Violette Miller Gray, formerly of Vicksburg, died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at her home in Waxahachie, Texas. She was 100.

Mrs. Gray had lived in Vicksburg for 61 years before moving to Waxahachie in 1997. She was born near Warsaw, Ind., to the Rev. John Wesley and Lizzie Stookey Miller. She attended school in Winona Lake, Ind., and graduated from Indiana Central College.

Mrs. Gray was a member of numerous civic organizations and the First Presbyterian Church of Vicksburg. She received an honorary life membership in the Presbyterian Women of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard B. Gray.

She is survived by a son, Dean Gray of Waxahachie; four grandchildren, David Gray, Andy Gray, Peter Gray and Ann Dembinski; and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Steve Bryant officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Wednesday at Riles Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. Thursday until the service in Ward Hall at the church.

Pallbearers will be Dr. Tom Mitchell, Dr. Waverley Artz, Gene Wylie, Robert W. Cunny, Kenneth Alford, Bobby Robinson, Gerald Turnage and William H. Larson.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1501 Cherry St., Vicksburg, MS 39180.

Ernest Lavert York

Ernest Lavert “E.L.” York died Sunday, June 29, 2003, at his home. He was 84.

Mr. York was a native of Gunnison, Miss., and had lived in Vicksburg for 29 years. He was the son of the late Earnest Victor and Edna McMullen York.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving as a second lieutenant in the 31st Infantry Division of the Dixie Division. He also served in China, Burma and India Theater of Operations.

He attended Soule Business School in New Orleans and became postmaster in Benoit, where he lived until he retired and moved to Vicksburg. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

In addition to his parents, Mr. York was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Hearn York; two sisters; and a brother.

Survivors include two daughters, Marsha York ElQadi of Vicksburg and Edna York Dracon of Hancock County and Monmouth, Ore.; two sons, Jeff York of Vicksburg and Glenn York of Black Mountain, N.C.; and seven grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Redbone United Methodist Church Cemetery. Visitation will follow in the church’s fellowship hall.

Pallbearers will be Houston Wells, Lindsay Harwood, Glen Hillman, Al Lundsford, David Thrash and John Bowen.

Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy York, Carl York, Billy York, Harvey York Jr., Dr. Walter E. Johnston Jr., Dr. John David Fagan, John Dracon, Bill Lundsford, James Otto Hearn Jr., W.F. Lundsford and members of the Dixie Division 31st Infantry.

Memorials may be made to the Palmer Home for Children, P.O. Box 746, Columbus, MS 39703-9983; or to Benoit Union Church, 703 E. Preston St., Benoit, MS 38725.