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.

Katie Mae Bass

Katie Mae Bass died Thursday, March 6, 2008, at River Region Medical Center. She was 76.

A longtime resident of Vicksburg, Ms. Bass was a member of Shady Grove M.B. Church and a retired cook.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tommy Bass Sr. and Daisy Mae Sampson Barnes; two sisters, Carolyn Shaye Hudson and Betty Bass Thomas; a brother, Tommy Bass Jr.; a son, Roosevelt Brown; and her stepmother, Louvinia Brown.

Survivors include her daughter, Bernice Bass of Vicksburg; two sons, Leon Stewart of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Abraham Stewart of Greenville; six sisters, Lorine Ringo, Carolyn Faye Franklin, Geraldine Larkin and Elbert Lee King, all of Vicksburg, and Rose Marshall and Clementine Thomas, both of Aurora, Ill.; five brothers, Jack Thomas, Robert Bass, Jimmy Bass and Elbert Brown Jr., all of Vicksburg, and Emmanuel Bass of Aurora; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends, including Eva Jones, Brenda Stanton and Ollie Brown.

Lakeview Memorial Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Annie Mae Dorsey

Services for Annie Mae Dorsey will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Bright Morning Star M.B. Church with the Rev. Reginald Harris officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 until 6 p.m. today at Lakeview Memorial Funeral Home with family present from 5 until 6.

Mrs. Dorsey died Tuesday, March 4, 2008, at River Region Medical Center. She was 91.

Mrs. Dorsey was a retired caretaker and former employee of Marie’s For Fashions for a number of years. She was a member of Bright Morning Star Baptist Church and a longtime resident of Vicksburg.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charley and Emma Johnson; her husband, Wash Dorsey Jr.; two sons, Charles Dorsey and Jimmie Lee Dorsey; her sister, Geneva Dixon; and two brothers, Dave Johnson and Charlie Johnson.

She is survived by four sons, Eddie L. Dorsey and Wash Dorsey III, both of Vicksburg, Johnny L. Dorsey of Clarksville, Tenn., and Bobby L., Dorsey of Texarkana, Texas; two daughters, Freddie B. Brown of Texarkana and Ada M. Harris of Vicksburg; 20 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Anna E. Herrington

Anna E. Herrington died Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. She was 84.

Mrs. Herrington was a native of Grimsley, Tenn., and had been a Vicksburg resident for 50 years. She retired from Waterways Experiment Station.

She was an active member of Gibson Memorial Methodist Church and the Joy Fellowship, Methodist Cursillo, Salvation Army Auxiliary and National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe F. Herrington.

She is survived by two daughters, Jody Dykes and husband Gary of Vicksburg and Wanda Chappell and husband Ben of Memphis; grandchildren, Todd and Lou Ann Dykes and Dr. Calvin and Dana Masterson, all of Vicksburg, and Larry and Denise Futrell and Darin Chappell, all of Memphis; great-grandchildren, Raegan Dykes and Joshua, Jonah, Anna McKenzie, Olivia and Sophie Masterson, all of Vicksburg, and Eden Futrell of Memphis; and her loving caretakers, Karla Creighton and Phyllis Tingle.

Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Gibson Memorial United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Green Acres Memorial Park under the direction of Glenwood Funeral Home.

Visitation will be at the church Saturday from 9 a.m. until the hour of the service.

Pallbearers will be Bob Armstrong, Dr. Paul Ballard, Bill Flathau, Charles Haley, Donald Oakes, Tom Shreve and Marvin Anderson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Pastor Mike Fields, Dr. Lee Giffin, Dr. Calvin Masterson, Erwin and Sylvia Baylot, members of Cursillo and members of Gibson Memorial Methodist Church.

Memorials may be made to Gibson Memorial United Methodist Church.

Charles E. Kirby

ROLLING FORK — Charles E. Kirby died Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at Sharkey-Issaquena Hospital after a long battle with cancer. He was 77.

