Vernon Easley

Roy Vernon "Lefty" Easley, 84, of Grenada died April 9, 2009, at the Grenada Living Center. He was born March 31, 1925, in Calhoun County. He was a retired farmer and a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Grenada. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he served as a pharmacist's mate on the USS Kingman. He was a member of the American Legion.

Services were held Saturday at Pryor Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Dale Easley, the Rev. Bob Self and the Rev. Shelton Bryant Easley officiating. Burial was in Duncan Hill Cemetery in Calhoun City.

Survivors include his wife, Estelle Bryant Easley of Grenada; two daughters, Laura Helen Rodgers (Danny) of Houlka and Judy Brown (Michael) of Bruce; three sons, Harvey Gene Easley (Gracia) of Grenada, Jimmy Easley (Charlotte) of Covington, Ga., and Richard Earnest Easley (Carol) of Calhoun City; two brothers, Grady Easley of Bruce and P.H. Easley of New Port Richey, Fla.; nine grandchildren, John Vernon Easley, Vince Easley, Shelton Easley, Michael Easley, Heather Head, Kyle Easley, Candice Lowe, Jon Murphree and Ginger Gore; 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Price Huckaby Easley and Virgie Ward Easley; a sister, Irene Easley; and two brothers, Harvey Andrew Easley and Howard Easley.

Pallbearers were Bro. Shelton Easley, Michael Easley, Kyle Easley, Jon Murphree, Vince Easley and Jock Easley.

Clinton Armstrong Jr.

Clinton Lee "C.L." Armstrong Jr., 66, of Starkville died April 7, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. He was born March 7, 1945, in Calhoun County. He was a longtime resident of Lafayette County before moving to Starkville. He was a member of Clear Springs Christian Methodist Episcopal Church at Pittsboro. He was retired.

Services were held Saturday at New Hope Church of Christ at Bruce. Eddie Robinson Funeral Home of Grenada was in charge of the arrangements.

Pete Armstrong

Everett "Pete" Armstrong, 88, of Tupelo died April 10, 2009, at the Sanctuary Hospice House where he had resided the last five weeks. He was born Nov. 21, 1920, in Bruce to the late George Milton and Eronia Tiner Armstrong. He grew up in Calhoun City but moved to Tupelo as a young man where he was employed as an order buyer for Mid South Packers. He and Ferrell Spicer later formed S amp& A Livestock near Belden. He became a successful farmer and cattleman and later founded Tri-County Stockyards. He became a legendary cattleman throughout the Mid South teaching and mentoring literally hundreds of young cattlemen and cattlewomen. A professional livestock consultant, he served as president of the Mississippi Cattleman's Association and later served on the Board of Directors of the National Cattleman's Association. He was inducted into the Mississippi Cattleman's Hall of Fame in 1997, and served on numerous national, state and local agricultural boards and was a strong supporter of the Animal Science Department at Mississippi State University. An avid conversationalist, he was a strong man in stature and character and his many good deeds have blessed countless persons in his long, fruitful life. He was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo where he loved to attend and worship.

Services were held Monday at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland-Harris Funeral Directors with Dr. Bryant Barnes and Bro. David Eldridge officiating. Burial was in Lee Memorial Park.

Survivors include his wife, Loraine "Lo" Armstrong of Tupelo; three daughters, Cheryl King (Jerry), Jean Russell (Jeff) and Jane Armstrong Smith, all of Tupelo; grandchildren, Wesley Webb (Casey), Christy Russell King (Jason), Brian Smith (Cheyenne), Mary Kathryn Russell, Shelly Smith Ginn, Benjamin Keith Russell and Colton Armstrong; great-grandson, Graham King; and two sisters, Corrine Armstrong of Memphis, Tenn., and Grace Jackson of Jacksonville, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Rick "Tex" Armstrong; and three sisters, Marie Armstrong, Virginia Cook and Libby Tutor.

Pallbearers were Vaudry Edge, Mitchell Scruggs, Bill Mattox, Andy Williamson, Steve Scott and Jimmy Ray Parrish.

Memorials may be made to the Pete and Rick Armstrong Endowed Scholarship in Animal Science, C/O MSU Foundation, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762; or to the Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38802

Rodney Bowling

Funeral services for E. Rodney Bowling, 46, of Hartselle, Ala., were held April 9, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Grace Point Baptist Church in Somerville with the Rev. David Edgar officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial was in Union Grove Cemetery.

Bowling, who died Tuesday, April 7, was born Dec. 11, 1962, in Morgan County, Ala., to Lonnie and Peggy Bowling. He was a 1981 graduate of Brewer High School and a graduate of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He pastored churches in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama for the past 25 years. He was currently the Pastor of Grace Point Baptist Church in Somerville.

Survivors include his wife, Johnna Adams Bowling; two sons, John Britton Bowling and Russell Howard Bowling, both of Hartselle; one daughter, Randi Jo Bowling of Hartselle; his parents, Lonnie and Peggy Bowling of Union Hill, Ala.; and three brothers, Marlin Bowling of Sylacauga, Ala., Guy Bowling of Union Hill and Greg Bowling of Arab, Ala.

