Obituaries for Friday, Oct. 10, 2003

By Staff
BESSEMER, Ala. Services for Elmer James "Duke" Foster will be held at noon Saturday at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church with the Rev. Sylvester Miller, III officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery with Johnson Memorial Funeral Directors in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Foster died Sunday, Oct. 5, 2003. He was born in Cuba and graduated from T.J. Harris High School in Meridian, Miss. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1968 and his career spanned more than 24 years and several continents. He rose through the ranks, becoming a Master Sergeant before retirement and settling in Valrico, Fla. A man of many talents, he enjoyed culinary arts, photography and he appreciated music. He also operated Duke's Audio and Video Repair Service.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanie Foster; children, Anjeannette Barker and her husband, Joseph, and David Foster; aunt, Margaret Skipwith and her husband, Johnnie; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Ruby Foster.
Visitation will be today from noon until 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Services for Ruth Campbell Hime will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Barham Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Lane Busbee officiating. Burial will be in Magnolia Cemetery.
Mr. Hime, 86, of Meridian, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003 at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center. She was a member of Christ Community Church and she was known for her kindness and loving personality. Her family was her universe and her Lord was her Rock. She devoted her time to her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.
Survivors include three daughters, JoAnn Watson and her husband, Paul, of New Albany, Ind., Bonnie Catherine Hime Busbee and her husband, Joel Kent, Sr., and Sharon Ruth Hime Martin and her husband, Doug, Sr.; two sons, Forest Monroe Hime and his wife, Colline, and Joseph Henry Hime, Jr. and his wife, Debbie, all of Meridian; two brothers, Jesse Campbell and his wife, Ruth, and Charles Edward Bruner, all of Louisville, Ky.; grandchildren, Donald F. Kruer, Jr., Russell Kruer, Rebecca Ruth Crady, Philip Kruer, Paul Kruer, Elizabeth Stacy, David Kruer, Renee Busbee Baldwin, Joel Kent Busbee, Jr., Mark Wesley Busbee, Douglas R. Martin, Jr., Joseph Spencer Martin, Michael J. Martin, Jake Noe, Benjamin D. Hime, John Monroe Hime, Katherine Rose Hime, Zachary Hodges, Micah Hodges, Amanda Hime Henderson and Joseph Henry Hime, III; and 27 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Henry Hime, Sr.; grandchildren, Mary Ann Kruer and Mark Anthony Kruer; a great-grandson, Mark Burnett; a sister, Mildred Catherine Watson; and brothers, Forest Monroe Campbell and James Owen Bruner.
Pallbearers will be her sons and grandsons.
Visitation will be held today from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Retired
BUTLER, Ala. Graveside services for Weber Wilson Pharis, Sr. will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian, Miss. with the Rev. John Sweeney officiating. Bumpers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Pharis, 76, of Toxey, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003 at his residence. He was a self-employed businessman and the former owner of Atlas Roofing. He served in the U.S. Navy.
Survivors include sons, Weber Pharis, Jr., of Philadelphia, Miss., and Wade Pharis, of Jackson, Miss.; brother, Lewis Pharis; sister, Louise Greer, both of Meridian, Miss.; and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Theresa Pharis.
DEKALB Arrangements were incomplete at E.E. McDonald Funeral Home for Willie A. Campbell, 80, of Preston, who died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003 at his residence.
UNION Arrangements were incomplete at Stephens Funeral Home for Oliver Savell, 78, of Brandon.
Arrangements were incomplete at Stephens Funeral Home for Evelyn Ellison, of Meridian, who died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003 at Beverly Health Care.