Pontotoc County, Mississippi
Genealogy and History

Albert Hancock
 Albert Onie Hancock, 80, died Saturday, July 24, 1999, in his home in Houlka. He was born Aug. 4, 1918, in Pontotoc County to Thomas Lee Hancock and Daisy Lily Ward Hancock. He was a retired tractor operator with the U. S. Forestry Service and a member of Schooner Valley Baptist Church.
    Services were Sunday, July 25, at Hulk Funeral Home with Bro. Glenn Washington officiating. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery in Hulk.
    Survivors include his wife, Onto Smith Hancock of Hulk; two daughters, Barbara King and her husband Mike, of Hulk; one son, Tommy Hancock of Houlka; one sister Elua B. Slaughter of Houlka; one granddaughter, Michelle Lilly and her husband, Scott, of Pontotoc; and one great-granddaughter, Brooke Lilly.
    Pallbearers were Richard Williams, Richard Chrestman, Roger Pettit, Mike Slaughter, Mitchell Slaughter, and Al Chrestman.

Gary Hankins
    Gary Hankins, 52, died Wednesday, Oct. 6, 1999, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Desoto unexpectedly. A Lee County native, he lived in Southaven and the Memphis area for more than 24 years. He was an electrician with Gusmus Electrical Co. and a member of the Assembly of God Church. He was a U. S. Navy veteran of Vietnam War and a recent graduate of Northwest Mississippi Community College truck driving school.
    Services were Saturday, Oct. 9, in the Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with the Rev. Shelton Polk officiating. Burial was in Tupelo Memorial Park.
    Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Pennington Hankins of Southaven; three daughters, Danielle Foster of Bartlett, Tenn., Jessica Hankins and Elizabeth Hankins of Southaven; two sons, Joseph Hankins and Michael Hankins both of Southaven; two brothers, Danny Hankins of Southaven, and Steven Hankins of Belden; his mother, Doris Hankins of Tupelo; one grandchild, Noah Foster of Bartlett, Tenn.
    He was preceded in death by his father, Hoyle Hankins.
    Pallbearers were Michael Hankins, Danny McDonald, Phillip McDonald, Terry Hankins, Windell McDonald, and Robbie Hankins.

Lousie Harris
    Louise Dickinson Stephens Harris, 80, died Friday, Aug. 27, 1999, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford. She was a retired employee of Rivera Manufacture and a Baptist.
    Services were Sunday, Aug. 19, at Browning Funeral Home Chapel in Pontotoc. Burial was in Jernigan Cemetery.
    Survivors include two daughters, Jenny Sims of Mobile, Ala., and Linday Sue Gordon and her husband, Henry, of Banner; one brother Homer C. Dickinson of Blacksburg, Va.; three grandchildren, James Robert Gordon, Deonne Sims, Franky Lee Gordon; three great-grandchildren, Justin Gordon, Maggan Cazalas, and Cody Gordon.
    She was preceded in death by, her husband Cody Gordon.
    Pallbearers were Randall Holcomb, Edd "Buck" Raley, Mike Wood, Danny Ray Holcomb, Marty Gillespie, and Jimmy Bratton.
    Honorary pallbearers were Larry Swanson and Larry Joslin.

Ruby Harrison
    Ruby Nell McGonagill Harrison, 88, died Thursday, Oct. 7, 1999, at her daughter's home in Amory. She was born July 15, 1911, in Webster County to Enoch Washington McGonagill and Isa Merel Mize McGonagill. She was a homemaker and a Jehovah's Witness.
    Services were Saturday, Oct. 9, at Houston Funeral Home with Bro. Billy Butler officiating. Burial was in Rose Hile Cemetery in Houlka.
    Survivors include six daughters, Shirley Dale Thomas and Sue Wood, both of Tupelo, Brenda Rittenhouse of Grove City, Ohio, Dilma Bradley of Amory, Lucy Schroeder of Wilmington, N. J., and Kate Harrison of Houlka; three sons, Billy Wayne Harrison of Houlka, Troy Harrison of Baldwyn, and Paul Harrison of Canton Ga.; one stepdaughter, Juanita Conkle of Marengo, Ohio; one brother Billy McGonagill of Senatobia; 27 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild.
    She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Linda Gail Harrison; two grandchildren, five great-grandchildren.
    Her grandsons served as pallbearers.

