Obituaries published in the June 9. 2006 edition of The Natchez Democrat

Services today

Laura Melinda Brent Edwards

2 p.m. Loretto Memorial Chapel, Loretto, Tenn.

Cine’ Olivia-Faith Collins

11:30 a.m. Zion Hill Cemetery, Ferriday, La.

Mary Jane Tolbert

10 a.m. Greenlawn Memorial Park

Lettie Marie Kaho Irvin

11 a.m. Bethlehem Baptist Church, Cannonsburg

Vernon Ray Stevens Sr.

Sept. 1, 1922 – June 4, 2006

NATCHEZ – Services for Vernon Ray Stevens Sr., 83, of Natchez, who died Sunday June 4, 2006, following a lengthy battle with cancer, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church of Natchez with Dr. Judson W. Hurt officiating.

Burial will follow at Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Laird Funeral Home Union Street Chapel and from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Mr. Stevens was born Sept. 1, 1922. He attended public schools in Natchez, graduating in 1939. He attended Copiah-Lincoln Junior College at Wesson and the University of Alabama.

Mr. Stevens retired from the U.S. Postal Service in Natchez in February 1989 after 35 years of service. He served as Postmaster for 17 years. Prior to his appointment to the top post, he served as a postal sub-carrier, a clerk, and positions on the supervisory force, including supervisor of the mails, foreman of delivery and collection, and assistant postmaster.

Married to the late Ethel Bowman Stevens, he was active in the community for many years. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Natchez until the time of death and included among his civic memberships were the Natchez Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, Harmony Lodge No. 1, F.&A.M.; and the Herbert J. Remondet Post of the American Legion.

He served in World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps and prior to joining the postal service, was associated with local wholesale businesses. He was an avid golfer and fan of Louisiana State University sports.

Besides his wife, Stevens was preceded in death by a son, William Bowman Stevens; a granddaughter, Meghan Elizabeth Stevens; and parents, Joseph Lynn and Nannie Haley Stevens.

He is survived by two sons, Vernon R. Stevens Jr. of Vidalia, La. and Jody L. Stevens of Baton Rouge, La.; a daughter, Grace S. Browning of Petal; a sister, Annie S. Calcote of Natchez; 14 grandchildren, Brian M. Stevens Michael P. Stevens and Katherine (Katie) Stevens, all of Baton Rouge, Emily Kay Stevens of Starkville, Drew Stevens of Oxford, Jennifer S. Morrow of Jackson, Sally S. Carlisle of Hammond, La., Anna Stevens and Bowman Stevens of Baton Rouge, Connor Stevens and Emma Stevens of Lafayette, La., Will Browning and Becky Browning of Petal and Lee Browning of California; three great-grandsons, Bowman Stevens and Grant Stevens of Baton Rouge and Cross Carlisle of Hammond; and one great-granddaughter, Meredith Claire Morrow of Jackson.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation in memory of Mr. Stevens to The Natchez Children’s Home or a charity of your choice.

Floyd Clay

Dec. 1, 1943 – June 6, 2006

NATCHEZ – Services for Floyd Clay, 62, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, June 6, 2006, at Southwest Miss. Hospital in McComb, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at George F. West Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Willie Joe Ellis officiating.

Burial will follow at Pine Hill Memorial Cemetery under the direction of George F. West Funeral Home.

Visitation is from 4 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mr. Clay was born Dec. 1, 1943, on Foules, La., the son of Ernest and Barbara Clay.

Mr. Clay was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ernestine Stampley; brother, Leroy Clay; uncle, Butler Gilmore; aunt, Florida Williams.

Survivors include his wife, Joanne Clay of Vidalia, La.; two sons, Floyd Albert Sims of San Francisco, Calif. and Cassius Clay and wife, Cynthia of Vidalia; one daughter, Bridgette Clay of Vidalia; five brothers, Ernest Clay Jr. and wife, Jean of Detroit, Mich., Joseph Clay and wife, Jackie of Fayetteville, N.C., Johnny Clay and wife, Etoria of Lucedale, Freddie Clay and wife, Brenda of Summerville, S.C. and Ronnie Clay and wife, Maxine of Natchez; 2 aunts, Eugene Howard of Natchez and Amelia Smith of Vidalia; six grandchildren and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins.

