Helon Mae Callihan

Helon Mae Callihan was born on June 9,1931 to Lockard and Sadie Clunan Callihan in Yazoo County, MS. She resided in Yazoo County for all of her 94 years. Her adult years were spent in the Dover community near Bentonia.

In 1949 Helon married John Ed Manor. She was known to be creative from her high school years and found great personal satisfaction in her love of arts and crafts throughout her life. Helon was a fine seamstress even in her younger years. She sewed many of the children’s school clothes and later sewed for others in the community.

She came into her own when she discovered her love for painting and became known for that throughout the community and beyond. Many of her paintings have adorned walls in homes of friends and strangers alike for decades. Helon especially enjoyed teaching painting classes in her home studio and formed lasting memories and friendships through that experience.

A talent and love for crocheting accompanied her passion for painting. Even into her very recent years when she could no longer paint, she found purpose and enjoyment in making crochet items for her 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, all who called her Grandy.

After the death of her beloved John Ed, Helon was blessed with 14 years of marriage to Paul Johnson and enjoyed her relationship with his children, Paul Jr (PJ), Barbara, Keith, and Sheila.   With Paul, Helon discovered a new love for gospel music. After Paul’s death, and until her own death, it was expected that any visit with Helon would have The Bill Gaither Vocal Band or the Booth Brothers playing in the background or on a DVD on her tv.

Helon continued to pursue her passions for painting and crocheting for as long as her abilities would allow, never giving up on her wish for a studio to teach in and a store setting to sell from. After moving into the Love House at Martha Coker Green Houses, Helon became known to the staff and visitors alike as the puzzle lady, having found a wonderful outlet for her creative drive.

Late on the morning of October 7, 2025, Helon left her body on this earth and was carried into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to be reunited with loved ones who had gone before and whom she missed immensely.

Helon Manor is survived by her brother Tommy Callihan (Judy), and her four children, Wanda (Wayne), Johnny (Belinda), Dennis (Sharon) and Melanie (Mike). Also remaining to carry her legacy are 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Larry, and her sister, Nancy.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Martha Coker Green Houses and particularly of the Love House for their tender and loving care over these past few years. Nurses from Adoration Hospice have been tremendous in their care for Helon and the rest of the family as well. We want to extend a warm thank you to her friend, and painting student, Brenda Martin for her faithful and loving visits and for being there with us by her side in her final hours here. We want to thank Mama’s life-long, literally, friend Ann Wert, her Annie, who she loved so much and was there through thick and thin. There are too many others to name, but your love and care for Miss Helon is so greatly appreciated.

The funeral will be held on Thursday, October 9 at Stricklin-King Funeral Home, 718 Calhoun Avenue, Yazoo City, MS. Visitation begins at 1:00 p.m. and the service will be held at 2:00 with burial to immediately follow at Dover Cemetery. All arrangements are being handled by Stricklin King Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers contributions to Mission Dignity PO Box 819109 Dallas, TX  75381-9957 would be appreciated and well used.    

William Pierce Boatner, 77, of Vaughan, passed away Friday, September 26, 2025. He was born 

in Yazoo County on February 1, 1948 to Otis William Boatner and Annie Louise Pierce Boatner. 

Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 1 from 10am until 11am at Black Jack Baptist Church. 

Funeral service will begin at 11am at Black Jack Baptist Church, with Rev. Drake Nelson officiating.  

Burial will follow at Shiloh Cemetery, all under the direction of Stricklin King Funeral Home.

Pierce was a lifelong resident of the Linwood community. He was a graduate of Benton High School 

and Holmes Junior College, where he obtained a degree in machine shop. After college, he joined 

the family farming operation and spent most of his life raising row crops and cattle. Later in life, he 

owned and operated Benton 66, a local convenient store where you got the day’s news with your morning coffee. Pierce wore many hats in his life, but his favorite role was being a husband, father and grandfather. He loved nothing more than spending time with them. Pierce was a dedicated husband to Nanci, his loving wife of 50 years, and a devoted father to his daughter, Christy and son-in-law, Bill. He was a proud, loving grandfather to Kyle. The pair spent many adventurous times together. Kyle could do no wrong in Pierce’s eyes. He was always there for them, whether he was helping them with everyday activities or cheering them on at sporting and horse events. 