Mary Harwell
    Mary Callie Fortner Harwell, 48, died Thursday, Oct. 7, 1999, as the result of an automobile accident on Highway 7 South Oxford. She was a realtor with Crye-Leike, Gunn Realty. She was a member of the Archor Baptist Church and the Lafayette Endowment for Education.
    Services were Sunday, Oct. 10, at Anchor Baptist Church in Oxford with the Rev. Gerald Shook officiating. Burial was in Anchor Cemetery. Walker Funeral Home was in Charge of the arrangements.
    Survivors include her husband, Ricky Harrowed of Oxford; two daughters, Melissa H. Holly of Oxford and Kimberly H. Wooden of Water Valley; one son, Lee Harrowed Jr. of Atlantic Beach, Fla.; two sisters, Opal Henderson of Saris, and Gland Henley of West Memphis, Ark.; five brothers, Jake Fortune of Randolph, John Fortune and Dolman Fortune, both of Oxford, Don Fortune of Peoria, Ill., and Charlie Fortune of Water Valley; three grandchildren, Megan Wooden of Oxford and Hunter Harrowed of Atlantic Beach, Fla.

Iva Lo Heard
    Iva Lou Heard, 80, died Sunday, Aug. 1 1999, at Baptist Memorial Hospital - Union County in New Albany. She was a retired cafeteria worker at Ingomar Attendance Center and a Baptist.
    Services were Aug.3, 1999, at Browning Funeral Home in Ecru with Bro. Clyde Pounds and Bro. Kenny Adair officiating. Burial was in Ecru Cemetery.
    Survivors include one; son, Jimmy W. Heard of New Albany; two sisters, Mauna Sue Gillen of Verona and Frances Brown of Belden; one brother, Bobby Gene Hill of San Antonio, Texas; five grandchildren; eight great-grand- children.
    She was preceded in death by her husband, Garrett W. Heard, and her parents, Elson John and Mattie Lou Hill.
Pallbearers were Jerry Brown, Floyd Turner, Lamar Turner, Steve Fitzgerald, John F. Weeden and Johnson Grisham.

Bessie Hembree
    Bessie Kelley Hembree, 85, died Thursday, July 15, 1999, at Pontotoc Hospital. She was a retired employee of Irwin Manufacturing Col, and a member of Ecru Baptist Church and the Goodtimers.
    Services were Saturday, July 17, at Browning Funeral Home Chapel in Ecru with Bro. Charles Stubblefield and Bro. Ronnie Hatfield officiating. Burial was in Ingomar Cemetery.
    Survivors included two stepdaughters, Dot Seale of Pontotoc and Nancy Reese of Rome, Ga.; one brother, Floy Richardson, and his wife, Mary Jo, of Memphis; three nieces, Judy Lowery, Cheryl Riker and Carol Sefers, all of Memphis; five grandchildren.
    Pallbearers were Jason Davis, Larry Bigham, Waymon Bigham, Bruce McCoy, Willie D. Inmon and Jimmy Farris.

Walter Hereford
    Walter Kelvin Hereford, 43, died Saturday, July 10, 1999, at his home in Haven Acres community. He was a 1974 graduate of Tupelo High School. He attended Itawamba Community College and Mississippi Valley State University. He was a nurses' assistant and a member of Morning Star M.B. Church.
    Services were Thursday, July 15, at Morning Star M.B. Church with the Rev. George Pritchard and Minister Kimberly Paul officiating. Burial was in Pontotoc City Cemetery. Hodges Funeral Home of Pontotoc was in charge of arrangements.
    Survivors include his mother, Lura D. Hereford of Tupelo; two sisters, Lura A. Freeman and her husband, Lee, of Belden, and Minister Kimberly Paul and her husband Larry, of Aberdeen, Md,; three sons, Richard Hereford and his wife, Renee, Robert Hereford, and James Hereford, all of Tupelo; five nieces, nine nephews, and one great-niece; one great-nephew.