He attended Rolling Fork High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving from 1950 until 1954 and in the Korean Conflict. When he returned home, he was involved in farming and also managed cotton gins. Later he and his wife, Betty, owned and operated a general repair business in Rolling Fork for 40 years. After retiring, he was a maintenance supervisor for Service Lumber Co.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Rolling Fork and a former deacon of the church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Lola Kirby; and a brother, Leonard Kirby.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Betty Catledge Kirby of Rolling Fork; daughter, Joy Burt of Mexia, Ala.; three sons, Randy Kirby, Tim Kirby and Cliff Kirby, all of Rolling Fork; brother, Calvin Kirby of Lake Ozark, Mo.; two sisters, Florine Collins of Hattiesburg and Gloria Thomas of Greenville; and two granddaughters, Ashley Pharr of Sumter, S.C., and Melissa Burt of Auburn, Ala.

Graveside services will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Mound Cemetery in Rolling Fork. Visitation will be at Glenwood Funeral Home in Rolling Fork from 10 a.m. Saturday until the hour of the service. Officiating will be the Rev. Reese Kyzar.

Pallbearers will be Bobby Sandifer, Phillip Hester, George Mahalitc, Leland Catledge, Larry Catledge and Marty Long.

Memorials may be made to the Baptist Children’s Village, P.O. Box 27, Clinton, MS 39060-0027.

Margaret Turnipseed Odom

PORT GIBSON — Margaret “Mot” Turnipseed Odom died Saturday, March 1, 2008, at St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital. She was 53.

Mrs. Odom was a member of New Christian Fellowship and was employed at Grand Gulf for a number of years.

She was preceded in death by her father, David “Lab” Turnipseed.

She is survived by a son, Reginald Odom of Port Gibson; a daughter, Akilah Odom of Dallas; her mother, Margaret Eloise Hall of Indianapolis, Ind.; nine sisters, Belinda Turnipseed-Alexander of Aubrey, Texas, Jacqueline Harris of Fontana, Calif., Barbara Martin of Port Gibson, Lula Edwards of Carrollton, Texas, Tina Nance of Lewisville, Texas, Tiffany Turnipseed of Denton, Texas, Yolanda Turnipseed of Oakland, Calif., and Robin Weddington and Daydriann Blackmon, both of Indianapolis; two brothers, Willie “Bill” Turnipseed of Frisco, Texas, and Calvin Walker of Philadelphia, Pa.; three grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Port Gibson High School gymnasium with the Rev. Randy Burge of New Christian Fellowship officiating. Burial will follow at the Turnipseed Family Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1 until 6 p.m. today at Thompson Funeral Home and Saturday at the school from 10 a.m. until the service.

Dewayne E. Palmer

Services for Dewayne E. Palmer will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Williams Funeral Service with the Rev. Robert Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 until 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mr. Palmer died Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, at River Region Medical Center. He was 42.

Mr. Palmer was of the Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Ethel Brown and John Ross; and paternal grandparents, Willie and Regina England.

Survivors include his parents, Johnny England and Millard Palmer Cosby; his stepfather, Willie Lynn; one brother, Halbert Cosby of Vicksburg; four sisters, Constance McCoy, Paula Williams and Angela Palmer, all of Vicksburg, and Hope Williams of Atlanta; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, including Patrick Smith of Jackson.

Hester Reeder

PORT GIBSON — Hester Reeder died Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at Claiborne County Hospital. She was 74.

She is survived her husband, Sam Reeder of Port Gibson; a son, Anthony Turner of Winder, Ga.; three daughters, Angela Goods of Port Gibson, Rosalie Thompson of Jacksonville, Fla., and Carol Alexander of Columbus, Ga.; three sisters, Johnnie L. McCay of Pattison, and Inez Washington and Mary L. Taylor, both of Chicago; one brother, Louis Ruffin of North Chicago; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, including Elaine Ellis of Hermanville.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mountro Grove M.B. Church in Hermanville with the Rev. Horace McBride officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 until 6 p.m. Friday at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel and Saturday from 1 p.m. until service time at the church.

