Obituaries

Local Obituaries

Ms. Mary E. Bankhead

Ms. Mary E. Bankhead

May 29, 2018

She leaves to cherish her memories: four daughters: Ruth (Pella) Robinson, Regina (Raphel) Brand, Mary (Henry) Gibson, and Shirley Vaughn all of Starkville,MS; four sons: Cedric Bankhead and Fred (Lacriscia) Bankhead of Stakville, MS, Michael (Jasmine) Bankhead of Memphis, TN, Don (Kautina) Bankhead of Columbus, MS; two sisters, Betty Wicks and Lubertha Neal both of Starkville,MS; three brothers: Jimmie (Minnie)...

Mr. Terry Terrell Doss

Mr. Terry Terrell Doss

May 29, 2018

Terry Doss leaves many precious memories to be cherished by his loving mother, Dorothy Doss,and grandmother Rose Ward both of Starkville, Mississippi. He leaves one daughter, T’Angela Doss and one son, Tyquerius Doss, both of Starkville, Mississippi. Two sisters, Tanya (Ronnie) Outlaw and Ebony Doss and one brother, Ricky Doss all of Starkville, Mississippi. He also leaves two nieces, Deziria...

Mrs. Jane Moody Brand

Mrs. Jane Moody Brand

May 28, 2018

She leaves to cherish her precious memories: two sons, James Williams (Sheila) and Raphel Brand (Regina) both of Starkville,MS; four daughters, Annette Brown (Charles), Ophelia Spearman, Evelyn Williams, and Kareader Trainer (Orlando) all of Starkville, MS; two daughter in-laws, Elaine Williams of Augusta, GA and Priscilla Brand of Atlanta, GA; one sister, Josie Bell Edmond ( James) of Louisville, MS;...

Mr. Johnny Wilson Sr.

Mr. Johnny Wilson Sr.

May 28, 2018

He is survived by his children, Johnny Wilson Jr., David Wilson, and April Walton; grandchildren, Johnny Wilson III, Hart Hart, Kayvonna Wilson, Christopher Walton, Kayla Walton, Jordan Wilson, David Wilson II, Jacob Wilson, and Chole Wilson; great grandchildren Ezra Wilson , KaSeric Lavaly, Josiah Wilson; brothers and sisters, Mary Hart, Anita Jackson, Christine Brooks, and Lonnie May.

Mr. Hal C. Kemp

Mr. Hal C. Kemp

May 24, 2018

Hal C. Kemp, 65, died May 24, 2018 at his residence. Hal was born in Starkville, Mississippi on September 20, 1952 to the late Roosevelt and Lottie Kemp. He was a graduate of B.L. Moor High School class of 1970. Hal was known to most by his nickname “Sonny.” Shortly after high school he moved to Buffalo, New York where...

Ms. Bertha Jackson

Ms. Bertha Jackson

May 20, 2018

She is survived by her daughter, Fabeyana Jackson, her parents, Annie Bell Gandy- Jackson and Sam Andrew Jackson; eight brothers: James Bell, Charlie Jackson-Tate, Henry Bell Jr., Andrew Jackson-Tate,Willie B. Jackson, Emanuel Jackson, Zeric Townsel, Sam Andrew Devine; five sisters: Melvina McDonald, Mary Bell Swanigan, Sarah Morton, Cherry Devine and Linda Montgomery.

Minister Jimmy Dickerson

Minister Jimmy Dickerson

May 20, 2018

He leaves to cherish his memories, a loving wife, Apple L. Dickerson; three children: Mary Helen Gavin of Columbus, MS; Wayne Dickerson and Helen Marie Ashford all of Pheba, MS; six grandchildren: two sisters: Mattie and Hattie Dickerson of Chicago, IL; one brother, Charlie Dickerson of Chicago, IL; a special daughter-in-law, Jacqueline D. Lowery; twelve great grandchildren, a host of...

Mr. Joseph Earl Rice

Mr. Joseph Earl Rice

May 15, 2018

He leaves to cherish his memories; four children: Joseph J. Rice, Tiarra S. Rice both of Stone Mountain, GA; Arlana Rice of Crawford, MS; and Jacquise McCoy of Macon, MS; three grandchildren; five sisters: Betty Moore, Elder Bertha Rice and Mamie Brewer all of Brooksville, MS; Geraldine Rieves of Crawford, MS; and Evangelist Glennie Porter of Columbus, MS; two brothers:...

Reverend Cifton James Halfacre Sr.

Reverend Cifton James Halfacre Sr.

May 14, 2018

Reverend Clifton J. Halfacre, Sr. accepted his calling and preached his first sermon at Pine Grove in 1994. He then later served the Lord by leading in such roles as Sunday School Teacher, Assistant Pastor, and Youth Pastor under the leadership of Pastor Charles Brown. He later transitioned into a leadership role, where he served as the Pastor of Muldrow...

Mrs. Hazel Laverne Harrison

Mrs. Hazel Laverne Harrison

May 12, 2018

Mrs. Hazel Laverne Stewart Harrison was born to Harnes and Estelle Stewart in Mathiston, Mississippi. Mrs. Harrison made history by becoming the first African American Deputy Justice Court Clerk in Webster County and the first African American City Clerk in Eupora, MS. Later in life, she was employed as an Administrative Assistant at MSU for the Student Counseling Center. In...

