Shirley Bearden Hicks

Homemaker



LOUISVILLE — Graveside services for Shirley Bearden Hicks will be held today at 11 a.m. at Jackson Field Cemetery with the Revs. Billy Sodders and Bobby Butler officiating. Nowell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Hicks, 59, of Preston, died Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, at Baptist Memorial Hospital Golden Triangle in Columbus.

Survivors include her husband, William Hicks; a daughter, Elizabeth Hicks; step-daughters, Wanda Mayfield and Tammy Brown, a step-son, Bill Hicks Jr.; a brother, Bobby Bearden and three step-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother.



Elwin Jones Blizard

Retired Business Woman



Services for Elwin Jones Blizard will be held today at 11:30 a.m. at Barham Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Jimmy Williams officiating. Burial will be in Fellowship Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Blizard, 86, of Meridian, died Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007. She was a retired business woman. Mrs. Blizard was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church and various clubs.

Survivors include Albert Ray Keller Sr. and his wife, Kaye, of LaPlace, La.; a daughter, Ouida Ridinger of Meridian; two step-sons, Thomas B. Blizard Jr. and his wife, Margaret, of Charletson, S.C., and Raymond Gene Blizard and his wife, Dixie, Mechanicsville, Va.; six grandchildren, Albert Ray Keller Jr., Michael David Keller and his wife, Pam, Barry Keller and his wife, Toni, Timothy Keller and his wife, Melanie, Kara Keller and Tony Ridinger; stepgrandchildren, Dawn, Tamara, Benjamin III, Heather, Michael and Debbie; great- grandchildren, Ryan Keller, Blake Keller, Bliss Keller, Colton Keller, Blair Keller and Carmen Keller; three stepgreat-grandchildren, Victoria, Renee and Ashley; a sister, Evola Allen and her husband, Howard, of Madison, Tenn.; a brother, Larry Neal; her stepmother, Adell Jones of Hattiesburg; and numerous nieces, nephews and foster children.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Thomas B. “Tommy” Blizard.

Memorials be made to Fellowship Baptist Church or The Alzheimer’s Association.

Pallbearers will be Mrs. Blizard’s grandchildren.



Quincy Watkins



Graveside services for Quincy “Big John” Watkins will be held today at 2 p.m. at Meridian Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Tommy Espy officiating. Barham Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Watkins, 79, of Meridian, died Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War.

Survivors include his sons, Larry Watkins and his wife, Mary Ellen, of Petal and Michael Watkins of Dallas; grandsons, Jud Watkins of Flowood and Brett Watkins and Tyler Watkins, both of Petal; a great-granddaughter, Bay Watkins; sisters, Pauline Booker of Meridian and Floyce Mason of Lynwood.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Laneve Watkins; parents, Toby and Annie Watkins; a brother, Bill Watkins and a sister, Jean Bernard.

Visitation will be today from noon-1:30 p.m. at the funeral home.



Amelia A. Graeser

Retired educator



Services for Amelia A. Graeser will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at James F. Webb Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Dr. Raymon Leake and David McCubbin officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Carmel Church Cemetery in Noxapater.

Ms. Graeser, 77, of Meridian, died Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, at Poplar Springs Nursing Home. She was a graduate of Meridian High School and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1951. She received her masters’ degree in education from Livingston State College in 1967. She taught English in the Meridian Public School District for many years. She was a lifelong and devoted member of First Baptist Church of Meridian.

Survivors include her god-daughter, Sue Harvey of Little Rock; a god-son, Larry Beall; several cousins and good friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, the Rev. Emmanuel Frederick Graeser and Arlie Stevens Graeser.

Pallbearers will be Larry Beall, Tyler Creel, Dr. Ap “Chip” Carney IV, Dr. Raymon Leake, Robert Compton and Barry Germany.

Visitation will be Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.



Charles Rushing



PHILADELPHIA — Services for Charles Rushing will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. McClain-Hays Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Chris Vowell officiating. Burial will be in Cedarlawn Cemetery with Masonic rites.

Mr. Rushing, 80, died Sunday, September 9, 2007 at his home. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5 p.m.-9p.m. at the funeral home.



Bonnie J. Stidmon Spates



DEKALB — Arrangements were incomplete at E.E. McDonald Funeral Home for Bonnie J. Stidmon Spates,of Meridian, who died Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, at Rush Foundation Hospital.



Marina McCarty



Arrangements were incomplete at Berry and Gardner Funeral Home for Marina McCarty, 91, of Shubuta, who died Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center.



Donald Robinson



Arrangements were incomplete at Berry and Gardner Funeral Home for Donald Robinson, of Shubuta, who died Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, in his home.



Johnny Earl Campbell



Arrangements were incomplete at Berry and Gardner Funeral Home for Johnny Earl Campbell, 53, of Meridian, who died Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, at Rush Foundation Hospital.



Grady Rush



Arrangements were incomplete at Berry and Gardner Funeral Home for Grady Rush, 69, of Meridian, who died Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, in his home.