OBITUARIES FOR MONDAY, AUG. 6, 2001

By Staff
WILLIAM ARTHUR JOHNSON
QUITMAN Services for William Arthur Johnson will be held Tuesday, August 7, 2001, at 11 a.m. at Wright's Funeral Home chapel, with the Rev. Gary McInnis officiating. Burial will be in Harmony Cemetery, with Wright's Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Johnson, 73, of Quitman, died Sunday, August 5, 2001, at H.C. Watkins Hospital.
Survivors include his wife, Bobbie Johnson of Quitman; a son, Ricky Johnson of Gulf Shores, Ala.; five daughters, Gloria Johnson and Gracie Lavender, both of Atmore, Ala., Sharon Ready of Spanish Fort, Ala., Clara Johnson of Gulf Shores, and Linda Hans of Daphne, Ala.; two stepsons, Mike Farragut and Nick Farragut, both of Sevierville, Tenn.; a stepdaughter, Sherry Rolen of Pigeon Forge, Tenn.; 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held today from 5 to 9 p.m. at Wright's Funeral Home.
LESTER DAVID JONES
Driver and Florist Owner
Services for Lester David Jones will be held Tuesday, August 7, 2001, at 11:30 a.m. at Barham Funeral Home chapel, with the Revs. Jimmy Sanders and Cliff Pace, and Dr. Reid Whittington officiating. Burial will be in New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery with Barham Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Jones, 48, of Meridian, died Friday, August 3, 2001, in Mobile, Ala. He was employed by Allied Systems Trucking Co., and had been employed by ICG Railroad for 10 years and Meridian Coca-Cola for 10 years. He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church and was active in baseball, basketball and band. He had received many ribbons and trophies during his school years. He was very active in the Clarkdale Volunteer Fire Department and was chief for several years. He was an honored professional in the National Registry of Who's Who. He and his wife, Renee, owned Jones Flowers and Gifts/Balloons Galore.
Survivors include his wife, Renee Taylor Jones, of Meridian; a daughter, Stacy Burt, and her husband, Robby; a son, Ricky Jones, and his wife, Elizabeth; a grandchild, Robert Burt; and his parents, Kenneth and Bonnie Jones.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Mike Jones.
Pallbearers will be Sonny Sodoma, Steve Sodoma, Michael Sodoma, Todd Mathis, Willie Arledge, and Jimmy Coleman.
Visitation will be held today from 5 to 8 p.m. at Barham Funeral Home.
ESTHER PIERCE THOMPSON
Retired operator
SHUQUALAK Services for Esther Pierce Thompson will be held Tuesday, August 7, 2001, at 2 p.m. at Cockrell Funeral Home chapel, with the Rev. Fred Gerber officiating. Burial will be in Shuqualak Cemetery with Cockrell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Thompson, 86, of Pinetucky Community, died Saturday, August 4, 2001, at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center. She was a retired operator and a member of Shuqualak Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James L. and Minnie Jestal Hill Pierce.
Visitation will be held Tuesday from 1 to 2 p.m. at Cockrell Funeral Home.
NEVA SMITH
Arrangements were incomplete at Stephens Funeral Home for Neva Smith, 71, of Chunky, who died Monday, August 6, 2001, at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center.
TIKIYAH SHACOLE KENNEDY
Arrangements were incomplete at Clark's Memorial Funeral Home for TiKiyah ShaCole Kennedy, infant, of Heidelberg, who died Sunday, August 5, 2001, at Rush Foundation Hospital.