Skip to content

Obituaries 11/15/18

Martha Davis

WATER VALLEY—Martha Davis, age 96, of Water Valley died peacefully Sunday, November 11, 2018, in Yalobusha County Nursing Home at Water Valley.

Born February 17, 1922, in Water Valley, Martha was a daughter of the late Robert and Edith Alexander. She was a homemaker and dedicated a great deal of time serving the Presbyterian Church in Water Valley. She was a member of the Women in the Church (WIC), where she served as secretary and treasurer, as well as being the chairman of World Missions and a Sunday School teacher for the women’s class.

Visitation will be held Thursday, November 15, from 1-2 p.m. in Seven Oaks Funeral  Home, with graveside services to follow in Pinecrest Cemetery, south of Water Valley.

Survivors include one daughter, Elsie Massey of West Point; a son, Robert Davis of Coppers Cove, Texas; a sister, Wilma Warren of Jackson, Tenn.; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Martha was also preceded in death by her husband, Willie Davis; a son, Thomas Davis; and two sisters, Naomi Alexander and Mozella Perkins.


James Earl Hollinger

WATER VALLEY—James Earl Hollinger, age 68, of Water Valley died Saturday, November 10, 2018, in Baptist Memorial Hospital at Oxford.

Born November 27, 1949, he is a son of the late Author and Charlene Hollinger. He worked as a medical equipment supplier and enjoyed hunting and fishing and his family. Along with serving his country in the Marine Corps, James was a member of Delay Road Baptist Church.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 14, in Seven Oaks Funeral  Home from 1-2 p.m. The service will begin at 2 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of the funeral home with Bro. Donald Miller officiating. Burial will be in he Delay Road Cemetery.

James is survived by his wife of 47 years, Karen Hollinger; one daughter, Windy Cummings of Water Valley; two sons, James Hollinger, Jr. and Bryant Hollinger, both of Water Valley; two sisters, Peggy Grimmer of Oregon and Diane Musgrove of Washington; three brothers, Andy Hollinger of Fulton, Chestine Hollinger and Aubrey Hollinger, both of Batesville; as well as 10 grandchildren.

Along with his parents, James was preceded in death by one brother, Frank Hollinger, and two sisters, Betty Melton and Mary Lois Melton.


Ray Linder Milstead

JACKSON—“Sonny” Ray Linder Milstead, 86, passed away November 8, 2018, in St. Dominic’s Hospital at Jackson.

He was born June 14, 1932 in Water Valley to Mr. and Mrs. Norman L. Milstead. Sonny was a U.S. Air Force Veteran. On June 2, 1956, he married Anne Shuffield in Oxford. They lived in Memphis and he worked for the Memphis Housing Authority for over 30 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 50 years, Anne Shuffield Milstead, and, his wife, Mary House Inman Milstead, a native of Water Valley.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Elizabeth Milstead of Clinton; a daughter, Maryanne Campbell of Little Rock, Ark.; three grandchildren, Matthew and Jacob Milstead and Hunter Campbell; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Aubrey Milstead; one sister, Fay Milstead Ross, and a host of other family and friends.

A service will be held Thursday, November 15, at 2 p.m. in North Main Methodist Church at Water Valley. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Helping Hands Fund (which supports people that are unable to help themselves), P. O. Box 423, Water Valley, MS 38965.

Martha Tatum

OXFORD—Ms. Martha Tatum, 68, passed away Friday, November 9, 2018, in Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford.

Visitation was held Saturday, November 10, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., in Union West Baptist Church. The funeral service followed immediately at noon, also in the church. Interment was in Browning Cemetery. Bro. Don Shaffer officiated and Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford was in charge of arrangements.

Ms. Tatum was born and raised in Oxford. She was a member of Union West Baptist Church. Ms. Tatum worked as a school teacher and librarian at Lafayette High School and Coffeeville High School for over 25 years. She enjoyed various hobbies, including reading and gardening, and also had a very creative eye for crafting jewelry. However, she enjoyed nothing more that spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Survivors include her son, Paul Michael Tatum (Elaine) Singletary of Water Valley; a granddaughter, Leslie-Brooke Singletary of Oxford; a grandson, Jack Tyler Singletary of Oxford; one sister, Libby Callicoat of Oxford; a brother, Jim Q. “Brother” Tatum, Jr., of Oxford; three special caregivers, Dana Briscoe, Nicole Smith, and Lisa Tatum; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Jimmie Carolyn Tatum-Callicoat; grandparents, Jim Q. Tatum, Sr., and Grace Linder Tatum; one brother, Frank L. Tatum; and a sister, Katherine Tatum Collins.

Memorials may be made to the Browning Cemetery Fund, 324 CR 321, Oxford, MS. 38655.


Eva Mae Williams

WATER VALLEY—Eva Mae Williams, age 80, of Water Valley died peacefully Wednesday, November 7, 2018, in Yalobusha General Hospital.

Born December 11, 1937, in Taylor, Eva Mae was a daughter of the late Carlton and Francis Kimzey. She worked 26 years for Carothers Construction Company as their payroll clerk. Her joys were many, which included traveling with her husband, Bob, working with her flowers, and watching her hummingbirds, but her greatest joy was family. 

Eva Mae’s accomplishments included being class salutatorian and  playing point guard on the girl’s basketball team in high school. Eva was also a long time member of O’Tuckolofa Baptist Church, where she served in WMU and VBS, as well as the church treasurer.

Visitation was held Saturday, November 10, in O’Tuckolofa Baptist Church from 10 a.m. until noon. The service began at noon, with Bro. Dan Dickerson officiating. Burial was in Blocker Cemetery at Olive Branch.

Survivors include her husband of 34 years, Bob Williams of Water Valley; one son, Tim Mills (Lisa) of Water Valley; two step sons, Robert Williams, Jr. (Sherry), and Barry Williams (Kay), and one step daughter, Pam Pierce, all of Olive Branch; four grand-children, Mandy Beard, Brittany Scero, Austin Reece, and Tanner Mills; seven step-grandchildren, Jason Williams, Matt Currie, Nick Pierce, Reed Williams, Mary Williams, Michael Meziere, and Nicole Caldwell; and 10 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Eva was preceded in death by a brother,  Larry Kimzey, and one grandson, Bobby Williams.

Leave a Comment