From February 6, 2001

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, February 6, 2001

RUTH HEARN JAMES

Ruth Hearn James died Monday, Feb. 5, 2001, at her daughter’s home in Vicksburg. She was 83.

A native and lifelong resident of Warren County, Mrs. James was the daughter of the late Acie and Maggie Cockrell Hearn. She had worked for the Warren County Schools for more than 15 years and was a homemaker. She was a member of Wayside Baptist Church.

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In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Shelby A. James; a son, Shelby B. James; and five grandchildren.

She is survived by four daughters, Elizabeth Ann Sibley of Morton and Barbara Lee Bartlett, Earlene J. Fielder and Shirley Ruth McIntyre, all of Vicksburg; two brothers, Harold A. Hearn and Hubert W. Hearn, both of Vicksburg; four sisters, Dollie Mae Taylor of Gulfport and Margaret Cockrell, Mary Frances “Boots” Owsley and Ann Robinson, all of Vicksburg; 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Fisher-Riles Funeral Home with the Rev. Rick McAlister officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 Tuesday night at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Jim Hearn, George Dill, Ben Foley, Gene Williams, Henry Wayne Muirhead, George McBride and Jimmy Stanford.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Taylor, Philip Clanton, D.W. Owsley, Roy Robinson and Dr. Anita Tribble.

Memorials may be made to Sta-Home Hospice, 406 Briarwood Drive, Suite 501, Jackson, MS. 39206.

WILMER F. SMITH

Wilmer F. Smith died Monday, Feb. 5, 2001, at ParkView Regional Medical Center. He was 85.

A native of Foley, Ala., Mr. Smith was the son of the late Thomas and Lena Mae Strong. He had lived in Vicksburg for the past 50 years. He was a veteran of the Army, having served during World War II and the Korean War. He retired from the Vicksburg Warren School District with more than 30 years of service and worked with Caruthers Heating and Cooling before working for the schools. He was a member of First Christian Church where he was a deacon.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Salmon.

He is survived by his wife, Earline P. Smith of Vicksburg; a son, Gary Robert Smith of Dallas; two brothers, Vernon Smith and P.J. Smith, both of Florida; and other relatives.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Fisher-Riles Funeral Home with the Rev. Hancell Bankester officiating. Burial will follow at Green Acres Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 Tuesday night at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Walter Barker, Barry McCleve, David Wood, Henry Bordelon, Jeff Montgomery, Orville Mohon, Sam Heltez and Don Murrell.

Memorials may be made to First Christian Church, 3005 Porters Chapel Road, Vicksburg, MS. 39180.