Obituaries (August 20, 2019)

Published 4:35 pm Monday, August 26, 2019

Richard K. Northcutt,  53, died Friday evening, Aug. 16, 2019, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by Wells Funeral Home when finalized  by his family.

Michael Lee Edwards, age 62, passed away Saturday morning, August 17, 2019, at his home in Batesville, after a two-year courageous battle with cancer.

The family will be receiving friends Tuesday evening, Aug, 20, from 5 to 8 p.m.  at Wells Funeral Home. Another visitation will be held Wednesday, Aug, 21,  from 1 to 3 p.m. at Peebles Funeral Home in Somerville, Tenn., followed by a funeral service beginning at 3 p.m.  in the Main Chapel of Peebles Funeral Home, 18020 U.S. Hwy 64, Somerville, Tenn. Interment will immediately follow at Grand Junction Cemetery in Grand Junction, Tenn.

Michael was born July 20, 1957, in Memphis,  to Dr. N.H. Edwards and Janie Lee Winstead Edwards. He was a graduate of Fayette Academy in Somerville,  and went on to receive an associate’s degree in electrical engineering from State Technical Institute in 1981. Michael furthered his education at Memphis State University, where in 1988, received his bachelor of Science in electrical engineering.

He was an electrical engineer for Insituform Technologies in Batesville.

Michael was a devoted husband, father, brother and son. He was an advanced scuba diver that enjoyed hunting, fishing, and any activities on Pickwick Lake.

The game of golf was also very important to him, but the highlight of his life was his daughter and taking many memorable trips.

Those left behind to cherish his loving memory include his wife of 37 years, Teresa Pulliam “Terri” Edwards; daughter, Lauren Elizabeth Edwards of Batesville, and her fiancé, Lee Spencer of Senatobia; parents, Dr. N.H. Edwards and Janie Edwards of Grand Junction, Tenn.;  two brothers, Dr. Nick Edwards, DDS and wife Sara of Grand Junction, Tenn., Scott Edwards of Atlanta; sister-in-law, Mary Beth Pulliam of Somerville, Tenn.; father-in-law, Harlan Pulliam of Somerville.

Michael was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Mimi Walker Pulliam.

Aubrey Burns “Horsefly” Howe passed into glory on Aug. 15, 2019, at Baptist Memorial Hospital of North MS.

Funeral services were  Sunday, Aug. 18,  at Well Funeral Home in Batesville with interment at Forrest Memorial Park in Batesville. The family received friends Saturday evening  at Wells Funeral Home.

Aubrey was born on May 10, 193, in Oakland,  to the late Ethel Burt and Gertrude Burns Howe. He served his country in the U.S. Army’s First Infantry Big Red One Division during the Korean War. As a veteran, he attended the police academy and also the FBI Academy. He was a member of the Senatobia Church of God.

There are two things that meant the world to “Horsefly” Howe: his family and being a police officer. He doted on his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They were the “purtiest thing you’ve ever seen” and were as much a badge of honor to him as the badge he wore on his uniform.

Aubrey was a police officer for over 40 years. He served as Chief of Police for the city of Batesville from 1967 through 1969. In 1999 he was inducted into the American Police Hall of fame in Miami, Florida and was nominated as national police officer of the year.

He was commissioned as Deputy Sheriff in McNairy County, Tenn., by legendary Sheriff Buford Pusser of Walking Tall fame in addition to having Deputy Sheriff commissions in Panola County and Shelby County, Tenn.

He had a distinguished career as captain, receiving many accolades and steering those who “got off track” back in the right direction. He was a Grand Knight of Michael the Archangel Police and Fire Legion. He received the Silver Star of Bravery and also the J. Edgar Hoover Award for Distinguished Service.

He was also a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Distinguished Mississippian Award. Upon his retirement from service Mississippi House Resolution 194 was passed in his honor for his service to the State of Mississippi.

He was a Colonel Aide de Camp for Tennessee Governor Ned McWherter’s 1990 Staff and served in this same capacity for Mississippi Governor Cliff Finch. These are only just a few of his vast lifetime of achievements.

Aubrey loved to travel and he loved baseball. He was a devoted fan of Ole Miss baseball and was a founding member of the Ole Miss Bullpen Club. He loved the Batesville community and could often be seen in his younger days jogging with Gov. Cliff Finch or working in his off time at Dunlap and Kyle.

The loving family he leaves behind include his children: Burney Howe (Carla) of Pontotoc, Michael Howe (Pam) of Batesville, and Ladye Durdin (Ray) of Senatobia; grandchildren Brandon Howe (Sharon), Michael Howe and Seth Howe of Pontotoc, Jonathon Howe, Jack-Thomas Durdin and Eliza-Jayne Durdin of Senatobia, Chelsea Foshee (Kaleb) of Sardis, Raychel Durdin of Oxford; great-grandchildren Brayden, Axel, and Ragan Howe of Pontotoc and John-Wyatt Foshee of Sardis; his Brother Darnell Howe of Oakland. He also leaves behind Ricky Joe Kendall and Lisa Powell and a host of family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 59 years, Joy Irene Swindle Howe; his brothers Wallace and E.B Howe; and sisters Lenora Fly and May Donnelson.

James Wilborn Mehan, 94, died Thursday, Aug.15, 2019, at Tallahatchie Extended Care Facility in Charleston

He was born Nov. 26, 1924, in Lambert, to William Henry and Nora Mehan.  He was a retired farmer and World War II Veteran .

Funeral services were Saturday, Aug.17, at Dickins Funeral Home.  Burial was at Chapel Hill Cemetery.

Alfred Earl Mills, 77, died Friday morning, Aug. 16, 2019, at his home in Batesville.

Funeral services were Monday, Aug. 19, in the Martin Willingham Memorial Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with interment at Union Cemetery in Sardis, MS.

He was born June 19, 1942, in Panola County,  to the late Alfred Drew and Annie Bell Gant Mills. He was a heavy equipment operator for the Corps of Engineers and was of the Baptist faith. He honorably served his state and country in the Mississippi National Guard.

Funeral services for Vernice Roberson, 94, were Saturday, Aug. 17, at Simon Chapel #2 in Como. Burial was in the church cemetery under the direction of Felix Cauthen Funeral Home.

She died Aug. 13, 2019, at Panola Medical Center. She was retired from the North Panola School District.

Mrs. Samantha Dees, age 48, passed away Sunday, Aug.18, 2019 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019 from 1 p.m. until the Memorial Service

time beginning 3 p.m. at Abundant Light Church located 7267 Pope-Crowder Rd., Pope.

Sam loved her church, church family and her furry animals.

Those whom she leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband Tommy Dees of Oakland; four daughters, Sammy Joe of Independence; Pamela Dees of Arkansas; Stacy Borders of Arkansas; Jennifer Dees of Mississippi; two sons, Allen of Hernando; and Bubba of Arkansas; 10 grandchildren; two sisters, Becky Mills of Thaxton; and Billie Perreault of Southaven; two brothers, JR Sullivan of Arkabutla,  and Donnie Sullivan of Southaven.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Larry and Martha Sullivan.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Abundant Light Church, 109 Boyles St, Batesville, MS 38606

Kimbro Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.