LELA JOSEPH

Lela Joseph died Sunday, Nov. 25, 2001, at University Medical Center in Jackson. She was 64.

Mrs. Joseph was employed as a private duty nurse with Healthcare. She was a member of Promise Land Baptist Church in Baton Rouge.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ramsey Paul Joseph; her parents, Elsia Kelson Scott and Samuel Joseph Proctor; her stepfather, Elmo Scott; and a daughter, Antonia “Tanya Dolly” Rucker.

Survivors include five sons, Samuel Dolly of Vicksburg, Arie Dolly of St. Gabriel, La., Robert L. Joseph and the Rev. Phillip Joseph of Port Allen, La., and Lionel Joseph of Baton Rouge; five daughters, Elsia D. Carey, Patricia L. Hatcher and Mary M. Dolly, all of Baton Rouge, Pearl E. Proctor of Vicksburg and Willie Mae Honore of Port Allen; a foster daughter, Paula R. Grayson of Vicksburg; a stepbrother, James V. Rice of Jackson; and 26 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and other relatives, including Alicia S. Hawkins of Baton Rouge.

Services will be at noon Saturday at Promise Land Baptist Church with the Rev. Perry Wright officiating. Burial will follow at Thomas Chapel in Baton Rouge under the direction of Williams Funeral Service.

SAMUEL J. THOMPSON

OKOLONA Samuel J. “Jake” Thompson died Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2001, at North Mississippi Medical Center. He was 64.

A farmer, Mr. Thompson was a former constable of Chickasaw County. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Active Reserves and Mississippi National Guard. He was a charter member of Chickasaw County Mounted Sheriffs Posse and the 10 Point Hunting Club of Van Vleet. He was a member of the VFW Post of Tupelo.

Survivors include two daughters, Donna Kay Cook of Vicksburg and Debra Ann Thompson of Amory; a sister, Lou Wanda Mask of Okolona; three grandchildren, Jessica Collins, Andrew Collins and Ali Grace Cook, all of Vicksburg; three stepgrandchildren, one stepgreat-grandchild and other relatives, including Paul D. Cook Jr. of Vicksburg.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Okolona Funeral Home with Dr. Roy McHenry officiating. Burial will follow at East Chickasaw Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be from 5 until 8 tonight at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Jerry Hall, Dennis Danell Jr., David Cook, Mike Long, Eric Jaggers and Steven Mask.

Honorary pallbearers will be Monroe Cruse, Arnold Gene Collums, Danny Mask, Dickie Wise and Paul Cook Jr.

Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church building fund, 2878 Old Highway 27, Vicksburg, MS 39180.