Pallbearers were Craig Buchanan, Tim Clark, Jordan Bowling, Taylor Bowling, Brad Bowling and Drew Bowling.

Memorials may be made to Grace Point Baptist Church.

Marjorie Caviness

Marjorie Easley Caviness, 81, of Fulton, formerly of Houlka, died Monday, April 13, 2009, at Dogwood Plantation in Fulton after a long journey with Alzheimer's disease. Born Aug. 23, 1927, in Marks to Wade E. Easley Sr. and Mary Opal Easley, she graduated from Houlka Attendance Center in 1946 and attended Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, where she met the love of her life, James P. Caviness. They married Jan. 20, 1948 in the dean's office and moved to Memphis after graduation. She worked for Baptist Memorial Hospital for 13 years until they had their only child, Paula. Five years later, they moved back to Houlka, where she taught school as a reading aide and James taught math and science. They were totally devoted to the school, and all the children they were privileged to teach. She retired when James died in 1984. She spent her time being a grandmother to Liza and Lindsey and enjoyed gardening and working for her Lord. She worked for God every minute of every day and dearly loved Houlka Baptist Church and its members.

Services were held Wednesday at Houlka First Baptist Church with the Revs. David Blackwell and Bobby Long officiating. Burial was in Collums Cemetery in Calhoun County. Houston Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers were Mark Cooper, Burt Easley, Dillon Easley, Bob Easley, Chuck Easley, Jimmy Kinard and Skip Winter. Honorary pallbearers were Richard Chrestman, Johnny McClendon, William Alvin Collums and Donnie Washington.

Survivors include her only child, Paula Cooper and devoted son-in-law Mark of Fulton; three brothers, R.A. Easley and wife Rhea, Charles Delane amp"Charlieamp" Easley and wife Doris and Wade Easley Jr. and wife Joann, all of Houlka; a sister, Mary Kinard of Hernando; two sisters-in-law, Bonnie Easley of New Orleans, La., and Sue Easley of Houlka; grandchildren Marjorie Elizabeth amp"Lizaamp" Cooper of Nashville, Tenn., and Lindsey Nell Cooper of Fulton; 14 nieces and nine nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, James P. Caviness; three brothers, Rev. Buford G. amp"Bootsamp" Easley, Donald B. Easley and Theo M. Easley; a sister-in-law, Ann Easley; a brother-in-law, Roy H. Kinard.

She lived a rich and long life due to her three special boys, Dr. Thomas Wooldridge, Dr. Charles King and Dr. Ricky G. Parker.

Edna James

Edna James, 72, died April 7, 2009, at Regency Hospital of Jackson. She was born Feb. 20, 1937, in Mississippi. A retired homemaker, she had been a member of Fame Church of God since childhood.

Services were held Friday at Double Springs Church in Webster County with the Rev. Skeet Davis and the Rev. Travis Gray officiating. Burial was in Double Springs Cemetery. Wise Funeral Home of Eupora was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Richard James of Clarkson; two daughters, Debbie and Buddy Hawes of Walthall, and Joy and Randy Yancy of Sarepta; four sisters, Ruby Fason of Fame, Thelma Edmonds of Longview, Mary York of Slate Springs, and Sandra and Johnny Turner of Whitehill; four brothers, James Kimbrough of Gainesville, Fla., Lamar and Katie Kimbrough of Starkville, Johnny and Carroll Kimbrough of Fayetteville, Ga., and Jo Kimbrough of Clarkson; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a son, Ricky James, and a sister, Sylvia Barnett.

Angie LaBarge

Mrs. Angie Williams Pollard LaBarge, 78, of OXford died April 11, 2009, at Baptist Memorial Hospital North Mississippi. Born in New Albany, she was the widow of Mr. Ernie LaBarge and preceded in death by her previous husband, James E. Pollard. She was a member of North Oxford Baptist Church and a member of the Ernie LaBarge Bullpen Club at Ole Miss. She was a retired fourth-grade teacher at Oxford Elementary.

Services were held Tuesday at North Oxford Baptist Church with Rev. Justin Robinson officiating. Burial was in Glenfield Cemetery in New Albany. Waller Funeral Home of Oxford was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include three daughters, Cheryl Pollard Brown (Wood) of Brandon, Chris Pasquale of Bruce and Barbara Turner of Jacksonville, Fla.; six sons, Bill Pollard (Debbie) of Oxford, Jimmy Pollard (Debi) of Tupelo, Ronnie Pollard of West Melbourne, Fla., Rusty LaBarge (Bonnie) of Cleveland, Ohio, Kevin LaBarge of Arlington, Va., and Michael LaBarge (Beth) of Denver, Colo.; 18 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

The family has requested that expressions of sympathy in Mrs. LaBarge's memory be made to North Oxford Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1700, Oxford, MS 38655; or Ernie LaBarge Bullpen Club, P.O. Box 2693, University of Mississippi 38677.

