Casey Marion Smith, Sr.

Casey Marion Smith, Sr., 83, was born in Moorhead, Mississippi on April 4, 1929, and went to his heavenly home on March 4, 2013. He was the beloved husband of Joan (McIntire) Smith, whom he married in 1948.

Affectionately known as Marion, Dad, Poppa, Pop and Uncle Son, he was a benevolent husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He was known for his passion for Jesus Christ, faithfulness to his church, love for his family, zest for life and generosity toward his fellow man. He will long be remembered down-home spun humor, quick wit, and story-telling. He loved to collect antiques (said “he was one too” in later years) and enjoyed displaying his collection in “Poppas Country Museum.”

Marion moved to Choctaw County in 1942. He graduated from Ackerman High School in 1948 as the first student body president and was president of his senior class. He was a proud member of the 1947 Championship Football Team while playing the first game on the new Dale Davidson Football Field. Marion served two terms as Town Alderman and worked as Public Works Superintendent, Fire Chief, Deputy Marshall for eleven years and remained one of Ackerman and Choctaw County’s most avid ambassadors. Marion organized and directed the first Fire Department in Ackerman. He was founder and president emeritus of the annual Ackerman School Reunion.

Marion then established himself as an aspiring entrepreneur, having co-founded and managed several successful state-wide water works supply businesses. He was a member of the Ackerman Masonic Lodge #119 and the Gideon’s International. He retired in 1985 and his love for woodworking prompted him to establish his own business called “Poppas Country.” Poppa was a skilled master craftsman whose handiwork adorns many area households.  

Funeral services for Mr. Smith will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2013, 11:00 a.m. at Enon Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Ackerman, MS. Burial will follow in the Enon Cemetery.  Rev. Jerry Lawson will officiate the service. Visitation was held on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Coleman Funeral Home in Ackerman.

Marion was preceded in death by his parents Casey Tripplett and Grace (Fondren); and his sister, Doris Withers.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan (McIntire) Smith o Ackerman, one son, Casey M. “Buddy” Smith, Jr. and his wife, Carol, of Tupelo, MS; one brother, Kenneth Smith and his wife, Bess, of Flowood, MS; grandchildren Casey Smith III and his wife, Mandy, and Stacey Fowler and her husband, Chip; grandchildren Casey Joe Fowler, Weston Fowler, Addie Grace Smith, and Lexie Rose Smith.

Memorials can be made to Enon Cumberland Presbyterian Church PO Box 294 Ackerman, MS 39735 and/or The Marion & Joan Smith Memorial Ackerman Reunion Scholarship Fund, Attn. Kenny Clark, PO Box 398, Ackerman, MS 39735.

James Frank King

Funeral services for Mr. James Frank King, 62, were held at 11:00 a.m., January 27, 2014 at Coleman Funeral Home in Ackerman. Rev. Buddy Smith and Rev. Charles Rood officiated. Burial followed in South Union Cemetery near Ackerman.

A resident of Laurel, Mr. King was a pipeliner for years. He was also a member of Moss Baptist Church. He died Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at his residence in Laurel, Miss.

Survivors include mother Mae King of Ackerman, son Jim King of New Zealand, daughters Stacee Giers of Boca Raton, Fla., Bridgett Peacock of Laurel, brothers Mike King of Ackerman, Rusty King of Ackerman, sister Pam  Simpson of Ackerman, and four grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to South Union Cemetery Fund.

Coleman Funeral Home of Ackerman was in charge of arrangements.

Clara Foran

Mrs. Clara Foran died Sunday November 17, 2013 at Windsor Place In Columbus, MS. 

Mrs. Foran moved to Ackerman as a child and graduated from Ackerman High School with the Class of 1938. In 1940 Clara met Howard Foran who had recently finished seminary and was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Ackerman. Clara and Howard were maried for almost 57 years until Howard's death in 1997.

Rev. Foran was a chaplain in the U S Army and later the US Air Force and Clara accompanied him to Alaska and France and across the Southern U S as they took care of their growing family.

She leaves four daughters: Deborah Hill of Quitman, GA, Beverly (Ernest) Capozzoli of Troy, Al, Linda (Marshall) Smith of Panama City Beach, FL, and Nan (Mark) Bolin of Artesia, MS. She leaves 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grand children, and several nieces and nephews. Also sisters Ramona Weaver of West Point, Irene Biddle of Columbus, and sister-in-law Jean Stacy of Jackson.

Funeral services were held Wednesday November 20, 2013 at Coleman Funeral Home; interment followed in Enon Cemetery. The family request memorials be made to French Camp Academy.

Emmett W. Carr

Funeral services for Emmett W. Carr, 76, were held November 6, 2013 at Coleman Funeral Home in Ackerman, MS, with Rev. Guyton Montgomery officiating.

Mr. Carr attended Ackerman Church of Christ, a carpenter and served in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Carr was a resident of Choctaw County, MS and his birthday was April 15, 1937. He passed away at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, MS on November 3, 2013.

Survivors include son, Mark Bridges of Jackson; daughters, Amanda Benefield of Oklahoma City, OK, Cindy Lambert of Alexandria, TN; brother, Bill Carr of Ackerman; sisters, June Goodwin of Arkadelphia, Ark, Ann Martin of Harrison, Ark; seven grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Family suggests Memorials be made to Ackerman Church of Christ or Sunnybrook Children’s Home. Coleman Funeral Home of Ackerman, MS was in charge of all arrangements.

William Floyd “Bill” Coleman

William Floyd “Bill” Coleman, Sr., 87, a retired butcher, passed away Monday September 30, 2013 at Pioneer Community Hospital of Choctaw County located in Ackerman, MS. 

Mr. Coleman was born November 29, 1925 in Marked Tree, Arkansas. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served in World War II. Mr. Coleman was an avid CB operator for many years making many lifelong friends from all locations around the state of Mississippi. He was known to many by his radio handle, “Butcher Boy.” He was a member of Enon Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Ackerman, MS.

Funeral Services for Mr. Coleman will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 2PM at Coleman Funeral Home in Ackerman, MS. Interment will follow in the Enon Cemetery located next to the funeral home. Rev. Jerry Lawson and Rev. Danny Irvin will officiate. Visitation will be held Thursday October 3, 2013 from 12PM until Service Time at Coleman Funeral Home in Ackerman, MS. Coleman Funeral Home of Ackerman, MS is in charge of all arrangements.

Mr. Coleman is survived by his three sons, Keith Coleman and wife Ann, Jerry Coleman, and William F. “Billy” Coleman, Jr. , all of Ackerman, MS, a brother, Alvin Coleman and wife Vivian of Ackerman, MS, four grandchildren, Seana Bullock, Shane Coleman, Chris Coleman and wife Courtney, and Joel Coleman and wife Katie, and three great grandchildren, Seth Coleman and wife Janna, Tyson Coleman, and Marlee Coleman. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Enon Cumberland Presbyterian Church PO Box 294 Ackerman, MS 39735.