Pop Gene Herren
    Clifton E. "Pop Gene" Herren 66, died Monday, Sept. 13, 1999, at Pontotoc Hospital. He was a retired riverboat pilot and a Baptist.
    A memorial service was held Wednesday, Sept. 15, at Antioch Freewill Baptist Church with Bro. Mark Tutor officiating. Browning Funeral Home of Pontotoc was in charge of the arrangements.
    Survivors include two daughters, Melissa Morris of Pontotoc. and Teressa Tutor of Thaxton; three sons, Clifton P. Herren, and Ricky D. Herren, both of Hollistar, Mo., and Jeffery G. Herren of Toccoploa; two sisters, Evelyn Iler and Becky Herrington, both of Ocean Springs; six brothers, Billy Herren, and his wife, Dot of South Carolina, Jim Herren and his wife, Martha, and Arthur Herren and his wife, Sandy, all of Ocean Springs, John Lee Herren and Jerry Herren, both of Clarksdale, and Michael Herren of Greenville; 12 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren.
    He was preceded in death bu his wife, Gwin Sparks Herren, and a son, Rodney E. Herren.

Dola B. High
    Dola B High, 93, died Sunday, July 18, 1999, at North Mississippi Medical Center. She was a member of Shiloh CME Church. She was an honor graduate of Okolona High School. She completed junior college and received her teaching license. She taught at the Oak Grove School in Union County. She later continued her education at Rust College in Holly Springs and received a B.A. degree in 1953. She retired from the Houston School District in 1971 after 41 years in the education profession.
    Services were Saturday, July 24, at Shiloh CME Church with the Rev. Leon Harris officiating. Burial was in Hill crest Cemetery. Beastly Funeral Home of Tupelo was in charge of arrangements.
    Survivors include on daughter, Druezella High of Tupelo; two sons, Robert A. High Jr. of Okolona and Melvin C. High of Norfolk, Va.; two daughter-in-laws; five grandchildren; one sister, Annie K. Hayden of Pontotoc.

Nettie Lee Holcomb
    Nettie Lee Holcomb, 71, died Monday, Oct. 18, 1999, at North Mississippi Medical Center after a long illness. She was born April 11, 1928, Pontotoc County. She was a homemaker and a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Pontotoc.
    Services were Wednesday, Oct. 20, at Balwin Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Rocky Watts and William Carter officiating. Burial was in Jernigan Cemetery in Pontotoc.
    Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Herman Holcomb of Pontotoc; two sons, Randall Holcomb, and Danny Holcomb and his wife, Kellie, all of Pontotoc; one sister, Leontine Holcomb of Pontotoc; one brother, Robert Smith of Gulfport; five grandchildren, Randy Holcomb, Michael Holcomb, Dan Holcomb, Ben Holcomb, and Kimberlie Holcomb; one great-grandchild, Katelyn Holcomb.
    Pallbearers were Randy Holcomb, Michael Holcomb, Terry Holcomb, Dexter Holcomb, Bill Cater, Johnny Smith, Ben Holcomb, and Dean Dillard.

Christopher Holley
            Christoher Holley infant son of Chris and Nashonda Holley of Saltillo, died Sunday, July 4, 1999, at North Mississippi Women's Center.
            Services were Friday, July 9, at Senter Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Dell Ross officiating. Burial wa in the Kirkville Cemetery.
            Survivors include his parents; his grandparents, Paul Smith of Mantachie, Shirley Smith of Saltillo, Beverly and Dell Ross of Pontotoc, and Jimmy Holley of Memphis; his great-grandparents, Albert and Thelma Westmoreland of Verona, and Beatrice Hutcheson of Saltillo.

