Obituaries for Friday, March 18, 2005

Published 6:00 am Friday, March 18, 2005

Robert Hartwell ‘Bubba’ Herring

Robert Hartwell “Bubba” Herring a man who was well respected anddearly loved by family and friends, died at his home on February25, 2005, at the age of 76. Bubba was preceded in death by his son,Bill Herring; his father and mother, Frank Herring and GenevieveCook; and his sister, Viva Hefley.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Doris; four children,Eleanor Pate (Keith Pate), Teresa Everett (Perry Everett), RobertHerring Jr. and Lewis Herring (Sandra Herring); ten grandchildren,Bill Paulk (Jenny Paulk), Neil Everett (Sarah Everett), ShelleyWonson (Brett Wonson), Juli Herring, Nathan Everett, Byron Paulk,Allison Everett, Brandon Herring, Robby Herring and AmyHerring.

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Bubba lived his childhood and young adult life in Brookhaven,Mississippi. He briefly attended Auburn University, returned toMississippi where he married Doris, began a family, and started acareer with International Paper (IP) at their Moss Point Mill. IPmoved Bubba and his family to Camden and Pine Bluff, Arkansas, andto Mobile, his birthplace, in 1974. As a 35-year employee of IP,Bubba possessed a

work ethic typical of his generation. But all who knew him wouldsay that his unique talent was his ability to work with people.After retiring from IP, Bubba secured a license in real estate andworked with Norman Realty where he quickly parlayed hisprofessional and social experience into excellent salesmanship.Even today, some of his dearest friends live in homes that he soldto them. After retiring from the real estate business, Bubbacontinued with other enterprises such as selling Exceltelecommunications. It came as no surprise to his family,especially to his grandchildren, that he would continue workingpast retirement, for at every opportune time, he reminded them thathe had been working every day since he was 13-years old. “Active”is probably one of the best words to describe the way Bubba livedhis life. If he was not working, he was competing in a game.Whether it was golf, tennis, or cards, he relished the camaraderiewith his friends and family. Everyone enjoyed Bubba’s competitivespirit. He was unmatched when humorously zinging his friends duringcompetition, and as a result, everyone knew to guard themselves toavoid being the target of Bubba’s wit.

The love of Bubba’s life was his wife and family, but his secondpassion was for the game of golf. He always admitted that the sportitself was addictive, yet what he cherished most about the game washow a person can learn many of life’s lessons while sharing thefairways with good friends…lessons in integrity, judgment,sportsmanship, and perseverance. Bubba was a member of the City’sAdvisory Committee for Azalea City Golf Course. He was committed toserving his community in this capacity because he loved Azalea Cityso much. His love for golf and his dedication to improving AzaleaCity have inspired his children and grandchildren to honor him byestablishing the Robert H. Herring Youth Golf Scholarship Fund.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dauphin Way UnitedMethodist Church, Mobile, Ala., the American Cancer Society, or theAmerican Heart Association. Funeral arrangements were withRadney-Belmany Funeral Home, 6110 Grelot Road, Mobile AL 36609.

Lonie ‘Nell’ MaGee

Services for Lonie “Nell” MaGee, of Gulfport, were noon Friday,March 18, at Shiloh Baptist Church of Gulfport.

Mrs. MaGee, 76, died March 11, 2005, at Biloxi Regional MedicalCenter.

She was born in Jefferson Davis County on June 13, 1928, to thelate Alexander and Roberta Knight.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, FloraFields.

Survivors are her brother, James B. Knight, of California; and asister, Betty Johnson Washington, of Brookhaven.

Ollie Davis Lynch

Services for Ollie Davis Lynch, of Hazlehurst, are 1 p.m.Saturday, March 19 at Temple Church of Holiness with burial in NewSalem Church Cemetery in Hazlehurst.

Visitation is today from noon until 5 p.m. at Hazlehurst FuneralHome.

Mrs. Lynch, 93, died March 12, 2005, at Hardy-Wilson Hospital inHazlehurst. She was born in Hermanville on Jan. 12, 1912, toSlyvester Davis and Eddie Holmes Davis.

