Obits: ARE FREE and MUST come from the Mortuary, probate judge or company taking care of arrangements. Additional information (such as personal messages/thank you messages) will have to be charged. No Exceptions! Please email them to [email protected] or fax them to 205-652-4466. Cards of Thanks, personal family messages and photos must be paid for before they can run. Photos are $15.00 for each run with the obituary. Page updated on Thursdays.
James Bonner, Sr.
It is with deepest sorrow that Lavender’s Funeral Service announces the passing of Mr. James Bonner, Sr. of Aliceville, Alabama on Friday, August 23, 2024, at his residence. Visitation was Friday, August 30, 2024, at Lavender’s Funeral Service. The home going celebration was Saturday, August 31, 2024, 11 a.m. at Emory Chapel C. M. E. Church, Aliceville. The body lay in state in the church one hour prior to the service. Interment was at New Cemetery. Rev. Danny McKinstry, pastor of Emory Chapel C. M. E. Church, was the eulogist. Lavender’s Funeral Service, Aliceville, 205-373-2420, LavendersFuneralService.com, directing. Survivors are the Bonner family.
Barbara Jo Bush
Celebration of life service for Barbara Jo Bush were held on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at St. John C. M. E. Church, Butler, at 3 p.m. with Rev. Paul Guy, officiating. Interment, St. John C. M. E. Church Cemetery.
Barbara Jo Bush was born September 15, 1938, to the late Joe and Annie Tyson. She departed her life on August 23, 2024, at 10:30 p.m. at her residence in Mt. Sterling. Barbara Jo Bush believed and had faith in God.
She was preceded in death by: her two siblings Ada Mae Lewis, Thomas Jefferson Tyson; two children Len Bush, Ruth Gray.
She leaves to cherish her memories: six children, James Tyson, Ararat, Mary Nicholson (Amos), Riderwood, Robert Bush, Vicksburg, Miss., Lavern Bush, Mobile, Stewart Bush, Jr. (Earline), Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Jacquelyn Bush, Riderwood; seventeen grandchildren, Darryl Bush, Iris B. Hall, Mark Bush, Julie Bush, Maggie Bolden, Delois T. Ballard, Timothy Tyson, Brandy Bush, Areda Bush, Keshia Bush, Cedric Dubose, Shawanda Bush, Marcus Dubose, Tunesha Tyson, Demetria Dubose, Whitney Bush and Artisha Nicholson; thirty-four great grandchildren, ten great-great grandchildren; a dedicated daughter Jacquelyn Bush; three devoted great grandchildren Jasmine Dubose, Tyshaun, Miles Ray; and other relatives and friends. The celebration of life service was rendered by Weatherly-Studdard Memorial Funeral Home of Butler, www.Weatherly-Studdard.com.
Niki Lynn Cross Fields
Niki Lynn Cross Fields, 70, of Livingston passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at her residence. She was born on November 10, 1953, in Meridian, Miss., to Terry and Delphy Lynn Roberts Cross. She worked many years as a real estate agent until her retirement. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Visit bumpersfuneralhome.com to sign the online register and post condolences to the family. Arrangements entrusted to Bumpers Funeral Home of York.
Bandelia Longmire
Ms. Bandelia Longmire of Boligee entered into eternal rest September 1, 2024, at her residence. Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 1 p.m. from Boligee Community Center, formerly Paramount High School, Boligee. Interment will follow in Longmire Cemetery, Boligee, Tishabee Community. Visitation will be held Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 1-4 p.m. at the funeral home. Larkin and Scott Mortuary, LLC, entrusted with arrangements.
Andy “Peck” Owens
It is with deepest sorrow that Lavender’s Funeral Service announces the passing of Mr. Andy “Peck” Owens, of Aliceville, on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Aliceville Manor Nursing Home. Visitation will be on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 4-6 p.m. at Lavender’s Funeral Service. The home going celebration will be on Friday, September 6, 2024, 11 a.m. at Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Alicevillea. The body will lie in state in the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Bethany Town Cemetery. Rev. Willie James Lavender, will be the eulogist. Lavender’s Funeral Service, Aliceville, 205-373-2420, LavendersFuneralService.com, directing.
Maggie R. Roberts
Celebration of life services for Maggie R. Roberts were held Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 1 pm at Shiloh CME Church, Lisman, with Bishop Johnny Payton officiating. Internment followed in the church cemetery.
Sis. Maggie R. (Sue) Roberts was born August 2, 1950, to the late Jefferson and Mary Jean Slay Roberts in Choctaw County. Her earthly transition from labor to rest took place on August 20, 2024, at her residence in Marietta, Ga. She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Vergie Slay, Lurie J. Roberts, Joe L. Roberts, Colie B. Roberts and two sisters, Catherine R. House, Audrey M. Roberts.