J.L. Holloway
    J.L. Holloway, 71, died Friday May 7, 1999, at the V.A. Hosptial. He was born July 8, 1927, to the late John W. and Lela F. Holloway in Pontotoc County. He was a salesman for Lighthouse Motors. He wa a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict.
    Services were Tuesday, May 11, at Family Funeral Care. Burial was in Memphis Memory Gardens.
    Survivors include his wife, Dean Holloway; four stepsons, Jerry Richardson of Southhaven, Troy Reed of Marion Ark,. David Reed of LaPlass, La., and Robert Reed of Marion, Ark.; two sisters, Laverne Doughery of Memphis and Mildred Ritchie of Bartlett, Tenn.; a nephew, Jerry Holloway of Pontotoc; eight grandchildren,
    He was preceded in death one brother, Gerald D. Holloway.

Isabell Holt
    Isabell Marie Carlson Holt, 76 died Friday, Oct. 8, 1999, at North Mississippi Medical Center after a long illness. She was born Nov. 10, 1922, in Pine Grove, W. Va., to Grover B. and Clara Belle Robinson Carson. She lived most of her adult life in the Flat Rock, Mich., area before moving to Belden 16 years ago. She worked in the Central Supply Office of Riverside Hospital in Michigan for more than 30 years. She was a member of the Chesterville Baptist Church and active in the WMU. She enjoyed arts and crafts.
    Services were Monday, Oct. 11, at Lee Memorail Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Harold Russell officiating. Burial was in Lee Memorial Park.
    Survivors include her husband, Harold R. Holt, whom she married July 18, 1944; five children, I. Marie Holt of Wyandotte, Mich., Harold Ronald Holt and his wife, Linda, of Blanchard, Mich., Charles Holt and his wife, Christine, Christine Miles and her husband, Johnny, and Cathleen Holt, all of Belden; a special daughter Leslie Cline of Michigan; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; three sisters, Madge Hudson of Michigan, and Gaynell Tennet and Velma Stinson, both of West Virginia; two brothers, Bill Carson and Lee Mingas, both of West Virginia.
    She was preceded in death by, her parents, one sister, Juanita Coen; two brothers, Dal and Hugh Mingas.
    Pallbearers were Brian Holt, Mack Miles, Jim Holt, Lines Johnson, Mike Huff, and Trent Holt.
    Honorary pallbearers were the deacons of Chesterville Baptist Church.

Birdie Hood
    Birdie Hood, 96 died Saturday, July 10, 1999, at her residence. She was born June 29, 1903, in Pontotoc County. She was a charter member of Cooke Baptist Church and a 50 year member of Eastern Star. She was the widow of Dewey Hood.
    Services were Monday, July 12, at Cooke Baptist Church with the Rev. Junior Ritchie and the Rev. Gerald Finley officiating. Baldwin Funeral Home of Pontotoc was in charge of arrangements.
            Survivors include two daughters, Lorine Washington and her husband, Atwell, of Houlka and Lynette Miller and her husband, Grandville, of Tupelo; one son, James Hood and his wife Janette, of Houlka; five grandchildren, ten great grand children, and two great-great-grandchildren.
            She was preceded in death by two grandsons, Mike and Mark Hood.
            Pallbearers were Tommy Washington, Alan Washington, Dean Washington, Michael Box, Robert Box, and Joe Weld.

Clara Faye Horton
    Clara Faye Horton, 82, died Friday, July 16, 1999, at her home. She was a native of Mississippi. She was a retired machine operator with Blue Bell Inc. after 15 years. She was a member of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
    Services were Sunday, July 18, at Deaton Funeral Home Chapel in Red Bay with the Rev. J.B. Rice officiating. Burial was in Cedar Tree Cemetery in Hackleburg, Ala.
    Survivors include her husband, Leonard B. Horton of Red Bay; one daughter, Ludie Mae Richardson of Spruce Pine, Ala.; one son, William C. Cole of Hackleburg, Ala,; two sisters, Polly Cole and Syble Jones, both of Booneville; one brother, William Younger Jones of Booneville; two stepdaughter, Betty Jean Brown of Joliet, Ill., and Deborah Horton of Vina, Ala.; four stepsons, Howard Horton of Killen, Ala., James Horton of Blue Springs and Mike Horton of Counce, Tenn.; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, 13 step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
    Pallbearers were Kenneth Richardson, Timothy Richardson, Bobby Cole, Phil Horton, Kyle Horton, and Mike Horton.

