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.

William Spencer Banks Jr.

William Spencer Banks Jr. died Saturday, June 4, 2005, at River Region Medical Center. He was 83.

Mr. Banks was retired from Blackburn Motor Co. He was a member and trustee of Pleasant Green M.B. Church. He was an honorary member of Grove Street M.B. Church.

He was preceded in death by his father, William Spencer Banks Sr.; his mother, Olivia White; a brother, James Lee Banks; and a sister, Gertrude Bailey.

Survivors include two brothers, Clarence Banks of Madera, Calif., and Melvin Banks of Flint, Mich.; a sister, Bettye Odom of Chicago; and other relatives, including members of the Peaches family of Vicksburg and the Bailey and Banks families of Fayette.

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

Billy James Ford

DELHI – Billy James Ford died Saturday, June 4, 2005, at his home in Epps, La. He was 68.

A former longtime resident of Delhi, Mr. Ford was retired from the Delhi Boat Plant. He was a member of Dunn Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Albert Ford and Ava Elizabeth Beasley Ford.

He is survived by his wife, Adelia T. Ford of Epps; two sons, David Wayne Ford and Michael Lane Ford, both of Delhi; two brothers, Gene Ford of Monroe, La., and Ray Ford of Alexandria, La.; three grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. today at Dunn Baptist Church with the Revs. Bernard Duchesne Jr. and Eddie Fuller officiating. Burial will follow at Epps Cemetery under the direction of Cox Funeral Home of Delhi.

Pallbearers will be Barry Ford, David McVay, Darren Ford, Edd Miles, Freddie Corley and Ken Hall.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Adult Men’s Sunday school class at Dunn Baptist Church.

Edward L. Nerren Sr.

BELZONI – Edward L. Nerren Sr. died Sunday, June 5, 2005, at his home in Humphreys County. He was 89.

Mr. Nerren had lived in Humphreys County since 1954 and was one of the county’s first catfish farmers. He was a veteran of World War II and a longtime member of the Church of Christ of Belzoni. He was a member of the Humphreys County Farm Bureau Board and the Board of Directors of Delta Western.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Y. Nerren.

Survivors include a son, Edward L. Nerren Jr. of Isola; two daughters, Kay Holman of Vicksburg and Judy Evans of Kosciusko; one brother, James Nerren of Monroe; two sisters, Jewell Davidson of Senatobia and Mattie Lou Monroe of Huntsville, Ala.; and nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Mortimer Funeral Home in Belzoni with George Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Greencrest Gardens.

Visitation will be from 6 until 8 tonight at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or a favorite charity.

Bettye Jo Phifer

Bettye Jo Phifer died Saturday, June 4, 2005, at her home. She was 65.

A lifelong resident of Vicksburg, Mrs. Phifer was a 1958 graduate of Carr Central High School. She began her career with the Vicksburg Chapter of the American Red Cross as a volunteer and later served as executive director. She was a member and past president of the Vicksburg Optimist Club.

She was a member of Hawkins United Methodist Church, serving as a Sunday school teacher, youth leader and on numerous boards. She was a member of the United Women’s Night Circle.

She is survived by her husband, Pete Phifer of Vicksburg; two daughters, Tracey Phifer James of Vicksburg and Shannon Phifer Holbrook of Sacramento, Calif.; one sister, Judy Jones of Vicksburg; and one grandchild.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Hawkins United Methodist Church with the Rev. Richard Robbins officiating. Visitation will be from 1 until the service at the church.

Glenwood Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Hawkins United Methodist Church, 3736 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180 or to the American Red Cross, Vicksburg Area Chapter, 908 Cherry St., Vicksburg, MS 39183.