Maggie received her formal education at Choctaw County Training School in 1968. She furthered her education and graduated from Haven Business College in Meridian, Miss. She confessed Christ at an early age began her faithful journey with the Lord at Shiloh C. M. E. Church where she sang in the choir. Upon relocating to New York, she diligently worked and attended St. Paul A. M. E. Zion Church serving as an Usher. Upon moving to Georgia, she worshipped at Hosea C. M. E. Church. Even though away from home, she continued to support Shiloh C. M. E. Church until her health failed. Maggie was employed by Everson Ross in Spring Valley, N. Y., and worked until she retired. While there, she was an active member of the NAACP, serving as Secretary for many years. She was also a member of Ezell Chapter No 380 Order of the Eastern Star for over twenty years.
Maggie leaves to cherish her memories: her son, Barry (Panayotta) of Austell, Ga; two grandsons, Alexander and Xavier Roberts of Austell, Ga; one brother, Willie Fred (Joyce) Roberts of Birmingham; three sisters, Minnie and Anna J. Roberts of Lisman, and Estella Roberts of Marietta, Ga; one sister-in-law, Hattie Roberts, of Lisman; and a host of other relatives and friends. The celebration of life service was rendered by Weatherly-Studdard Memorial Funeral Home of Butler, www.Weatherly-Studdard.com.
Rev. John L. “Johnny” Walker
Funeral services for Rev. John L. “Johnny” Walker, of Winona, was held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Winona, with burial following in Winona Garden of Memory. Rev. Rupert Ingram, Rev. Jay Anderson, and Dr. Jim Futral will officiate the service. Pallbearers were Russell Durham, Noah Durham, Saxon Durham, Aiden Walker, John Carter Walker, and Reed Tharp.
Visitation was held Monday, September 2, 2024, in the First Baptist Church Family Life Center and Tuesday, September 3, 2024, from 12 p.m. until service time in the church sanctuary.
Rev. John L. “Johnny” Walker, 77, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at his home in Winona. He was born to Guy and Louise Graham Walker on November 15, 1946. He was a member of McCarley Baptist, Winona Rotary Club and the Mississippi Baptist Convention. He played an instrumental role in the construction of the Christ’s Cross at the Crossroads. He was Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Church of Winona since his forced retirement due to Parkinson’s Disease. If you knew him, he loved you.
He is survived by his wife, Dolores Parker Walker of Winona; daughter, Candace Walker Durham (Russell) of Winona; sons, Lawrence Walker (Roseann) of Madison, and Clint Walker (April) of McCarley; sisters, Ann Covert (Rew) of Greer, S. C., and Dot Kennedy (Richard) of Gownsville, S. C.; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Louise Graham Walker and L. C. and Lucille Walker Bailey; and five brothers. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ’s Cross at the Crossroads at PO Box 521, Winona, MS 38967. Oliver Funeral Home of Winona in charge of arrangements. An online guestbook may be signed at www.ofhwinona.com.
Bernice E. Wideman
Sister Bernice E. Wideman, 85, of Dorchester, Mass., was born to the blessed union of the late Peter and Mary Alexander Wideman on September 13, 1938, in York, Sumter County. She peacefully surrendered to the Will of God and transitioned at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Mass., on August 26, 2024. Visitation for family and friends is scheduled Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 10-11 a.m. in the Weatherly Chapel. Afterwards, the processional will leave for the service of interment and committal to be held at noon in Lillie’s Chapel Cemetery, 7515 AL Hwy. 17, York. She joined Lillie’s Chapel A. M. E. Church of York and later joined the Charles Street A. M. E. Church of Boston, Mass. Bernice graduated high school in 1957, from Kinterbish High School, Cuba. While a student, she was a member of the girls’ basketball team as the team’s Assistant Captain. She moved from York, to Hartford, Conn., and had several jobs that prepared her to complete her nurse’s aide training. Eventually she would become a Licensed Practical Nurse when she and her two small children relocated to Boston, Mass., in 1965, where she was employed at Children’s Hospital and retired after thirty two years of dedicated service. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Bernice joined the order of Eastern Star of Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Jurisdiction of Massachusetts in 1983. In 1994 she was the Worthy Matron of Rising Sun Chapter No 2 and Past Royal Commandress of Mt. Olivet Court No. 3. She joined in ministry work at the Framingham State Prison providing young women the tools to return and maintain a productive life outside the prison. Bernice was a loving daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother as well as a wonderful friend. She lived a life that provided a legacy of hard work, persistence, determination and her faith in God as her guide to be the best she could be. Those who have preceded her in death are her parents, her sister, Idella and brother, J. T. Those who remain to cherish the memories of a well-lived beautiful life are: her sons Ricky, Christopher and Kirby; her grandchildren; her great grandchildren; her brother Peter, Jr. She will be deeply missed by a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends who loved her dearly and whom she also loved. Truly Bernice will be missed! To the entire Wideman Family, we at Weatherly Funeral Home and J. B. Johnson Funeral Home, Roxbury, Mass., offer to each of you our most sincere and heartfelt sympathy and condolences. Our prayer remains that God will lend to you a measure of comfort to strengthen and to sustain you during your time of bereavement.