Robert Allen Avant Jr.

LONGTOWN–Robert Allen “Champ” Avant Jr. died January 30, 2017.
He was born on July 3, 1973 to Robert Allen Avant, Sr. and Vernice Black Avant of Longtown.
At an early age Champ accepted Christ as his savior at McIvor Creek Missionary Baptist  Church where he remained a member until his death.
He served as director of the church choir and was a committed organizer with the youth department at McIvor. One of his favorite activities was to organize a trip for the youth to the Southern Heritage Classic football game each September.
A graduate of North Panola High School (Class of ‘91), Coahoma Community College and Delta State University, he spent a large portion of his professional life working in the hotel industry in Tunica and the Memphis area.
He was an avid fisherman and a fan of gospel music with a particular affection for the Mississippi Mass Choir.
Champ was blunt and Champ was brave as much as he was kind. He loved to travel, to be introduced to new places, new food and he refused to let any of his health issues get in the way of that.
Survivors include  his mother,  Mrs.  Vernice  B. Avant;  two  younger  brothers, Issac  Lanier  Avant  (Arlington,  VA) and Albert  Hosia  Jerriod  Avant  (Provincetown,  MA); three godsisters – Patricia  Phillips,  Shanta McNeese  and  Luella  Jackson.
He also  leaves  a host  of  aunts, uncles,  cousins  and  friends.

Mary Belle Rich Carter

MARKS–Mary Belle Rich Carter, 86, passed away, Monday, February 13, 2017 at Baptist Memorial Hospital of North MS in Oxford.
Funeral services for Mrs. Carter were held on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at First Baptist Church in Marks.  Interment followed at Marks Cemetery.  Dr. Laurie Jones and Rev. Will Overstreet officiated.  Wells Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Carter was a homemaker during her lifetime and a member of Marks First Baptist Church.  She enjoyed playing golf at the Wilson Lake Country Club.  She volunteered her time as a Girl Scout Leader in Marks.  She  was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Marks Garden Club.  She was an avid Mahjong player.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Bruce “Bob” Carter; her children, Becky Carter Jones (Mike) of Sardis, and Bruce Carter (Nancy) of Franklin, Tenn.  She also leaves three grandchildren, Rob Carter (Tomoko) of Seattle, Mary Beth Carter of Nashville, Ryan Jones (Stephanie) of Oxford, and four great grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to North Delta Schools, 330 Greenwave Way, Batesville MS 38606 or charity of your choice.

Ottowa E. Carter Sr.

SARDIS–Ottowa E. Carter Sr., 85, died Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at the AMG Specialty Care Hospital in Greenwood.
Funeral services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Sardis.  Viewing will be from 1-4 p.m. Friday at Eddie Robinson and Son Funeral Directors in  Batesville.
He is survived by three sons: Larry Carter (Carolyn) of Michigan City, IN, Ottowa E. Carter Jr. (Marietta) of Clinton, Lynard Carter (Sheila) of New Orleans; three brothers: Joe Carter Jr. (Minnie), Frank Carter and Albert Carter (Delois), all of Sardis; five sisters: Edna Jackson of Preston, Nennie Reed (Claiborne) of Coldwater, Joyce Walker (Billy) of Memphis, Mattie Brownlee (Walter) of Batesville, and Annette Pierce of Fayette.  He also leaves three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Wyvonnie Lewers

COMO–Wyvonnie Lewers, 76, died February 11, 2017 at North Delta Hospice in Southaven.
Visitation will be held Saturday, February 18 at Felix Cauthen Funeral Home in Senatobia from 4-7 p.m.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 19 at Springfield M.B. Church at 1 p.m.  Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

James Trantham

CHICAGO  – James Trantham, 68, passed away Thursday, February 10, 2017 at his home.
Visitation will be held February 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cooley’s Mortuary in Batesville.
Funeral services will he held Sunday, February 19 at 1 p.m. at Cooley’s Mortuary Chapel.  Pastor Zannie Leland will officiate.  Interment will follow at Eureka Cemetery in Batesville.
Mr. Trantham was born December 1, 1948, in Batesville, to Cyrus Trantham and Emma Kirkwood.  He was a factory worker at US Steel in Chicago until his retirement.

Michael Lee Workman

CHARLESTON–Michael Lee Workman, 72, died at his home near Charleston, February 14, 2017.
Born March 3, 1944 to the late Robert Dean Workman and Lois Evon Birkner Workman in Iowa City, Iowa, he was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Charleston and served in the U.S. Air Force in the Vietnam War. He later worked for Prudential Ins. Co.,  owned a computers store, worked for Viking Corp., Sayle Oil and taught chemistry and physics at Strider Academy.
The family will hold a private memorial service for Mr. Workman at a later date. Wells Funeral Home has charge of service arrangements.