Allen D. Rooke Jr.

VICTORIA, Texas — Allen D. Rooke Jr. died Wednesday, March 5, 2008, in Victoria, Texas. He was 83.

Mr. Rooke was a retired brigadier general from the U.S. Army with years of active and reserve serve. He was a platoon leader in the Philippine Islands in World War II and later in artillery. He retired as a deputy commander from the Corps of Engineers 112th Engineer Command. He worked as a civil engineer for the former Waterways Experiment Station for 25 years.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Rooke of Victoria; two daughters, Cornelia Rooke and Vicki Lewis, both of Vicksburg; two granddaughters; and five great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Moore Funeral Home in Refugio, Texas. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Refugio. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 tonight at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Hugh Thomas, Robby Thomas, Scotty Carter, Becky Rooke, Molly Rooke, Frank Scanio III and Cam Carter.

Honorary pallbearers will be Glenn Harsdorff, Bill Lamson, Fritz Harsdorff, Robert Rooke, Don Reed and Delbert Cox.

Memorials may be made to favorite charities.

Ervin Smith Jr.

Services for Ervin Smith Jr. will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Kings Community Empowerment Center. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be today from noon until 7 p.m. at Lakeview Memorial Funeral Home.

Mr. Smith died Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, at Covenant Health and Rehab of Vicksburg. He was 73.

He was a member of Mount Zion Church No. 4 for 43 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary L. Smith; a daughter, Beverly O’Neal; and his parents, Millie F. Smith and Ervin Smith Sr.

Survivors include seven sons, Albert Sweet II, Jimmy Sweet, Raymond Sweet, Larry Sweet and Anthony Sweet, all of Vicksburg, the Rev. Michael Sweet of Jackson and Ervin Sweet of Tupelo; five daughters, Dorothy Felix, Vanessa Thompson, Deneese Williams and Debra Diane Taylor, all of Vicksburg, and Mary “Tina” Brown of Shreveport, La.; two brothers, Henry Smith of Vicksburg and Charles Smith of Chicago; three sisters, Rose Mary Smith and Ethel Mary Hughes, both of Vicksburg, and Lady M. Seilheimr of Seattle; and grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends, including Roberta Williams of Vicksburg.

Otho Thomas

Otho “Ray” Thomas died Thursday, March 6, 2008, at River Region Medical Center. He was 78 years old.

Mr. Thomas was born in Warren County on Oct. 5, 1929, to James A. and Mabel Hilderbrand Thomas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lula Cagle Thornton Thomas; one brother, James Thomas; and four sisters, Pauline Rule, Lois Simrall, Lione Elmore and Lela Zook.

He is survived by brothers, Anthony B. “Bill” Thomas of Vicksburg and Kenneth “Woodrow” Thomas of Memphis. Additionally, he is survived by numerous nieces and nephews; his primary caregiver, niece Patricia Simrall of Yokena; and special friends, the W.T. Ewell family of Yokena.

Mr. Thomas was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served in the U.S. Army. He retired from Marathon-LeTourneau as a machinist after 35-plus years. He was an avid sportsman; he enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially catfishing. He was also a former member of the Old Stagg Hunting Club and the VFW. He was of the Baptist faith.

Visitation will be at Fisher Funeral Home Saturday, March 8, 2008, from 9 a.m. until the hour of the service at 10 a.m. in the chapel. The Rev. Dural Ragsdale will officiate. Burial will follow at Green Acres Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Warren Ratcliff, Will Ratcliff, Mike King, Jimmy Cogan, Mike Cogan and Bo-D Massey.

Honorary pallbearers will be C.J. Cogan, George Rowell, George Callon, Claude Bagby Sr., Henry Thornton Jr. and Tina Henderson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Porters Chapel United Methodist Church, 200 Porters Chapel Road, Vicksburg, MS or the Mississippi Wildlife Heritage Fund, c/o Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, P.O. Box 451, Jackson, MS 39205-0451.

