The Vicksburg Post prints obituaries in news form for area residents, their family members and for former residents at no charge. Families wishing to publish additional information or to use specific wording have the option of a paid obituary.

Benard Coleman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Benard Coleman died Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, at Nashville, Tenn., General at Meharry Hospital. He was 51.

Mr. Coleman had been a Nashville resident for 30 years.

He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Coleman Sr.; and a brother, the Rev. Roosevelt Mason.

He is survived by his mother, Mildred Coleman of Pattison; a daughter, Heaven Atcherson of Nashville; a son, Darnell Bryant of Nashville; eight sisters, Christine Watson, Geraldine Booth and Clara Johnson, all of Port Gibson, Frances LeFlore of Omaha, Neb., Lorraine Hunt of Sharpsburg, Ga., Nora Williams of Florida and Stephanie Henderson and Helen Henderson, both of Pattison; five brothers, John Coleman, Robert Coleman, William Coleman and Ed Henderson, all of Pattison, and Richard Coleman Jr. of Marrero, La.; one granddaughter; and other relatives and friends, including Brenda Bryant of Nashville.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Springfield M.B. Church in Carpenter. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Gregory R. Cook

JACKSON — On the morning of Feb. 4, 2008, the ever-shining light of Gregory R. Cook of Jackson passed from this life to the next. Greg died of a heart attack stemming from a lengthy illness.

A memorial service is scheduled on Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, at 2 in the afternoon at Lakewood Funeral Home in Jackson.

Resting in sweet peace, Greg leaves behind his loving wife of 39 years, Charmaine; his two adoring children, Teri Jines and Richard Cook; two grandchildren, Annika Lyric Cook and Billy Joe Jines; his ever-constant companion and much-beloved dog, Pepper; two sisters, Barbara Martin of Jackson and Debbie Bosarge of Vicksburg; as well as many more loving friends and family.

Greg was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond A. and Ruby Cook of Jackson.

Greg had a passionate love for technology that had its beginnings in the Hi-Fi audio equipment and ended with high-end PCs. Outside of spending time with his grandchildren, Greg was most alive when riding his motorcycle.

In more recent years, Greg had become a Messianic believer, following the unfailing word of Y’shua, our Messiah. Greg’s hunger for knowledge and unwavering faith in the Father inspired others around him.

Greg will be forever loved and missed by all who knew him.

Joseph Davis

Joseph “Joe” Davis died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, in Flowood. He was 50.

Born in Vicksburg, he was the son of the late Clyde Daniel Davis and Maggie Lee Manor Davis. Mr. Davis had been a resident of Rankin County for the past 22 years. He was a self-employed carpenter and a member of the Pine Lake Baptist Church in Brandon.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Janet Trichell.

He is survived by a son, Brian Davis of Charleston, S.C.; a daughter, Amy Davis of Tulsa, Okla.; one sister, Peggy Lynn of Vicksburg; one brother, Danny Davis of Vicksburg; and four granddaughters.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Cedar Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Lonnie Mitchell officiating.

Visitation will be at Riles Funeral Home from 9 a.m. Friday until the service.

Pallbearers will be Brian Davis, Danny Davis, Drew Beard, Rusty Manor, Bobby Manor and Lamar Manor.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Hattie Gene Flowers

EDWARDS — Hattie Gene Flowers died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, at River Region Medical Center. She was 77.

Born in Utica, Mrs. Flowers was an Edwards resident. She was a retired licensed practical nurse, having worked at Kuhn Memorial Hospital of Vicksburg and Oakley Training Facility in Learned. She was a member of Bethesda Presbyterian Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Nora Herren; two sons, David Flowers and Gerald Flowers; two sisters, Sybil Dawson and Virginia Herren; and a brother, Billy Herren.

Survivors include four sons, Wiley Flowers of Vicksburg, Lester Ray Flowers of Utica, and William H. Flowers and Darrell Flowers, both of Edwards; two daughters, Margaret Lynn Bolls of Longview, Texas, and Mary Goza of Edwards; five sisters, Esther Schoonmaker of Livingston, La., Joyce Peltier of Angleton, Texas, Mamie Jones of Florence, and Bessie Alice Franklin and Verna Hood, both of Utica; 14 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Bethesda Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at Bethesda Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 until 8 tonight at Glenwood Funeral Home in Utica and Friday at the church from noon until the service.