Earnest Madkins

Earnest James Madkins, 69, of Bruce died April 4, 2009, in Bruce. He was born March 30, 1940, in Charleston to Johnny Madkins and Mary Susie Herrod. He attended school in Charleston and Bruce, Natchez Jr. College in Natchez and Mississippi Industrial College in Holly Springs. He worked for Rapport Brothers for 15 years and retired from the New York Times after 33 years. A great athlete, he loved sports, especially baseball and basketball, playing cards and socializing with friends.

Services were held Friday at New Hope Church of God in Christ in Bruce. The Rev. Thomas Tillman officiate. Burial was in Pittsboro Community Cemetery. Belle Memorial Funeral Home of Bruce was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Norma J. Madkins of Bruce, whom he married in 1963; his mother, Mary Susie Herrod of Bruce; one son, Christopher Madkins (Darcel) of Pittsburgh, Pa.; two daughters, Cynthia Madkins Coggins (Alex) and Tracy Madkins, both of Brooklyn, N.Y.; two brothers, Gary Madkins of Bruce and Nathaniel Madkins of Queens, N.Y.; one sister, Bernice (Johnny) Herrin of Detroit, Mich.; seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild; an aunt, Elizabeth Kegler of Charleston.

He was preceded in death by his father, Johnny Madkins Sr., and a brother, Johnny Madkins Jr.

Charles McClain

Charles Franklin McClain, 76, of Vardaman died April 9, 2009, at his home in Vardaman. He was born Feb. 9, 1933, in Ripley to Duncan McClain and Jack Ellis McClain. He was a retired farmer for Cook Farms and a member of the Thorn Church of God.

Services were held Saturday at the Thorn Church of God with Bro. Arnold Amason and Bro. Frank Samples officiating. Burial was at Ellzey Cemetery in Vardaman. Houston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Grace Vance McClain of Vardaman; two daughters, Rena Smith (Danny) of Starkville, and Jeana Chandler of Vardaman; three sons, Ricky McClain (Debbie ) of Bruce, and Jerry McClain and Robert McClain (Angie), both of Vardaman; five sisters, Shirley Reed, Joyce Moore and Beverly Barkley, all of Ripley, Linda Alexander of Vardaman and Pat Power of Memphis; three brothers, David McClain and Joe McClain, both of Ripley, and Billy McClain of Chicago; five grandchildren, Cody McClain, Lori McClain, Anna Smith, Lisa Smith and Anderson Chandler.

He was preceded in death by a son, Danny McClain; his parents; and two sisters, Elizabeth Faulkner and Sue Hardin.

Pallbearers were Don Hooper, Kevin Stafford, James David Long, Tim Moore, John Reed and Gary Reed.

Lorene Morphis

Bessie Lorene Morphis, 86, of Houlka died April 13, 2009, at Sanctuary Hospice House. She was born Jan. 28, 1923, in Mathiston to Steven Forrest Shurden and Thelma Avant Shurden. She was a Baptist and a retired factory worker.

Services were held Wednesday at Southern Funeral Chapel in Houston with Bro. John Flippin and Bro. Linn Hughes officiating. Burial was in Poplar Springs Cemetery.

Survivors include her husband, Hubert Morphis; two sisters, Mavis Fulgham of Maben and Jean Braden of Tupelo; three brothers, Lloyd Shurden, Leon Shurden and Harold Dean Shurden, all of Mathiston; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Her nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Linda Sossaman

Linda Dian Brown Sossaman, 61, of Coffeeville died April 12, 2009, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford. She was born Jan. 19, 1948, in Vardaman. She was a retired employee of Panola Mills and a member of Lockestation Baptist Church in Batesville.

Services were held Monday at Parker Memorial Funeral Home chapel in Bruce with the Rev. Robert Earl Alexander officiating. Burial was in Poplar Springs Cemetery at Vardaman.

Survivors include her husband, William A. Sossaman of Coffeeville; two daughters, Carolyn D. Austin (Charlie) and Janice M. Stacy (Larry), both of Bruce; two sons, Dennis W. Austin of Grenada and Bryan K. Austin (Amanda) of Pearl; two brothers, Travis D. Brown and Marvin F. Brown, both of Bruce; 17 grandchildren, Jonathan Austin, Mary Gordon, Jessica Reynolds, Rochelle Lester, Andy Austin, Michael Lester, Rowdy Reynolds, Paige Austin, Casarah Steele, Dajean Steele, Trinity Steele, J.J. Steele, Alaina Barnett, Savannah Brook Vineyard, Dawson Dolden, Isaac Dolden and Bryan D. Austin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Travis W. Brown and Abby Marie Franklin Brown.

Pallbearers were Jonathan Austin, Andy Austin, Johnny Sossaman, Terry Sossaman, Daniel Sossaman, Billy Sossaman, Robert E. Gordon, Jo Morrow and Hunter Morrow.