Elvis L. Graves

Elvis L. Graves, lifetime resident of Ackerman, MS, passed away on September 14, 2013, at the age of 94.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth Benson Graves.

Mr. Graves is survived by four children: Martha Schiffman (Robert), Nell Bowman (Bill), Benny Graves (Deanie), Kay McBee (Andy), eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Appreciation is expressed to devoted caregivers: Daisy Miller, Shirley Watts, and Comfort Keepers.

Mr. Graves was a graduate of Ackerman High School; Sunflower Junior College in Moorhead, Mississippi; and Mississippi State University with a degree in agronomy. Elvis was a veteran of World War II. He was in the Signal Corp and was a radio repairman for communication teams. His overseas service was in China and Burma.

Mr. Graves retired in 1982 as a feed microscopist from the State Chemical Lab at Mississippi State University. He had previously worked as a seed analyst for the State Seed Testing Lab.

He was an active member of Ackerman Baptist Church for 82 years, serving as a deacon and in many other capacities.

A celebration of life service will be held Tuesday, September 17, at 11 am at Ackerman Baptist Church. Memorials may be sent to the building fund at Ackerman Baptist Church, PO Box 277, Ackerman, MS 39735. Coleman Funeral Home of Ackerman is in charge of all arrangements.

Nettie M. Burchfield

Nettie M. Burchfield, 86, a former teacher, passed away Sunday August 4, 2013 at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, MS. Mrs. Burchfield was born January 27, 1927 in Winston County. She attended Ackerman Baptist Church in Ackerman, MS. Funeral Services for Mrs. Burchfield will be held on Wednesday August 7, 2013 at 10AM at Ackerman Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Louisville, MS.

Mrs. Burchfield was preceded in death by her parents, James Harvey and Myrtle Bennett Myres, and a sister, Juanita Herrington.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, J.D. Burchfield of Ackerman, MS, and sons, Phil Burchfield and wife Nita of Clinton, MS, Mike Burchfield and wife Patsy of Cleveland, MS, Tim Burchfield and wife Drenett of Pontotoc, MS, and grandchildren: John Burchfield and wife Lucie of Murfreesboro, TN, Jay Burchfield of Cleveland, MS and Teague Burchfield and wife Robyn of Clinton, MS, Jodie Burchfield of Jackson, MS. Collin Burchfield and Pierce Burchfield of Pontotoc, MS also survive her. She is also survived by five great grandchildren. The family requests memorials be made to the Ackerman Baptist Church.

Kathy Crowley McKnight

Kathy Crowley McKnight, 55, passed away on died Saturday, July 8, 2013, in San Antonio, TX after a short illness. Visitation will be Thursday, July 11 from 5-8 pm at Coleman Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Friday, July 12, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Coleman Funeral Home in Ackerman, MS with Rev. Roger Griffith officiating. Interment will be at South Union Cemetery near Ackerman, MS.

Mrs. McKnight was a homemaker and a native of Ackerman, MS. She was a 1976 graduate of Ackerman High School.

Survivors include husband, Robbie McKnight of Ackerman, MS; son, Adam Bright of Ackerman, MS; daughter, Amanda Armstrong (Christopher) of Ackerman, MS; brother, Howard Crowley of Ackerman, MS; sisters, Margaret Crowley Kent and Sue Crowley Kyles both of Ackerman, MS; 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Coleman Funeral Home, of Ackerman, is in charge of arrangements. Family suggests memorials be made to South Union Cemetery Fund.

Lottie Drexel Bright McClure

Funeral services for Lottie Drexel Bright McClure, 82, were held on July 6, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Chester Baptist Church near Ackerman with Rev. Rob Faulk officiating. Interment was held at Chester Baptist Church Cemetery near Ackerman, MS. She passed away on July 3, 2013 after a long battle with cancer.

Ms. McClure was a native of Choctaw County and a Church Secretary. She was a 1948 graduate of Ackerman High School.

Survivors include her loving husband of 65 years, James R. McClure , two sons, Larry McClure (Patricia) and Terry McClure (Terri) all of Ackerman and 4 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. One sister, Carolyn Bright Norman, (Bob) of Clinton and one special 99 year old Aunt, Mrs. Ella Staples of Ackerman.

Family suggests memorials to St. Jude Research Hospital.

Coleman Funeral Home of Ackerman was in charge of arrangements.

Robert Lamar McClure

Robert Lamar McClure died July 8, 2013 after a long battle with cancer and heart disease. He was born April 24, 1925, in Ackerman, Mississippi to Ethel Robert McClure and Christine Weatherall McClure.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years Nancy Hamric McClure, his daughter Nancy Leah McClure, his son Stan McClure and wife Connie, all of Springdale, Arkansas and grandsons Robert McClure and wife Claire of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, and Brian McClure of Fayetteville, Arkansas. He is also survived by sisters Kay Wever of Yazoo City, Brenda Wise and husband Dan, Linda Tharp and husband Ben, Nita Connell and husband Jack, brother James McClure all of Ackerman, Mississippi, sisters-in-law Sammie McClure of Winona, Mississippi, Judy McClure of Jackson, Mississippi and also Libby and Al Owen of Ackerman, Mississippi and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Nell King and Peggy McClure, and brothers Billy McClure and George Reginald McClure.

Following Robert's graduation from Ackerman High School, he served over two and half years in Europe during World War II. He was honorably discharged, receiving the Bronze Star and 8 battle stars. He received his B.S. degree from Mississippi State University in 1949, and later received his Charter Life Insurance Degree from the American College of Life Underwriters. His career of over 40 years was with the Mississippi Farm Bureau Insurance Companies in the Yazoo County area. In Yazoo City he was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and many other organizations. After his retirement he and his wife Nancy moved to Springdale, Arkansas to be near their children. He is a member of First United Methodist Church of Springdale. He will always be remembered for his love of family, fishing, hunting, and gardening.

Visitation will be from 1-3PM Thursday, July 11, 2013 at Coleman Funeral Home, HWY 12E P.O.Box 1065, Ackerman, Mississippi. Funeral service will follow the visitation beginning at 3PM.

Burial will be at Enon Cemetery following the service.