Mary Ann Massey Bryant, 65, of Bruce, died March 15, 2012 at BMH-Oxford. She was born August 13, 1946 in Banner, the daughter of Johnny Massey and Myrl Arnold Massey Foster. She was a retired business woman, a 1964 graduate of BHS, member of Ellard Baptist Church, and Women on Missions.
Her funeral service was Saturday at 10 a.m. at Parker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Steve Murphree officiating, and Bro. Kevin Chrestman and Dr. Bobby Douglas assisting. Burial was in Concord Cemetery. Pallbearers were Jason Barefield, Ronald Jenkins, Brad Melton, Gary Massey, Larry Dean Massey, and Troy Todd.

Survivors include her husband, Jeff Bryant, Bruce; a daughter, Bethany Bryant Cooper, Eupora; a sister, Patsy (L.H.) Johnson, Banner; three grandchildren, John David Lyles, Will Cooper and Andy Cooper; her nephew, Joe Morris Johnson and family, Saltillo, and special family member, Gaby Brasher and family, Holcomb. She was preceded in death by her brother, Joe Massey.

Memorials may be made to Concord Baptist Church building fund, 13 CR 235, Bruce, MS 38915

Online condolences may be made at www.parkermemorialfuneralhomes.com

Gerald Wayne Swanson, 68, of Bruce, died March 14, 2012 at NMMC in Tupelo. He was born March 3, 1944 in Bruce, the son of Royce Eugene Swanson and Wilma Louise Smith Swanson. He was a graduate of 1962 graduate of BHS, was a professional licensed surveyor, and member of Bruce Church Of Christ.
His funeral service was Friday at 2 p.m. at Parker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Bruce with Jeff Mann officiating and Billy Green assisting.

Pallbearers were Rodney Akers, Toby Parker, Scott Starks, Jimmy Clay Swanson, Brad Ward, and Jerry Wilburn. Honorary pallbearers were Tony Easley, Dan Hardin, Chris McGregor, Jeff Sullivan, A.C. Swanson Jr., Earl Swanson, Jerry Swanson, Jimmy Swanson, and Larry Swanson.

Survivors include his wife, Lana Beverly Ruth Swanson, Bruce; three step-daughters; Julie (Larry Scott) Starks, Bruce; Kimberly (Anthony) Easley, Bruce, and Kerry (Chris) McGregor, Pittsboro; step-mother; Kathleen Swanson, Bruce; three sisters, Myra Swanson Sullivan, Bruce; Natalie Renae (Rodney) Akers, Pontotoc, and Mitzie Jo (Brad) Ward, Pontotoc; four grandchildren, Karman Starks, Dowden Lee Taylor, Connor Scott Starks, and Cailey Grace McGregor.

Online condolences may be made  at www.parkermemorialfuneralhomes.com

Billy Joe Higginbotham Sr., 69, died Tuesday, Mar. 13, 2012, at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. He was born February 6, 1943, in Vardaman to Earlie Higginbotham and Ola Frances Wiggs Higginbotham.
Services were Friday, Mar. 16, 2012, at 1 p.m. at Houston Funeral Home in Houston with William Burdine officiating. Burial followed at Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Houston. Houston Funeral Home of Houston, was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Josephine Peden Higginbotham, Houlka; his daughters, Beth and Bud Davis, Okolona; Nelda and Donnie Bell, Fulton; his son, B.J. and Christy Higginbotham, Pontotoc; his sister, Frances and Johnny Vance, Conway, AR; his grandchildren, Kristi White, Trey Davis, Dallas Davis, Savannah Davis, Paden Bell, Abbie Bell, Jeremiah Bell, Blake Hill, and Eli Stallings. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Jimmy Higginbotham and Dewayne Higginbotham.

Pallbearers were Roy Harrell, Billy Fred Wiggs, Mike Peden, Josh Peden, B.G. White, and Billy Fred Wiggs Jr.

