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.

Claude William Grimes Sr.

TALLULAH — Claude William Grimes Sr. died Monday, Dec. 31, 2007, at Nichols Center Nursing Home in Madison. He was 90.

Born in Pelahatchie, Mr. Grimes had lived in Tallulah most of his life. He was a retired U.S. Postal Service employee. He was a member of First Baptist Church and Tallulah Masonic Lodge No. 308.

Survivors include his wife, Juel Mae Grimes of Madison; one son, Claude W. “Bill” Grimes Jr. of Tyler, Texas; three stepsons, John Mallett of Houston, Texas, Keith Mallett of Jackson and Chuck Mallett of Knoxville, Tenn.; one grandson; and one great-granddaughter.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Silver Cross Cemetery in Tallulah with the Rev. John W. Rushing officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of Crothers-Glenwood Funeral Home.

Visitation will be at the funeral home from 1 until the service.

Pallbearers will be Donald Herman, Charlie Herman and members of Tallulah Masonic Lodge No. 308.

Patty Darby McPhail

ROLLING FORK — Patty Darby McPhail died Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, at River Region Medical Center. She was 45.

A homemaker, Mrs. McPhail was a native of Coffeeville and had lived in the Rolling Fork area since 1981. She was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy in Tallula, Miss.

She is survived by her husband, Sully McPhail of Rolling Fork; one son, Wayne McPhail of Rolling Fork; one daughter, Raychel McPhail of Rolling Fork; a brother, Ted Darby of Hernando; two sisters, Debbie Gullick and Lynn Brooks, both of Senatobia; and other relatives.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Glenwood Funeral Home in Rolling Fork with the Rev. Elizabeth Franklin officiating. Burial will follow at County Line Cemetery in Glen Allan.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 tonight at the funeral home in Rolling Fork.

Pallbearers will be Rodney Edwards Sr., Rodney Edwards Jr., Johnny Miller, Casey Miller, Buford McPhail and James “Sonny” Franklin.

Freddie L. Owens

MORTON — Freddie L. Owens died Monday, Dec. 31, 2007, at St. Dominic Jackson Memorial Hospital. He was 66.

A Vicksburg native, Mr. Owens had been a resident of Morton. He received a bachelor of science degree from Alcorn State University, a master of science degree from Tuskegee University and his educational specialist degree from Mississippi State University.

He taught vocational agriculture at Bettye Mae Jack High School in Morton and retired as an agriculture instructor from the Forest-Scott County Vocational Center. He was serving as assistant state supervisor of agricultural education for the Mississippi Department of Education and was serving his fourth term as alderman for the City of Morton. He was mayor pro-tem for Morton and was a member of the Morton Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Owens was a member and deacon at Oak Chapel M.B. Church. He was past president of the Scott County Association of Educators and the Scott County Educators Federal Credit Union. He was past president and business manager of the Scott County Alcorn Alumni Association, He was past first vice president and second vice president of the ASU National Alumni Association and had served as vice chairman of the Scott County Democratic Executive Committee.

He was a life member and president of the Alcorn National Alumni Association. He had served as chairman of the Alcorn National Award Committee and was a member of the Alcorn Liaison Recruiters team and the Alcorn State University “A” Club. He received the Faithful Service Award from the ASU National Alumni in 1985, the President Club Award in 1987 and the John A. Peoples-Walter Washington Humanitarian Award in 2001.

Mr. Owens was a member of Paragon Masonic Lodge No. 7, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., East Central Planning and Development Board, the Mississippi Association of Educators, the National Education Association, the American Vocational Association, the Mississippi Vocational Association and the First Certified Municipal Officials.

He was inducted into the ASU Hall of Honor in 1995 and was a veteran of the Army.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Ora Cook Owens.

He is survived by his wife, Annie Horton Owens of Morton.

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