Leighton W. Horton
    Leighton W. Horton, 72 died Tuesday, July 13, 1999, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County in New Albany. He was a retired factory worker, a Methodist and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II,
    Services were Thursday, July 15, at Browning Funeral Home Chapel in Ecru with Bro. Dale Whitlock officiating. Burial was in Shady Grove Cemetery.
    Survivors include his wife, Inez Horton of Pontotoc; one daughter, Nancy Kidd of Pontotoc; one son, Joey Horton of Tupelo; one brother, James W. Horton of Memphis; three grandchildren.
    He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wiley Horton, and two sisters, Jewell Horton and Hazel Horton Swords.

Denver Hudson
    Denver Reed Hudson, 69, died Wednesday, Aug. 19, 1999, in Cleveland. He was born Feb. 10, 1930, in Pontotoc. He was a butcher for Lampard's Meat for 35 years. He was a veteran of the Korean War and a member of the VFW. He married his wife, Lillian, on March 12, 1955.
    Services were Saturday, Aug. 21, at Fletcher-Nowell Funeral Home in Cleveland with the Rev. Howard Rogers and the Rev. Larry Weaver officiating. Burial was in North Cleveland Cemetery.
    Survivors include his wife, Lillian Hudson of Cleveland; three daughter, Wanda Wooten and Sandy  McClure, both of Cleveland, and Donna Hopper of Douglasville, Ga,; three brothers, Jack Hudson of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Gayle Hudson of Cleveland and Billy Hudson of Houma, La.; one sister, Jewel Evans of Ashville, N.C.; six grandchilren, Chris Hudson, Ben Wooten, Matthew Wooten, Jamie Ray, April Hopper and John McClure; two great-grandchildren, Morgan Elizabeth Ray and Jacob Reed Hudson.
    He was preceded in death by one grandson, Walter Earl McClure, Jr., and two brothers, T. W. Hudson and Dean Hudson.
    Pallbearers were Clarence Hudson, Johnnie Hudson, Steve Weaver, Ray Steen, Johnny Weaver and Terry Weaver.

Johnny Humbers
    Johnny Lynn Humbers, 39, died Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1999, in New Albany. He was born Feb. 2, 1960. in Aurora, Ill. He attended Union Nazarene Church in the Hurricane community of Pontotoc County. He was disabled. He worked as a truck driver for most of his adult life. He also worked as a part-time professional musician, He enjoyed fishing.
    Services were on Saturday, Aug, 7 at the Booneville Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tab Powell officiating, Burial was in Center Cemetery near Blue Springs.
    Survivors include a daughter, Marissa Lynn Humbers of New Albany, his mother Liddie Frances Neilson of Montgomery, Ill; a brother, James Michael Humbers, and his wife, Lisa, of Corinth; an uncle, Jim McDuffie of Booneville.
    He was preceded in death by two brothers, Carl Nielsen and Richard Nielsen, and a sister, Shirley Humbers.

Maggie Reno Hurd
    Maggie Reno Hurd, 80, died Thurday, Sept. 30, 1999, at North Mississippi Medical Center. She was a native of Pontotoc. She was a member of Friendship M. B. Church and the Heroines of Jericho Court No. 33.
    Services were Friday, Oct. 8, at Friendship M. B. Church with the Rev. Doyle Ruff officiating. Burial was in Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Hodges Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
    Survivors include one sister, Willie Mae Thomas, and her husband, Joe, of Pontotoc; one god daughter, Lena Chewe, and her husband, Terry, of Pontotoc.

