Ernest “Ernie” Goodwin
OXFORD—Ernest “Ernie” Goodwin, 68, died Wednesday, February 12, 2014, at Mississippi State Veteran’s Home.

Services were held Saturday at Wells Funeral Home. Rev. Tim McMillin officiated. Burial was in Shady Grove Cemetery. Wells Funeral Home had charge.

Goodwin, born Aug. 27, 1942, to the late Ernest B. and Ida Lee Epps Goodwin, was a farmer and a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in Vietnam. He was awardded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Commendation Medal. He was a sharpshooter.

Survivors include: sisters, Ruby Goodwin Lawrence, Fay Goodwin Putman, Peggy Goodwin Turnage and Patsy Goodwin Oliphant, all of Oxford, Linda Goodwin Holley of Batesville and Martha Goodwin Denley of Courtland; two brothers, James “Buddy” Goodwin of Oxford and Richard Goodwin of Batesville.

Roy D. Melton
SARDIS— Roy D. Melton, 71, died Thursday, February 13, 2014, at Tri-Lakes Medical Center, Batesville.

Services were held Saturday at the First United Pentecostal Church, Batesville with Rev. Jay Teague officiating.  Burial was in Forrest Memorial Park Cemetery, Batesville.  Wells Funeral Home had charge.

Melton was born to John Leonard and Donnie Stafford Melton on July 20, 1942 in Quitman County, Mississippi.  He was a member of the First United Pentecostal Church of Batesville.  Until retirement he, was a farm equipment mechanic at Brasell’s John Deere in Batesville.
Survivors include: his wife, Linda McCarty Melton of Sardis; two daughters, Dorothy Melton Ott of Oxford,  Connie Keen Hudspeth of Sarah; three sons, Gerald G. Melton of Sardis, Chris R. Melton of Water Valley and Ronald W. Keen of Sardis; one sister, Betty Lou Melton of Oxford and two brothers, Otis Melton of Courtland and Darrell Melton of Pope; nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

James H. Morgan
OXFORD—James H. Morgan, 66, died Friday, February 7, 2014, at the Mississippi Veteran’s Home in Oxford.

Services were held Sunday at Spring Hill Pope M.B. Church. Burial was in the church cemetery. Pastor Willie Forest Jr. officiated.  Cooley’s Mortuary had charge.

Morgan, born Oct. 4, 1947, in Batesville, to Lonzia Morgan and Annie Mae Morgan, was a member of Spring Hill Pope M.B. Church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Survivors include one daughter, Priscilla Bobo of Sardis; two brothers, Jessie Orr of Sardis and Rufus Morgan of Batesville; three sisters, Ruthie Mae Fox and  Retha Morgan, both of Batesville and Rosie Fox of Memphis; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Leon Morgan
ENID—Leon Morgan, 76, died Saturday, February 15, 2014, at his residence.

Services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Batesville Junior High Auditorium. Pastor Nehemiah Martin will officiate. Burial will be in Spring Hill Pope Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Cooley’s Mortuary has charge.

Morgan, born Dec. 21, 1937, to the late  Adolph Morgan and Ora Spears Morgan, was a retired school teacher for South Panola School District. He was a park ranger for the Corps of Engineers and a member of Spring Hill Pope M.B. Church.

Survivors include: his wife, Robbie Morgan of Enid; one son, Standon Sharmane Morgan of Frisco, Texas; one daughter, Anita Michelle Morgan of Enid and one brother, A.L. Morgan of Sardis.

Irene Shields Taylor
BATESVILLE—Irene Shields Taylor, 89, died Thursday, February 13, 2014, at Golden Living Center.
Services were held Sunday at Wells Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Hal Johnson officiating. Burial was in Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Sardis. Wells Funeral Home had charge.
Taylor was born in Craighead County, Arkansas on May 26, 1924 to Ernest and Gertrude Bridwell Shields.  She worked at Panola Mills in Batesville for many years until they closed. Then, she went on to work in the 6/55 Truck Stop, as a waitress.  Irene was a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Curtis.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin Taylor; two sons, Willard Taylor and Danny Thetford.

Survivors include: daughter, Annie Ruth Putman of Sardis; three sons, Gordon Thetford of Batesville, Ricky Taylor and Eddie Taylor both of Sardis; 11 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Larry A. Wright
MILWAUKEE, Wis.—Larry A. Wright, 45, died Sunday, February 2, 2014.

Services will be held today at 1 p.m. at Eureka A.M.E. Zion Church. Pastor Jacob Hentz will officiate. burial will be in the church cemetery. Cooley’s Mortuary has charge.

Wright, born April 11, 1968, in Batesville, to Lawrence Wright and Annie Lou Wright, was a member of Calvary Temple M.B. Church in Milwaukee. He graduated from South Panola High School.

Survivors include: his wife, Patricia Wright; three sons, Antonio Market, Lawrence Market and Latarrius Market, all of Milwaukee; six daughters, Sonika Wright and Monika Wright, both of Batesville, Savanna Wright, Monica Wright, Antanna Young, Santanna Young and Annie Jane Market, all of Milwaukee; three brothers, Everett J. Wright and McKinley Wright, both of Batesville and Lamar Wright of New York; two sisters, Marion J. Wright and Valerie R. James of Island, S.C.; his grandmother, Malissa Wright of Batesville; 31 grandchildren.