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.

Laura Shingler Hester.

Laura Shingler Hester, 84, died after a brief illness Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2006, at River Region Medical Center.

Visitation services will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday at Frank J. Fisher Funeral Home.

Mrs. Hester was a native of Vicksburg and was the wife of the late Jess Eugene Hester and the daughter of the late Thomas Shingler and Bessie Cockrell Shingler.

Her career was being a mother and a wife, both of which she did with all of her heart.

Survivors include a daughter, Shirley A. Smith of Jackson; a son, James Wilburn Smith of Jackson; a son, Clarence Phillip Smith of New Orleans; a daughter, Alice Cecile May of Florence; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a stepson, Harvey Eugene Hester of Vicksburg; and members of the Miller family, Carrie, Peggy, Colby and Taylor, who held a place in her heart.

Memorials may be made to the Vicksburg Convalescent Home, 1708 Cherry St., Vicksburg, MS 39180.

Elvia Burnett Johnson.

Elvia Burnett Johnson died Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006, at Vicksburg Convalescent Home. She was 90.

A homemaker, Mrs. Johnson was a graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic High School. She was of the Baptist faith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Burnett Sr. and Lillie Burnett Chatman; her husband, Elmer Johnson Sr.; a son, Ernest Johnson; and two brothers, John Burnett Jr. and Andrew Burnett.

She is survived by a son, Elmer Johnson Jr. of Vicksburg; one brother, Howard L. Burnett of San Diego, Calif.; three grandchildren, including Flora M. Johnson of Vicksburg whom she reared; eight great-grandchildren; and other relatives, including members of the Barnes and Burnett families of Vicksburg.

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

Thomas James Jordan.

DIAMONDHEAD, Miss. – Thomas James Jordan died Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006, at Gulfport Memorial Hospital. He was 57.

Mr. Jordan was a native of Galveston, Texas. He retired from the Army after 25 years, including a tour in Vietnam. He had been a resident of Diamondhead, Miss., for the past 10 years and was employed at the Beau Rivage Hotel.

He is survived by his wife, Scarlett W. Jordan of Diamondhead.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Glenwood Funeral Home in Port Gibson with the Rev. Johnny Ray Dear officiating. Burial will follow at Hermanville Cemetery.

Visitation will be from noon Friday until the service at the funeral home.

Richard Otis.

Services for Richard &#8220Jay” Otis will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at New Rock of Ages M.B. Church. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1 until 6 p.m. Friday at Dillon-Chisley Funeral Home and Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. until the service.

Mr. Otis died Thursday, Nov. 9, 2006, at River Region Medical Center. He was 94.

He was a retired truck driver for Swift Packing Company and was a member of King David No. 1 Missionary Baptist Church, where he was chairman of the deacon board for more than 62 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maggie Fisher Otis; and two sons, George Wesley &#8220G.W.” Otis and Kevin Wesley Otis.

Survivors include one son, Clarence Otis Sr. of Carson, Calif.; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Floyd S. Sims.

Services for Floyd S. Sims will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home with the Rev. Josef Kevin Hardwick officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6 until 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Mr. Sims died Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006, at his home. He was 72.

A native of Warren County, Mr. Sims was a retired electrician. He served in the Army and the Air Force for nine years and was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was of the Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Martha Sims Price; two brothers, McKinley Sims and Leroy Sims; and three sisters, Willie Sims Woods, Blanche Sims Williams and Clara Sims Smith.

Survivors include four sons, Gregory Slaughter, Michael Slaughter, David Hartman and Bobby Ellis; five daughters, Patricia Parker, Belinda Slaughter Parker, Stephanie Sims Lang, Stephanie Slaughter and Joy Ellis; three brothers, Albert Sims, Fred Sims and Henry D. Price; three sisters, Gladys Sims Cross, Thelma Sims Dukes and Velma Sims Hardwick; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.