Obituaries for Monday, Dec. 8, 2003

By Staff
Owner of McLemore Transfer and Storage
Graveside services for Theodore Jackson "Jackie" McLemore Jr. will be held today at noon at Forest Lawn Cemetery with the Rev. James Ruffin officiating. Barham Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. McLemore, 74, of Meridian, died Friday, Dec. 5, 2003 at Rush Hospital. He was a direct descendant of Richard McLemore, founder of Meridian. He graduated from Meridian High School and the University of Mississippi. There he was a member of the KA Order. He played on the Ole Miss baseball team, followed by semi-professional baseball. He was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and served in the Korean Conflict. He coached youth baseball for many years in Meridian. He was an avid golfer and racquetball player. He was the owner of McLemore Transfer and Storage. His father opened the business in 1940. He was loved by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who called him "Babo." He and his wife, Barbara, were married for 51 years.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara McLemore; daughters, Vickie Evans and her husband Dwayne; Valerie House and her husband Robert; and Vanessa Burton, all of Meridian; a son, Jack McLemore, III of Los Angeles; grandchildren, Michelle Call, Heather Holley, Kim Briggs, Jennifer Gingell, David Burns, III, Madi Burton, Samantha House, Roni Evans and Mikeal Evans; great-grandchildren, Ethan Briggs, August Briggs, Caileigh Call and Heath Gingell; a sister, Joyce McLemore Rush of Meridian; a nephew, Lowry Rush III; nieces, Cathy Slayton and Neva Rush; and several more nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, T.J. and Ann McLemore.
The family requests memorials be made to Poplar Springs Baptist Church Diabetes Association or Heart Association.
Pallbearers will be David Burns III, Jason Briggs, Brad Holley, Jeffrey Call, Jarrod Gingell and Dwayne Evans.
Honorary pallbearers will be Lowry Rush III, Buddy Booker, Jere Gunn, Harold Catlett, Joe Boswell, Leonard Morgan, Jim Luke, Al Veach, Leslie Watkins, Jimmy Purnell, Harvey Ray, Jim White, Billy Hal Robbins , Ken Willis and Will Lackey.
Visitation will be today one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Retired
Graveside services for Paul M. Busby will be held Tuesday at noon at Magnolia Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Carl White officiating. James F. Webb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Busby, 85, of Meridian, died Friday, Dec. 5, 2003, at Regency Hospital. He was born Aug. 25, 1918, in Waynesboro to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur G. Busby Sr. After graduating high school, he realized his dream of playing professional baseball when he accepted a contract to play with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1941-1943. His career was cut short due to an injury.
Upon returning to Mississippi, he graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a teaching degree and taught in Lauderdale County and surrounding areas before attending Ole Miss, where he graduated with a law degree. He returned to Meridian to practice law and during that time was elected county attorney for two terms and district attorney for one term.
He then went into private practice until his retirement. He was recently honored with an academic scholarship in his name from Shubuta High School, where he taught early in his teaching career. He was a member of Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of more than 50 years, Laverne Simon Busby of Meridian; daughters, Paula Gray of Amarillo, Texas, Deborah Clinton of Edmond, Okla., and Lila Atkins of Winslow, Ariz.; a brother, Howard Busby of Laurel; a sister, Winnie Norsworthy of Farmingdale, N.M.; six grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Judge Arthur G. Busby Sr. and Winnie Davis Busby; and a brother, Arthur G. Busby Jr.
Pallbearers will be Maurice Hall, Charles Smith, Charles Wright, Bill Ready, Beauchamp Jones and Nelson Hall.
Visitation will be Tuesday 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at the funeral home.
Retired seamstress
PHILADELPHIA Services for Sarah Mae Vickers will be held today at 1 p.m. at McClain-Hays Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Clifford Jinkerson officiating. Burial will be in Jackson Field Cemetery in Gholson.
Mrs. Vickers, 68, of Philadelphia, died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003, in her home.
Survivors include her daughter, Martha Anderson of Philadelphia; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; a sister, Erma Luke; and a brother, Edward Robertson, both of Preston.
Raytheon Systems Mississippi Inc. employee
FOREST Services for Tammy Griffin King will be held today at 2 p.m. at Hazel Baptist Church in Lake. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Ott and Lee Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. King, 32, of Conehatta, died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003, at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center.
Visitation will be today 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the funeral home.