Published: November 02, 2006 02:56 pm            

Obituaries for week of Nov. 1

NEWTON — Tommy G. Sanders

Services for Tommy G. Sanders were held Friday at Newton United Methodist Church. Burial was in Oak Forest Cemetery in Randolph with James F. Webb Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Sanders, 83, of Newton, died Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2006, at Veterans Administration Nursing Center in Kosciusko. He was a 1959 graduate of Mississippi State University with a master’s degree in dairy and poultry science. In 1980 he worked as a dairy and poultry scientist for Mississippi State University Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served as a Lt. Col. until his retirement in 1976. He served in World War II. He was in the U.S. Air Force Reserve from 1951 to 1958, the Mississippi National Guard from 1958 to 1968, and the U.S. Army Reserves from 1968 to 1983.

He was a member of the Newton Rotary Club where he maintained a perfect attendance for 38 years. He was a member of the Newton County Farm Bureau and served as adjunct faculty for East Central Community College.

Sanders was a member of Newton United Methodist Church where he served as Sunday school teacher and in numerous other capacities.

Survivors include his wife, Hilda Person Barawick Sanders of Newton; daughters, Ann Miller of Brandon and Sandra Vaughn of Meridian; a son, Tommy M. Sanders of Union; step-sons, Billy and Don Barawick; a step-daughter, Becky Kornegay; sisters, Agnes Sides of Memphis, Tenn., Bobbie Jean Sanders of Pawtucket, R.I., and Elizabeth O’Briant, of Senatobia; brothers, Hal Sanders of Dumas, Herman Sanders of Peoria, Ariz., Hiram Sanders of Paris, Tenn., Paul Sanders of Knoxville, Tenn., and Graden Sanders of Sterlin, Ill.; seven grandchildren; nine-great-grandchildren and one step-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marjorie Patterson Sanders and his parents, Robert and Mary Frances Barber Sanders.

Memorials may be made to Newton United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society or a charity of choice.

Pallbearers were Maury Walley, Jason Walley, Adam Vaughn, Matthew Vaughn, Reid Sanders and Zackary Sanders. Honorary pallbearers were the members of the Military Honor Guard.

Visitation was Thursday, Oct. 26, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home.



Charles Edward Hamilton, Jr.

Lt. Col. USAF, Ret.

“Chuck” (as he was known) was born in Newton, and died on Sept. 27, 2006 at Mount Vernon Hospital in Alexandria, Va. after living in the Mount Vernon area of Alexandria for 45 years. He was the son of Dr. and Mrs. Charles Edward Hamilton. Dr. Hamilton was a prominent dentist in Gatlinburg and Knoxville, Tenn. Mrs. Hamilton, nee Maude Walton Hunter, was a well-known teacher and educator in the state of Mississippi.

“Chuck” received his BA from Mississippi State and his MBA from Harvard. He served in the United States Air Corps and attained the rank of command pilot, having flown more than 10,000 hours in various types of planes.

During World War II, he flew supplies from his base in India to China in missions commonly known as “The Hump.” Upon returning from India, and being uncertain about what he wanted to do, he resigned from the Air Force and took a position with the FBI as an agent. Upon deciding that was not for him, he accepted a regular commission in the Air Force and served 28 years, retiring in 1968. Along with assignments in the United States, he flew missions in the Berlin Airlift, served in Puerto Rico and served as the Assistant Air Attaché in Madrid, Spain from 1962-65. Upon retirement, he held an executive position with the Association of Government Accountants.

He was the devoted husband of Jeanne Elizabeth Shepherd whom he met through his best friend, who also married Jeanne’s best friend. He was a loving father of daughters Tandra Love of Phoenix, Ariz. and Jo Williamson, and her husband Robert Williamson, of Annapolis, Md. His dear grandchildren are Lisa Love of Phoenix, Ariz.; Brook Williamson of San Diego, Calif.; and Matthew Williamson, and his wife Cynthia, of Boothwyn, Pa. He also leaves his sister and only sibling, Yvonne Pope of Hattiesburg.

“Chuck” was a descendent of the youngest signer of The Declaration of Independence, and a warm, southern gentleman. All who knew him loved hearing the good stories he told so well. He enjoyed flying, golf, reading, gardening, and did fine “do-it-yourself” projects that enhanced his home greatly.



Dr. W. Levon Moore

Services for Dr. W. Levon Moore, 85, of Kosciusko, retired pastor, were held Sunday, Oct. 29, at First Baptist Church with burial in Parkway Cemetery. He died Oct. 26, 2006.

Moore was born Dec. 5, 1920 in Leake County to Mary Augusta Roberts and Rev. Elisha Walter Moore. He was one of 11 children. He graduated from Clarke College in Newton, and continued his education at Mississippi College in Clinton. After graduating from MC he attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., where he earned a masters and doctorate of theology degree. He married the former Pauline Rone of Ethel, May 31, 1942.

During his years as a student he served as pastor for Poplar Flat Baptist Church in Louisville, Oak Grove Baptist Church in Neshoba County, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Edinburg, and Fruitdale Baptist Church in Fruitdale, Ala. Beginning in 1943 he was associate pastor for First Baptist Church in Grenada and in 1944 at First Baptist Church in Yazoo City.

