Walter Alton Cupstid Jr.

Walter Alton Cupstid Jr. died peacefully Thursday, April 28, 2005, at his home after a brief illness. He was 86.

Born in Columbia, Miss., Mr. Cupstid served in the Pacific Theatre of World War II with the Army Air Forces as a radio operator from 1942-1945. He began his career with the Vicksburg District Corps of Engineers in August 1947 and retired in 1980 as a budget analyst. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Mill Pond Hunting Club, American Legion and the VFW.

Mr. Cupstid was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Christell Williamson Cupstid; two sisters, Erma Arnett and Hester Nielson; two brothers, Robert Cupstid and Charles Cupstid; and a great-nephew, Chad Dunagin.

Though he had no children of his own, he was father to his niece, Betty Cupstid Dunagin, and her children, Stanley, Chad and Christie, honoring them with his time, wisdom, love and devotion.

Survivors include his brothers, Joe Cupstid of Vicksburg, Henry Cupstid of Bay Springs, Miss., and Billy Cupstid of Grand Bay, Ala.; sister, Roberta Wood of Mize, Miss.; and nieces, Betty Dunagin of North Richland Hills, Texas, and Lynette Fuller of Vicksburg. He is also survived by grand-nieces and nephews, Stanley Dunagin of Shreveport, Texas, Christie Dunagin of North Richland Hills and Corey Fuller of Vicksburg.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Glenwood Funeral Home with Dr. Matt Buckles and Dr. John G. McCall officiating.

Visitation will be Sunday from 2 until 5 p.m.

Interment will be at Green Acres Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Stanley Dunagin, Dykes Cupstid, Jimmy Cupstid, Corey Fuller, Ronnie Fuller and Dee Smelley.

Honorary pallbearers will be John Luckett, Joe Crow, Bill Barner and member of the Mill Pond Hunting Club.

Leila Harris Marsalis

Leila Harris Marsalis died Thursday, April 28, 2005, at Central Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. She was 86.

Mrs. Marsalis was born in Vicksburg to the late William H. Harris and Eugenia Packwood Dreher Harris. She graduated from Jett High School in 1936 and was a longtime resident of Port Gibson. Mrs. Marsalis was a retired social director for the Claiborne County Hospital and was a member of the Claiborne County Home Extension Club and the Learned United Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Marsalis Sr.; a son, James E. Marsalis Jr.; two grandchildren; and two brothers, Harvey Harris and Robert Harris.

Mrs. Marsalis is survived by two daughters, Eugenia Camille “Jeanie” Hynum of Learned and Alice Catherine Seals of Abilene, Texas; two sons, Watson Turner Marsalis of Learned and Charles Hasie Marsalis of Port Gibson; 17 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, James Harris of Vicksburg and John Harris of Jackson.

Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Riles Funeral Home with the Rev. Mitchell McDonald, pastor of the Raymond United Methodist Church, and Dr. Bill Barcley, pastor of the Learned Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be at the funeral home from 1 p.m. Sunday until the hour of the service.

Memorials may be made to the Learned United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 64, Raymond, MS 39154.

Pallbearers will be Russell Marsalis, Stuart Marsalis, Charles Marsalis Jr., Jeffrey Hynum, Jason Hynum, Jonathan Hynum, Jonah Hynum and Matt Gray.