Friends and family may sign and leave a message on the online register book at houstonfuneralhomems.com

Mary Magdelena “Maggie” Moorehead, 83, died Thursday, Mar. 15, 2012 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. She was born April 12, 1928 in Poplar Springs, Calhoun County, to the late Edward and Ivon Spratlin Foshee. She worked until age 79 and retired from the Lafayette County School District.  She was a member of Paris Baptist Church.
Her funeral service was Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Gerald Shook officiating. Burial was in the Paris Cemetery in Paris with Derek Smallwood, Jamie Fredette, Jody Lowe, Sam Guest, Blake Moorehead, Matt Moorehead and Chris Moorehead serving as pallbearers.

She is survived by a daughter, Glenda (Jerry) Smallwood, Hernando; two sons, Ron (Sandra) Guest, Oxford, and Jeff (Beverly) Moorehead, Paris; a step-son, Harold Lynn (Kay) Moorehead, Greenwood; three brothers, Gene Foshee, Southaven; Rodger Foshee, Oxford,  and Ray Foshee, Collierville, TN; six grandchildren, Derek (Pennie) Smallwood, Hernando; Brandy (Jamie) Fredette, Monticello; Claire (Jody) Lowe, Oxford; Sam Guest, Oxford; Blake Moorehead, Senatobia, and Alicia, Marlee, Delaney and Dayton Moorehead, Paris; seven great-grandchildren, Madison and Mallori-Kate Smallwood; Troy, Jamie Claire and Luke Fredette; Madi Kate Wallace and Kenley Moorehead.

In addition to her parents, Maggie was preceded in death by her first husband, Wilburn Guest (1965), her second husband, Harold Moorehead (1977); a grandson, Tim Smallwood; two sisters, Flo Adkins and Jo Killough; and three brothers, J. W. Foshee, James Foshee and Lynn Foshee.

Online condolences may be made at www.sevenoaksfuneralhome.com

Jorge Luis Sanchez, 24, of Vardaman, died March 16, 2012 as the result of an auto accident. He was born May 31, 1987 in Cd Mante, Tamaulipaz, Mexico. He was employed by Furniture Wood of Vardaman, and he was a?Catholic.
His funeral service was Sunday at 2 p.m. at Parker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Vardaman with Lorenzo Aju officiating. Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery in Vardaman. Pallbearers were Angel Cruz Carmona, Raul Rodriguez Dominguez, Jorge Luis Gonzalez, Elisa Huerta, Antonio Sanchez Sr., Antonio Sanchez Jr., Salvador Sanchez and Bernancio Vargas.

Survivors include his parents, Antonio Sanchez Sr. and Alejandrina Marquez, Vardaman; his wife, Gloria Gonzalez, Vardaman; one daughter, Ashley Sanchez, and one son, Jorge Sanchez, both of the home; one sister, Selina Sanchez, Pontotoc; two brothers, Antonio Sanchez Jr. and Sergio Sanchez, Vardaman, and his grandparents, Atanacio Marquez and Conzuelo Azuara, Estacion Manuel, Tamaulipaz Mexico; Guadalupe Sanchez, Okolona, and Rosa Contrearas, Los Reyes, Michoacan Mexico.

Jr. (Lee) Sutherland of Vardaman died Monday, May 21, 2012. Visitation is  Wednesday, from 5-8 p.m. at Parker Memorial Funeral Home in Vardaman. His funeral service will be Thursday at 10 a.m. the funeral home chapel.

Alex Lee Richardson, 67, of Chicago, Il., died September 30, 2012. Belle Memorial Funeral Home of Bruce will be in charge of arrangements.

