Obituaries

Rober Douglas Carroll

SARDIS–Mr. Robert Douglas (RD) Carroll, 92, made his final journey with his Lord on February 28, 2017.
RD was born March 8, 1924 to Michael Tibertius and Cecilia Deloris (Peoples) Carroll in Glendive, MT. RD grew up in Wibaux, MT, leaving at the age of 17 to join the Navy during WWII. Throughout his life he and his family would make numerous summer visits to Wibaux, but Daddy never wanted to experience the snowing blizzards again!
During his 27 year career in the Navy, RD traveled across the world and was stationed in many places. Millington, TN was one such and holds a dear place in our hearts since that is where he met the love of his life – Betty Bowen. They courted four years and were married on July 6, 1952.
Daddy took a small town southern girl and moved her to Guam. As he would say, “How many brides can say they spent an eighteen month honeymoon on a tropical island!”
While he was stationed in Key West, FL, he was blessed to become father to two wonderful children, John and Ceci. The life of family man truly suited him. RD served as role model, protector, and with abundant love to his family for all of our lives.
The summer of 1969 saw RD retire from the Navy as Lieutenant Commander, after serving in World War II, Korea, and during Vietnam, and he began his teacher career at Northwest Community College in Electronic Technology. RD thoroughly enjoyed working with the students and meeting a whole group of new friends. RD went into his second retirement after fifteen years.
After moving to Mississippi in 1969, RD became a gentleman farmer and he and Betty began raising cattle on the Lazy RD Ranch. Not only did he enjoy raising cattle, he fell in love with growing some of the most beautiful gladiolas imaginable. RD and Betty began square dancing in the early 1980’s and continued this passion for many, many years. Yes, the dancing was great but the fellowship was even greater. RD lovingly served as honorary bartender for activities he and Betty were involved with at the Heflin House Museum in Sardis.
RD was a life-long communicate of the Catholic Church and attended St. John the Baptist in Sardis, and was deemed the oldest Alter Server in the history of that wonderful little church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Charlie and Mickey, and his son, John. He leaves his wife of 64 years, daughter, Ceci, granddaughters Sarah and Kate (Phillip) and great-grandsons John and Charlie.
RD was a proud member of the American Legion and Knights of Columbus. Favorite charities of RD’s are St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Heflin House Museum and Catholic Charities (from  whom Ceci and John were adopted).
Visitation and the praying of the Rosary were held Thursday, March 2 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.  Daddy’s wish was fulfilled with an Irish Wake which followed the visitation at the Lazy RD Ranch.
Mass will be offered at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 3 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Batesville, with burial to follow, with military honors, at Rose Hill Cemetery in Sardis.
Ray-Nowell Funeral Home – Sardis Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Betty Eidt

MARKS–Mrs. Betty Eidt, age 76, died Sunday February 26, 2017 at her home.
A memorial service was held March 2 at Marks Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Eidt was a retired bank teller at Citizens Bank & Trust Co.

William Gene Graham

SARDIS–William “Billy” Gene Graham died February 19, 2017 at his home. Mr. Graham was born July 28, 1928. He was a farmer and an award-winning cattleman. He was the owner of Ozark Trucking Company and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Services were held February 22 at Memorial Park Fireside Chapel in Memphis. Mr. Graham was entombed in the Memorial Park Mausoleum in Memphis.

Alma L. Pugh Larry

POPE–Alma L. Pugh Larry, 72, died February 25, 2017 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford. She was born May 26, 1944 in Quitman County to Cornelius Coleman and Minnie Pugh Coleman.
She was a member of Pope Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church where services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. Pastor Nehemiah Martin will officiate. Burial will be in the Pope Chapel cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Cooley’s Mortuary.

Odessia Lewis-Wesley

SARDIS– Odessia Lewis-Wesley, 76, died February 28, 2017 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Desoto.
Visitation will be Saturday at Henderson Funeral Home, in Sardis, from 4-6 p.m.  Funeral services will be Sunday, March 5, at 1 p.m. at Mt. Level MB Church in Como.  Interment will follow at Mt. Level MB Church in Como.
Mrs. Lewis-Wesley was born May 29, 1940 to the late Roosevelt Lewis Sr. and Rebecca Wright Lewis of Sardis.

Helen Fay Oliver-Lewis

SARAH–Helen Fay Oliver-Lewis, 62, died Sunday, February 26, 2017, at her residence.
Mrs. Oliver-Lewis was born February 21, 1955 to Auther Lee Oliver, Sr. and the late Ruby Nell Hewlett of Sarah.
Visitation will be Friday, March 3, from 3-6 p.m. at Henderson Funeral Home in Sardis.  Funeral services will be Saturday, March 4, at 11 a.m. at Longtown Church of God in Longtown.  Interment will follow at Askew Grove Cemetery in Longtown.

Larry Walls

SARDIS– Larry Walls, 46, passed away on February 23, 2017 at his home in Sardis.
Visitation will be Friday, March 3, at Henderson Funeral Home, in Sardis, from 3-6 p.m.  Funeral services will be Saturday, March 4, at 1 p.m. at Mt. Zion Church in Sardis.  Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Sardis.
Mr. Walls was born August 26, 1970 to Larry Henderson and the late Billie Jean Henderson of Sardis.