She was a retired storekeeper. She was a member of Temple Churchof Holiness.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Print”Happy” Lynch; two sisters, Ethel Davis Curtis and Joanna DavisVance; and four brothers, Bennie Davis, Willie Davis, ColumbusDavis and Jessie “Jake” Davis.

Survivors are her five daughters, Atha Lee Michle, ofHazlehurst, Elsie Cameron, of Brookhaven, Mary McGee, of McComb,Chris Sue Harris, of Meridian, and Elaine Boutee, of New Orleans;five sons, Jessie Lynch, of Hazlehurst, the Rev. Ellis Lynch, ofHazlehurst, the Rev. Kent Lynch, of Bogalusa, La., Wesley Lynch andElder William Lynch, both of New Orleans; one sister, M.Q. Adams,of Jackson; 36 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; and ninegreat-great-grandchildren; and many other relatives.

Willie J. Reeves

Services for Willie J. Reeves, of Brookhaven are 2 p.m. Sunday,March 20 at Fair River Baptist Church with burial in the churchcemetery.

Visitation is Saturday from 5-9 p.m. at Riverwood Family FuneralService.

Mr. Reeves, 80, died March 17, 2005, at St. Dominic/JacksonMemorial Hospital. He was born in Amite County on Nov. 20, 1924, toWilliam L. Reeves and Maggie Havard Reeves.

He was retired. He served in the Army and was a veteran of WorldWar II. He was a member of Fair River Baptist Church.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and one brother,Maurice Reeves.

Survivors are his wife, Laurie Reeves, of Brookhaven; threesons, Jim Reeves and his wife, Debra, of Clarksville, Ark., BillReeves, and his wife, Monica, of Brookhaven, and Steve Reeves andhis wife, Joyce, of Brookhaven; one sister, Dot Darsey, of Natchez;seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Pinchnellar Stevenson

Services for Pinchnellar Stevenson of McComb are 11 a.m.Saturday, March 19, at Center Street Church of Christ with burialin Siloam M.B. Church Cemetery of Brookhaven. R.E. Tyler FuneralHome is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is today, March 18, from noon to 6 p.m. with familyhour from 6-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mrs. Stevenson, 69, died March 11, 2005, at SouthwestMississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb. She was born inLincoln County on Sept. 11, 1935, to the late Rufus and Rosana ByrdRay.

She was disabled. She was a member of Center Street Church ofChrist in Brookhaven.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husbands, RobertRichardson, Tyree Gearing and William Stevenson; her brothers,Wesley Ray and Ezell Ray; and her sisters, Hilda Allen, Ollie MaeMcCoy and Pearline Kelly.

Survivors are her brothers, Andrew Ray, of Oakland, Calif., andTarzon Ray, of Lansing, Mich.; a niece, Annie King Henderson, ofBrookhaven; and a host of other nieces and nephews.

Tommie Ruth Welch

Services for Tommie Ruth Welch of Bogue Chitto were 10 a.m.Thursday, March 17, at Riverwood Family Funeral Service Chapel withburial in Welch Cemetery.

Mrs. Welch, 78, died Monday, March 14, 2005.

She was born in Bogue Chitto May 26, 1926, to Richard ThomasBaker Sr. and Ruby Louise Deer. She was a member of Bogue ChittoMethodist Church and the Bogue Chitto Order of the Eastern Star#263.

She was preceded in death by her husband, G.C. Welch Jr.; a son,Wayne Welch; and two sisters, Nellie Clark and Lottie Davis.

Survivors are her sons and daughters-in-law, Kent Welch andwife, Jeanette, of Bogue Chitto, Steve Welch and wife, Barbara, ofSanta Fe, N.M., and Mark Welch and wife, Sherry, of Smithdale; herdaughters, Marsha Welch, of Richland, and Debbie Reeves andhusband, Wayne, of Bogue Chitto; and her brothers, Richard BakerJr. and wife, Dorothy, of Bogue Chitto, Pharoah Baker and wife,Elizabeth, of Biloxi and Cecil Baker and wife, Angela, of OakGrove.