Obituaries for Tuesday, August 2, 2004
By Staff
MEMPHIS, Tenn. Services for Frances Fountain Poynor will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Germantown Baptist Church in Germantown, Tenn., and Thursday at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Quitman, Miss. Burial will be in Oddfellows Cemetery in Quitman. Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Poynor, 75, of Memphis, died Saturday, July 31, 2004. She was born on Sept. 6, 1928, in Chunky. After studying fashion design at Rutgers University in Trenton, N.J., she established herself as a dress designer and seamstress in Meridian, Miss., and later founded the Golden Thimble in Jackson, Miss., and Memphis. Her designing and sewing skills were much sought after with clients stretching from east to west coasts. Her specialties were bridal gowns and other formal wear.
She counted among her clients governors' wives, senators' wives, Miss Americas, Mardi Gras kings and queens, and thousands of blushing brides. Among the highlights of her career was an exhibition at the Smithsonian Institute of a wedding gown designed and fashioned by her from antique lace.
Through her love of God, church involvement and sewing, she made many special friendships that lasted a lifetime. Her faith in God and love of family and friends sustained her and helped her maintain a sweet, serene dignity.
Survivors include a son, John William Poynor and his wife Kathy Morton Poynor of Memphis; a granddaughter, Amy McHenry and her husband Kelly of Quitman; and great-grandchildren Chloe and Cody McHenry, both of Quitman; former husband and lifetime friend Harold Poynor of Meridian; sisters, Mary Henley of Newton, Miss., and Bonnie Elam of Quitman; brothers, Jack Fountain and his wife Niecy of Meridian, Bill Fountain and his wife Nora of Laurel, Miss., and Ray Fountain and his wife Betty of Pascagoula, Miss.; and several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William C. Fountain and Vera McHenry Fountain; a sister, Pearl Fountain and a brother, Marvin Fountain.
Memorials may be made to Germantown Baptist Church, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Visitation will be today from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at the funeral home in Memphis.
FOREST Services for Helene Usry will be held today at 3 p.m. at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, with the Revs. Leon Everett and Ernie Myers officiating. Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery in Scott County.
Mrs. Usry, 87, of Madden, died Sunday, Aug. 1, 2004, at Hospice In His Hands. She was a member of Liberty Baptist Church.
Survivors include her sons, Wilbert Usry of Forest and Rodney Usry of Chunky; daughters Pauline Tedder of Meridian and Sue Norman of Forest; and 18 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William R. Usry and two sons, Milton L. Usry and William L. Usry.
Services for Jacob Daniel Bateman will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at James F. Webb Funeral Home chapel Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Mr. Bateman, 83, died Sunday, Aug. 1, 2004, in his home. He was a retired shipping supervisor with Borden Milk Company.
Survivors include his sons, Larry Bateman of Alabaster, Ala. and Steven Bateman of Plano, Texas; a daughter, Donna Johnston of Enterprise; a brother, Cecil Bateman of Fort Payne, Ala.; a sister, Mary Connell of Arlington, Va.; grandchildren, Sarah Johnston, Jonathan Johnston, Nathan Bateman, April Bateman, Daniel Bateman, William Bateman and Jacob Bateman; and a stepgrandchild, Carey Johnston.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Fontaine Bateman; parents, Benjamin Franklin Bateman and Iona Vandevender Bateman; brothers, Curtis Bateman and Clay Bateman; sisters, Marie Goodwin and Mable McCall and a daughter-in-law, Maurine Bateman.
Pallbearers will be Mr. Bateman's nephews.
Visitation will be today from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
