Obituaries 10-10-24

LARRY BEN "BEAR" BULINGTON

Aug. 18, 1940-Oct. 4, 2024

Larry Ben "Bear" Bulington, 84, died on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.

Born at home on Aug. 18, 1940 west of Monon, Ind., he was the son of Don 
and Ida (Denton) Bulington. He ws an Eagle Scout and graduated from 
Monon High School in 1958.

He joined the U.S. Navy in 1959, where he served on the USS Newport News 
and participated in the U.S. Blockade of Cuba in October of 1962.

He became an Indiana State Trooper and then a steel mill worker at 
Inland Steel in Gary, Ind. In 1965, he became a UAW line worker at the 
Dana-Spicer plant in Toledo, Ohio. In October of 1968, he was recognized 
as a hero by the City of Toledo for diving into the Ottawa River at risk 
of his own life in order to retrieve a motorist who had gone off a 
bridge and plummeted into the river.

In 1978, he retuned to Monon to farm and work as a Foreman with Monon 
Trailer, later becoming a Superintendent with Wabash National Trailer 
Factory in Lafayette, Ind.

Most recently, he served as a Senior Advisor for Operations Productivity 
with Autocar Trucks in Birmingham, Ala.

Larry was a lifelong athlete with interests in a wide range of sporting 
activities, including auto racing, basketball, volleyball, Tae Kwon Do 
and bicycling. A fan of classic country, rhythm and blues and rock and 
roll, he was also a fine dancer and roller-skater. Above all, he was an 
extraordinary family man who was loved by many.

He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Jane (Fredrick) 
Bulington; his sons and a daughter-in-law, Jeff and Susanne Bulington 
and Mike Bulington; and his grandchildren, Carter and Elz Builington.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Earl Donald 
Bulington; and his sisters, Louise (Bulington) George and Alice 
(Bulington) Fink.

WILLIE O. HAVARD

Feb. 11, 1940-Oct. 1, 2024

MARY BETTY JO HAVARD

March 23, 1945-Oct. 1, 2024

Funeral services for Willie O. Havard, 84, and Mary Betty Jo Havard, 79, 
of Franklin County, will be at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 from 
Springhill Baptist Church in Knoxville, with Rev. Mike Carraway 
officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service 
on Saturday, Oct. 12.

Following the funeral service, interment will take place at the church 
cemetery.

Willie was born on Feb. 11, 1940 while Mary Betty Jo was born on March 
23, 1945, both in Franklin County. They enjoyed gardening and working on 
their flower beds. They enjoyed sitting on the porch, watching the cars 
drive by.

The both died on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.

They are survived by their ons and daughter-in-law, Maxie Havard, Donald 
Lee Havard and Jeffrey and Courtney Spring; their daughters and 
sons-in-law, Rhonad and Wendall Bonds, Eva and Windy Aldridge and 
Annette and Bruce Cobb; their brothers and sisters-in-law, Hilton and 
Dee Havard, James Cater, Elmer Cater and Howard and Pat Cater; a sister, 
Barbara Corken; their grandchildren and their respective spouses, Lane 
and Brittany Edwards, Nikki and Rob Belote, Heather and Jessica Havard, 
Kalin and Blaine Evereton, Cade and Erica Havard, Jessica Cobb and Jacob 
Cobb; their great-grandchildren, Avery, Ashlyn and Beckett Belote, 
Preston Edwards, Dax and Rylee Havard and Scarlett Everton; and a host 
of nieces, nephews and friends.

Willie was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Betty Jo Havard; his 
parents, William Wallace Havard and Eva Graves Havard; his brothers, 
Wayne Havard and Jimmy Havard; and his sisters, Ruthie Mae Shiers, Betty 
Smith, Hershel Humes and Dolly Humes.

Betty Jo --- who's husband, Willie, died later on the same day --- was 
preceded in death by her parents, James Henry Cater and Nettie Jane 
Terrell Cater; her brothers, Ed Cater, Bill Cater and Pedro Cater; and 
her sisters, Evelyn Hammack, Lucille Littleton and Ann Willard.

Pallbearers will be Lane Edwards, Cade Havard, Jake Cobb, Blaine 
Everton, Chuck Parker and Wayne Havard. Honorary pallbearers will be 
Elmer Cater, Dewayne Havard and Marty Jackson.

Condolences can be offered at franklinfh.com.

Franklin Funeral Home of Meadville was in charge of arrangements.

LAURA ANN TYSON

Oct. 24, 1935-Sept. 29, 2024

A Celebration of Life for Laura Ann Tyson, 88, of Bude, was inducted on 
Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 from First Baptist Church in Bude.

Born on Oct. 24, 1935 to Ruby and W.E. Boggan, she began her career as a 
Medical Laboratory Technician after earning her degree from the 
University of Southern Mississippi. She started at Charity Hospital in 
New Orleans before continuing her work at Franklin County Memorial 
Hospital. She later returned to the University of Southern Mississippi, 
where she earned her Master's degree in Education.

She dedicated many years to teaching in the Franklin County School 
District, leaving a lasting impact on thousands of students and their 
families. Her passion for education and nurturing spirit will be 
remembered by many.

In her personal life, she was married to Billy Tyson, which whom she 
built a be a beautiful life. They had two children --- Ann Tyson Speyer 
and Barry Tyson --- who were the pride of their lives.

Laura cherished her free time. She proudly traveled around the world to 
see all seven continents. She enjoyed playing bridge and spending 
quality moments with her family. Her favorite role was that of 
"MawMaw," a title she wore with love for her four grandchildren --- 
Braden Tyson, Ben Tyson Speyer, Anna Holland Tyson and Caden Tyson. They 
were her world.

A faithful member of First Baptist Church Bude, she held her church 
family close to her heart and was an integral part of the community. She 
served as Church Secretary and Sunday School Secretary of the church for 
many years and was also one of the Founders of the Bude Baptist Church 
Library.

She was an active member of the Franklin County Woman's Club and 
Retired Teachers Association and held numerous officer positions in both 
clubs. More recently, she served as a Senior Advisor to the Board of the 
Bude Community Foundation.

Laura Ann Tyson's warmth, kindness and dedication to her family and 
community will be profoundly missed.

She died on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 at Franklin County Memorial Hospital, 
surrounded by her loving family.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Billy Eugene 
Tyson; and her parents, Ruby and W.E. Boggan.

In honor of "MawMaw's" amazing life, the family asks that any 
donations be made in honor of her to the Bude Community Foundation at 
Bank of Franklin, Sandy Hester, P.O. Box 606, Meadville, MS 39653.

Condolences can be offered at franklinfh.com.

Franklin Funeral Home of Meadville was in charge of arrangements.