Memorials may be made to Bethesda Cemetery Fund, 6688 Canada Cross Road, Edwards, MS 39066.

Richard Thomas Halinski Sr.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Richard Thomas Halinski Sr., age 79, of Little Rock, Ark., died peacefully after a long and courageous battle on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, at Baptist Medical Center.

He was born Nov. 26, 1928, in Chicago, a son of the late Louis and Stella Halinski. His two brothers, Louis Jr. and Donald, preceded him in death. He attended Tilden Tech High School and Loyola University in Chicago.

A U.S. Marine, Richard proudly served his country overseas. He then began his career in the corrugated box manufacturing industry employed by MacMillan-Bloedel/Weyerhauser and followed promotions within his company to Magnolia, Miss., Little Rock and Atlanta, where, after 40 years, he retired as vice president of United States Operations. He and his wife relocated to Little Rock following his retirement to be with family and friends.

He was an avid fisherman, hunter, Razorback and Oaklawn racing fan. He was honored by Gov. Ross Barnett as a Mississippi Colonel and also honored by Gov. Frank White as an Arkansas Traveler. He was a charter member of Christ the King Catholic Church.

Mr. Halinski is survived by his devoted wife of more than 58 years, Florence, and his six children and their spouses: Richard Jr. and Donna of Little Rock, Pamela and Randy Johnson of Cocoa Beach, Fla., Karen and Mike McGoogan of Russellville, Dr. David and Jolynda of Vicksburg, Robert of Little Rock and Elizabeth and Jim Ovington of Grapevine, Texas. He has seven grandsons: Patrick and his wife, Kate of Dallas, Texas; Richard Ryan of St. Louis, Brian McGoogan of Little Rock, Taylor of Columbia, Mo., and Daniel, Alex and Peter Michael of Vicksburg. His four granddaughters are Lauren McGoogan of Tulsa, Okla., Blair of St. Louis, and Haley and Hannah Ovington of Grapevine.

A Rosary and visitation will be held today, Feb. 7, 2008, from 5 until 7 p.m. at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, 501-224-8300.

A funeral Mass officiated by Monsignor Francis Malone will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8 at Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic Church, 1003 N. Tyler St. Interment will be private.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons and sons-in-law.

The family wishes to acknowledge the following honorary pallbearers: Ed Turner, John Reed, Leon Pickard, Dr. Joe Beck and Jeff Dobbins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Catholic High School for Boys, 6300 Father Tribou St., Little Rock, AR 72205; or Mount St. Mary’s Academy, 3224 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, AR 72205.

Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal

Jeanetta Eatmon Kelley

Services for Jeanetta Eatmon Kelley will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Belmont M.B. Church in Utica with Pastor Phillip Burks officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 3 until 6:30 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, all at Robbins Funeral Home.

Mrs. Kelley died Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, at her home in Round Rock, Texas. She was 60.

Mrs. Kelley was a member of Belmont M.B. Church in Utica.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Cleo Eatmon; and five brothers, Jonathan Carson, Lewis Carson, James Raymond Earl Carson, Walter Luster Carson and Edmond Burks Carson.

She is survived by her husband, Charles Kelley of Round Rock; two sons, Anthony James Smith and Charles Kelley Jr., both of Austin, Texas; five sisters, Maggie Dell Cook of Edwards, Mary Louise Eatmon of Fort Worth, Texas, and her twin Zeanetta Eatmon, Willena Carson Huband and Mae Frances Brown, all of vicksburg; two grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.

Gene Martin

CARY — Gene Martin died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, at Sharkey-Issaquena Hospital in Rolling Fork. He was 77.

A lifelong resident of Cary, Mr. Martin was a retired farmer. He was a veteran of the Marine Corps, serving in the Korean War. He was a former alderman for the town of Cary and a member of Goodman Memorial United Methodist Church in Cary.

