Obituaries published Sunday, March 5, 2006, edition of The Natchez Democrat

Marcus Lee Freeman

Jan. 4, 1957-March 2, 2006

FAYETTE &8212; Funeral arrangements for Marcus Lee Freeman, 49, of Houston, who died Thursday, March 2, 2006, at Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital in Houston, are incomplete at Spencer Funeral Home.

Brady Montgomery Simonton

April 15, 1955-March 3, 2006

NATCHEZ &8212; Graveside services for Brady Montgomery Simonton, 50, of Natchez, who died Friday, March 3, 2006, at his residence, will be held Monday, March 6, 2006, at 11 a.m. at Natchez City Cemetery.

Visitation will follow the service Monday at 403 S. Union St.

Mr. Simonton was born April 15, 1955, in Natchez, the son of William M. and Eva Deane Jones Simonton. He is preceded in death by his mother and a daughter, Kathryn Nettles Spann. Brad was widely respected as a connoisseur of American antiques and was the owners of Simonton Antiques, with locations in Natchez and Austin.

He loved music in his early years and enjoyed playing drums in his band. He was a sports enthusiast and an avid golfer, but his happiest moments were coaching and watching his son, Will, participate in sports.

He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Brad is survived by his son, Will Simonton; his fianc/e, Jean Vidos, and her daughter, Catherine; his father, Billy Simonton; his sister, Cindy Simonton; and two granddaughters, Alison Victoria Spann and Emily Elizabeth Spann.

Memorials may be made to the American wing of the New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park, New Orleans, LA 70124.

Ellie King Hester

Oct. 9, 1916-March 3, 2006

RIDGELAND &8212; Mrs. Ellie King Hester, 89, of Jackson and Ridgeland, died March 3, 2006, at Hospice Ministries.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday, March 6, 2006. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Ridgeland with burial at Parkway Memorial Cemetery.

Mrs. Hester was born in Yazoo County on Oct. 9, 1916, to Campbell B. King and Margaret Slaton King.

She was a dental assistant before her marriage to William A. Hester, who preceded her in death in December 1981. Mrs. Hester was a member of Riverside Independent Methodist Church, where she was active in the Aldersgate Sunday school class, WMS and Prime Timers.

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, William &8220;Bill&8221; Hester and wife Cherlyn of Natchez and David C. Hester and wife Jo of Terry; grandchildren Stewart Hester and Robert Hester, Ashley Bufkin, Marty Hester and David Hester; and great-grandchildren Barrett and Hayes Bufkin.

Memorials may be made to Riverside Independent Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 321180, Flowood, MS 39232.

Marvin Bishop Nolen III

Feb. 17, 1947-March 3, 2006

SICILY ISLAND, La. &8212; Funeral services for Marvin Bishop Nolen III, 59, of Sicily Island, who died Friday, March 3, 2006 at his residence, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 6, 2006, at First United Methodist Church with the Revs. Bill Foster and Robert Martin officiating.

Burial will follow in Highland Park Cemetery in Sicily Island under the direction of Comer Funeral Home of Ferriday.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the church.