Christopher Dee Armstrong Taylor, 17, of Bruce, died January 27, 2013 at North MS Medical Center in Tupelo. He was born August 7, 1995 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford. He was a 10th grade honor roll student at Bruce High School in Bruce, MS. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church, Boy Scouts of America, Bruce High School Drama Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes,  Sons of the Confederate Veterans, and he was #15 on the Bruce High School football team.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Parker Memorial Funeral Home in Bruce. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home chapel with Bro. Bob Weldon officiating and Bro. James Taylor assisting. Burial will be in Haven Hill/Melton Cemetery in Coffeeville. Pallbearers will be Scottie Bardo, Greyson Denley,  Shaun Hidalgo, Kalvin Hooper, Ritchie Logan, Chris Sansing, Casey Tutor and Malcolm Williams.  Honorary pallbearers will be the Bruce High School football team.

Survivors include his father, Christopher Louis Armstrong, Big Creek; his mother, Melissa Taylor Gray and step-father, Roderick Gray, Bruce; one sister, Jami Sierra Taylor, Bruce; niece,  Talia Stovall,  Bruce; grandparents, Charlotte Armstrong, Pittsboro; Walter (Betty Harper) Armstrong, Pittsboro; Rev. James and Linda Taylor, Pittsboro; Rod and Alberta Armstrong, Pittsboro; two uncles, Jimmy (Melissa ) Taylor, Bruce;  Malcolm Williams, Atlanta, GA; one aunt, Stephanie (Scotty) Bardo, Coffeeville; first cousins, Breanna Taylor and Amyiah Bardo, both of Coffeeville; JimiAnn Taylor of Smithville; Godparents, Jerry and Annie Doss, Coffeeville; God Brother, Sinatra Crawford, Coffeeville, and God Sisters, Jereese Armstrong, Memphis, and Yasmin Doss, Coffeeville.

Memorial donations may be made to Parker Memorial Funeral Homes P.O. Box 458 Bruce, MS 38915
Online condolences may be made at www.parkermemorialfuneralhomes.com

Natalie M. Pittman, 28, of Calhoun City, died March 4, 2013 at NMMC in Tupelo. Belle Memorial Funeral Home of Bruce will be in charge of arrangements.

Christeen Hellums of Bruce died Tuesday, March 5, 2013. Parker Memorial Funeral Home of Bruce will be in charge of arrangements.

Mildred Crutchfield Glaze, 90, of Calhoun City, died Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011 at Calhoun Health Services Nursing Home. She was born November 11, 1920 in Calhoun County, the daughter of Ed and Louvinia Hutchings Crutchfield. She was a retired data entry clerk, and member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Grenada, and Rebecca’s (Moose Lodge).

Charles Wesley Scott, 76, of Chicago, Il, died March 17, 2013 at Little Company of St. Mary Hospital in Chicago. Belle Memorial Funeral Home, Aberdeen, will be in charge of arrangements.

Martavious De’Ron Belim of Pittsboro died March 17, 2013 at Calhoun County Health Services. Belle Memorial Funeral Home of Bruce will be in charge of arrangements.

Harold Wayne Reynolds, 66, of Bruce, died July 15, 2013 at his home. He was born November 14, 1946 in Sarepta, the son of Lelon Knox Reynolds and Willie Jean Hardin Reynolds. He served in the National Guard, and was a retired truck driver for Calhoun County.

Visitation will be Tuesday from noon until time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. at Parker Memorial Funeral Home in Bruce. Rev. Robert Earl Alexander will be officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Michael Britt, Keith Gaskin, Jonathan Griffin, Frankie Hamilton, Brad Mooneyham, Corey Reynolds, Daniel Reynolds, Nichols Reynolds and Jay Lee Ward.