He is survived by his wife, Coralyn C. Martin of Cary; two sons, Robert Martin of Rolling Fork and Wayne Martin of Escatawpa; two daughters, Sue Daigrepont of Metairie, La., and Beth Ann Stuart of Cary; two brothers, Bill Martin of Arlington, Texas, and Tom Martin of Purcell, Okla.; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Goodman Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Beth Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Cary Cemetery.

Visitation will be at the church Friday from 10 a.m. until the service.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Rosie Monroe

Services for Rosie Monroe will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Williams Funeral Service. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1 until 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Monroe died Friday, Feb. 1, 2008, at Shady Lawn Nursing Home. She was 82.

Mrs. Monroe was a homemaker and a member of Morning Star Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edmond B. Monroe Sr.; two sons, Edmond B. Monroe Jr. and Robert Earl Monroe; one daughter, Marilyn Yvonne Moore; three brothers, Johnnie Lee Watts, Eddie Lee Watts and Henry Watts Jr.; one sister, Mary Lee Coleman; and her parents, Henry Lee and Mary Lee Bradford Watts.

Survivors include one brother, James Lee Watts of Vicksburg; one son, Willie “Lil’ Chester” Watts of Detroit; seven grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Robert Nelson Sr.

Services for Robert Nelson Sr. will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Williams Funeral Service with the Rev. Lonzo McClure officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1 until 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Mr. Nelson died Friday, Feb. 1, 2008, at River Region Medical Center. He was 82.

Mr. Nelson was of the Baptist faith. He was retired from the Vicksburg Warren School District as a custodian and the City of Vicksburg Sewer Department.

He was preceded in death by one son, Melvin Burkley; and his parents, Bob and Perrie Britton Nelson.

Survivors include two sons, Juliana Burkley and Robert Nelson, both of Vicksburg; four daughters, Sophiana Lyons, Patricia Scales and Katie Hicks, all of Columbus Ga., and Annie Howe of Fort Mitchell, Ala.; a stepdaughter, Victoria Harris of Vicksburg; one sister, Annie Dotson of Broadview, Ill.; 20 grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Charles Edward Rankin

Services for Charles Edward Rankin will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Living Word Baptist Church, 260 Mississippi 27. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2 until 6 p.m. Friday at Dillon-Chisley Funeral Home and Saturday at the church from 10 a.m. until the service.

Mr. Rankin died Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland. He was 51.

Born in Natchez, he was a graduate of Lidell High School in Fayette and had lived in Vicksburg for the past 24 years. He was a member of Living Word Baptist Church. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in Operation Desert Storm and was employed by Vicksburg Metal Products as a truck driver.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Oliver and Lillie D. Rankin.

Survivors include his companion, Mary Frances Stewart of Vicksburg; one daughter, Melody Franklin of Port Gibson; his mother, Louise Rankin of Chicago; one stepson, Freddie Stewart of Vicksburg; one stepdaughter, Pamela Stewart of Vicksburg; two brothers, Willie Earl Rankin of Sunflower and Robert Rankin of Chicago; one sister, Debbie Knight of Fayette; five grandchildren and other relatives.

Earline P. Wigley

YAZOO CITY — Earline P. Wigley died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, at Oasis Health and Rehab in Yazoo City. She was 83.

Mrs. Wigley was born in Holmes County to Lucy Williams and David Perry. She was a homemaker and member of Coxburg Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter W. Wigley.

Survivors include four sons, David Wigley of Vicksburg, Billy Wigley of Lexington, Larry Wigley of Florence and Camelluse Wigley of Hazlehurst; two daughters, Emily Sylvara of Aurora, Mo., and Mary Ann Hill of Yazoo City; and 16 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Coxburg Methodist Church with the Rev. Billy Frank Gerald officiating. Burial will follow at Coxburg Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday at Stricklin-King Funeral Home in Yazoo City.

Grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

James Williams

James Williams died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, at River Region Medical Center. He was 84.

Mr. Williams is survived by a daughter, Evelyn Jackson of Vicksburg; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Dillon-Chisley Funeral Home with the Rev. Thomas Bernard officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of Byas Funeral Home in Greenville.