Robert Elvin Ford

Robert Elvin “Buddy” Ford died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004, at his home. He was 62.

Born in Utica, Mr. Ford retired from LeTourneau in 2001. He was of the Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Lena Bell Lott and Joy Farmer.

He is survived by his wife, Rita Kyzar Ford of Vicksburg; one daughter, Lynne Ervin of Vicksburg; one son, Robert E. “Bob” Ford Jr. of Vicksburg; his parents, Elvin Wilson and Helen Tompkins Ford of Utica; two brothers, Ray Ford of Utica and Jeff Ford of Biloxi; two sisters, Marianne Russell of Brandon and Eloise Cook of Utica; five grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

A private burial is planned.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 tonight at Riles Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Charles Edwards Hayes

NATCHEZ Charles Edwards Hayes died Saturday, Nov. 13, 2004, at Community Hospital in Natchez. He was 49.

A resident of Natchez, Mr. Hayes was a logger and was a member of the choir at Bell Hill Methodist Church in Union Church.

He was preceded in death by his father, Oscho Hayes; and his mother, Louvertha Washington.

Survivors include his wife, Ella Hayes of Natchez; three stepsons, Gene Robinson and Stephen Robinson, both of Atlanta, Ga., and Marcus Robinson of Dallas, Texas; a daughter, Kimberly Robinson of Natchez; two brothers, Samuel Hayes and Truly Hayes, both of Fayette; two sisters, Bettie Hayes and Ruth Ann Hayes, both of Fayette; six grandchildren; nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Bell Hill United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jimmy McClinton officiating. Burial will follow at Hickory Block Cemetery under the direction of Rollins Funeral Home in Fayette.

Visitation will be until 7 tonight at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Malcolm Hayes, Calvin Marbley, Herman Wade and Larry Wilson.

Friends of the family will serve as honorary pallbearers.

D.N. Kelley Sr.

D.N. “Donald” Kelley Sr. died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004, at River Region Medical Center. He was 72.

Mr. Kelley was the son of the late Albert Rene and Ruby Mae Harper Kelley. He owned and operated Kelley Construction Co. for more than 35 years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Justin Ryan Field.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, JoAnn Keen Kelley of Vicksburg; three daughters, Donna Field, Renee Flaharty and Karleen Wigley, all of Vicksburg; a son, Nelson Kelley of Vicksburg; and seven grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Riles Funeral Home with the Rev. Mark Rowlen, associate pastor of Bowmar Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Green Acres Memorial Park.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. Thursday until the service at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Charles Crigger, John McCullough, Billy Hearn, Larry Burroughs, Newell Simrall III, Hosie Thomas Jr., Glenn Wells and Mike McCullough.

Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Griffin, Keith Keen, Bubba Johnson, Mike Craft, Robert Barnes, Bill Harris, Glenn McKay, Bill Field Sr., Robby Potts, Dawn Carney, Phares Griffin, Dr. Eugene Ferris and Dr. Jodie Wilson.

Thomas W. Scott

Services for Thomas W. Scott will be at noon Thursday at W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home with the Rev. Casey Fisher officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Scott died Friday, Nov. 12, 2004, at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson. He was 81.

Mr. Scott was born in Pattison and was retired as a forklift operator from Georgia-Pacific in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he lived for 52 years. He had been a Vicksburg resident for a number of years.

He was a veteran of the Army, serving in World War II. He was of the Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Lenora Edwards Scott; his wife, Maggie Scott; and one sister, Willie B. Scott.

He is survived by two stepsons, Freddy Harris of Grand Rapids and Jerry Harris of Kalamazoo, Mich.; a stepdaughter, Amy Harris of Grand Rapids; two brothers, Johnnie C. Scott of Vicksburg and Bob E. Scott of Chicago; one sister, Elsie Mae Scott of Vicksburg; six stepgrandchildren; one stepgreat-grandchild; and nieces and nephews.

Ernest Walton Sr.

Ernest Walton Sr. died Monday, Nov. 15, 2004, at River Region West. He was 72.

A resident of Vicksburg, Mr. Walton was an Army veteran of World War II. He was retired from Waterways Experiment Station and was a member of Cool Spring Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Maynard and Elizabeth Ratliff Walton; and three brothers, William Walton, Joseph Walton and Johnell Walton.

Survivors include his wife, Josephine Nailor Walton of Vicksburg; a son, Ernest Walton Jr. of San Jose, Calif.; a stepson, Charles Bracey of San Jose; five stepdaughters, Ruby Hall, Helen King and Bernadine Bracey, all of Vicksburg, and Augustine Boles and Hilda Gleese, both of Detroit; grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.