Gary Lane Bolen
WATER VALLEY – Gary Lane Bolen, a beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, peacefully left this world on August 19, 2024, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford.
Born on September 5, 1945, in Crenshaw, Gary was a skilled carpenter in the construction industry, dedicating 40 years to his craft. Gary was a fun loving man whose warm smile and love for hunting, fishing, and watching westerns will forever be remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 37 years, Miriam Bolen; his children, Samantha Bolen of Sardis and Jeremy (Shea) Bolen of Water Valley; and two brothers, William Bolen of Strayhorn and Wayne Bolen of Crenshaw.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Vernie Lou (Berry) Bolen, his brother Bud Bolen, and sisters Jane Jenkins and Patsy Barnett.
Christopher Eric Cofer
WATER VALLEY – Christopher Eric Cofer, 42 of Water Valley passed away peacefully at Yalobusha Nursing home on August 25, 2024.
Born December 7, 1981, to Carlis Gene and Sandra Farmer Cofer at Water Valley General Hospital, Eric was a beloved brother who could easily light up the room with his smile. He grew up in Paris with his mom and brothers, Carlis “Peanut” Cofer Jr. and Jeffrey Scott Cofer. Eric attended Lafayette Elementary and transitioned to the Scott Center until 2000.
Eric was loved by all he met and never met a stranger. He always insisted on shaking everyone’s hand! Eric loved to travel and was able to visit many places. Despite his conditions, he traveled to 39 states with his mom including their most recent trip to Niagara Falls. He especially loved Disney, where he got to visit many times with his family.
Having his forever childlike spirit, everyone found great joy in bringing him toys or stuffed animals, but nothing made him happier than when his brothers would bring home a new baseball cap for him. Eric was an avid Ole Miss football fan and loved to watch the games with his mom. He also loved Harley Davidson motorcycles and his Hot Wheel cars. Eric truly cherished his visits with the little ones and would always light up each time they came to visit him, especially Emmie-Rae and Colton.
Christopher Eric was preceded in death by grandparents, Reed Farmer Jr. and Christine Shepherd Farmer, Roy and Odell Cofer, and Eva Cofer Jones and Sarah Owens, as well as Lonnie Dale Farmer, Franklin Lee Brown, Janice Farmer Winters, Anne Cofer Jones and Dewayne “Roy” Cofer.
He is survived by his parents, Sandra F. Cofer of Water Valley and Carlis (Linda) Cofer of Abbeville; his brothers, Peanut (Emily) and Scott (Stacy); Cathy (Carey) Farmer Sartain, Reeda Farmer and Jimmy Cofer, Joe (Jane) Farmer and Donna Williams; his nieces, Heather (Michael), Ashely (Fransico), Brooke (Mickey) and Stormie (Jon); his nephews, Brandon, Gabe, and Jackson; his great nieces, Madi and Etta-Jane; a great nephew, Colton; his big brothers from the 621 motorcycle family; and a special little cousin, Emmie-Rae Terry.
A celebration of Eric’s life will be held Thursday, August 29, at 1 p.m. at Woodland Hills Baptist Church in Water Valley. Services will be ministered by Bro. Nathan Morris.
Martha Sue Trussell Fly
COFFEEVILLE – Mrs. Martha Sue Trussell Fly, 78, of Coffeeville, passed away Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi in Oxford.
Sue was born April 14, 1946 in Grenada to Granville Leroy and Martha Criss Trussell. She enjoyed a long career that spanned over 30 years at BancorpSouth in Grenada. Sue took great pride in serving her customers and always treated everyone like family. A caring and giving person, she loved her big, extended family and spending time with them and her friends. Sue enjoyed any road trip, cooking for family and friends, a good game of dominoes or cards and being a part of her church family at First Methodist Church in Coffeeville.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 28, at Coffeeville Methodist Church with Rev. Jim Peterman and Bro. Jason Fly officiating. Interment will follow in the Goshen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from noon until the hour of the service Wednesday at the church.
Jay Carpenter, John Clayton Chism, Mallory Chism, Graham Riddick, Will Riddick, Scott Rives and Walker Rives will honor Sue by serving as pallbearers and carry her to rest in the Goshen Cemetery. Men of the Coffeeville Methodist Church which include Steve Bailey, Joe Bourn, Carter Brandon, Bill Criss, Billy Dean Fielder, William Jeffreys, David Lancaster, William McDaniel, Ed Pipkin and Joe Snider will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Survivors include her loving helpmate and husband, Fletcher Fly of Coffeeville; a son, Lee (Katie) Crenshaw of Charleston; step-daughters, Sherry Fly and Jennifer Smith, both of Augusta, Ga.; sisters, Sallie (James Henry) Carpenter of Madison and Sherri (Hank) Riddick of Inverness; a grandson whom she adored, John Thomas Crenshaw; a special bonus granddaughter, Brittany (Devin) Green of Batesville; grandchildren, Kaitlin Smith, Meagan Holliday, Sophie Fly, Kyle Harris, Sheena Harris, Hannah Smith and Caleb Smith; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Mary Ellen Woods Holyfield
OXFORD – Mary Ellen Woods Holyfield, age 85, went home to Jesus peacefully in her sleep Saturday morning, August 24, 2024. She was born on August 30, 1938, in Yalobusha County to John (Morris) and Ruby Ellen Edwards Woods. She married the love of her life, Clyde Holyfield, on May 8, 1960.
