August 26, 2004

Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 2, 2004

Hazel Irene Blackledge

OAK GROVE Hazel Irene Blackledge died Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2004, at Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe, La. She was 86.

Mrs. Blackledge was a resident of Oak Grove.

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She was preceded in death by her husband, Otto Blackledge; a daughter, Peggy Sue Jordan; and her parents, Samuel Spicer and Pearlie Mae Winters.

Survivors include six sons, Robert Eugene Jordan of Janesville, Wis., Ronald Reid “Butch” Blackledge of Oak Grove, Billy Ray Blackledge of Charlotte, N.C., Frankie Lee Blackledge and Gary Eugene Blackledge, both of Hammond, La., and Michael Wayne Blackledge of Charleston, W.Va.; four daughters, Patricia Diane Martin of Nacogdoches, Texas, Bootsie Shelton and Brenda Kay Hanna, both of Oak Grove, and Ollie Rea Harris of Greenville; three sisters, Thelma Juadine Green of Eupora, Ann Littleton of Jacksonville, Fla., and Elsie Lorraine Kester of Memphis; 21 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 3 p.m. today at Oak Grove United Pentecostal Church with the Rev. Keith Riley officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery under the direction of Cox Funeral Home in Oak Grove.

Visitation will be Friday until the service at the church.

Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Ray Charles Brinston

PATTISON Ray Charles Brinston died Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004, at University Medical Center in Jackson. He was 36.

Mr. Brinston was a resident of Pattison.

Services will be at 1 p.m. today at Mercy Seat Church in Pattison. Burial will follow at Ellis Cemetery under the direction of Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home in Utica.

Visitation will be from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Billie Joyce Maxey Holbrook

HOLLY SPRINGS Billie Joyce Maxey Holbrook died Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2004, at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis. She was 75.

Mrs. Holbrook was a resident of Holly Springs. She was a member of the Pilot Club, Eastern Star and the Faithful Workers Class at First Baptist Church of Holly Springs.

She is survived by her husband, James R. “Bud” Holbrook of Holly Springs; two daughters, Candace Logue of Vicksburg and Robin McNeill of Holly Springs; a brother, Bobby Frank Maxey of Newburg, Md.; three sisters, Virginia Hillis of Enterprise and Annette Sullivan and Shirley Jones, both of New Albany; and seven grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church of Holly Springs with Dr. Curtis Ferrell officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of Holly Springs Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 until 9 tonight at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Gaylon Baird, Darral Jordan, Larry Hall, Toulman Boatwright, Max McNeill, Michael Logue, Rodney Moody, Edwin Callicutt, Billy Newsom, Adam Logue, Ken McNeill and Daniel Dilley.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Holly Springs.

T.A. Massey

T.A. Massey died Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004, at River Region Medical Center. He was 77.

Born in Indianola, Mr. Massey had lived in Rolling Fork before moving to Vicksburg in 1971. He owned and operated Massey’s Truck and Diesel Service and was an Army veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a longtime member of Beechwood Assembly of God Church, where he served as a deacon, secretary, treasurer and president of the men’s fellowship.

He is survived by his wife, Pearl H. Massey of Vicksburg; five sons, Richard Massey, Bruce Massey, Kenny Massey, Greg Massey and Bill Massey, all of Vicksburg; three brothers, Ren Massey of Greenville, Marlon Massey of Rolling Fork and Jackie Massey of Southaven; three sisters, Waurine Patton and Billie Joyce Bordelon, both of Libuse, La., and Helen Woods of Delta City; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Lighthouse Assembly of God Church with the Revs. Floyd Ashpole and David Case officiating. Burial will follow at Green Acres Memorial Park.

Visitation will be from 5 until 8 tonight at the funeral home and Friday from 10 a.m. until the service at the church.

Pallbearers will be Remy Massey, Bruce Massey II, Cole Massey, Neal Massey, Peyton Massey and Rebert Massey.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ren Massey, Marlon Massey and Jackie Massey.

Jim Ella Williams

Services for Jim Ella “Noon” Williams will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home with the Rev. James Archie officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2 until 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Ms. Williams died Sunday, Aug. 22, 2004, at her home. She was 79.

Born in Warren County, Ms. Williams retired as a cook from Magnolia Best Western and Westinghouse Electric cafeteria. She was a member of St. John Burial Society and Morning Star M.B. Church in the LeTourneau community.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie Sr. and Arailla Miller Williams; seven brothers, Wallace Williams, John L. Williams, Harrin Williams, Amos Williams, Graham Williams, Charlie Williams Jr. and George Williams; and four sisters, Rutha Mae Jefferson, Ida Bell Stewart, Lizzett Walker and Mary Williams.

Survivors include three daughters, Laura Buck, Rutha M. Eastman and Debra Hawkins, all of Vicksburg; two sisters, Clara Thomas of Denver and Hazel Hatchett of Vicksburg; and grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Thomas J. Wilson

GREENVILLE Thomas J. Wilson died Sunday, Aug. 22, 2004, at his home in Greenville. He was 75.

Born to the late Thomas and Sarah Wilson in Mayersville, Mr. Wilson was a former Vicksburg resident. He had attended St. Mary’s Catholic School while in Vicksburg and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greenville.

He is survived by his wife, Josetta Wilson; a daughter, Cecilia Wheatley; four sons, Samuel Rankin, Robert Rankin, Willie Rankin and Gregory Wilson; a stepdaughter, Mary-Helen Franklin; 10 grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greenville. Burial will follow at Lakewood Cemetery under the direction of Redmon Funeral Home.

Visitation will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.