Published: December 12, 2007 01:03 pm            

Obituaries for Week of December 12, 2007

NEWTON — Anabel Jackie McGee Hand

Anabel Jackie McGee Hand, 83, a long-time resident of Jackson, passed away Friday, Nov. 30, 2007, at St. Joseph Hospital in College Station, Texas, due to kidney failure. A memorial celebration of life service will be in the spring of 2008 in her birthplace of Lake.

Jackie co-founded the first professional photography studio in Jackson, Mississippi, with Bob Hand, from whom she was twice divorced. Jackie owned La Vance photography studio on Lakeland Drive in Jackson, and created a photographic style that dynamically integrated classic composition and exquisite lighting. Before opening her own photography studio, Jackie was one of the first female salespeople for Olan Mills Studio, helping build it into a national firm.

In the mid 1950’s, she was the Public Relations Officer for the Mississippi Civil Air Patrol, U.S.A.F. auxiliary, where she participated in flying missions to find lost pilots. She also worked with news agencies and compiled a detailed history of the Civil Air Patrol.

Jackie was a mother of four: Bobbie Slater of Clinton, La., Steve Hand of College Station, Texas, Suja Pritchard of San Diego, Calif. and Robert Hand of New Orleans. She is survived by all four of her children, her sister, Yvonne McGee Montgomery of Black Mountain, N.C., her grandchildren Donna Hammons, Denise Wynn, Roger Slater Jr., Benjamin Slater, Stephen and Brian Hand, Mija Pritchard, Nathaniel Hand and six great-grand children.





Clarence Allen “Red” Shimfessel

Funeral services for C.A. “Red” Shimfessel were held Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at James F. Webb Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was in Garlandville at the Garlandville Cemetery with James F. Webb Funeral Home of Newton in charge of arrangements. Pastor Fred Reid presided over the service.

Shimfessel, 74, of Garlandville, died Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007 at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian. He retired from Waters International in Meridian after 20 years of service. Prior to that he was employed for 15 years with International Harvester in Houston, Texas. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1956-1962. Clarence was a member of the Garlandville Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife; Hanni Copeland Shimfessel, five sons; Mark Shimfessel, Sammy Shimfessel, James Shimfessel, Donnie Shimfessel and Gawain Guy, one daughter; Missy Spears, two step-daughters, Stephanie Crenshaw and Angela “Bodie” Calvert, 18 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, two sisters; Edna Earl Whipple and Jewel Peden and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wives; Martha Shimfessel and Vicki Shimfessel; his parents, John C. and Lucinda Kerr Shimfessel and one brother, Carlie Frank Shimfessel.

Pallbearers were: Buddy Ranier, Frank Shimfessel, Butch Newman, Jeff Peden, Chris Shimfessel, Larkin Weir, Bruce Lloyd and Kerry Gaines.

Honorary Pallbearers were: Stan Anderson, Curtis Kimbro, David Waters, Leon Williams, Bradley Pierce, Thomas McNeil, Joe Gibbon, Randy Sawyer, John Neal and John Whipple.

He will always be remembered by his compassion and sense of humor.



Mrs. Johnnie Boler Walton

Services were held Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007 at Stephens Funeral Home in Union for Mrs. Johnnie Boler Walton. Rev. Mark Vincent presided over the service with burial in the Linwood Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Walton, 83, died Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007 in Decatur.

Survivors include: Her husband of 63 years, Hubert S. Walton of Decatur, two sons; Donald Ray Walton and wife Jane of Brandon and Ronnie Hubert Walton of Decatur, one sister; Bobby Hardy of Philadelphia, three grandchildren; Alyson Broadwater and husband Curtis of Florence, Thomas and John Walton of Decatur, one great-grandson Jessie Broadwater of Florence and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Dergie and Nannie Livingston Boler.

Mrs. Walton was an active member of Clarke-Venable Baptist Church in Decatur.

Pallbearers were: Harold Wayne Boler, Barry Boler, Joey Boler, Milton Smith, Avery “Bud” Smith and George Smith.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.