Staff Report

The drowning death of a Batesville native last Saturday in Lafayette County stunned many in Panola County who described the victim as a good father, husband, and employee.

A memorial service was held Wednesday for Bryan Tidwell, 40. Authorities said they received a call about 5 p.m. and found the drowned man’s body shortly after arriving on the scene. He was preparing to fish with family when he fell from the boat and could not recover.

Tidwell had accessed Enid Lake at the Prophet Bridge landing site on Hwy. 315 a few miles south of the Panola County line.