John White

PORT GIBSON — John White died Monday, March 3, 2008 at Claiborne County Hospital. He was 69.

He was preceded in death a daughter, Caroline King; three brothers, Eugene White, Robert White and Jimmy White; a sister, Johnnie R. Smith.

He is survived by his wife, Andrea White of Pattison; six daughters, Kylia White and Delona White, both of Pattison, Barbara Evans of Perry Hall, Md., Delana Johnson of Hermanville, Jacqueline Johnson of Houston and Zedra Johnson of Detroit; three sons, Alonzo King, Johnny King and Ronnie Johnson, all of Detroit; two stepsons, Andrew Windmon and Izza Anderson Jr., both of Pattison; three brothers, Cleo White of Detroit, Alonzo White and Charlie White Sr., both of Houston; three sisters, Myrtle T. Walker and Willanna Burrell, both of Hermanville, and Alice Walker of Port Gibson; and grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Mountro Grove M.B. Church in Hermanville with the Rev. Horace McBride officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 until 6 p.m. Saturday at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel and Sunday from 1 p.m. until service time at the church.

Robert Lee Williams Sr.

LORMAN — Robert Lee Williams Sr. died Tuesday, March 4, 2008, at Natchez Regional Hospital. He was 74.

Mississippi’s first black elected official after Reconstruction, Mr. Williams was on the Jefferson County School Board for 29 years and had served as president. He was employed at Alcorn State University for 25 years. He was a member, deacon and secretary at Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvester and Joanna Gilcrest Williams; two sisters, Pernola Dixon and Phillimine Hargrove; and two brothers, Moseville Williams and Henry O. Williams.

He survived by his wife, Wilma Williams of Lorman; three sons, Robert Lee Williams Jr. and Dennis Williams Sr., both of Lorman, and Philvester Williams of Terry; two daughters, Sheila Brinkley of Fayette and Meshell Smith of Jackson; a granddaughter he reared, Atrice King of Lorman; two brothers, Mitchell Williams Sr. of Lorman and Sylvester Williams of Gary, Ind.; two sisters, Hulda Johnson of Vicksburg and Mary Bottley of Gary; 10 grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives, including James A. Brown of Vicksburg.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Jefferson County High School auditorium with the Rev. Frank Curtis of Greater Mount Zion M.B. Church in Rodney officiating. Burial will follow at Travelers Rest Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 until 6 p.m. Saturday at Thompson Funeral Home in Port Gibson and Sunday at the school from 1 p.m. until the service.

Eliza Mae Wright

JACKSON — Services for Eliza Mae Wright will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at New Mount Pilgrim M.B. Church, 501 Poplar St. Burial will follow at China Grove Cemetery in the Oak Ridge community. Visitation will be from 2 until 6 p.m. today at Dillon-Chisley Funeral Home and Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. until the service.

Mrs. Wright died Monday, March 3, 2008, at Central Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. She was 71.

Formerly of Vicksburg, Mrs. Wright was a member of New Mount Pilgrim M.B. Church. She was a licensed practical nurse, having retired from Kuhn Memorial State Hospital. She had also worked as a nursing instructor at American College.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Wright; a daughter, Annie May Wright; three brothers, Jessie Wilson, John Wilson and Countee Wilson Sr.; and her parents, Jessie and Corine Wilson.

Survivors include two sons, Willie Earl Wright and Freddie Fernando Wright, both of Jackson; three daughters, Irene Wright and Connie Lee Wright, both of Jackson, and Tracy Lynn Crumb of Cleveland, Ohio; three brothers, Joseph Owen Wilson and Roy Edward Wilson, both of Vicksburg, and Eris Wilson of Jackson; one sister, Marie Thomas of Albion, Mich.; six grandchildren whom she reared, Eleshia Marie Wright, McKinda RaeShun Wright, Derick De’Shaun wright and Antonio Terrell Wright, all of Jackson, Terrence Jermaine Wright of Dallas and Anthony Wright of Cleveland; and nieces, nephews and other relatives.