Clarion-Ledger from Jackson, Mississippi • Page 14

CLARIONLEDGER.COM 4B THE CLARION-LEDGER THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2003 MISSISSIPPI DEATHS 6 states uphold alienation of affection laws OBITUARY ADVERTISING POLICY 7770 Clarion-Ledger publishes basic obituaries free of charge. The basic obituary includes identifying information about the deceased and service information and may be up to 10 lines long. Additional information, such as survivors and activities, may be included for a charge. A typical obituary of 25 lines, including survivors and hobbies and possibly a photo, would cost $50. Additional information will cost $4.25 per line.

Obituaries must be submitted by a funeral home by 4:30 p.m. for publication in all editions of the next day's Clarion-Ledger. Obituary photos must be received by 4 p.m. for publication. For questions call (601) 961-7 159 or 96 1-7057.

For online searchable obituaries and obituaries from recent days, visit clarionledger.com's obituary section. By Barbara Powell The Associated Press Mississippi is one of the few states that's still in the business of policing broken hearts. Missouri's Supreme Court recently struck down that state's alienation of affection law as archaic, but Mississippi's high court has upheld the right to seek damages from love thieves. "It's still a viable cause of action in civil cases," Mississippi Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Comprettasaid. In fact, as recently as 2001, state courts "You to adultery there alienation N.

Shelton law Mississippi expert on Brian McKnight, and Molly McKnight. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be made to The G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center. Tony Haynes don't have prove can be of affection." Hand professor at College and family law Church of God in Christ in Belzoni with burial in Shiloh Deovelente Cemetery.

Smith Funeral Home of Belzoni is in charge of arrangements. Roosvelte Thompson Picayune Roosvelte Thompson 76, a retired electrician, died Saturday, July 5, 2003, in Picayune. Visitation is 9-1 1 a.m. Saturday at St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church.

Services are 1 1 a.m. Saturday at the church with burial in Picayune Cemetery. Baylous Funeral Home of Picayune is in charge of arrangements. Thomas O. Winters Indianola Thomas Oliver Winters, 81, a retired security guard, died Tuesday, July 8, 2003, at South Sunflower Hospital in Indianola.

Visitation is 6-8 p.m. today at Card Funeral Home in Indianola. Services are 2 p.m. Friday at Second Baptist Church of Indianola with burial in Indianola Memorial Gardens. Frank O.Wynne Jr.

Merigold Frank Osborne Wynne, 84, died Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at home. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. today at Ray Funeral Home in Cleveland. Services are 10:30 a.m. Friday at Merigold Methodist Church with burial in Merigold Cemetery with Rev.

Billy Owen officiating. Mr. Wynne was bom on December 2, 1918 in Merigold to Frank and Edna Wynne. He attended Delta State University where he played football, earning the nickname During his sophomore year he joined the United States Army Air Corps on November 5, 1940, where he served as a Technical Sergeant, 32 1 st Bomb Division. He was shot down over New Guinea and captured by the Japanese.

He was a P.O.W. for 31 months. He married Imogene Tanner on April 2 1 1946 in Leland. He received his B.S. Degree in Commerce in 1948 from Bowling Green College of Commerce in Bowling Green, Ky.

and his J.D. Degree from the University of Mississippi in 1 950. He served on Governor Hugh White's Administration in 1952, as Colonel and Aide-De-Campe; as Special Assistant Attorney General in 1954 during Governor J.P. Coleman's Administration, and served Bolivar County as Mississippi's longest serving County Attorney, prosecuting more than 500 cases and served as Assistant District Attorney for five years and also Merigold's City Attorney for more than 20 years. He was a member of the Merigold Methodist Church, VFW, American Legion, and Merigold Hunting Club.

He was also a member of the Mississippi Bar Association for over 50 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Edna Wayne; a sister, Ted Calhoun; and a grandson, Chase Tanner Bolen. Survivors include: his wife, Imogene Tanner Wynne of Merigold; two sons, Frank O. Wynne, III of Crestwood, James Patrick Wynne of Rosedale; a daughter, Dianne Wynne Bolen of Madison and two grandchildren, Austin Patrick Bolen of Austin, Texas and John Patrick Wynne of Memphis, Tenn. Pallbearers are Andrew Westerfield, Pemble Davis, Jon Meyer, John Booth, Park Hiter and Jim Meyer.

Honorary pallbearers are Charlie Capps and Billy Latham. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America, 7 Mill Brook Road, Wilton, N.H. 03086. have approved dam- bwhb ages as high as $100,000 to compensate a spouse for the loss of love. Compretta said Mississippi courts aren't bound by the Missouri ruling in dealing with alienation of affection cases, but the ruling could be cited as a reason for denying such cases if the courts chose to.

There is no actual law on the books in Mississippi dealing with alienation of affection. Rather, it is a common law tort. It would take a court ruling or action by the Legislature to eliminate it as a cause of action. States increasingly have been abolishing alienation of affection torts, which have been around since 1864 and were based originally on the view that a wife was the property of her husband. Later, the laws were expanded to allow wives equal right to sue for the loss of affection.

Today, courts and legislatures in all but seven states have abolished the use of these lawsuits: Besides Mississippi, the other states that Barbour: Ties to president cited as plus for Mississippi Allie Ladell Barger Brandon Allie Ladell "Jean Barger, 77, a retired sales clerk, died Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at Lakeland Nursing Home. Services are 10 a.m. Friday at Houston Funeral Home with burial in Hillcrest Cemetery in Var daman. Fletta D.Bruce Carthage Fletta D. Bruce, 92, a homemaker, died Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at Carthage Health Care Center in Carthage.

