OBITUARIES

Rosie Gertrude Bedford

Services for Rosie Gertrude Bedford of Roxie are 2 p.m.,Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Franklin Funeral Home with burial in MidwayCemetery.

Mrs. Bedford, 72, died Dec. 3, 2000, at her residence. She wasborn in Franklin County on Dec. 1, 1928, to Pearl Pickering andLottie Mae Emfinger Pickering.

She was a member of Sarepta Baptist Church.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her sister, Mary DorisBedford; and her brother, Paul Pickering.

Survivors are her husband, George Bedford of Roxie; her sons,Norman Bedford and Mike Bedford, both of Meadville; her daughters,Ann Redmond of Petal and Marilyn Bedford of Duffield, Va.; herbrothers, Austin Pickering of Natchez, Jimmie Pickering of Conyers,Ga., and Charlie Pickering of Atlanta, Ga.; and sevengrandchildren.

Gertrude Berch Bishop

Services for Gertrude Berch Bishop of Wesson are 2 p.m.,Wednesday, Dec. 6, at New Zion Baptist Church with burial in NewZion Cemetery. Dr. Ken Kirk will conduct the services.

Visitation is Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 5-9 p.m. at Stringer FuneralHome.

Mrs. Bishop, 91, died Dec. 4, 2000, at King’s Daughters MedicalCenter.

She was a member of Heuck’s Retreat Baptist Church. She was amember of Eastern Star.

Survivors are her sons, Milton C. Bishop of San Antonio, Texas,Wilton A. Bishop of Walla Walla, Wash., and Fred W. Bishop ofVicksburg; her daughter, Verbalee B. Watts of Wesson; her brothers,Thaxton Berch and Ralph Berch, both of Crystal Springs; and severalgrandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Lloyd Berch, Curtis Berch, Henry Hood,Dennis Berch, Jerry Berch, and Lynn Berch.

Memorials may be made to Heuck’s Retreat Baptist Church BuildingFund.

Herman “Hi-Ball” Walker

Services for Herman “Hi-Ball” Walker of Brookhaven are 2 p.m.,Wednesday, Dec. 6, at New Sight Baptist Church with burial in RoseHill Cemetery.

Visitation is Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 4-8 p.m. at BrookhavenFuneral Home and Wednesday from 1 p.m. until service time at thechurch.

Mr. Walker, 74, died Dec. 4, 2000, at King’s Daughters MedicalCenter. He was born in Lincoln County on Feb. 10, 1926, to HenryWalker and Katie Smith Walker.

He was retired as a conductor for the Illinois Central Railroad.He was a member of the Railroad Retirees Association. He was aMason. He was a member of New Sight Baptist Church, where he was amember of the Brotherhood.

Preceding him in death were his parents.

Survivors are his wife, Ada Claire Lovell Walker of Brookhaven;his son and daughter-in-law, Billy and Ondre Walker of Brookhaven;his sister, Jewel Davis of Brookhaven; his grandsons and theirwives, Dustin and Stacy Walker and Shan and Heather Walker, all ofBrookhaven; and four great-grandchildren.