Pallbearers will be friends of the family.

Keldrick Nichols

FAYETTE – Services for Keldrick Nichols, 19, of Vicksburg, formerly of Fayette, who died Saturday, June 3, 2006, at Central Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Jefferson County High School Auditorium in Fayette with the Rev. J. L. Hammitte officiating.

Burial will follow in the Forest Grove Christian Church in Pattison under the direction of Spencer Funeral Home.

Visitation is from 2 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Deloris Claudette Ellis Wade

NATCHEZ – Services for Deloris Claudette Ellis Wade of Natchez, who died Monday, June 5, 2006, in Adel, Ga., will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church with the Rev. Birdon Mitchell officiating.

Burial will follow at Pine Hill Memorial Cemetery under the direction of George F. West Funeral Home.

Visitation is from 3 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 1 p.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Survivors include her husband, seven children, 29 grand children, mother, four brothers and two sisters.

Andrea Shaunteal Ware

Aug. 3, 1982 – June 4, 2006

NATCHEZ – Services for Andrea Shaunteal Ware, 23, of Natchez, who died Sunday, June 4, 2006, at the University Medical Center in Jackson, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Linwood Baptist Church with the Rev. D.W. Howard officiating.

Burial will be in the church cemetery under the directions of R.D. Mackel and Sons.

Ms. Ware was born Aug. 3, 1982, in Natchez, the daughter of Linda Ware Morgan and Otis Lee Pinder.

She was a graduate of Natchez High School.

Survivors include her mother and stepfather, Linda Ware Morgan and Robert Morgan of Natchez; father, Otis Pinder and Edna of Natchez; sisters, Cordelia Odom and Gregory of Lorman, Andrey Pinder of Natchez; brothers, Willi Wilson and Erica of Pensacola, Fla., Alvin Gaylor, Otis Pinder Jr. and Timothy Gaylor, all of Natchez; stepbrothers, Kelvin Latham of South Carolina, Robert Morgan Jr. and Reiko Morgan of Natchez, LaTorsha Wright and Lofty of Natchez; grandmothers, Julia Ware and Isabella Pinder, both of Church Hill; and a number of other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers will be friends of the family.

Cine’ Olivia-Faith Collins

May 30-2006-June 8, 2006

FERRIDAY, LA.-Graveside services for Cine’ Olivia-Faith Collins, an infant, who died Thursday, June 8, 2006, at Women’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, La., will be held 11:30 a.m. today at Zion Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Leroy White officiating under the direction of Concordia Funeral Home.

Cine’ was born May 30, 2006 in Baton Rouge, La., the daughter of Paul and Komonicca Cook Collins.

She was preceded in death by one infant sister, Nija Mignonne Collins and one infant brother, Antonio Niles Collins.

Survivors include her parents; maternal grandmother, Estelle Foster; paternal grandparents, Henderson and Doretha Cook of Ferriday, La.; two aunts, Candice M. Cook and Jill Foster; and two uncles, Johnny Foster and Rafuiell McCraney.

Elzy Washington

Aug. 14, 1954 – May 30, 2006

KINGSTON – Services for Elzy Washington, 51, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, May 30, 2006, at Natchez Regional Medical Center, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at United Progressive Church in Kingston with the Rev. Walter Smith officiating.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery under the direction of Webb Funeral System.

Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mr. Washington was born Aug. 14, 1954, the son of Alice W. Wilson and Alphonse Christmas.

He was preceded in death by his mother.

Survivors include her father, Alphonse Christmas; two sisters, Janice Washington and Mary Washington of Natchez; three brothers, Lee Washington and Alphonse Washington of Baton Rouge, La. and Johnnie Washington of Natchez.

