Obituaries 09-14-23

CHARLOTTE HERRING JONES

Jan. 13, 1948-Sept. 5, 2023

A Celebration of Life service for Charlotte Herring Jones, 75, of McCall

Creek, was conducted on Saturday, Sept. 9 from Meadville Methodist

Church.

Born on Jan. 13, 1948 to the late Joseph Burch Herring II and Cecille

Dickerson Herring of McCall Creek. After graduating from high school she

became an X-Ray Technician and worked in several hospitals throughout

the state.

She married Jimmy Jones of Bogue Chitto and the couple settled and

raised their family in Franklin County. Although she left the healthcare

profession, she never stopped caring for those around her. She worked in

Meadville for many years and enjoyed connecting with the public in

different roles.

Before retiring, she spent 15 years at the Bank of Franklin, serving

those in the community through her work in Account Services. She was a

faithful and committed member of Meadville Methodist Church. She was

plain-spoken, kind-hearted and generous towards others.

She had a deep love for all of God's creatures, especially horses.

Charlotte was known for her love of the word "Joy." Throughout her

life, the Joy of the Lord was her strength.

She died on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Jimmy Jones; her son

and daughter-in-law, Brad and Kristie Jones of McCall Creek; her

daughter and son-in-law, Christy and Dave Thornton of Brandon; her

grandsons, Drew Jones of McCall Creek and Zach Thornton of Brandon; her

granddaughters and their respective spouses, Lori and Lucas Carson of

Loxley, Ala., Lindsey Stephenson of Birmingham, Ala., and Abbey Thornton

of Brandon; former foreign exchange student who she considered a

daughter, Balbina Cuellar Caldwell and family of Ocean Springs; and

numerous relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Janice Herring

Baird; and a grandson, Joseph Edward Stephenson.

The family would like to give special thanks to Debbie Monroe and

Janette Richardson for loving Charlotte so well and helping her stay in

her home, and also to Deaconess Hospice for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to

Wright's Cemetery Association, 1960 Herring Rd. NE, McCall Creek, MS

39647.

Hartman-Jones Funeral Home of McComb was in charge of arrangements.

PAMELA ANN WILKERSON BATTE

May 23, 1950-Sept. 9, 2023

Funeral services for Pamela Ann Wilkerson Batte, 73, were conducted on

Monday, Sept. 11, 2023 from Middleton Creek Primitive Baptist Church in

Meadville.

Interment followed at Middleton Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.

Born on May 23, 1950 to Alton R. Thornton and Daisy Mae (Cotten)

Thornton in Adams County, she was raised in Amite County, where she

attended and graduated with honors from Liberty High School. Nearing the

end of her first year of college, she met and married her late husband

(of 20 years), Valley Harrison Wilkerson, on Sept. 7, 1969.

Being a prayerful woman who felt led to do more, she was determined to

finish college. She continued her studies to become a teacher and

graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor's degree

in English and Literature and began teaching in the Franklin County

School District. While teaching there, she earned her Master's degree

from the University of Southern Mississippi and raised four children by

teaching and modeling how to love and honor God.

She went to church at Middleton Creek Primitive Baptist Church, which

was the same church she attended as a child. She believed in the power

of prayer!

After the death of her first husband, God blessed her by providing her

with a faithful, loving and God-fearing husband, Frank E. Batte, and she

moved to Smith County. She taught school at Morton High School, where

she eventually retired after a total of 28 years of teaching.

In her retirement, she took the time to help and serve others. In all of

her adult years, even close to the end, she always sacrificed and

thought of others --- sending cards, Gospel music and more to a large

number of family and friends.

Moreover, she faithfully continue to serve our Lord in heaven. She took

many Bible study classes while also making an example for not only her

children to follow but also her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was a faithful servant to God and was a beloved wife, devoted

mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and thoughtful friend to so many.

She died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family and friends, on

Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023 following complications with Alzheimer's.

She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Frank E. Batte, Sr.; four

children and their respective spouses, Lana Kristie Wilkerson and Brad

Smith of Madden, Darren Valley and Charlene Wilkerson of Busy Corner,

Amanda Wilkerson and Rick Moreland of The Woodlands, Texas and Lance

Harrison and Lisa Wilkerson of Meadville; three stepchildren and their

respective spouses, Frank E. Batte, Jr., of Raleigh, Timmy Edwin and

Teresa Batte of Lemon and Christy Batte Hodge of Raleigh; 17

grandchildren, Christopher Black, Tyler Black, Emma Hodge, Valley

Albertson, Vanna Smith, Carly Blair Allen, Mallory Smith, Brandin Batte,

Jack Batte, Loren Shell, Kevin Vanier, AnnaGrace Conrad, Matthew

Wilkerson, Brooke Wilkerson, Logan Wilkerson, Billy Wilkerson and Irene

Batte; 14 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Delmar Thornton of

Liberty and Kenneth Thornton of Smithdale.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alton R. Thornton and Daisy

Mae (Cotten) Thornton of Smithdale; and her first husband, Valley

Harrison Wilkerson.

Pallbearers were Kevin Vanier, Matthew Wilkerson, Logan Wilkerson, Billy

Wilkerson, Jake Allen, Brandin Batte, Jack Batte and Shane Buriss.

Ott & Lee Funeral Home of Brandon was in charge of arrangements.