Mary was a 1956 graduate of Water Valley High School and was class salutatorian. After high school, she moved to Jackson and studied to become a paralegal. After her marriage, she moved to Simpson County, where she and her husband ran a dairy farm and raised their children.
Mary was a successful paralegal for many years and enjoyed playing tennis when her children were older. She loved to travel and go on fishing trips with Clyde. She could drive a milk truck, haul cows and bulls, run a farm, and a trucking business, and hug and love on babies like a pro. She loved her home and her church family in Magee and was sad to leave when they moved to Coffeeville in 2004.
She took to her new life there well and became a faithful member of Coffeeville Church of Christ for many years. She loved her brothers and sisters in Christ deeply. She also enjoyed her husband’s gardening skills, all the fruits and vegetables he grew, and knew how to give them away, put them up, as well as cook them up. Everyone enjoyed eating them up!
They resided in Coffeeville until his passing in 2013 and then moved to Oxford, making her home at Ellison Assisted Living in 2015. Once again she took on a new challenge with hope. Mary made many friends with workers and residents and enjoyed playing rook, but mostly talking and spending time with them all. While she spent much time with people, she especially loved time with the Lord in prayer, His word, and singing hymns.
A service to celebrate Mary’s abundant life was held at Coffeeville church of Christ on Tuesday, August 27, with a time of visitation at 10 a.m. The service followed at 11 a.m. Brother Don Roberson and Mary’s son, Michael Holyfield, officiated.
Mary is survived by her three children, Melissa Holyfield (Bob) Swanson of Brighton, Colo., Michael (Patsy) Holyfield of Raleigh and Sandra Holyfield (Tony) Carmichael of Coffeeville; 12 grandchildren, Elizabeth, Mathew (Katie), Reagan (Victoria), Derrick, Bryan (Hannah), Clinton, Shelby, Grace (Luke), Carissa (DC), Caleb (Melanie), Rachel, and Jacob; 22 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lynn (Pat) Woods and Larry (Susan) Woods; two sisters, Betty Woods (Leon) Strickland and Ann Woods (Carl) Bridges; her aunt, Marjorie Reid; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and numerous friends and loved ones.
Mary was preceded in death by both of her parents, Morris and Ruby Woods; her infant sister, Edna Marie Woods; her older brother Gene Woods; and her beloved husband of 53 years, Clyde Holyfield.
Thomas Nichols
BENTON, Ark. – Thomas “Tom” Nichols passed away at his residence on August 4, 2024. Born December 20, 1934, in Tishmingo County, he was a dedicated and respected individual with a legacy defined by a remarkable career and unwavering love for his family.
Tom devoted over 34 years to Chrysler Financial, ultimately retiring as an executive. He held a special place in the company’s history as the last remaining member of the original group of employees hired when the doors first opened. Tom also proudly served in the United States Army and later as a police officer in Baltimore, Md. His quick thinking in heroic actions during an automobile accident earned him the highest commendation for saving a life utilizing CPR and first aid.
Known for his passion of farming and gardening, Tom was raised on a farm and continued to cultivate a large garden every year. Some affectionately referred to him as a “Closet Car Salesman” due to his enjoyment of car dealing. Above all, Tom cherished his family deeply. Many on them reside on their beloved 20-acre family land in Benton, Ark.
Tom is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Mary Nichols; his children, Thomas Scott (Lynette) Nichols, Sandra Raney and Tracey (Brady) Hines; his grandchildren, Angie (Jeff) Ellison, Keith Nichols, Lacie Raney, Rachel (Devin) Knowles, Stephanie Bartley, Shelly (Clayton) Yarnell, Meagan Kerr and Mandy Kerr; his great-grandchildren, Claire Ellison, Sloan Ellison, Edith Ellison, Barrett Knowles, Kolton Bartley, Addison Bartley, Ethan Yarnell, Savannah Barnett and Mason Tyler; along with a host of other family members and friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Arlis and Lois (Reno) Nichols; as well as his siblings, Dolan Nichols, Jeanette Marchbanks and Eleanor Hodges.
Alvia Joy Calder Robinson Walton
TILLATOBA – Alvia Joy Calder Robinson Walton, 73, of Tillatoba, passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at the Baptist Hospital in Oxford. She was born May 17, 1951 in Charleston, MS to J.T. and Bertha Steadman Calder.
Joy was employed by Dollar General as a supervisor.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 24, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Services in Grenada with Rev. Shelly Scallions officiating. Interment followed at the Union Cemetery in Tillatoba, MS.
Joy is survived by her husband, Ezra Walton; a son, Danny Dean (Sara) Robinson of Vicksburg; sisters, Violet (David) Coaten of Oakland and Paulette (Craig) Paumen of Kentucky.
Joy was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Larry Michael Robinson; and brothers, Wade Calder and Howard Calder.