Shirley “Angie” Roberts

April 25, 1948 – June 7, 2006

NATCHEZ – Memorial services for Shirley “Angie” Roberts, 58, of Vidalia, La., who died Wednesday, June 7, 2006, at Natchez Community Hospital, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Abundant Life Church with Pastor John Collard officiating.

Visitation is from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Mrs. Roberts was born April 25, 1948, in Casstown, Ohio, the daughter of Harold West and Dorothy Marie Kinney Senseman.

She was a member of Abundant Life Church in Natchez. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother and was always taking care of others. She will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her husband, James Roberts of Vidalia; twin daughters, Christy Toney and Misty Melton, both of Vidalia; son, Preston Roberts of Vidalia; five grandchildren, David Rollins Jr., Tiffany Rollins, Cody Toney, Christopher Toney and Kaleb Melton.

Mary Jane Tolbert

January 12, 1943-June 5, 2006

NATCHEZ- Graveside Funeral Services for Mary Jane Tolbert, 63, of Vidalia, La., who died Monday, June 5, 2006, at Natchez Community Hospital, will be at 10 a.m. today at Greenlawn Memorial Park with David White officiating.

Burial will follow under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation is today from 9 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Mrs. Tolbert was born January 12, 1943, in Wisner, La., the daughter of Bud Rebert Tolbert and Mary Inez Thomas Tolbert.

Survivors include a son, Darren Wayne Smith and Jean Darden of Vidalia, La.; granddaughter, Brandy Nicole Smith of Weatherford, Texas; nephew, Lee Carter and wife Yvonne of Woodville; nieces, Inez White and family, Pauline Cherry and family, and Margaret Mohan and family, all of Vidalia, La.

Pallbearers will be J. C. Thomas Jr., Robert Todd Glass, Randy Tolbert, Tommy Reid Jr., Billy Bob Nelson Jr., and Chad Chelette.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jessie Cherry, David White, and James Ola Jr.

Lettie Marie Kaho Irvin

August 27, 1920-June 6, 2006

CANNONSBURG- Services for Lettie Marie Kaho Irvin, 85, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, June 6, 2006, at her residence, will be at 11 a.m. today at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Cannonsburg Road.

Burial will follow at the church’s cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home.

Visitation is from 9 a.m. until service time today at the church.

Mrs. Irvin was born August 27, 1920, in Jefferson County, the daughter of William Henry Kaho and Emma Lewis Kaho.

She was a member of GMA Society, United Friends Society and member of Bethlehem Baptist Church Mother’s Board.

Mrs. Irvin is preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Sarah Kaho Day; and two brothers, Herman Kaho and Benjamin Kaho.

Survivors include one step-daughter, Mary Louise Tenner of Natchez; God-daughter, Shirley Kaho of Natchez; two God-sons, James Clay Morris and Wandus Kaho Jr. , both of Natchez; brother-in-law, James Day of Fayette; a special niece and caregiver, Mary Kaho Lowe and husband, Carl; special friends, Jerome Herrington, Mammie Lou Herrington, Ellen Jones, and Jeremy Herrington; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Charles Anthony Hickingbottom

October 6, 1962-June 6, 2006

BUDE-Services for Charles Anthony Hickingbottom, 43, of Bude, who died Tuesday, June 6, 2003, at his residence, will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Bude United Methodist Church.

Burial will follow at Old Sixteen Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home.

Visitation is from noon until 5 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 11:30 a.m. to service time Saturday at the church.

Mr. Hickingbottom was born October 6, 1962, in Franklin County, the son of Joe Louis Hickingbottom Sr. and Leslie Middleton Hickingbottom.

He was preceded in death by his father; and one son, Alex Charles Hickingbottom.

Survivors include his mother, Leslie Middleton Hickingbottom; daughter, Charlesette Hickingbottom; four sisters, Connie Hickingbottom, Edna Champion, Shanna Jackson and Vondia Harris; seven brothers, Joe Louis Hickingbottom Jr., Larry Hickingbottom, Patrick Hickingbottom, Sedrick Middleton, Juan Middleton, Demechery Hickingbottom; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.