Survivors include his wife, Jo Ann King Reynolds, Bruce; one daughter, Deborah (Elvis) Hall, Bruce; three sons, Douglas (Rachel) Reynolds, Dewey Reynolds and Dennis Reynolds, all of Bruce; five sisters, Nina Reynolds, Calhoun City; Agnes Gaskin, Calhoun City; Rita (Rickey) Mooneyham, Duck Hill; Angie (Dennis) Bennett, Calhoun City; Pat (Ronnie) Ray, Water Valley; four brothers, Oren (Carla) Reynolds, Calhoun City; Tony Reynolds, MS; Elvis Reynolds, Water Valley; John Reynolds, Water Valley; 11 grandchildren, Kari (Michael) Britt, Jessica (Michael) Spencer, Adreain Reynolds, Jenna Reynolds, Johnathan Austin, Christopher Roberts, Nicholas Reynolds, Daniel Reynolds, Rowdy Renolds, Matthew Reynolds, Darrius Hall, and three great grandchildren.

For online condolences visit www.parkermemorialfuneralhomes.com

Francis Jo Lee McCormick, 77, of Bruce, died July 15, 2013 at BMH in Oxford. She was born September 11, 1935 in Calhoun County, the daughter of Elton Lee and Myrtle Logan Lee. She was a homemaker and retired supervisor at Glenn Slacks.

Visitation is tonight, from 6-8 p.m. at Parker Memorial Funeral Home in Bruce. Her funeral service is Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home chapel with Bro. James Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Rocky Mount Cemetery in Pittsboro. Pallbearers will be Andy Fortner, Cole Fortner, Corety Fortner, Jeff Lee, Chris Smith and Kraig Smith.

Survivors include one daughter, Marsha (Charlie) Fortner, Oxford; son, Tim (Vicki) McCormick, Bruce; two sisters, Barbara Turner, Bruce, and Ann McKibben, Bruce; two brothers, Leon Lee, Oxford, and Billy Lee, Bruce; four grandchildren, Kraig (Bridget) Smith, Chris (Gency) Smith, Corey (Jamie) Fortner, Andy (Jessica) Fortner, and four great grandchildren, Cole, Lawson, Jace and Liam Fortner. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene McCormick; her daughter, Tilda Smith, and son-in-law, Jerry Smith, and her sister, Jimmie Nell McCormick.

For online condolences visit www.parkermemorialfuneralhomes.com

Billy Fred Murphree, 78, of Bruce, died July 15, 2013 at NMMC in Tupelo. He was born February 1, 1935 in Bruce, the son of Elvis Dee Murphree and Carnell Alexander Murphree. He was a self-employed farmer and member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church and Chicken Bone Fire Department.

Visitation is tonight, Wednesday, from 5-8 p.m. at Parker Memorial Funeral Home. His funeral service will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home chapel with Bro. Joey Hamilton, Bro. Steve Murphree and Bro. Wayne Cobb officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Charles Chrestman, Jack Kimbrell, Wade Kimbrell, J.B. Rogers, Shawn Snellings, Earl Swanson, J.Y. Turner Jr. and Dwayne Young. Honorary pallbearers will be his Sunday School class, Mike Brown, Fred Hawkins and Chicken Bone Fire Department.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Long Murphree, Bruce; three sons, Lynn (Connie) Murphree, Joey Murphree and Kimmy (J.J.) Murphree, all of Bruce; three grandchildren, Jon Murphree, Luke Murphree and Kadon Murphree, and two great grandchildren, Jon Hodge Murphree and Kalynn Murphree.
Memorials may be made to Chicken Bone Fire Department Rope Rescue Team, 2B CR 151, Bruce, MS 38915.

For online condolences visit www.parkermemorialfuneralhomes.com

Kenneth Wane Hughes, 55, of Calhoun City, died July 16, 2013 at his home. He was born April 16, 1958 in Calhoun City, the son of James Hughes and Jimmie Brooks Hughes. He was a construction foreman for Delta Construction and a member of Houlka United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be Friday from 6-8 p.m. at Pryor Funeral Home in Calhoun City. His funeral service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home chapel with Rev. Anthony Stephens and Rev. Jimmy Vance officiating. Burial will be in Bethany Cemetery in Slate Springs. Pallbearers will be Todd Hannaford, Michael Joe Cannon, Jimmy White, Ray Hamilton, Chris Macon and Greg Lovorn. Honorary pallbearers will be Nathan Harrison and John Earl Davis.

