By Staff
PALMDALE, Calif. Services for Gladys McKenzie Nichols will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Valley Mortuary Chapel in Palmdale.
Mrs. Nichols, 93, of Palmdale, formerly of Meridian, died Tuesday, June 15, 2004, in Lancaster. She was born to James Angus McKenzie of Meridian and Lillian Eales Harmon of Cynthiana, Ky., on Jan. 22, 1911, in Meridian. She married Orval Leroy Nichols on Nov. 17, 1947, in Inglewood, and was a long time resident of Palmdale.
She worked as a real estate salesperson and as an escrow officer for a number of years. A newspaper clipping from Meridian dated 1929, stated, "Miss Gladys McKenzie, 16 year old Mississippi Miss, captured first prize at the Neshoba County Fair, Philadelphia, as the most graceful lady driver. This sweet little girl weighs only 92 pounds and the remarkable exhibition she gave with the new Oakland Six created a sensation," says A.C. Smith, field representative.
She graduated from Hollywood High School in 1928. She earned an associate's degree from AV College in 1987 at the age of 76. She was the founding member of the Joshua Tree Poets Society.
Mrs. Nichols loved poetry and was awarded the "Golden Poet Award" from the World of Poetry for the years 1988, 1989 and 1990. She published her poetry book in 1995, it was titled "Poetry by Gladys."
She was very active and loved to dance, she taught the hula dance. Gladys was a member of the Daughters of the Nile, AV Nile Club and the Eastern Star. In the Eastern Star she held the following offices, Worthy Matron, Star of Palmdale, Chapter 619, Deputy Grand Matron of the 67th District of the Grand Chapter, State of Calif., Order of the Eastern Star. She was a past president of the AV Escrow Association, a U.S.O. Hostess during World War II, a member of the National Federation of Republican Woman and the Professional Business Women's Club.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Orval Leroy Nichols in 1975; her parents, Lillian Eales Harmon McKenzie in 1966 and James Angus McKenzie in 1961.
Memorials may be made to the Order of the Eastern Star, P.O. Box 900068, Palmdale, CA.
Visitation will be Friday 3 p.m.-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Retired
NEWTON Services for James Elliott McMullan will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Newton with the Rev. Dr. Frank Harmon officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic Cemetery in Newton. James F. Webb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. McMullan, 83, of Newton, died Wednesday, June 16, 2004, in Newton. He will be remembered for his wit and gregarious nature and was a lifelong resident of Newton. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in World War II. He was owner of McMullan Hardware, McMullan Building Supply and a homebuilder known for many fine homes and buildings in Newton County and the surrounding area.
He was a member of First Baptist Church for 74 years. He was a trustee of Clark College and trustee of the Mississippi School for the Blind and Deaf. He was a member of the Rotary Club and director of Newton County Bank. He was a graduate of Clark College.
He was dedicated to his community and very active in public service. In addition to his trusteeships, he served as mayor of Newton from 1957-1977. He was recognized for the many years of good race relations during his terms as mayor in the turbulent 1960s. He played a key role in bringing La-Z-Boy Chair Company and Esco Corporation to Newton.
He was active in state politics and served for eight years on the Pat Harrison Waterways Commission, which built Turkey Creek Water Park in Newton County. He was an honorary colonel under Govs. J.P. Coleman, Bill Waller, Cliff Finch and William Winter.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Ruth Holt McMullan; his daughter, Janis M. Tabor and her husband, William, of Louisville; a son, William Holt McMullan and his wife, Lynn, of Hattiesburg; grandchildren, Arlean McMullan Sackler of Hattiesburg, William Holt McMullan Jr. of Boston and William Elliott Tabor of Louisville; his brother, Victor McMullan of Hattiesburg; and a sister, Ena Cain of Atlanta.
Memorials may be made to J. Elliott McMullan Library, 300 West Church Street, Newton, MS 39345 or to Newton First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 87, Newton, MS 39345.
Pallbearers will be Richard Toms, Charles Godwin, Mark Killens, Robert Munn, Danny Lindsley and Bill May.
Honorary pallbearers will be Victor Murphey, Paul McMullan, Wilmer Whittle, James Hart, Wade Turnage, Wyche McMullan, Bill Freeman, Van Lucas, Thomas Harthcock, James Mason, Curtis Blackburn, Bruce Bradley, Brian Biggers, Sam Feldman, Sam Waggoner, Bill Thames, Bill Barnett, Stafford Bankston, Sam Edwards, Dan Edwards, Leon Williams, Roger Yorks and Jack Morgan Weaver.
Visitation will be today 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the funeral home and Friday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Truck driver
PHILADELPHIA Services for Barry Theo Williamson will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at McClain-Hays Funeral Service Chapel with the Revs. Mark Cloys and James McNally officiating. Burial will be in Spring Creek Cemetery.
Mr. Williamson, 39, of Philadelphia, died Tuesday, June 15, 2004, in his home.
Survivors include his daughters, Holly Williamson and Kelly Williamson, both of Philadelphia; his mother and step-father, Marie and Jerry Laird of Meridian; his father, Edward M. Williamson of Philadelphia; a sister, Pennie Luke of Meridian; a brother, Jonathan Williamson of Manila, Ark.; and his grandmother, Kate Williamson of Philadelphia.
Visitation will be today 5 p.m.-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Former Peavey Electronics employee
Services for Ronald Allen Crimm will be held Friday at 1 p.m. at Barham Funeral Home Chapel with Bishop Charlie White officiating. Burial will be in Magnolia Cemetery.
Mr. Crimm, 47, of Meridian, died Tuesday, June 15, 2004, in his home. He graduated from Meridian High School in 1974 and attended the University of Southern Mississippi. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He worked for Peavey Electronics for more than 10 years. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he served a two-year mission assignment.
Survivors include his mother, Dorothy Warrell Crimm of Meridian; his father, Clarence P. Crimm and his wife, Annie, and her children of Quitman; brothers, Roger Crimm and his wife, Kathy, of Meridian and Robert Crimm and his wife, Andrea, of Pinetop, Ariz.; an uncle, Louis Warrell and his wife, Billie Jean, of Canton; aunts, Vera Leach of Quitman, Ark., and Virginia Ray of Bear Creek, N.C.; nieces and nephews, Melanie Crimm and April Crimm, both of Meridian, Ryan Crimm, Allison Crimm, Jonathan Crimm and Jared Crimm, all of Pinetop.