Obituaries 02-10-2022

PASTOR SHIRLEY ANN CHAMBERS

Oct. 26, 1954-Feb. 1, 2022

Funeral services for Pastor Shirley Ann Chambers, 67, of Buckatunna, will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022 from Sweet Pilgrim Baptist Church, with Rev. Mack A. Chambers, Jr., officiating. Masks must be worn by attendees and hand sanitizer will be provided upon entry.

Following the funeral service, interment will take place at Sweet Pilgrim Cemetery.

Born on Oct. 26, 1954, she was a United Methodist Minister.

She died on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 at her residence.

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

O.D. DAVIS

June 16, 1951-Feb. 1, 2022

Graveside services for O.D. Davis, 70, of Waynesboro, will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022 from Pineville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12-6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022 from the Chapel of Turner Funeral Home.

Born on June 16, 1951, he was a Logger.

He died on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 at Specialty Select Hospital in Jackson.

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

PRENTISS RAY WASHAM

Feb. 19, 1957-Feb. 1, 2022

Funeral services for Prentiss Ray Washam, 64, of Waynesboro, will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022 from Pine Grove Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 12-6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022 from the Chapel of Turner Funeral Home. Masks must be worn by attendees and hand sanitizer will be provided upon entry.

Following the funeral service, interment will take place at the church cemetery.

Born on Feb. 19, 1957, he died on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 at Wayne General Hospital.

PASTOR SHIRLEY ANN CHAMBERS

Oct. 26, 1954-Feb. 1, 2022

Funeral services for Pastor Shirley Ann Chambers, 67, of Buckatunna, will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022 from Sweet Pilgrim Baptist Church, with Rev. Mack A. Chambers, Jr., officiating. Masks must be worn by attendees and hand sanitizer will be provided upon entry.

Following the funeral service, interment will take place at Sweet Pilgrim Cemetery.

Born on Oct. 26, 1954, she was a United Methodist Minister.

She died on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 at her residence.

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

MARY LOUISE BLAKLEY

March 6, 1944-Feb. 4, 2022

Funeral services for Mary Louise Blakley, 77, of Waynesboro, will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022 from Holly Bush Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Gary Houston officiating. Visitation will be from 1-6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022 from the Chapel of Turner Funeral Home. Masks must be worn by attendees and hand sanitizer will be provided upon entry.

Following the funeral service, interment will take place at New West Cemetery.

Born on March 6, 1944, she was a retired Textile Laborer.

She died on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022 at Wayne General Hospital.

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

CHRISTINA "MAMA DULA" GANDY

Feb. 3, 1963-Feb. 5, 2022

Funeral services for Christina "Mama Dula" Gandy, 59, of Waynesboro, will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022 from Sweet Pilgrim Baptist Church, with Rev. Donald R. Gandy officiating. Visitation will be from 12-6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022 from the Chapel of Turner Funeral Home. Masks must be worn by attendees and hand sanitizer will be provided upon entry.

Following the funeral service, interment will take place at Waynesboro Cemetery.

Born on Feb. 3, 1963, she was a Homemaker.

She died on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022 at Wayne General Hospital.

Turner Funeral Home of Waynesboro is in charge of arrangements.

LEXUS LEANNE HIGGINS

May 9, 1997-Jan. 31, 2022

Graveside services for Lexus Leanne Higgins, 24, of Waynesboro, were conducted on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 from State Line Cemetery, with REv. Kenneth M. Davis officiating.

Born on May 9, 1997, she was a Customer Service Representative in the telephone industry. She was also a member of the Youth Choir and Red Circle at Pineville Missionary Baptist Church.

She died on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022 at Wayne General Hospital.

She is survived by her grandmother, Florisa Davis; her grandfather, Melvin Davis; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Ma'Keonta and Keven Hill of Chatom, Ala., and Ja'Koya and D'onta Steward; two brothers, Wallace Spotts and Dasmine Higgins, both of Waynesboro; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles, aunts, family members and friends.

McDonald and Sons Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

LESTER WAYNE WALLEY

Aug. 4, 1955-Feb. 4, 2022

Funeral services for Lester Wayne Walley, 66, of Waynesboro, were conducted on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 from the Chapel of Freeman Funeral Home, with REv. Tedlen Pittman officiating.

Interment followed at Lee's Chapel Cemetery.

Born in Waynesboro on Thursday, Aug. 4, 1955 to Lester Walley and Geneva Walley Cochran, he was a member of Lee's Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. He worked as an Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) with Ensco.

He died on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022 at Forrest General Hospital.