Survivors include his wife, Susie Vance Hughes, Calhoun City, and one brother, Andy (Laura) Hughes, Calhoun City.

Online condolences can be left at Pryorfuneralhome.com

Edward Earl Dickey, 73, of Calhoun City, died July 18, 2013 at his home. He was born February 21, 1940 in Big Creek, the son of Luss William Dickey and Mary Beatrice Shankle Dickey. He was a self-employed mechanic and served in the U.S. Army.

Survivors include a daughter, Shirley Jean Clayton, Calhoun City; four sisters, Kathryn Spruill, Big Creek; Shirley Russell, Big Creek; Lorene Hillhouse, Savannah, Ga.; Sharon Wilson, Glendora; two brothers, George W. Dickey, Big Creek; Bruce W. Dickey Sr., Ellisville; grandchildren, Christopher Clayton and Corey Clayton, Calhoun City, and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Edward Earl Dickey Jr.; a sister, Carolyn Hollis, and a brother, Jackey Jay Dickey Sr.

For online condolences visit: www.parkermemorialfuneralhomes.com

Doyle Roland James, 83, of El Dorado, Ar., died July 20, 2013 at Christus St. Michael Hospital in Texarkana, Tx. He was born February 13, 1930 in Calhoun County, the son of John Jackson James and Carrie Addice Murphree James. He was a former owner of Union Tire Company and was a 32 degree Mason and Shriner. He served in the U.S. Air Force, and was a member of Joyce City Baptist Church.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at the home of Beth and Paul Burns, 619 East 5th St., El Dorado, Ar. The funeral service will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Vardaman with Rev. Benny Hill and Rev. Bob Hill officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Packy Lawrence, Michael Driggers, Phil Taylor, Steve Bryant, Adam Taylor and Marshall Hill. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Taylor and Frank Tolley.

Pryor Funeral Home of Calhoun City is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley Mitchell James, El Dorado, Ar.; one daughter, Phyllis James Day, Watson, La.; one sister, Faye Taylor, Memphis; two grandchildren and one great grandchild. She was preceded in death by a son, Dennis James.

Memorials may be made to the Dennis James Memorial Scholarship, ? South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 East 5th Street, El Dorado, Ar. 71730.
Online condolences can be left at Pryorfuneralhome.com

Dr. Robert “Bob” Murff died as a result of complications from diabetes at his home in Decatur.

A well-known career counselor in Austin for many years, he had moved to Decatur in 2005 to be with daughter, Lynn, and his grandchildren as they grew up. Despite suffering a stroke about 15 years ago, he still pursued his greatest interest–being an engaging friend to a diverse bunch of folks in Austin.

Bob, 73, grew up in Calhoun City. Following his wide-ranging interests, he earned degrees in chemistry and mathematics before finding his passion in career counseling. He earned a PhD in Counseling Psychology at UT, where he founded and served as first director of its Career Exploration Center. There, he helped hundreds of students answer the big question, “What do I really want to do?”

For his lasting contribution to campus career services, the university established the Robert Murff Excellence Award in 1999 to recognize outstanding support of career services at the Austin campus.

Bob is survived by his two children, Lynn (and Shaun) Selman, Decatur, and Martin Murff, Houston, and five grandchildren: Kiersten, Keenan and Kent Selman, and Abbie and Tim Murff. He is also survived by two brothers, Malcolm “Mac” (and Dot) Murff, San Antonio, and Randall (and Blanche) Murff, NC.

Services for Dr. Robert Carter Murff were July 17 at Clarke-Venable Baptist Church, Decatur with arrangements by Milling Funeral Home, Union.

Several CCHS Class of 1958 attended the service–Al Clanton, George Mart Mounger, Hal Reese Jr., Bobby Phillips and Jan Rogers.