Fessie Mae Hussey
    Fessie Mae Hussey, 90, died Tuesday, Sept. 28, 1999, at Daniel Health Complex in Fulton. A lifelong resident of Mooreville, she was formerly employed with the U.S. Postal Service for 20 years. She was a member of Andrews Chapel Methodist Church where she was a former Sunday School teacher in the children's department. She was married to Tom C. Hussey who preceded her in death on Dec. 25, 1986. She was a former member of the Mooreville Home Demonstration Club.
    Services were Wednesday, Sept. 29, at Andrews Chapel United Methodist Church with the Rev. Robert McCoy officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. W. E. Pegues Funeral Home Directors was in charge of the arrangements.
    Surveyors include one daughter, Shirley Cooper and husband, Jack, of Mooreville; one son, Jimmy Hussey and wife, Kathleen, of Moorville; three sisters, Christine Nanney and Genevie Guntharp of Tupelo, and Lorene Carr of Pigeon Forge, Tenn.; two brothers, Joe E. Taylor and W. H. "Tank" Taylor of Tupelo; four grandchildren, Stan Hussey of Tupelo, Kay Anglin of Corinth, Judge Jacqueline "Chung" Mask of Pontotoc and Paula Wood of Waynesboro; 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
    She was preceded in death by four infant children, two sisters, and two brothers.
    Pallbearers were Kenneth Hussey, Herman Hussey Sr., Herman Hussey Jr., Clarence Oxner, Stever Hughes and Stan Hussey.

Flavous Hutchinson
    Flavous Leo Hutchinson, 75, died Thursday, July 29,1999, at the Pontotoc Hospital after a long illness. He was bom Aug. 5, 1923, in Lee County to Lawrence E. and Rennie Lee Bates Hutcheson. He was a longtime resident of both Tupelo and Starkville. He served in the Navy during World War II. He received both his undergraduate and master's degrees in education from the University of Mississippi, and his juris doctorate from the Ole Miss School of Law. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi honor society. He was admitted to the bar in 1950. Early in his career, he taught at Saltillo and Walnut schools, and taught, coached basketball and served as superintendent at New Harmony School. He taught in the law schools at both Southern Illinois University and Valparaiso University. A professor emeritus at Mississippi State University, he taught business law there for more than 40 years. Active in politics and civil rights, he served as chair- man of the action committee for the Oktibbeha County Democrats for Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964; as parliamentarian with the Mississippi Democratic Conference in 1965; and as a delegate to the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. He was a member of the American Bar Association, the Mississippi Bar Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association and Who's Who in America. He was a longtime member of Camp Creek Baptist Church. He enjoyed genealogy and gardening.
    Services were at 2 p.m. on July 31, 1999, in the Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with the Rev. Felix Hutcheson and the Rev. David     Hamilton officiating. Burial was in Camp Creek Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Mamie Ruth Sullivan Hutchinson of Pontotoc; one daughter,    Dr.     Flavia    Ruth Hutchinson Huddleston, and her husband, Dr. E. Mac Huddleston,
    Sullivan Hutchinson of Meridian, Lawrence Patrick Hutchinson and his wife, Audrey, of Starkville, and Charles Christopher Hutchinson and his wife, LaDonna, of Pontotoc; one sister, Avis Dodson of Lakeland, Fla.; 11 grandchildren, Meghan Elizabeth West, Robert McLellan Huddleston, Edward Mac Huddleston and Amber Claire Huddleston, all of Ecru, Candace Ann Hutchinson, Jennifer Kay Hutchinsor, and Stephanie Lee Hutchinson, all of Moscow, Miss., Tyler Patrick Huchinson and Matthew Joseph Hutchinson, both of Starkville, and Christopher Alan Hutchinson and Nathan Douglas Hutchinson, both of Pontotoc.
    Pallbearers were Sam Epting, Nat Epting, Jud Epting, Harold Moore, David Greenberg and Jack Martin.