Obituaries for September 23, 2009

 Eda Fain, 92

Eda Clarke Wilbanks Fain, 92, died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, at Bright Glade Convalescent Center in Memphis, Tennessee, following a lengthy illness.  She was the daughter of Annie Blackwell Green Wilbanks and R. P. Wilbanks, Sr., of New Albany, Mississippi, whose families were descended from early Mississippi settlers.  

Mrs. Fain, nicknamed “Willie,” graduated from New Albany High School, where she was active in the theatre program, played on the basketball team for three years, and was honored during her senior year as a state champion guard and center.  

An early interest in medicine led to graduation from the Nurses’ Training School at Gartly-Ramsay Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, as a registered nurse.  Upon graduation, her first patient was her father, who had suffered a back injury and was hospitalized in Memphis at Campbell’s Clinic.  Early in her career, Mrs. Fain was eager to “go out West” and obtained a nursing position at the Deming Hospital in Deming, New Mexico.  

During World War II, she worked at the Laredo, Texas, Army Hospital, where she met and married the love of her life, Fred Glenn Sankey.  Sgt. Sankey, a South Dakota Golden Gloves boxer and descendant of Great Plains pioneers, stationed at the Laredo Army Airfield Gunnery School, died suddenly before he was scheduled to ship out for overseas duty.  

She was later married to L. D. Fain, Jr., of Tallahassee, Florida.  During a nursing career that spanned five decades, Mrs. Fain served as a surgical supervisor at Memphis Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital, as an industrial nurse with the American Snuff Company and Memphis Furniture Manufacturing Company, and as a clinical supervisor at John Gaston Hospital (now the Med). She was a member of Audubon Park Baptist Church for many years.  

Survivors include her daughter, Eda C. Fain; son-in-law, Vince Lemorrocco; three nieces and nephews, Elisabeth Ann Vaden, Bobby Hart, and Laurey Wray Hart, of Halls, Tenn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Robert Paul Wilbanks, Jr., of Redwood, Calif., and a sister, Pauline Wilbanks Hart, of Halls, Tenn.    

Visitation was at Memphis Funeral Home, Poplar Chapel, on Monday, Sept. 21, from 4 until 6 p.m., with a memorial service immediately following at 6 p.m.  Interment was in New Albany.  Memorial contributions may be made to Theatre Memphis.

Charlie Bails, 62

Charlie Bails, 62, of Pontotoc, died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, at Baptist Memorial Hospital North Mississippi in Oxford.

A former New Albany resident, he was born Aug. 14, 1947, in Ripley to Hubert Bails and Lizzie Carruth Bails.

Services were at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, at Serenity Funeral Chapel in New Albany. Interment was in Ripley City Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Josephine Joslin Bails of Pontotoc; three children, Sherette Bails and Steve Mike Bails, both of New Albany, and Nicholas Bails of Pontotoc; one brother, Wilson “Pat” Bails of Indianapolis, Ind.; three sisters, Jamie (Curtis) Barnes of Jayess, Hattie Louis and Billie Winding, both of Memphis; one grandchild, Madison Skylargrace Bails of New Albany; and a host of other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation was Monday from 1-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burl Megginson, 96

James Burl Megginson, 96, of New Albany, passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo.  He was born May 24, 1913 in Murray, Texas to the late James Manning Megginson and Viola Kerr Megginson.  Mr. Megginson started the Crosstown Barber Shop in Tupelo during the early 50’s.  He also served as Justice Court Judge in Lee County from 1962-1966.  In 1968 he and his family moved to New Albany where he purchased the Hitt’s Barber Shop which he ran for many years.  He was a very active member of First Baptist Church in New Albany, and taught a Sunday School Class, and cut hair at Roselawn Retirement Home.  He served in the Navy during WW 2.

Services were at First Baptist Church in New Albany, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Ricky Blythe and Rev. Tom Sumrall officiating.  Interment was in the New Albany Cemetery.  United Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include a daughter Mary Jane Buse (Larry) of Cherokee, AL; a son Richard A. Megginson (Shiela) of Tupelo; 3 grandchildren Beau Buse (Beth), Brandy McClain (David), and Rich Megginson (Peggy); 3 great grandchildren Logan and Torrin Megginson, and Bennett Buse.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lorrette Bennett Megginson, 2 sisters Mary Long and Lillian Simpanen, and a brother Herman Megginson.

Pallbearers were Bill Kitchens, Lugie Brown, Dan Skinner, Gilbert Daniel, Jerry Brooks, Alan Cousar, and Walter Grace.  Honorary pallbearers were members of the Dye Kirkland Sunday School Class.

Visitation was from 5 until 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.  The body lay in state from 10 until 11 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church.       

Jewell Trentham

Jewel Gafford Trentham passed on Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, in Dallas, TX. Jewel, a graduate of New Albany High, was born in Etta, MS Oct. 6, 1915. 

In the 50’s, after moving from Memphis, Jewel became a fashion supervisor for Stockton Manufacturing Co. in Dallas. After retirement she remained active in her community as a member of New Liberty Baptist Church in Garland, TX. She was known for her love of gardening, beautiful home and embracing generosity towards her family, friends and neighbors. 

She is survived by her daughter Deanna and husband Gene Summers (Garland); 3 grandchildren Donald Drain (Paris, TX), Steve Summers (Dallas), Shawn Summers (Garland); 3 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren; nieces Charlene Rogers (Olive Branch), Peggy Teague (Hot Springs Village, AR), Lywonea Kelley (Winona), Mary E. Lyons (New Albany) and nephews Johnnie Dyson (New Albany), Mike Gafford (Memphis) and Eric Gafford (Memphis). 

She is preceded in death by her husband Arthur M. Trentham, USNR WWII and 5 siblings Mabel, Myrtle, Stanley, Jimmie and Reuben. 

A memorial service was held Sept. 17, 3:30 p.m. at Williams Funeral Directors, Garland, TX. Her ashes were interred with her late husband at Ingomar Cemetery.

Jim Stroud, 73

James R. “Jim” Stroud, 73, of Buckeye, Ariz., originally of New Albany, died on Sept. 6, 2009.  He was born Oct. 13, 1935 to James and Odelle Stroud.  

He moved to Phoenix, Ariz. in 1958 with his wife, Alice, parents, sisters and brother-in-law.  He worked in the materials lab for Arizona Department of Transportation for over 49 years.  During this time, he made many life long friends.  He was still working in June before he was diagnosed with cancer.  Jim enjoyed traveling, hunting, fishing and reading western novels.

Survivors include his four sons, Greg, Brian, Donnie and Drew (Nova); three grandchildren, Wyatt, Corbin and Chelsea; sisters, Janis (Billy Ray) Grisham and Kristina (Phil) Walton and Jim, Tammy, Christopher and Tiffany Maggard, whom he considered to be part of his family.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Alice Stroud and his parents.

Funeral services were held Sept. 12 at the Grace Fellowship Church in Buckeye, Ariz.