Obituaries for Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003
By Staff
YORK, Ala. Graveside services for Vennie Watson Rushing were to be held today at 10 a.m. at Clay Memorial Cemetery in Cuba with the Revs. Richard Cothern and Taylor Wallace officiating. Bumpers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ms. Rushing, 96, of Meridian, died Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2003, at Beverly Healthcare Center in Meridian. Mrs. Rushing was born Emma Luvenia Holder on Aug. 16, 1907, in Sumter County, Ala., to Thomas Jefferson and Emma Josephine Holder.
She married James Tolbert Watson on Sept. 2, 1925, in Quitman. She lived most of her life in Lauderdale County. For many years she was an active member of Pine Grove Church of God at Lauderdale. In later years, she lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Julia and Buster Nutt, and was a member of Enterprise Baptist Church.
Survivors include her son, Sim Watson of Jackson; daughters, Julia Nutt and her husband, Buster, of Quitman, and Charity Marlowe of Kitts Hill, Ohio; seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Tolbert Watson; a daughter, Peggy W. Newby; an infant great-granddaughter, her parents, four brothers and three sisters.
Pallbearers were the Deacons of Enterprise Baptist Church.
Homemaker
Services for Liza Sharp will be held today at 2 p.m. at McClain-Hays Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Charles Rhodes officiating. Burial will be in Morrow Cemetery in Neshoba County.
Mrs. Sharp, 71, of Philadelphia, died Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2003, at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center.
Survivors include her sons, Greg Sharp and David Sharp, both of Philadelphia; four grandchildren; brothers, J.W. Burroughs and Coytley Burroughs, both of Philadelphia.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Grace Matthews.
Educator
DERIDDER, La. Services for Donald McKay Caldwell Sr. will be held today at 2 p.m. at Hixson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Winnie McMahon officiating. Burial will be in Nowlin Cemetery in Singer, La.
Mr. Caldwell, 74, of Singer, formerly of Hickory, died Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2003, in DeRidder. He was a lifelong educator who touched the lives of many as a teacher, coach, principal and assistant superintendent.
He was well respected by all who knew him and was a man of honesty and integrity. He was an outdoor enthusiast, avid hunter, fisherman and family man. He enjoyed farming and country living.
Mr. Caldwell grew up in Hickory and lived most of his adult life in Bay St. Louis, but moved to Singer, upon retiring to be closer to his children. He will be greatly missed by family and friends, but his strength and courage will continue to inspire lives.
Survivors include his wife, Audrey; sons, Jim Caldwell and his wife, Gayle, of Leesville, Donald Caldwell Jr. and his wife, Susan, of Moss Bluff and Charles Caldwell and his wife, Cindy, of Westlake; a daughter, Betty Louise of Singer; a brother, Bobby of Hickory; and eight grandchildren, Felicia, Amanda, Vincent, Adam, Mark, Joel, Laina and Lenny; two great-grandchildren, Dylan and Claire.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Evva Swearingen and Clarence Caldwell of Hickory; and a brother, Carl, of Detroit.
Visitation will be today 8 a.m. until service time at the the funeral home.
Carnival concessionaire
BUTLER, Ala. Graveside services for Jeanette Cora Johnson will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Florida National Cemetery. Bumpers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Johnson, 83, of Meridian, died Sunday, Aug. 31, 2003, at Riley Hospital.
Survivors include her daughter, Rodina Johnson Mazingo and her husband, Ralph, of Gilbertown; a sister, Florence Weber of Hastings, Minn.; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rodney A. Johnson.
Services for Dora Lee Larkin Ruffin will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Yantley, Ala. with the Rev. Willie D. Burton officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Enterprise Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Ruffin, 82, of Meridian, died Friday, Aug. 29, 2003, at Rush Foundation Hospital.
Survivors include her sons, Henry Ruffin Jr. and his wife, Pamela, and Winfred Ruffin Sr. and his wife, Donna, all of Meridian, Benny Ruffin and his wife, Demetrice, of Detroit, and Tyrone Ruffin and his wife, Patricia, of Silver Springs, Md.; daughters, Dorothy Tillman of Newark, N.J., Mary McBride, Loretha Ruffin and Belinda James and her husband, Allen, all of Meridian; a brother, Roosevelt Larkin of Montgomery, Ala.; sisters, Fannie Hawkin of Montgomery and Lillie Larkin of Chicago; 21 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Nelson Ruffin Sr.
Visitation will be Friday 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Arrangements were incomplete at Clark's Memorial Funeral Home for Gennie Smith, 72, of Meridian, who died Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2003, at Riley Hospital.