He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his loving wife, Nanci, his daughter, Christy (Bill), his grandson, Kyle, his brother, Howard Boatner (Cindy Lou), sisters-in-law, Cindy Boatner and Glynda Boatner, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Pierce was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Jimmy D. Boatner and Timothy C. 

Boatner. 

Pallbearers are Brandon Batson, Bo Boatner, Jason Boatner, John Wesley Boatner, Landon 

Hood, Chris Pierce, Keith Pierce, and Jacob Williamson.

Honorary Pallbearers are Ralph Faulkenberry, Roy Bradfield, Ronnie Hutchinson, David Ketchum, Albert Moore, Danny Pettigrew, Bill Pierce, and Tony Pierce.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to The Friends of Shiloh Cemetery, Inc.,

8917 Graball Freerun Rd, Yazoo City, MS 39194 or Black Jack Baptist Church, 1914 Black Jack Rd., 

Vaughan, MS 39179.

 Lydia Stubblefield Sligh, 88, passed away Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Riverview Nursing and Rehab in Greenwood, Mississippi.

Born in Benton, Mississippi, to Lydia North Stubblefield Avery and David Fort Stubblefield, Lydia attended Benton schools where she was a cheerleader and basketball player before graduating in 1954. She studied for a year at MSCW before marrying James Ray Sligh. Together they had one daughter, Lydia Raye.

Lydia worked as a bookkeeper with Mississippi Chemical Corporation in Yazoo City, L.A. Penn & Sons in Canton, and later retired from Bridges Mortgage Company in Jackson. She was known for her vibrant personality, her love for her Benton classmates—whom she often gathered for reunions—and for being the “life of the party.” She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, as well as a loyal New Orleans Saints fan. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Greenwood.

She is survived by her daughter, Raye Hodges (Ray) of Greenwood; grandsons Justin Hodges (Sally) of Madison, Channing Hodges (Michelle) of Greenwood, and Landon Hodges (Mallory) of Minter City; and great-grandchildren William and Hyatt Hodges, Emma, Hannah Grace, and Whitt Hodges, and Daisy Raye Hodges. She also leaves behind her beloved cat, Katy.

The family is deeply grateful to her faithful sitters—Lillie Swims, Diane Miller, and Beverly Jackson—as well as Dr. Kenneth Hines, AccentCare Home Health, and Riverview Nursing and Rehab for their compassionate care.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Stricklin King Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery. The service will be officiated by Rev. Phillip Dearman. Stricklin King Funeral Home will be handling all arrangements for the family. 

Pallbearers will be Justin Hodges, Channing Hodges, Landon Hodges, William Hodges, Whitt Hodges, and Charlie Montgomery. 

 Ozzie Lampkin Coghlan, 96, of Holly Bluff, MS passed away in her home on Friday, September 12, 2025 surrounded by family. Born Christmas Day, December 25, 1928, to Ike and Callie Mae Lampkin. Her family has peace knowing that she will celebrate all future birthdays together with our Lord and Savor Jesus Christ in heaven.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Holly Bluff Baptist Church from 10:00am until 11:00am followed immediately by a memorial service at 11:00am and internment at the Coghlan Family Cemetery. 

Her family knew her as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. She was also well known as a dedicated member of the Holly Bluff Baptist Church and served many years as school bus driver and cafeteria manager of Sharkey Issaquena Academy in Rolling Fork, MS.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers and two sisters; her husband, Floyd “Son” Henry Coghlan Sr.; her daughter, Deborah Carter; and twoo grandchildren.

She is survived by her three sons, Charles Graham (Kathy), Henry Coghlan (Yolanda), and Ike Coghlan (Angie); daughter, Sandra Coleman; 13 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Holly Bluff Baptist Church.

