Ann Young. Also, our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Gerry Houston, Dr. Whitney Raju, Dr. David Sullivan, Dr. David Ball,  and the incredible staff at Hospice Ministries, Inc.  
Joan is predeceased by her parents, her husband Charles R. Houston, and her siblings, John Alfred Lowry, Rosemary Lowry Rhine, Elizabeth Lowry Maddux and Louise Lowry Earnest.
She is proudly survived by her two daughters Charlie Beck Graves (Fred) of Batesville and Jennie Myers (Bob) of Jackson, as well as five grandchildren, Houston Graves (Emily), Carlyle Thomas (Preston), Jordan Howell (Taylor), Lindsey McClure (Rob), Emily Myers and six great grandchildren.
Thanks be to God for the life of our mother Joan Lowry Houston.
Should remembrances be desired, the family suggests:  
Batesville First United Methodist Church, 119 Panola Avenue, Batesville, MS   38606
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Attn. Tribute, P.O. Box 1000, Box 142, Memphis TN  38148
Hospice Ministries, Inc., 450 Towne Center Boulevard, Ridgeland, MS,   39157

Dora Deane King Mills

Mrs. Dora Deane King Mills, 90, of Benoit, passed away Thursday, July 28, 2016, at Washington Care Center in Greenville.  
Graveside serviceswere Sunday, July 31, 2016 at Woodlawn Cemetery in Woodlawn, Texas, with Rev. Chad Shaw officiating.
Mrs. Mills was born in Orange Field, Texas on November 4, 1925, to Perry Russell King and Pallie Ethel Deane Tillford King.  
She graduated from Batson High School in Batson, Texas.  Mrs. Mills worked as a clerk for the United States Postal Service in Batson. During this time she met her husband Sidney Emmette Mills, and they married on September 3, 1954, in San Augustine, TX.
She was a member of Benoit Union Church, United Methodist Women, and The Texas Eastern Star. She served as secretary/treasurer of the Ladies Bible Class for over twenty five years.
She enjoyed traveling extensively with her husband, seeing sights all over the United States and visiting places like Hawaii and Alaska. She loved to shop, read, be with family, and socialize with her friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Sidney Emmette Mills; parents, Perry Russell King and Pallie Ethel Deane Tillford Mills; and stepdaughter, Carolyn Kay Green.
Mrs. Mills is survived by her son, Rodney Mills (Jeannie) of Benoit; daughter, Peggy Mills McGhee (Joe) of Batesville; step-son, Barry Emmette Mills (Kay) of Lubbock, Texas; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the church or charity of your choice.
To view and sign the online guestbook, go to www.rayfuneralhome.net.

Mary Jane Still

CALICO, Ark.––Mary Jane Still, daughter of the late John Benton Weaver and Esther Florine Jewell Weaver, was born August 13, 1933 in Columbus, Mississippi.
She departed this life Tuesday, July 26, 2016 in Mountain Home at the age of 82 years, 11 months and 13 days.
She was united in marriage to William E. (Bill) Still, of Cold Springs, June 23, 1956 and to this union three sons were born.
She spent her life as a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker and friend. Mary Jane was proud to have graduated from the Mississippi State University for Women and to have earned her graduate degree from the University of Mississippi.
She went on to a full and successful career as a school librarian from which she retired in 1995.
She was a lifelong member of the Southern Baptist community, and active member of the First Baptist Church in Calico Rock, AR and a strong leader and supporter of the Women’s Missionary Union.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years: William E (Bill) Still of Calico Rock,: three sons and three daughters-in-law: John Rayford (Ray) and Tammy Greenspan Still of Harvest, AL; William Steven (Steve) and Joy Harbor Still of Norris, TN, and Samuel Philip (Sam) and Barbara Still of Atlanta, GA; her 6 dear grandchildren, Elisabeth, Emily, Rebekah, Micah, Liam, and Patrick Still. She was preceded in death by her sister Esther Florine Pippen of West Point, and her brother John Benton (Bennie) Weaver, Jr of Columbus.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, July 28, 2016 at First Baptist Church of Calico Rock with Kevin Bishop officiating.
Graveside funeral service were held Saturday, July 30, 2016 at Cold Springs United Methodist Church Cemetery near Batesville, under the direction of Wells Funeral Home.

Kenneth Bob Sorrells

SARDIS–Kenneth Bob Sorrells, age 59, passed away at his home Tuesday, July 26, 2016. He was the widower of Linda Sullivan Sorrells.
Graveside services were July 28 at Hebron Cemetery  with Reverend Rusty Robertson officiating.
Bob was born January 20, 1957 in Sardis to the late L.B. Sorrells and Edna M. Samuels Sorrells. He was a factory worker in Sardis for many years.