While living in Louisville, Ky., in 1944 he began his full time ministry at Ornsby Avenue Baptist Church. In 1948 he served as pastor for First Baptist Church in Lawrenceburg, Ky., until 1950. Highland Baptist Church in Meridian called him to be its pastor in 1955, where he served until 1960 and then he was called by First Baptist Church in Pontotoc. He served the Pontotoc church until he retired from the pastorate in 1974 and moved to Kosciusko where he was Attala County Director of Missions until he retired in 1985.

After retirement, Dr. Moore served in numerous Baptist churches throughout central Mississippi as interim pastor for many years including First Baptist Church of Kosciusko, and worked with Senior Adults for the Mississippi Baptist Association. He also authored two books, “Journey Toward Blindness” and “Like A Mighty River,” which was written about the work with senior adults in Mississippi.

During his lifetime, Dr. Moore served the Mississippi Baptist Association in many capacities, some of which are chairman of Committee on Nominations, Mississippi Baptist Convention, member of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, member of Executive Board, president of the Executive Board, member of Special Education Study Committee, First Vice President Mississippi Baptist Convention, and Chairman of Education Commission.

On the national level, Dr. Moore served as a member of Southern Baptist Sunday School Board and was chairman for the Plans and Policies Committee for the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board.

Moore is survived by his wife, Pauline R. Moore of Kosciusko; two sisters, Nell Moore Godwin of Newton and Mattie Eva Moore of Doyline, La., and husband Alton Moore; brothers, Ned Moore and wife Peggy of Lillian, Ala., and Mark Moore of Newton; sisters-in-law, Betty Rush Moore (Kelva), Lovonia (Ewell) and Jean (Elton).

Preceding him in death were his mother and father; sisters Lou Ella Moore Tucker and Nettie Moore Jones; brothers, Ewell, Lawrence Edward, Kelva, and Elton Moore.

Rev. Barry C. Corbett and Rev. James Berthelot officiated.

Deacons of First Baptist Church serving as pallbearers were Dr. Edward Bryant, Jack Holmes, Robert Simpson, Rob Burnham, John Shaw and Scott Wiggers.

Honorary pallbearers were other deacons of First Baptist, all ministers in attendance, and men from Pontotoc Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to Mississippi College Ministerial Education Fund or First Baptist Church, Kosciusko.

Jordan Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.



Henry Phillips Jr.

Services for Henry Stanley Phillips, Jr. were held Monday at Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was in Highland Cemetery with military rites by the VFW Post 3036 Honor Guard.

Phillips, age 86, of Hattiesburg, died Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006, at his residence. He was a retired English professor from the University of Southern Mississippi for 22 years and a U.S. Army World War II veteran. He was also a member of 19th Avenue Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vada Hemba Phillips; and his parents, H.S. Phillips, Sr. and Sara Phillips.

Survivors include a son, Ronald Phillips of Folsom, La.; a daughter, Shirley Taylor of Foxworth; a brother, Malcolm C. Phillips of Newton; five grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Visitation was held Monday at the funeral home.



Theron Evans Sr.

Services for the Rev. Theron Evans, Sr. were held Wednesday, Oct. 25, 22006 at St. John Baptist Church in Newton County. with the Rev. Anthony Robinson and the Rev. Clarence Arrington officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with Berry and Gardner Funeral Home of Meridian in charge of arrangements.

Evans died Thursday Oct. 19, 2006

He leaves to cherish his memories a daughter, Mary Kathryn Heard and husband Larry Heard of Birmingham, Alabama, two sons, Dr. Theron Evans, Jr. and wife Glenda Evans of Gulfport, Mississippi and Attorney Ray Charles Evans of Newton, Mississippi. He also leaves one grandson, Brian Evans of Gulfport, Mississippi and two granddaughters, Erika Heard of Durham, North Carolina, and Ashley Heard of Birmingham, Alabama. He also leaves four brothers; Mr. Rafe Evans (Ludie), Mr. Carl Evans (Lela Mae)., of Detroit Michigan; Mr. Taster Evans (Marilyn), Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and Mr. Clyde Evans of Newton, Mississippi. He also leaves five sister-in-laws; Mrs. Jasmine Evans, Mrs. Dorothy Evans, Mrs. Rosie Donald, Mrs. Lula Donald and Mrs. Theta Donald, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was the seventh child of the late Pete and Lula McDonald Evans was born September 6, 1925 in Newton County.

He was preceded in death by five brothers; S.M., Jarrett Pete, Grover, Titus and James Lee Evans and a sister, Rebecca Evans.

He received his educational training through the Newton County Public School System. He also completed his Ministerial training at the Meridian Branch of the Mississippi Baptist Theological Seminary.

He served as a deacon at St. John Baptist Church until his call to the ministry, May 1963. He served as pastor of the following churches throughout the surrounding areas: St. Cloud Baptist Church, Newton, for 18 years; Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Bay Springs for a year; and Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Hickory, for 35 years. He officially retired from the ministry in June 2004.

Other activities he was involved in include treasurer for the local chapter of the Newton County NAACP and manager of the Morning Doves Quartet. Reverend Evans was employed for 28 years with the United Gas Corporation.

He was united in holy matrimony on January 18, 1947 to the late Mrs. Catherine Donald Evans and to this union three children were born.



Margie Ruth McElhenney

Services for Margie Ruth McElhenney, of Union, were held Thursday, Oct. 19, 2006 at Milling Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Scott Ingram and Tony Addy officiating. Burial was in Mt. Zion Cemetery.

Mrs. McElhenney, 75, died Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006, at J.G. Alexander Nursing Home.

        

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