Stricklin King Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Freida Camille Hood came into this world on a winter day January 9, 1933. She was the first child for Clarence and Johnnie Powell and the three of them lived in a tent for the better part of her first year of life. She passed peacefully in her sleep September 4, 2025. Ellen Davis had visited with Freida the night before she passed. Ellen reflected that the hour she spent with Freida was no different than the many other times she had visited. They talked and prayed and Freida recited scripture. Ellen had no idea that would be their last visit on this earth. Ellen and Mike Davis were a constant for Freida.  Freida came into this world and left this world tough as nails.  I can only imagine her entrance into heaven and falling into the arms of Jesus and touching his nail scarred hands. What complete joy and peace is Freida’s now. 

Freida lived every single day of her life by Lamentations 3:22-24. “Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’ “

Freida’s laughter and way with words could bring “heaven to earth”. She was front and center at every family gathering. Her humor was not showy or forced. It was as natural as breathing. She brought the JOY. Her deep belly laughter will be forever in the hearts of friends and family. Freida taught those closest to her how to pray. She would say, “Prayin’ is just havin’ a conversation with God.” Going to her house and finding her stretched out on the floor praying was not unfamiliar.  She taught us to pray that way. To lay it all out before the LORD. “Prayers are tools not for doing or getting but for being and becoming,” (Eugene Peterson). Freida was our “Eugene Peterson” helping us grasp, feed upon and fully depend on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Freida knew, loved and treasured in her heart the Word of God.

Freida became friends and cared for a little boy named Forest. When Forest was asked to write a paper about someone important  in his life years later He wrote about Freida. Forest was a forever best friend for Freida.

One of Freida’s greatest strengths was helping those around her connect to the unseen realm. During Gene Powell Jr’s graveside service a yellow butterfly had lilted and fluttered around us. Freida ran up to us after the service and pointed out the yellow butterfly that was still lingering. The yellow butterfly is now our Hebrews 11:1. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Freida was truly a woman after God’s own heart and she never lost her childlike spirit as she relentlessly pursued HIM.

Her daughter, Debbie and son-in-law, Gary were the loves of Freida’s life! Debbie and Gary called Freida multiple times each day. Gary and Freida had a love of sports. Gary would call Freida for her commentation on the games they were watching together. Freida kept a notebook to report to Gary. Ellen said, “That notebook was her LIFE!”  Debbie kept Freida’s closet full of brightly colored and comfortable clothing.  Freida wore her finest and pearls to her cherished outings to Walmart.

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls. The most massive characters are seared with scars,” (Khalil Gibran). And so it was with our Freida.

Freida’s family is forever grateful to her second family at Yazoo City Rehab and Healthcare Center, including her compassionate and caring nurse practitioner, Christine Waggoner and many devoted and kind nurses and staff. Freida especially appreciated Vickie and David Lancaster.  David was like a son to her.  He kept her TV working so she’d never miss a football game.

Freida was blessed with years of weekly visits from two devoted friends, her former bosses from Unclaimed Freight, Bill Simmons and Jimmy Dixon, members of Second Presbyterian Church.  Pastor Jeff Dixon of Hillcrest Baptist Church was a frequent visitor and faithful friend who read the Bible with her and comforted her through the good times and the bad.  In fact, the last solid meal Freida had was a sandwich that Pastor Dixon made for her.  He will preside over Freida’s graveside service.  It will probably be the first time Freida isn’t preaching him a sermon.  Freida dearly loved to preach.

We also appreciate the many years Pastor Dixon’s father, Pastor Bud Dixon (deceased) and his sweet wife Rita visited Freida.  They were friends in Christ, but they felt like family to her.

Freida is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Johnnie Powell; her beloved son, Michael Hood; her husband, J. G. Hood; her brother, Gene Harlan Powell; her in-laws, Bess Powell and Lt. Col. Robert L. Grittner; her nephews Gene and Faron Powell.

Freida is survived by her beautiful daughter, Debbie Baldocchi and her ever-energetic son-in-law, Gary Baldocchi; her loving sister, Carolyn Grittner and numerous beloved and treasured nieces and nephews.

In Lieu of Flowers please consider a donation to Bethany Methodist Church, 486 Landers Road, Yazoo City, MS. 39194

Stricklin King Funeral Home has been entrusted with all arrangements for the family.

 Catherine Marie Nail, 64, of Yazoo County, passed away on Aug. 17, 2025 at her residence.

