Linda Joyce McKnight Black

The funeral service for Linda Joyce McKnight Black, age 63, was held at Enon Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Ackerman, MS on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 11 am. Burial was in Enon Cemetery. Rev. Jerry Lawson and Rev. Ray Lathem officiated.

Mrs. Black was a native of Choctaw County and a retired school teacher. She was a member of Enon Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She died on September 17, 2012 at her residence in Ackerman.

Survivors include her husband, Frank Black; her son, Brandon Black; daughters, Lacee Black Bruce, all of Ackerman and Vicki Black Williams of Franklin, TN; her brother, David McKnight of Tampa, FL; her sisters, Merlin Smith of Porter, TX and Sharon Stevens of Ackerman; and three grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Enon Cumberland Persbyterian Church, P O. Box 294, Ackerman, MS 39735. Coleman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. To leave a message for her family, go to http://www.colemanfuneralhome.com. 

Rose Swann Mitchell (AHS Teacher 61 & 62)

What a magnificent sight to behold as the Angels came to take Rose Swann Mitchell home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, September 18, 2012. She passed away at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

She was born on January 27, 1938, to Allie and Evelyn Swann, in Columbus, Miss. She was raised in Macon, Miss. and graduated from Macon High School. She graduated from Delta State University with a degree in Home Economics and received her Masters from the University of Mississippi in Education.

Her first teaching job was in Byhalia, Miss. where, on her first day of work, she met the love of her life, Ralph Mitchell. They were married on May 29, 1960. They had two sons, David and Jamie Mitchell. "Mama Rose" taught school, in almost every grade, in Byhalia, Ackerman, Walnut, Baldywn, and Pontotoc. She loved every student she taught and inspired many of those to develop a love for Math.

After retirement, Mama Rose spent her days catering, working in her yard, reading her Bible, following her grandchildren's activities, and drinking coffee with her special friends. She loved God, her family, and friends. She lived a humble life and never wanted to be in the spotlight. She and her husband enjoyed camping, and she always had a recipe magazine close by. One of the most unique qualities she had was praying for her six grandchildren on a daily basis. Each day was dedicated to praying for one of the six. She spent the Sabbath Day praying for her entire family. Her quiet manner and simple ways will continue to influence people for many years to come.

She was an active member of West Heights Baptist Church where she was a member of the Ladies Sunday School Class and the Kitchen Committee. She served in many other capacities during her membership at the church.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years and four months, Ralph Mitchell of Pontotoc, Miss.; her sons, Dr. David Mitchell (Theresa) of Cabot, Ark. and Jamie Mitchell (Ginger) of Starkville, Miss.; and six grandchildren, Jill Mitchell, Maggie (Jeff) Grissom, Luke Mitchell, Noah Mitchell, Dillon Mitchell, and Alli Mitchell.

She also was blessed with three great-grandsons, Jackson, Milo, and Owen Grissom. She has one brother, Allie Swann (Linda) of Huntsville, Ala. and Sallie Swann Ellis (Jack) of Natchez, Miss. and a special niece, Janet Wilder (Johnny) of Pontotoc, Miss.

She was proceeded in death by her parents Allie and Evelyn Swann.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West Heights Baptist Church Kitchen Fund, 328 West Oxford Street, Pontotoc, MS 38863, or to a charity of your choice. Visitation will be held at the West Heights Baptist Church gymnasium on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be on Thursday, September 20, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. in the church gymnasium. Dr. David Mitchell, Bro. Dan Young, and Bro. Gerald Buckley will officiate the service. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc, Miss. is in charge of the arrangements. Burial will be in West Heights Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mary Elizabeth Graves

Mary Elizabeth Graves, 88, passed away Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, at Choctaw County Nursing Center.

Funeral services will be today at 11 a.m. at Ackerman Baptist Church, with Coleman Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Mrs. Graves was a retired home economics teacher who taught for 23 years. She was an active member of Ackerman Baptist Church for over 60 years, where she served as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School director, senior adult leader and Women's Missionary Union leader. Mrs. Graves was a strong Christian who encouraged others.

She leaves behind her husband of 61 years, Elvis Lamar Graves; daughters, Martha Carol Schiffman, Nell Bowman, Kay McBee; son, Benny Graves; brother, Frank Benson. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren, one great-grandson and a devoted caregiver, Daisy Miller.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Ackerman Baptist Church at P.O. Box 277, Ackerman, MS 39735.

Kent Griffin

Kent Griffin, age 59, passed away Tuesday, Feb 15th at his home near Ackerman.

Kent was a 1969 graduate of Ackerman High School. He was a disabled electrician.

Kent was the son of H.A. Griffin, Sr. & Mary Perrigin Griffin. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Edgar and H.A. Griffin, Jr.. He is survived by his two brothers, Tracy (Judith) Griffin of El Paso, TX and Dennis ( Karen) Griffin of Gulfport, Mississippi.

A memorial service was held at Coleman Funeral Home of Ackerman on Saturday, Feb 19, 2011 at 11 am.

Barbara Sue Thompson Michel

Barbara Sue Thompson Michel, passed away January 28, 2011, after nearly two decades of courageously battling cancer. She was born August 16, 1940, in Ackerman, Miss., the only daughter of Aaron and Alma Thompson. Growing up as a farm girl, Barbara Sue loved animals, nature and music, and throughout her life, she was the compassionate caretaker of countless animals, an accomplished pianist and an exceptional gardener.

In 1958 she graduated from Ackerman High School and went on to attend Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., where she majored in early childhood education and was in the Phi Mu Sorority. After graduating from Millsaps in 1962, Barbara Sue moved to Natchez, Miss., to become an elementary grade school teacher. While working and living in Natchez, Barbara Sue met the love of her life, Donald Clifford Michel. Barbara Sue married Donald June 9, 1963, in Jackson, Miss., and soon after had three children, Michael, Lisa and Samantha. Over the next 34 years, she and her husband, Donald, raised their children; lived in Mississippi, South Carolina and Brandon, Fla.; socialized with their many friends; and traveled and explored the country.

She was predeceased by her mother, father, and brother, Wilmer, and her husband, Donald, who passed in 1997. She leaves behind her three children and six grandchildren, Kaleigh and Madison Carpenter, Olivia and Jillian Devine, and Zachary and Emily Michel.

Barbara Sue will always be remembered as a wonderful and loving daughter, friend, wife, mother and grandmother. She will forever be missed by her family and friends. There will be a graveside ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday, February 4, 2011, at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens.

To leave your condolences, go to www.hillsboromemorial.com. 

Schoolmates, if you are on FB, you can see a video tribute to Barbara Sue by her family.