Obituaries 09-21-10

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Peggy June Dye

MEMPHIS– Peggy June Dye, 57, died Monday, September 13, 2010, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis. She was the daughter of Minnie Dye of Pope.

Services were Saturday at Forest Hill East Funeral Home.

Dye was a service coordinator for Process and Power for 32 years.

Survivors along with her mother include: one daughter, Ashlea Brownlee of Memphis; two sisters, Jean Darby and Bonnie Skelton, both of Pope; two brothers, James Dye and Larry Dye, both of Pope and one grandchild.

Ira Gail Fisher

BATESVILLE– Ira Gail Fisher, 74, died Friday, September 17, 2010, in Cleveland.

Services were Monday at First United Methodist Church. Rev. Glyn Wiygul, Rev. John Tyler and Rev. Pat Ludlam officiated. Burial was in Magnolia Cemetery. Wells Funeral Home had charge.

Fisher, born Oct. 14, 1935, to the late Jessie Doyle and Rubye Martin Fisher, in Calhoun County, was a graduate of Crowder High School in 1953.

He served in the United States Army. Until the mid 1970’s he was the co-owner of Fisher Lumber Company in Batesville.

He then went to work with the Mississippi State Tax Commission and retired in 1997 after 25 years of service. He was a member of the Batesville First United Methodist Church. He sang in the Chancel Choir for over 50 years and served as Chancel Choir director.

He was a member of the Batesville Rotary Club, Exchange Club and Jaycees. While serving with the Jaycees, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award.

He was an Alderman for the City of Batesville, was a Batesville Volunteer Fireman and a member of the United Voices of Praise. Upon moving to Cleveland in 2007, he became a member of the Merigold United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Tyler Fisher and one brother, Dr. Fred Fisher.

Survivors include: two daughters, Monica Fisher Parker and her husband, Mike of Merigold and Kecia Fisher of Brandon; one brother, Larry “Bud” Fisher Sr. of Batesville; two grandsons, Chris Parker of Brandon and Jeremy Parker of Cleveland.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Batesville First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir Music Fund, 119 Panola Ave., Batesville, Miss. 38606.

BATESVILLE– William Ellis “Will” Renfro, 78, formerly of Southaven and Senatobia died September 18, 2010 in Pensacola, Fl, after a brief illness.

Born March 15, 1932 in Crowder to the late Jessie and Evelyn Renfro, he attended Crowder High School until his junior year and then transferred to Batesville High School. Upon graduation he was awarded a football scholarship to Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis).

Upon graduation Renfro became one of the first football players from Panola County, and the first from Memphis State, to be drafted by the National Football League.

However, Renfro was drafted into the Army and served for two years in Washington, D.C. before beginning his NFL football career. He played for the Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburg Steelers for 7 years.

When the American Football League was established Renfro was sent to the New York Jets where he sustained a shoulder injury which ended his football career. He was inducted into the Memphis State Football Hall of Fame in 1994.

Following his professional football career Renfro coached at several high schools and moved with his family to the then-new DeSoto County community of Southaven.

He and his wife, Onia Hathcock Renfro, became active in the community and were instrumental in starting a youth sports program.

Renfro was elected to the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors from the district that included Southaven, a position he held for eight years. As supervisor he was instrumental in leading a legal battle to prevent the City of Horn Lake from annexing Southaven. The court ruling in favor of the Southaven supporters led to its establishment as a municipality.

Renfro later moved to Senatobia when he accepted a position at Northwest Community College. He retired from Northwest when his wife was diagnosed with a terminal illness. After her death Renfro moved to Lake Washington in Glen Allen where he enjoyed fishing.

Renfro leaves three daughters: Debbie Renfro Conner (Carroll) of Pensacola, Fla.; Jalea Renfro Henson of Las Vegas, Nev.; and Angel Renfro Nickens (Tim) of Senatobia.

He is survived by five grandchildren: Clayton Conner, Carie Conner, Garrett Nickens, Madison Nickens, and Anna Nickens. He also leaves a brother Robert Renfro of Sutter Creek, Calif., and sisters Annette Clark of Southaven and Betty Vaughan of Nashville. He also leaves a special friend, Jane Cooper of Glen Allen.

Visitation will be at Wells Funeral Home Chapel Wednesday, from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. immediately before the service.  Burial will be in Magnolia Cemetery in Batesville. Wells Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Senatobia United Methodist Church — Good Samaritan Fund.

Arlond Darby

SOUTHAVEN– Arlond Darby, 75, died Thursday, September 2, 2010, at his residence.

Services were held September 5 at Twin Oaks Funeral Home. Burial was in Twin Oaks Memorial Gardens. Pastor Kenny Hodnette officiated.

Darby, born June 24, 1935, to the late Fred Lee and Madie Darby, was a retired clerk for Sears. He was a Baptist and an Army veteran.

He was preceded in death by; one brother, Carroll Darby and one sister, Ellen Darby.

Survivors include: his wife of 50 years, Wanda Darby of Southaven; two sons, Randy Darby of Nesbit and Keith Darby of Robertsdale, Ala. and two grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to Gideons International.