He is survived by his wife, Debra Walley of Waynesboro; his mother and her spouse, Geneva and Raleigh Mack Cochran of Waynesboro, Three sons and a daughter-in-law, Bobby Walley, Ben and Sara Walley and Caden Walley, all of Waynesboro; a daughter, Barbara Walley of Waynesboro; his brother, Timmy Walley of Waynesboro; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Genell Nash, Brenda and Jimmy Pearson and Lisa and Charles Smith, all of Waynesboro; seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lester Walley; and a sister, Genice Wilson.

Pallbearers were Hunter Walley, Corban Walley, John Lofton, J.T. Walley, Devan Walley, Steve Ainsworth, Steven Heath and Zach Reynolds.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

IMOGENE MERRILL

April 9, 1927-Feb. 3, 2022

Graveside services for Imogene Merrill, 94, of Buckatunna, were conducted on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022 from Mt. Zion Cemetery, with Dr. Terry Williams officiating.

Born in French Camp on Saturday, April 9, 1927 to Palmer P. Watson and Myrtle Watson, she was a member of Buckatunna First Baptist Church. She was a Homemaker.

She died on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022 at her residence.

She is survived by her son, Ronnie Merrill of Buckatunna; three daughters and a son-in-law, Linda Merrill Remmers of Mooreville, Ann Merrill Jordan of State Line, and Connie Merrill and Bill Whatley of Buckatunna; 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, a great-great-grandchild and a son-in-law, Raymond Revette.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Silas E. Merrill; her father, Palmer P. Watson; he mother, Myrtle Watson; a son, Michael Merrill; a daughter, Patsy Merrill Revette; two brothers, Kellum Watson and Tommy Watson; her sister, Pauline Taylor; a granddaughter, Stacy Plaxico; and a son-in-law, Darrel Jordan.

Pallbearers were Patrick Revette, Scott Revette, Chaise Whatley, Kollyn Kitchens, Hayden Revette, Klein Kittrell, Evan Cassell and Ross Graham.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

DAVID BILL ROSS, JR.

Sept. 30, 1944-Feb 2, 2022

Graveside services for David Bill Ross, Jr., 77, of Monroeville, Ala., were conducted on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022 from Serenity Gardens Cemetery, with Rev. Mark Ferguson officiating.

Born in Waynesboro on Saturday, Sept. 30, 1944 to David Bill Ross, Sr. and Mary (Holt) Ross, he was the Founder and Owner of David's Catfish House. Anyone who knew him could attest to his love and passion for David's, its employees and most of all its customers. He often lovingly referred to David's as his legacy.

He was a great man and an amazing father and he will be missed dearly.

He died on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022 at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, Ala.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sadie Bell Ross of Monroeville; two daughters and sons-in-law, Brooke Ross and Trevor Richardson of Greenville, Ala., and Karen Ross and Chris Hare of Monroeville; a son and daughter-in-law, Benson and Shannon Ross of Loxley, Ala.; his brother, Donald Ross of Waynesboro; five grandchildren and their respective spouses, Ross and Margaret Hare, Tripp Richardson, Taite Watson, Nate Richardson and Male Ross; and three nephews, Holt Ross, Mason Ross and Grant Ross.

He was preceded in death by his father, David Bill Ross, Sr.; and his mother, Mary Ross.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Johnson Funeral Home of Monroeville and Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro were in charge of arrangements.

BARBARA ELIZABETH BUSBY PALMER

Jan. 31, 2022

With great sadness, the family of Barbara Elizabeth Busby Palmer has announced her death on Jan. 31, 2022 at the age of 76.

She was born in Mobile, Ala., and grew up in Waynesboro, where she graduated from Waynesboro Central High School. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi, earning a degree in Education in 1966. She married her high school sweetheart and best friend, Ronnie Glenn Palmer.

After marrying, they relocated to Ocean Springs, where she was a devoted teacher at Pecan Park Elementary for 28 years. After he retirement, she found great joy seeing her students in Ocean Springs as young adults with their own families. She loved hearing how their lives developed and about their personal and professional successes.

She enjoyed gardening, walking on the beach with her husband, traveling and spending time with family friends. She was extremely devoted to her family and will be carried in their hearts always.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Ronnie Palmer; her loving daughters and their spouses, Angela and Michael Clary, Stephanie and Jeff Tillotson and Candice Palmer Weber; her four grandchildren, Dylan Arthur Weber, Lela Elizabeth Weber, Ava Amore Clary and Adyson Lily Palmer Clary, all of whom affectionately knew her as "Nana."

She was preceded in death by her father, Arthur G. Busby; her mother, Marion Busby; and her sister, Catherine Philips.

Barbara's wishes were to be cremated and to "not be made a fuss over;" therefore, no funeral nor memorial services will be conducted. In lieu of flowers, please donate a book to a child, local library, daycare of school.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to many doctors, nurses, physical therapists and various healthcare staff that provided great care and encouragement over the last two years.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home of Biloxi is honored to serve the family of Barbara Elizabeth Busby Palmer.