The Vicksburg Post prints obituaries for residents, former residents and residents’ immediate family members who resided elsewhere when notified by a family member or a funeral home. There is no charge for printing an obituary, but all are edited to meet the newspaper’s requirements.

OPHELIA DRONE MARSHALL

RAYMOND Ophelia Drone Marshall died Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002, at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson. She was 101.

A lifelong resident of Raymond, Mrs. Marshall was a graduate of Jackson College. She served as a teacher in the Hinds County Public School System for more than 50 years.

She was a member of Greater Pearlie Grove M.B. Church of Jackson, where she was a Sunday school teacher and conducted missionary work.

She was preceded in death by her husband, J.C. Marshall.

She is survived by nieces and nephews, including Walter Sheriff of Vicksburg and Daniel Sheriff, Juanita Sheriff and Lorease Nolan, all of Jackson; and cousins and friends.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Greater Pearlie Grove M.B. Church, 1110 Grand Ave. in Jackson, with the Rev. Stephen Mason officiating.

Cook Funeral Home of Jackson has charge of arrangements.

JAMES SMITH

PORT GIBSON James “Smitty” Smith died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002, at Rankin County Medical Center. He was 89.

A Jefferson County native, Mr. Smith had lived most of his life in Port Gibson. He was service manager for Allen Motor Co. in Port Gibson for a number of years, then was a self-employed mechanic until his retirement. He was a member of Port Gibson Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel Smith.

Survivors include two sons, James Edward Smith of Atlanta and Jerry Smith of Pearl; three sisters, Ruth Pritchard of Union Church, Inez McAllister of Natchez and Jewel Davis of Tucson, Ariz.; and three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Services were at 11 a.m. today at Glenwood Funeral Home in Port Gibson. Burial followed at Wintergreen Cemetery.

Pallbearers were David Smith, B.T. Kern, Cecil Grisham, Raymond Pritchard, Doug McAllister and Burnice Trevilion.

ELMERREE COLEMAN

Elmerree Coleman died Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in North Carolina. She was 82.

Born in Maben, Mrs. Coleman retired as a cook from the Sisters of Mercy McAuley Home. She was a resident of Fayetteville, N.C.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Myrtle Berry, and her husband.

She is survived by a daughter, Ledester Harris of Fayetteville; a son, Clarence Gibson Sr. of Fayetteville; a sister, Ledester Williams of Vicksburg; and seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today at W.H. Jefferson Funeral Home with the Rev. Roosevelt Mitchell officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.