OBITUARIES FOR MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2001
By Staff
LEWIS CLARKE PEARCE
Civic leader, businessman, athlete
Services for Lewis Clarke "Babe" Pearce were held Friday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Merrill Wade officiating. Burial was in Magnolia Cemetery with James F. Webb Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Pearce, 94, of Meridian, died Wednesday, March 28, 2001, in his home. He was former president of the Jaycees, president of Northwood Country Club and served as president of Meridian School Board. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, Downtown Club and Meridian Housing Authority. Mr. Pearce was a member of the vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He owned and operated the Royal Crown Bottling company of Meridian, served as president of Mississippi Bottlers Association and was former owner of Meridian Wood Products.
Babe was a fine athlete dedicated fan and supporter of the University of Alabama, where he graduated in 1929. During his time at Bama, he played in two Rose Bowl games. He was a lifetime member of the "A" Club.
Survivors include his wife, Sara Evans Pearce, a daughter, Kay Pearce Dickson, a grandson, Pearce Dickson and his wife, Michelle, a granddaughter, Laura Dickson Grice and her husband, Tim, two great-grandchildren, Clarke and Blair Dickson, all of Meridian; other survivors include, Sara C. McDaniel of Wetumpka, Ala., Johnston Coppock and his wife, Shirley, of Springville, Ala. and Sam Coppock of Chandler, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ella Henderson Pearce.
The family requests memorials be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Pallbearers were members of the vestry at St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Honorary pallbearers were M.F. "Buddy" Kahlmus, George Rea, Dan Self, Charles Wright, John Smith and Allen Stewart.
MARY HELEN DAVIS CLEVELAND
Homemaker
NEWTON Services for Mary Helen Davis Cleveland will be held today at 2 p.m. at James F. Webb Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. George Decker and Hermon Kelly officiating. Burial will be in Hickory Cemetery.
Mrs. Cleveland, 87, of Hickory, died Sunday, April 1, 2001, at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center. She was a member of Newton Christian Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Nell Blackwell and her husband, Bob, and Patsy Sims and her husband, Neil, all of Bay Springs, and Helen Valentine of Newton; two sons, Donny Cleveland and his wife, Elizabeth, of Clinton and David Cleveland and his wife, Cora May, of Hickory; a sister, Rose Fritch and a brother, Elward Davis, both of Newton; 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Vance Cleveland; and her parents, William and Alberta Demming Davis.
Pallbearers will be Theron Harris, Bobby Butler, Larry Davis, Ronald Davis, Raymond Davis and Benny Walker.
Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Davis and Tom Harrison.
EARL NORTON PATTON JR.
BUTLER, Ala. Services for Earl Norton Patton Jr. will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Butler. Burial will be in Resthaven Cemetery with Bumpers Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Patton, 74, of Butler, died Sunday, April 1, 2001, in his home.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Sue Patton; two daughters, Kathy Meador of Mobile and Pam Ezell of Birmingham; a son, Tim Patton of Mobile; a sister, Betty Wacaster of Hot Springs, Ark.; and eight grandchildren.
The family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church of Butler Fellowship Hall Building Fund or Mobile County Library.
Visitation will be today from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
ALFRED THOMAS SUMRALL JR.
STURGIS, S.D. Graveside services for Alfred Thomas Sumrall Jr. will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery. Burial will be with military honors. Kinkade Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Sumrall, 82, of Rapid City, died Saturday, March 31, 2001, at Ft. Meade VA Hospital. He was a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard and was activated during World War II.
Survivors include three daughters, Brenda Dougherty of South Carolina, Judy Grome and Barbara Corube, both of New York; three brothers, Morris Sumrall of Rapid City, Cecil Sumrall of Sarasota, Fla. and Ferris Sumrall of Meridian, Miss.; and a sister, Marie Newell of Meridian.
ROBERT GIBBS JR.
Graveside services for Robert Gibbs Jr. will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Gibbs Cemetery in Cuba, Ala., with the Rev. Terry Anderson officiating. Berry and Gardner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Gibbs, 62, of San Jose, Calif., died Saturday, March 24, 2001, at Valley Medical Hospital.
Survivors include three sons, Vince Gibbs, Robert Gibbs and Steve Gibbs, all of San Jose; two sisters, Diane Kelly of Houston, Texas, and Angela Kelly of Cuba; and several other relatives and friends.
JANICE JOYCE FURMAN
Memorial services for Janice Joyce Furman will be held at a later date. James F. Webb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Furman, 64, of Stonewall, died Friday, March 30, 2001, in her home.
Survivors include her husband, George Furman of Stonewall; six daughters, Sandra Kurzrock, Sherry Cox, Lethia Hardwick, Ada Gabel, Vickie Lawson and Janice Yim; three sons, Walter Lawson, James Lawson and George Furman III; 23 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
