Debra Tate Wren, 44, died Friday, January 26, 2018, at her residence. She was born in Indianola, MS to Jon D. and Faye Flowers Tate. She was a caregiver and a homemaker and was a member of Second Street Church of Christ.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 30, at 11 a.m. at Second Street Church of Christ with Adam Cozort officiating. Burial will be in Itawamba Memorial Gardens. Deaton Funeral Home, Belmont, MS will be in charge of arrangements.
She is survived by her husband-Barry Wren of Dennis; three children-Tate Cannon, Tyler Cannon and Emily McWilliams (Drew); three grandchildren-Sawyer Jean Cannon, Daegan Paige McWilliams and Dena Wren McWilliams; her mother Alice Faye Tate; five sisters-Kathy Gilbert (Douglas), Julie Milich (Jeff), Missy Dorman (Jeff), Dawn Cornwell and Jennifer Jauregui (Dano); two brothers-David Tate (Jennifer) and Randy Tate (Jeannie Kay); mother-in-law-Edna Wren and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father.
Pallbearers will be Drew McWilliams, Alan Williams, Joey Moore, Terry Moore, Steve Holcomb, Wallace Williams, Larry Harris and Richard Spencer.
Visitation will be Monday, January 29, 6-9 p.m. at Second Street Church of Christ.
MILDRED UNDERWOOD
BELMONT, MS – Mildred Hester Underwood, 89, passed away on January 19, 2018, at her residence. She was born, raised, and retired in Belmont, MS. After receiving her business degree in accounting from Draughn’s Business College, she worked as an accountant for 54 years, a profession she chose and loved. After some years spent in Memphis working and raising her three daughters, she was ready to return home. She was a lifelong member of Old Union Baptist Church.
In 1979, she and her husband fulfilled their dreams of building a home and returning to Belmont. She then returned to work at M & K and later Halsen. She was instrumental in helping achieve clean “city water” service to the Valley Grove Communities by the Dennis Water Association. She was a charter member and was appointed secretary and treasurer by taking charge of the accounts receivable, collecting and holding payments for everyone’s water bill. The town of Dennis resolved ownership of Valley Grove.
Everything was falling into place just the way she wanted. Now she could focus on things she loved such as cooking, she was an excellent baker, pickle maker and canner of preserves. She enjoyed sharing her creations such as her infamous strawberry cake and Christmas aprons with family, friends and co-workers, but most of all her husband. To see how she looked at him (every time in pictures and in person) was to see and understand the definition of “in love.” After years of loss, hard work and struggle, it was finally her time to enjoy. Tragedy then struck six years later and she had to become the complete caregiver for her husband. She was a gentle soft spoken woman who was found recently to be quite funny.
As we rejoice in our own personal memories of her at this time, we know that standing there to welcome and comfort her into God’s loving embrace will be her husband, parents, brother, sister and first born grandson.
She is survived by three daughters-Sherry Wilburn (Russell) of Collierville, TN, Michelle Underwood of Belmont and Vicki Morrow (Tom) of Tishomingo; six grandchildren-Melissa Gulomshoev (Zavar), Kami Skelton, Kendall Jewell (Ciara), Angela Skelton, Elizabeth Sheffield (Kodi) and Todd Morrow (Rhonda); eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband-James Francis “Fuzz” Underwood, her parents-Omer Milton and Arrie Lillian Mann Hester; her grandson-Jimmy McCallum, one brother-Wayne Milton Hester and one sister-Geraldine White.
Pallbearers will be Blake Scott, Brad Evans, Boots Nunley, Danny Todd, Greg Underwood and Brady Garrett. Honorary pallbearers will be Jessie Gresham, Eddie Wooten, Jeff Wooten, Kendall Jewell, Kodi Sheffield and Max Ray Hutcheson.
Services will be Monday, January 22, 2 p.m. at Deaton Funeral Home Chapel, Belmont, MS with Mike Deaton and Bro. Jerry Ginn officiating. Burial will be Old Union Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, January 21, 6-8 p.m. at Deaton Funeral Home, Belmont, MS.