Survivors include her daughter, Adell Norwood of Vicksburg; two sisters, Laurie Ratliff and Pam Helms of Greenville; two brothers, Malcolm Whitt Jr. of Greenville and Gary Whitt of Hollandale; granddaughter, Cassie Norwood; and one great granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held at a later date.

 Patricia Taylor, 81, of Yazoo City, passed away peacefully at her home of over 60 years surrounded by her family on 8/15/2025 after a long battle with cancer.

Patricia was born on January 21, 1944, to Joe and Margaret Manor in Tallula, MS. After Patricia graduated from Yazoo High, she married the love of her life, Smith (Sonny) Taylor Jr., on October 26, 1962. 

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Joe Manor and Margaret Plunket, and her siblings, Joe Manor, Anne Carter, and Dot Manor. 

She is survived by her husband, Smith (Sonny) Taylor, Jr., her daughters, Candace Taylor Book (Tommy Book) and Sandee Taylor Carver (Quint Carver), and her granddaughter Miranda Guion (Brandon Bryant).

Only a family graveside service will be held per Patricia’s wishes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to cancer organizations. The family deeply appreciates everyone who has reached out and prayed for us during this time. 

Oliver Zarphus Prescott, Sr., 89, of Bentonia, MS, formerly of Folkston, GA, passed away on August 11, 2025.

Both the visitation and the funeral will be held on Thursday, August 14, at Scotland Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with the funeral beginning at 1:00 PM. Bro. Glenn Allen, of Scotland Baptist Church, will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Scotland Baptist Church Cemetery. Arrangements are by Stricklin-King Funeral Home.

Oliver was born in Folkston, Georgia, to Claude and Sina Prescott on September 9, 1935. He worked many years for Southern Bag Corporation, as well as other employers, driving semi-trailer trucks all over the country. Known for his colorful personality, and jovial demeanor, he always had a fascinating story to tell about his life. Many described him as quite the “character”. He could always bring a smile and a chuckle to his visitors. He enjoyed working on anything mechanical, gardening, and spending time with his family. Oliver was also an avid reader, with a vast collection of books.

Oliver is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Alice Prescott Haddock, Margaret Prescott Brock, Joyce May Prescott Poplin, and his brothers Wesley Prescott, Tommy Prescott, and Clifford Prescott .

Oliver is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Emma Prescott “Baby Doll”, of Bentonia, MS; his children Becky Watrous of Tallassee, AL, Oliver “Oz” Prescott, Jr. {Brenda}, of Vidalia, GA, Chuck Watrous {Belinda} of Brandon, MS, Joey Watrous of Tallassee, AL, Tammy McCoy of Yazoo City, MS, and Shane Prescott {Shannon} of Yazoo City, MS; his step children Ray Howell {Stacy} of Bentonia, MS, Elizabeth Arlene Gaines {Adam} of Flora, MS, Marlene Hawk {Thomas}, of Bentonia, MS, Thelma Howell {Eric}, of Strasburg, CO, and Wesley Howell of Bentonia, MS; his brothers James Prescott {Herta} of Gulf Shores, AL, and Wink Prescott {Carolyn} of Folkston, GA; 25 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Kendall Prescott, Cody Prescott, Jake McCoy, Will Prescott, Wesley Howell, Shane Hardy, and Chuck McGinty. Honorary pallbearers will be Jacob Watrous and Ray Howell.

The family of Oliver wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Brenda, Emily, Justin, Bill, Lauren, and Bro. Sam of Baptist Hospice, for their outstanding care.

 Aneliza Shipp, 77, of Bentonia passed away on July 26, 2025, at her residence.

Aneliza was preceded in death by her daughter, Nancy Montgomery.

Survivors include her husband, Lynwood Shipp of Bentonia; two stepsons, Ryan Shipp and Christopher Shipp, both of Clinton, CO; and one grandchild, William Montgomery.

Funeral services will be held on July 31, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Stricklin King Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Carl Lewis officiating. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the funeral service.

Pallbearers will be Chris Shipp, Barry Shipp, Jeffery Stevens, Lee Montgomery, Harold Dees and Ray Combs.

All arrangements will be under the direction of Stricklin King Funeral Home.