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.

Otha Mae Kennedy

WATERPROOF, La. – Otha Mae Kennedy died Saturday, July 5, 2008, at Riverland Medical Center in Ferriday, La. She was 74.

Mrs. Kennedy was born in Clayton, La.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Rosie Williams; two sisters, Katy Wilson and Carrie Grandison.

Survivors include her husband, Issac Kennedy Sr.; two daughters, Otha Phillips of Missouri City, Texas, and Ethel Brown of Vicksburg; and five sons, Isaac Kennedy Jr., Lionel Kennedy, Clifford Kennedy, Herman Kennedy and Frederick Kennedy, all of Houston.

Services will be at noon Saturday at Myrtle Grove Baptist Church in Waterproof with the Rev. Aaron Germany officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Waterproof with Tenant Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be from 6 to 7 tonight at the funeral home.

Mary Sue Standefer Parrish

RAYMOND – Mary Sue Standefer Parrish, 57, passed away Wednesday, July 9, in Plano, Texas. Visitation will be held Saturday, July 12, 2008, at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Raymond, starting at 11 a.m. with graveside services at Raymond Cemetery at 1 p.m.

She was the beloved wife of Jack Parrish and mother of Will Parrish. She is also survived by two sisters, Patsy Armstrong and husband Scott from Brandon and Peggy Harper and husband James from Vicksburg; two stepchildren, Jason Parrish of Anderson, S.C., and Jennifer Parrish Jones of Jackson; two stepgrandchildren; two nieces; and one nephew. She will be missed by all of us.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244.

Silas Richardson Sr.

CHICAGO – Silas Richardson Sr. died Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Hospital in Chicago. He was 83.

Mr. Richardson was born in Warren County to Albert and Lucinda Richardson. He attended Warren County schools and served in the U.S. Army. He moved to Chicago, where he was employed with Illinois Central Railroad until his retirement.

He was a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Chicago.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Richardson; four sisters, Gertrude Richardson, Rosa Lee Richardson, Adelle Richardson and Olivia Richardson; and four brothers, George Richardson, James Richardson, Eli Richardson and Benjamin Richardson.

Survivors include three daughters, Rita Kincaide of Minneapolis, Minn., Lucy Martin of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Vanessa Rahman of San Diego, Calif.; three sons, Silas Richardson Jr. of Sacramento, Calif., Charles Collins of Kenosha, Wis., and Ernest Collins of Omaha, Neb.; four sisters, Bessie Dillard, Hazel Bell and Geneva Johnson, all of Vicksburg, and Mabel Turner of Chicago; and nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Services will be at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Kingdom Hall. Burial will be Monday at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Joliet, Ill., under the direction of McCullough Funeral Home, 851 E. 75th St. in Chicago.

Gloria Stein Williams

Gloria Stein Williams died today, July 11, 2008, at her home. She was 53.

Mrs. Williams was a former employee of Walnut Hills. She was of the Baptist faith.

She was preceded in death by her father, Elijah Williams.

Survivors include her mother, Alma Robinson of Vicksburg; five brothers, Cleothia Williams, Charles Williams and Michael Robinson, all of Vicksburg, Leon Williams of Waynesboro and Freddie Williams of Saginaw, Mich.; three sisters, Margaret Williams, Herdcine Williams and Linda Sykes, all of Vicksburg; her fiance, Wesley Smith of Vicksburg; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, including Thelma Mason of Joliet, Ill., Johnnie Mason of Uba, Calif., and Robert Mason of Greenville.

Williams Funeral Service has charge of arrangements.