Obituaries

Dr. L. Stacy Davidson Jr.

OXFOED – Dr. L. Stacy Davidson Jr., passed away and went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, at his home, surrounded by his family.
Dr. Davidson was born in Pope, on December 19, 1932. He graduated as valedictorian of his Pope High School class. Dr. Davidson went on to attend the University of Mississippi where he graduated with honors.
While attending the University of Mississippi Medical School, he met the love of his life, Fay Spruill. They went on to share a rich marriage of 58 years.
Dr. Davidson completed his medicine internship at Baylor School of Medicine in Houston, Texas as a captain in the US Army Medical Corps before serving his community as a general practitioner for five years in Cleveland.
Deciding to further his medical education, Dr. Davidson proceeded to complete residency training in ophthalmology at Tulane University. He practiced medicine a total of 52 years. A passionate supporter of education, Dr. Davidson served on the MS Institutes of Higher Learning Board of Trustees for 12 years.
Various other honors include: Ole Miss Alumni Hall of Fame, UMMC Guardian Society member, Ole Miss Chancellor’s Trust, Cleveland High School and Delta State University teams’ doctor for 14 years, Delta Medical Society member, MS and American Medical Associations member, Diplomat of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Regional Board of Directors of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and local Boy Scouts of America leader.
Dr. Davidson was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Cleveland, where he taught Sunday School and was a senior member of the Methodist Men’s Club. He was also honored as Charity Ball King for the Junior Auxiliary of Cleveland.
An avid sports fan, hunter, and gardener, Dr. Davidson enjoyed sharing his produce with family and friends. He also delighted in lovingly doting on his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son, Friley Spruill Davidson; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. Stacy Davidson, Sr., of Batesville; and a nephew, Darryl Davidson. He is survived by his wife, Fay Spruill Davidson; his son, John Stacy, and daughter-in-law, Laurie; a brother, Dr. Gene Davidson, and sister-in-law, Diane, of Tallahassee, Fla.
He also leaves four grandchildren: Brantley and wife Katie, Samuel, Caroline, and Andrew; and three nephews.
Visitation will be held today from 10 to 11 a.m. at Paris-Yates Chapel on the University of Mississippi campus, with a memorial service at 11 a.m. A private interment will be at Belzoni Cemetery in Belzoni.
Dr. Davidson was a true southern gentleman who loved the Ole Miss Rebels, his patients, and people in general. Above all, he loved his family well. His was a life of service.
The Davidsons would like to thank the nurses and caregivers from Camellia Hospice of Oxford. Memorial donations in Dr. Davidson’s name may be given to the MS Children’s Cancer Center at Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.

Gerald Tate

PADUCAH, Ken. – Gerald “Jerry” Tate, 72 of Paducah, KY passed away 9:50 a.m. Monday, December 5, 2016  at his residence.
Services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Crenshaw United Methodist Church with Rev. Mike Dorr officiating.  Visitation will be held at noon until service time at 2 p.m. at Crenshaw United Methodist Church.  Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah has charge.
Jerry was a native of Crenshaw, and was retired from Illinois Central Railroad and Canadian Railroad where he served as a bridge supervisor.  He was a member of Crenshaw United Methodist Church.  He loved visiting with his friends and enjoyed feeding the birds.
Survivors include: his wife, Sherion McDowell Tate; one step-daughter, Jackie Frazier and husband, Brian of Gilbertsville, Ken.; one neice, Paula Clark and husband, Terry of Panama City; one step-granddaughter, Jessica Frazier Schmal and husband, Jared of Lexington, Ken.;  mother-in-law, Florence McDowell, Calvert City, Ken.; brother-in-law, Wiley Clark of Mississippi.  He enjoyed spending time with his close friend, James Troutt.
Preceding him in death were his parents,  James Earl Tate and Auttry Mae Rowe Tate Watlington, one sister, Joyce Clark; step-father, Bob Watlington.
Expression of sympathy may be made to Lourdes Hospice, P.O. Box 7100, Paducah, KY  42002 or to Crenshaw United Methodist Church, Drawer L, Crenshaw Mississippi 38621.

Anthony Lamond Smith

OXFORD––Anthony Lamond Smith, 38, formerly of Sardis, died December 6 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi.
Services will be held Saturday, December 10 at 11 a.m. at St. Peter Baptist Church.
Elder Ronnie Johnson will officiate. Interment will be in Cistern Hill Cemetery in Como. Henderson Funeral Home has charge.
Born February 5, 1978 in Batesville, he was the son of the late Gladys Smith.
He was a 1997 graduate of North Panola High School and had been employed as a forklift driver at Springs Industries before he became disabled.

Willie L. Jackson

CROWDER––Willie L. Jackson, 74, died December 5, 2016, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi.
Services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Zion A.M.E. Zion Church in Crowder. Visitation will be held today 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Cooley’s Mortuary.
Pastor Clara Chapman will officiate the service. Interment will be held in Mt. Pleasant Church Cemetery in Enid.
Jackson, born April 23, 1942, in Crowder, to the late Tom Jackson and Matilda Shaw Jackson, was a retired farmer and member of Zion Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church.

James F. Tabor

SARDIS – James F. “Mr. Jim” Tabor, age 76, passed away Monday, December 5, 2016 at his home.
Funeral services for Mr. Tabor will be held Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 2 p.m. in the Martin Willingham Memorial Chapel of Wells Funeral Home in Batesville.
The family will receive friends Friday evening at Wells from 5 to 8. Rev. Tommy Darby will officiate the service.
Jim was born in St. Louis, MO on February 27, 1940 to the late Festus Otto Tabor and Mildred Parsons Tabor. Jim was a business owner and sales manager during his lifetime.
He was the owner of Tabors Sporting Goods. He coached basketball at the Boy’s Club in his younger years and his team won the state championship.
Hunting, fishing riding horses and even bowling were some of his favorite activities. He truly enjoyed meeting new people and joking with folks and was a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Those he leaves behind to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Shirley Harvey Beddingfield Tabor of Sardis; three daughters, Teresa Faye Norton (Larry) of Sardis, Colleen Marie Tabor Williams (Rhonda Jones) and Tracy Lynn Bollig both St. Charles, Mo.; son, Brian James Tabor (Caroline Rossi) of Wentzville, Mo.; three step sons, Glenn Beddingfield (Peggy) of Franklin, Tenn., Scott Beddingfield (Debbie) of Aberdeen, and Neil Beddingfield (Mandy) of Tupelo;  sister, Linda Tabor Schiele of St. Louis; three brothers, Don Tabor (Nancy) of Wentzville, Mo., Vernon Tabor (June) of Portland, Tenn., and Richard “Richie” Tabor (Mary Lou) of St. Louis; 14 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren, and most special long-time friends Larry and Rose Palmer and Dan and Norma Turner, all of St. Louis.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the charity of your choice.