Obituaries for Wednesday, March 20, 2002
By Staff
GEORGE E. MANGRUM
Retired educator
Services for George E. Mangrum will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at First Union Baptist Church with the Rev. Cleveland Hayes officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery with Clark's Memorial Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Mangrum, 59, of Meridian, died Monday, March 18, 2002, at Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center. He was a native of Mt. Olive.
He earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Rust College in Holly Springs and his master's degree and specialist's degree in political science from Mississippi State University in Starkville.
Mangrum began his teaching career in 1965 at Harris High School. In 1970, he was transferred to Meridian High School where he taught social studies. He taught at Meridian Community College for more than 25 years, before retiring in June 2001. He taught briefly at Wackenhut Correctional Facility after his retirement.
During his teaching career, he enjoyed studying and traveling during the summer. His studies took him to Kenya in Africa and the continent of China.
He enjoyed cooking for others, and his specialities were barbecued ribs with his own special sauce, and fried fish.
Mangrum was a dedicated brother of Elkdom. He was a member of the Past Grand Exalted Ruler Council of I.B.P.O.E. of W, state recorder of the Mississippi State Association of Elks, secretary of P.E. R. C. Council 129 of Elks, Exalted Ruler of Metropolitan Lodge No. 551 of Elks, General of the Antler Guard Division and a member of the past State President's Council of Elks.
He was a member of the Omega Phi Psi Fraternity, a board member of the Council of Organizations and a board member of MAPP, Inc.
Mangrum was a member of First Union Baptist Church where he served on the Deacon Board and as church treasurer.
Survivors include his wife, Louise H. Mangrum of Meridian; a son, George C. Mangrum, Esq. of Orlando, Fla.; his mother Juanita Mangrum of Mt. Olive; six brothers, Ervin Mangrum and his wife, Corris, of Olive Branch, Augustus Mangrum and his wife, Ruth, of Maywood, Ill., Johnnie Mangrum and his wife Rosetta, of Seminary, David Mangrum and his wife Dorothy, of Apopka, Fla., Larry Mangrum of Natchez and Carl Mangrum and his wife, Vangie, of Crestview, Fla.; three sisters, Willie Ruth McNair and Jackie Strickland, of Mt. Olive, and Sharon Graves and her husband, Arthur, of Magee; father-in-law, Joe Hayes; four sisters-in-law, Joe Ann Albert and her husband, Theodore, of San Antonio, Texas, Mary Jones and her husband, Elmer, of Albany, N.Y., Bertha Staten of Dayton, Ohio, Christine Scott and her husband, Douglass, of Meridian; two brothers-in-law, Ceasar Horne and his wife Elsie, of Shubuta, and Bruce Hayes of San Antonio.
He was preceded in death by his father, Johnnie Mangrum; and two brothers, Robert Mangrum and Arthur Mangrum
The family requests memorials be made to Meridian Community College Foundation or National Diabetes Foundation.
Pallbearers will be brothers of Metropolitan Lodge 551 in Meridian.
Honorary pallbearers will be deacons and trustees of First Union Baptist Church, members of Omega Phi Psi Fraternity and state officers of the State Association of Elkdom.
Visitation will be Thursday 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home and Friday 9:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m. at the church.
DEANNA MARIE MENA
District attorney office clerk
Services for Deanna Marie Mena will be held today at 1 p.m. at Stonewall Methodist Church with the Rev. Len McRaney officiating. Burial will be in Stonewall Cemetery with Stephens Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Ms. Mena, 37, of Stonewall, died Friday, March 15, 2002, in Sevierville, Tenn.
Survivors include her parents, Olgene and Linda Mena of Stonewall; her biological father, Carl Spriggs of Barrington, N.J.; a son, Jonathan Michael Mena of Stonewall; maternal grandparents, Doris and J.P. Dean of Stonewall; maternal grandmother, Eleze Walker of Collinsville; paternal grandmother, Vera Mena of Quitman; and her fiance, Terry Kim Simpson of Enterprise.
She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Joe Mena; and her great-grandfather, Ray Walker.
Visitation will be today 30 minutes prior to the service.
ROYCE WILLIAM GORDON
Chrysler Corporation employee
UNION Services for Royce William Gordon will be held today at 2 p.m. at Milling Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Kevin Meador officiating. Burial will be in Rock Branch Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Gordon, 83, of Little Rock, died Tuesday, March 19, 2002, at Laird Hospital in Union.
Survivors include his wife, Mattie Annette Gordon; a brother, Doyle Gordon and his wife, June, of Newton; and several nieces and nephews.
The family requests memorials be made to Rock Branch Baptist Church, c/o Covert Henry, Highway 494, Little Rock, MS.
Visitation will be today one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.