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Annie Lee Banks
Funeral services for Annie Lee Banks, 92, were held Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Mt. Mariah Baptist Church in Gilbertown, with Rev. Malone Smith, Jr. officiating. Interment followed in Kaiser Hill Cemetery, Melvin.
Annie Lee Banks, better known as “Nanny,” was born on January 28, 1932 in Waynesboro, MS to the late Charlie and Clara McLaughlin. She peacefully transitioned from labor to reward on April 13, 2024 surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jeffrie Lee Banks; parents, Charlie and Clara McLaughlin; siblings, Bertha Coker, Joseph King, Arabella Grace, Robert McLaughlin, Jennie Smith; and granddaughter, Shara Dixon.
At the age of 13, Annie met the love of her life, Jeffrie Lee Banks, and their relationship blossomed into 50 years of marriage. Their union was blessed with three children. Despite lacking formal education, her sharp mind and enterprising spirit led her to operate Banks Grocery for 50 plus years; a community cornerstone. More than just a store, it was a haven where everyone was treated like family. In addition to being a business owner, Annie was the first Black supervisor at Solomon Brothers Manufacturing in Needham. Annie’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. An active church member, she served as President of the Pastor’s Aid Club. She organized Colorama events and festive occasions that brought the community together and raised funds for church activities.
Cherished memories will forever linger in the hearts of: her loving and devoted children Clarena (Marshall) Dixon-Taylor, Wayne (Dorothy) Banks and Ricky (Bobbye Faye) Banks, all of Melvin; six grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, two great- great grandchildren; a special friend Pat Miller and her daughter Dixie Miller; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. The celebration of life service was rendered by Weatherly-Studdard Memorial Funeral Home of Butler.
Susie Crane
A celebration of life for Susie Crane of Detroit, Mich., formerly of Panola, who passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2024, was 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Saint John Baptist Church, Panola. Reve. Curtis Jones, Jr. officiated with interment following in Saint John Cemetery, Panola. Public viewing and visitation was Friday, April 19, 2024, at McInnis Mortuary, Livingston. She lay in state one hour prior to service time at the Church. McInnis Mortuary of Livingston entrusted with all arrangements.
Left to cherish her memory are: her children Carrie Gholson, Tommy Lee Crane, Bobbie Crane, Lizzie Crane and Earnest Crane; along with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.
Reverend John “Henry” Hinton-Saahir
It is with deepest sorrow that Lavender’s Funeral Service announces the passing of Mt. Hebron Baptist Church Associate Pastor, Reverend John “Henry” Hinton-Saahir, 76, of Carrollton, on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at his residence. Visitation will be Friday, April 26, 2024, from 4-6 p.m. at Lavender’s Funeral Service. The home going celebration will be Saturday, April 27, 2024, at noon at Mt. Hebron Baptist Church, 2463 Franconia Rd., Aliceville. The body will lie in state in the church one hour prior to the service. Intermentwill follow the service in Mt. Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Marcus Wright, pastor of Mt. Hebron Baptist Church, will be the eulogist. Lavender’s Funeral Service, Aliceville, 205-373-2420, LavendersFuneralService.com, directing.
Survivors are the Hinton-Saahir and Eddins families.
Robert “Chip” Sledge, Jr.
It is with deepest sorrow that Lavender’s Funeral Service announces the passing of Mr. Robert “Chip” Sledge, Jr. of Aliceville, on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at his residence. Visitation will be Friday, April 26, 2024 from 4-6 p.m. at Lavender’s Funeral Service. The home going celebration will be Saturday, April 27, 2024, 1 p.m. at Spirit and Truth Pentecostal Church, 2717 MLK Rd., Aliceville. The body will lie in state in the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow the service in Bethany Town Cemetery, 2288 Old Bethany Rd., Aliceville. Apostle Jeffrey Ball, Sr. is the pastor of Spirit & Truth Pentecostal Church. Rev. Jessie McKinstry, pastor of Nibethany C. P. Church, will be the eulogist. Lavender’s Funeral Service, Aliceville, 205-373-2420, LavendersFuneralService.com, directing.
Survivors are the Sledge family.
Dushand Elizabeth Richardson Smith
Dushand Elizabeth Richardson Smith was born on May 15, 1933, to the union of the late Mr. Jack Richardson, Sr. and the late Mrs. Birdie Nealy Richardson in Mississippi. She united in marriage with the late Willie C. Smith.
She was a resilient matriarch of the family who devoted her life to raising her children and grandchildren. She raised four grandchildren, Tyrone, LaSonia, Pamela, and Jacqueline, as her own. She confessed hope in Christ, was baptized on Jan. 13, 2002, and united with the Green Chapel Baptist Church. Elizabeth departed this life on April 17, 2024.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents; one son Willie C. Nealy, Jr.; four brothers, Jack Richardson, Jr., Bradford Richardson, Moss Richardson, and Willie C. Richardson; four sisters Minnie Cunningham, Laura Howlett, Mary Alice Thomas, and Essie Mae Dale. She leaves to cherish her memory: eight daughters JoLynn Smith of Meridian, Miss., Maggie (William) Dale of Scooba, Miss., Linda (Willie) Cook of York, Shirley Smith of Columbus, Miss., Lorraine (Melvin) Wright of Geiger, Glenda Smith of Ethelsville, Diane Smith of Nashville, Tenn., and Darlene Smith of Montgomery; five sons Joseph (Minnie) Smith and Willie Smith of Geiger, Lonnie (Susan) Smith of Linden, N. C., Al (Linda) of Centreville, Reginald (Alesia) Smith of Tuscaloosa; grandchildren: Tyrone (Mary), LaSonia (Marvin), Pamela, Jacqueline (Lornnie), Joey, Tariva, Al, Kanyetta, LaKesha (John), Kimley (Ojore), William Jr., Natalie (Bobby), Xavier, O’Licia, DaShun, McCoy (Essence), Taneisha, Tinasha, QueShanda, Jacoby (Britni), Jamal, Josiah, Faith; thirty-four great grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; three sisters Luevenia (Joseph) Kirkland and Zura (William) Little of Geiger, and Geneva Rice of Artesia, Miss.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. McInnis Mortuary, Livingston and Eutaw, directing.
Torie S. Wiley
Ms. Torie S. Wiley, 46, of Tuscaloosa passed April 13, 2024, at Emory Hospital, Atlanta, Ga. Funeral services will be held on April 25, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Morning Star Baptist Church, Bellamy. Rev. Michael Howard will officiate with burial in the Fourth Creek Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, York. Visitation will be at the church on April 25, 2024, from 12-1 p.m. Hardaway Funeral Services, hardawayfuneralservices.com, directing.