Obituaries for May 8, 2009

 Newt Messer, 79

James “Newt” Newton Messer, 79, of Myrtle, died Saturday, May 2, 2009, at the Darlington Oaks Care Center in Verona. He was born in Union County on Oct. 18, 1929, to the late James D. Messer and Ollie Lee Benefield Messer and retired from Mohasco Manufacturing Company after 42 years of service. He was a member and deacon of Poolville Baptist Church, a 3rd Degree Mason and was the Father of the Messer Family Singing Group and former member of M.L. Gafford and The Hitters and The New Albany Gospelairs gospel singing groups.

Services were at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at the United Funeral Service Chapel with Bro. Don Shaffer, Bro. Larry Harrison and Bro. Tony Monk officiating. Interment was in the Glenfield Memorial Park. United Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Nannie J. Messer; daughter, Betty J. Shaffer (Danny); two sons, Wayne Messer (Cathy) and Bobby Messer (Janice); sister, Robbie Jean Stevens; two brothers, Billy Carrol Messer and Jerry Messer; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Chester Messer.

Pallbearers were Benjie Messer, Mark Higgason, John David Haynes, Joel Willard, Jerry Merritt, Kenny Gaines, Terry Luker and Ronnie Lewis.

Honorary pallbearers were John W. Haynes, Dwayne Stroud, Sonny Goolsby, Bobby Gregory, John Washington, Joe Shaffer, Bob Luker and James Grubbs.

Visitation was from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Laverne Jones, 77

Laverne Orman Jones, 77, of New Albany, died Friday, May 1, 2009, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. Born in Tippah County on Sep. 6, 1931, to the late Floyd Roberson Sr. and Mary Bell Smith Roberson, she worked for Futorian and The New Albany Gazette. She enjoyed cooking and loved her grandchildren and enjoyed doing things with them. She enjoyed doing things with her special friends and was a member of Northside Baptist Church.

Services were at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 3, 2009, at the United Funeral Service Chapel with Bro. W.L. Oaks and Bro. Lou Zemek officiating. Interment was in the Vista Memorial Park. United Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her daughter, Judy Gail Allen (Gary) of New Albany; one brother, Floyd Roberson Jr. of Ashland; one grandchild, Selena Little of New Albany; two great-grandchildren, Haley Little and Kacey Little, both of New Albany; and two nieces, Pam and Debbie of Ashland.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Sidney Orman; and one brother, Herman Roberson.

Pallbearers were Chris Orman, Steve Orman, Cody Orman, Al Gray, Ruben Campbell, Larry Fooshee, Rodney Little and Rickey Williams.

Visitation was from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Willie Chism, 83

Willie Pearl Chism, 83, of New Albany, died Friday, May 1, 2009, at her residence. Born in Union County on Dec. 21, 1925, to the late Jim Floyd and Bithia Medlin Floyd, she was retired from Mohasco Furniture Manufacturing Company and a member of Keownville Baptist Church.

Services were at 11 a.m. Monday, May 4, 2009, at the United Funeral Service Chapel with Bro. Jerry Bishop officiating. Interment was in the Keownville Cemetery. United Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband, Marvin Chism; three daughters, Kathy Willard (Jacky), Doris Williams and Wanda Simpson, all of New Albany; five sons, Jerry Chism of Mayfield, Ky., Raymond Chism (Janie), Curtis Chism (Kay), Dean Chism (Mary Nell) and Ricky Chism (Kim), all of New Albany; one sister, Annie Bell Coker; and two brothers, Travis Floyd and Billy Floyd; 20 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Dearl and William “Wormie” Chism; two sisters, Vera Mae Dye and Nancy Sanford; and a brother, Clifton Floyd.

Visitation was from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

For online condolences and guest registry, visit www.unitedfuneralservice.com.