Mother Naomia Bell Hogan

Mother Naomia Bell Hogan

May 3, 2018

She is survived by her two children: Idell Bell-Childs and Donald Bell both of Des Moines, IA; sisters: Helen Bishop and Stacy Robinson both of Starkville, MS; Callie Shaffer of Killeen, TX; brothers: Lloyd Bell of Starkville, MS and Jonny Farmer of Detroit, MI; six grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren; two great, great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

Mr. Bobby L. Brown

Mr. Bobby L. Brown

Apr 30, 2018

He is survived by his mother, Annie L. Brown Stark of Starkville, MS; father, Mr. Walter Rogers of Starkville, MS; two daughters: Keysha and Tiara Bishop both of Starkville, MS; one son, De Angelo Henley of Starkville, MS; two sisters: Tamela Stark and Jessica Tate (Darae) both of Starkville, MS; one brother, Fredrick Brown (Carolyn) of Starkville, MS; nine grandchildren;...

Mrs. Carrie Bell Reese

Mrs. Carrie Bell Reese

Apr 28, 2018

She leaves to cherish her memories; three children: Roy Reese (Carolyn) of San Diego, CA; Shirley Reese and Linda Hollingshed (James) both of Starkville, MS; three sisters: Lula Colyer, Annie Mayes (David) and Lodene Johnson all of St. Louis, MO; one brother, Richard Minor of Starkville, MS; 12 grandchildren, 1 great grandson and a host of family and friends.

Mr. Governor "Buck" Mays

Mr. Governor "Buck" Mays

Apr 28, 2018

He leaves to cherish his loving memories his children, Ellen Watson of Eupora, MS; Jersal (Tamilla) Mays of Starkville, MS; Allen (Ollie) Mays of Eupora, MS; Malinda (Michael) Moore of Houston, TX; Sandra (Carl) Daniels of West Point, MS; Sharon (David) Allen of Bolingbrook, IL; Marcus (Vicky) Mays of Katy, TX. He was known as Grand-Daddy to 17 grandchildren, and...

Mr. Samp "Purch" Wilson Sr.

Mr. Samp "Purch" Wilson Sr.

Apr 27, 2018

He leaves to cherish his precious memories: Samp (Lue) Wilson, Jr., of Crawford, MS; Dorothy (Leroy) Gandy of Starkville, MS; Minister Martha J. Wilson, Queen W. Malone, Sammie (Regina) Wilson, Bernice Wilson, Linda Wilson all of Crawford, MS, and CWO5 Terry (Lorri) Wilson of Sasebo, Japan. Thirteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Three sisters: Anita (Robert) Jackson; Christine (Henry) Brooks...

Mr. John Lydell Johnson

Mr. John Lydell Johnson

Apr 16, 2018

He is survived by his children: Brianna L. Williams of Caledonia, MS; Jonathan S. Williams of Columbus, MS; and Jonita M.D. Johnson of Caledonia, MS; former spouse, Victoria W. Johnson of Caledonia, MS; sisters: Alecia W. Abrams, Cecilia Lashley, Bestina Toney; brothers: Darren Johnson, Tyson Washington, Myron Washington and Chad Washington. Two Grandchildren.

Mrs. Jessie  B. "Shane" Moore

Mrs. Jessie B. "Shane" Moore

Apr 15, 2018

On April 15, 2018, Jessie B “Shane” Moore departed this life at Oktibbeha County Hospital in Starkville, Mississippi. She was born to the late Corine Bell and Sherman Perry. Jessie is preceded in death by her husband, Bobbie Lee Moore; her son, Marvin Perry; her sisters, Pauline Thompson and Elizabeth Gale; her brothers, Joe H. Perry and Roosevelt Perry. She...

Mrs. Gladys Drake- Elliott

Mrs. Gladys Drake- Elliott

Apr 14, 2018

She leaves to cherish her memories; her husband, Horace Elliott; a son, Mitchell Drake; a daughter, Lukeisha Nunnally (David); two granddaughters: Miracle D. Nunnally all of Gulfport, MS; and Teresa Drake of Texas; god-daughter, Shondra Johnson of Starkville, MS; five brothers: James William of St. Louis, MO; Herman Drake of Germany; Cleveland Robinson (Gladys); Willie and Earnest Robinson all of...

Mrs. Joyce Ann Townsel - Macon

Mrs. Joyce Ann Townsel - Macon

Apr 13, 2018

Joyce Ann Macon was born in Oktibbeha County, Starkville, Mississippi to the late Jessie and Martha Lou Townsel on May 20, 1956. She was the eleventh child. At an early age Mrs. Joyce Macon accepted Christ as her personal Savior at Josey Creek Baptist Church. She later united with Mt. Peiler Missionary Baptist Church where she served faithfully until her...

Mr. Cleveland Lee Chandler

Mr. Cleveland Lee Chandler

Apr 5, 2018

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Aretha Chandler; children: Anthony, Orlicia and Victoria all of Starkville,MS; Tammie of Dallas, TX; three brothers: Jimmy Chandler, Arthur Chandler and Willie B. Chandler all of Starkville, MS; nine sisters: Bessie Chandler, Annie Chandler, Mary Louise Chandler, Mary Ann Chandler, Darlene Bush, Amy Chandler, Clottie Harrington and Jessie Lucious all of Starkville,...

Obituary Notifications

Subscribe to get alerts for new obituaries when West Memorial Funeral Home posts tributes

A logo for grief steps with an orange wave on a white background.
A Year of Grief Support

Sign up for one year of weekly grief messages designed to provide strength and comfort during this challenging time.