The Vicksburg Post prints obituaries in news form for area residents, their family members and for former residents at no charge. Families wishing to publish additional information or to use specific wording have the option of a paid obituary.

Herman Cassel Jr.

DELHI – Herman Cassel Jr. died Sunday, May 22, 2005, at Richland Parish Hospital in Delhi. He was 64.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman Cassel Jr. and Katherine Margaret Cassel.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley Ann Ross Cassel of Delhi; two sons, Toney A. Cassel and Shannon D. Cassel, both of Georgetown, Texas; one brother, Valter Cassel of Summertown, Tenn.; one sister, Ruthie Cassel Boone of Delhi; two grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Cox Funeral Home Chapel in Delhi with the Rev. William Robert Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at Crowville Masonic Cemetery in Crowville. Visitation will be from 5 until 9 this evening at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Gary Young, Robert W. Murphy, Gregory Cook, DeWayne McKinney, Charlie Purvis, Shane Holley, Valter Boone and Ronnie Boone.

Jason E. Cole

MAGEE – Jason E. Cole died Saturday, May 21, 2005, in Cleveland. He was 25.

Mr. Cole was a native of Morehead, Ky. He was a 1998 graduate of Magee High School. He was employed as a co-manager for Wal-Mart in Clarksdale.

Survivors include his wife, Ashley Cole of Jackson; one daughter, Zoe Cole of Jackson; his mother, Brenda Kay Blakeney and stepfather, Mitchell Blakeney, both of Laurel; his father, Elbert Cole of Olivehill, Ky.; one sister, Amanda Kay Cole of Mize; his grandmother, Eva Mae White and stepgrandfather, John White, both of Vicksburg; his grandfather, Harlen Skaggs of Olivehill; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel in Ridgeland. Burial will follow at Parkway Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 this evening and from 10 a.m. Wednesday until the hour of service.

John London Gayles

Services for John London “Plucky” Gayles will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Stephen A.M.E. Church, 2248 Washington Blvd. in Chicago, under the direction of Griffin Funeral Home of Chicago.

Visitation will be from 1 until 7 tonight with family hour from 5 until 7 at Lakeview Funeral Home in Vicksburg.

Mr. Gayles died Saturday, May 21, 2005, at his home. He was 83.

Mr. Gayles was born in Houston, Texas, to John Wesley Gayles and Willie Mae Meadows. He attended Washington Elementary in Keithville, La., and Cannon Land Elementary in Shreveport, La. He relocated in 1933 to Chicago, where he attended Rogers Elementary. He graduated as salutatorian and class president from Medill High School in 1939.

He joined Tercentenary A.M.E. Church, where he was a member of the choir and male quartet. He later joined St. Stephen A.M.E. Church, serving as steward. He moved to Vicksburg in 1989 and attended Bethel A.M.E. Church.

Mr. Gayles joined the 8th Infantry Regiment of the Illinois National Guard and was called to active duty in 1941. He served in the 92nd Infantry Division during the Italian Campaign and the Army occupation of West Germany. He attended the USAREUR School, becoming an interrogator in 1952. He retired with the rank of major.

He received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1964 from Chicago Teachers College and a master of arts degree in geography in 1970 from Chicago State College. He worked in the Chicago Public School System, teaching social studies at Dyett Upper Grade Center and later serving as district supervisor of the Junior ROTC. He was an adjunct instructor in geography at Chicago State University and retired after 25 years of service.

After moving to Vicksburg, Mr. Gayles worked in soft count for the casino industry. He also tutored GED students at Good Shepherd Community Center.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mildred Gayles; and one grandson, William Todd Wallace.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Dr. Allene Demby Gayles of Vicksburg; one daughter, Dr. Yolanda Deane Gayles Wallace of Chicago; one son, Reginald Roger Gayles of Chicago; a stepson, Michael Demby-Cain of Mahwah, N.J.; three grandchildren; a niece he reared, Aisha Chane Demby of Vicksburg; and friends and other relatives, including Judy Holland of Los Angeles.

Memorials may be made to Bethel A.M.E. Church Restoration Project, 805 Monroe St., Vicksburg, MS 39183.

Annie Mae Harrell

KILBOURNE, La. – Annie Mae Harrell died Sunday, May 22, 2005, at Delta Regional Medical Center in Greenville. She was 74.

Mrs. Harrell had lived most of her life in Kilbourne, La.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Aaron Tullos and Edna Mae Harper Tullos.

She is survived by her husband, Earnest Harrell of Kilbourne; one son, Ken Harrell of Kilbourne; one daughter, Barbara Bartlett of Kilbourne; a brother, John A. Tullos; a sister, Stella Calderon; and four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Kilbourne Methodist Church with Gary Traylor and the Rev. Will Sheffield officiating. Burial will follow at Kilbourne Cemetery under the direction of Cox Funeral Home in Oak Grove.

Pallbearers will be Don Murray, Leonard Best, Michael Best, Gene Dye, John Stanley and Bill Langston.

Dr. John H. Roberson

NEWELLTON – Dr. John H. Roberson died Monday, May 23, 2005, at his home in Newellton. He was 62.

Dr. Roberson was born in Natchez and lived in Tensas Parish most of his life. He was a graduate of Louisiana State University and Auburn University. He served as Coroner of Tensas Parish for more than ten years. He worked as a biologist for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. He was owner and operator of Tensas Animal Hospital in Tallulah and Newellton since 1975. He was a member of the Louisiana Veterinary Association and Ducks Unlimited.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John H. Roberson Sr. and Mary Lyle Miller Roberson.

Survivors include his wife, Bettie Will Whitaker Roberson of Newellton; one son, Dr. John Joseph Roberson of Monroe; two daughters, Jennifer R. Ginn of West Monroe and Amy R. Smith of Corinth, Texas; one sister, Patsy R. Gray of St. Joseph; and four grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Legion Cemetery with the Rev. Clyde Ray Webber officiating. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 this evening at Crothers-Glenwood Funeral Home in Tallulah.

Pallbearers will be cousins, Lyle Miller, Fred Miller Jr., Randy Miller, Andy Anders, Doug Miller, William David Miller, Tommy Nelson and Burton Wade Jr.

Memorials may be made to Dr. Walter J. Ernst Jr. Veterinary Memorial Foundation, 8550 United Plaza Blvd., Suite 1001, Baton Rouge, La. 70809 or the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 4196, Monroe, La. 71211.