Graveside services are 10 a.m. today in Big Spring Church Cemetery in Leake County. Culpepper Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements. Donal E.Coleman Boyle Donal Eugene Coleman, 67, died Mon day, July 7, 2003, at home. Services are 2 p.m.

today at Boyle Methodist Church with burial in Linn Methodist Church Cemetery. Ray Funeral Home of Cleveland is in charge of arrangements. Edith Inez Dees Enid Edith Inez Dees, 70, a homemaker, died Tuesday, July 8, 2003 at her home. Services are 10 a.m. today at First Assembly of God with burial in Bethel Cemetery in Batesville.

Dickins Funeral Home in Batesville is handling arrangements. Mansfield M.Dendy Fayetteville.N.C. Mansfield McClain Dendy, 86, died Monday, July 7, 2003, at home, visitation is 7-9 p.m. Friday at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home in Fayetteviile, N.C. Services are 1 1 a.m.

Saturday at the funeral home with burial in Lafayette Memorial Park. Preston Ellis Phoenix, 111. Preston Ellis, 66, a retired truck driver, died Friday, July 4, 2003, at Ingers Hospital in Phoenix, III. Visitation is 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

today at Cooley's Mortuary in Batesville. Services are 1 p.m. Friday at Nelson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Pope with burial in Pope Chapel Cemetery. Cooley's Mortuary of Batesville is in charge of arrangements. Lorraine R.

Ellison Albuquerque, N.M. Lorraine R. Ellison, 59, a cashier, died Friday, July 1 1, 2003, at Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque, N.M. visitation is 8 a.m. until services Friday at Oliver Funeral Home of Eupora.

Services are 1 1 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with burial in Clark son Cemetery in Webster County. Mary Graham Batesville Mary Grace Sim? Graham, 96, widow of the late H.D. Graham, died Tuesday, July 8, 2003, at Baptist Memorial Hospital East in Memphis, Tenn. visitation is 10a.m.

until today at Dickins Funeral Home in Batesville. Services are 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church of Batesville with burial in Batesville-Magno-lia Cemetery with Rev. Dr. Robert Self officiating.

Mrs. Graham was born on November 28, 1906 in Hinchcliff, to Aylmer Belton Sims and Virgil Vashti Copper Sims, both preceded her in death. She was a school teacher. Mrs. Graham graduated from the Mississippi State College for Women in 1 929 and taught school for 30 years.

She was Baptist and taught Sunday School for 30 years. Shew as the president of the Mississippi Vocational Agriculture Teachers Ladies Auxiliary in the late 1930s. After moving to Batesville, she served as president of the Batesville PTA and served as president of South Panola Teachers Association for two terms. Mrs. Graham was an active member of the James INFANT WILLOW HARRIS 10 am Thursday G'aide Visit after 9 am Thursday Lakewood Memorial Park MR.

JAMES E. HARRIS 10 am Fndav'Chapel Visit 5-8 pm Thursday Lakewood Park Vernon E. Pearson Memorial Service 7W pm. Thursday I'nilarian L'niversalisl Church I In Memttrx James R. Hayes 111 fm ii Funeral Home 601-332-5239 JI r' fa a rvri FUNERAL HOME Localfr Quad Forest EARL RANDALL SMITH 2 pm Thurs OiL Chapel Brandon Viut 1 am-I-4o pm Thun.

still allow them are Illinois, Hawaii, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota and Utah. A North Carolina appeals court in late June upheld a $500,000 punitive judgment in a case in which a man sued his wife's former college sweetheart for having an affair with the woman. Mississippi's Supreme Court in 2001 abolished another so-called "heart balm" tort when it ruled that plaintiffs can't bring so-called criminal conversation cases seeking damages because of adultery. But that same year, the high court declined on a 7-1 decision to abolish the alienation of affection tort on the grounds that the "marital relationship was an important element in the foundation of society and to abolish tort of alienation of affection would, in essence, send the message that the Supreme Court was devaluing the marital relationship." The lone dissenting justice. Chuck McRae, wrote that it was archaic to "put a price tag on the heart: and that the "judicial system cannot be called upon to make one spouse love another." Unlike in criminal conversation cases, plaintiffs seeking damages for alienation of affection don't have to prove that the defendant had sexual intercourse with the plaintiff's spouse.

"You don't have to prove adultery with or without the act of intercourse, there can be alienation of affection," said N. Shelton Hand a law professor at Mississippi College and an expert on Mississippi family law. budget critics to say where they would cut to save money. "The same person who's hollering we need to make cuts is the person who calls you when their mother in a nursing home is affected. It's a two-edged sword.

It's a delicate balance of trying to do what's best for the majority with the least harm," he said Barbour, a former White House political director for Ronald Reagan and a former National Republican Committee chairman, said his experience at the federal level will help the state take better advantage of federal funds and waivers. He also said his ties to Bush will be a plus for the state. "We've never had a governor in Mississippi in the history of the state who has a pre-existing, long-standing personal relationship with the sitting president of the United States," he said. And, he said, he plans to work with state's Democratic congressmen, as well as the ones in the Legislature. "My job is to work with the Gene Taylors and Bennie Thompsons just like it is to work with the Democrats in the state House of Representatives if I get elected he said.

"I'll have a better relationship with the Legislature than the current governor has." Staff Writer Patrice Sawyer contributed to this report urgent now." "We're not trying to delay anything," said lawyer Kelly Simpkins, who represents the private college. The college requested the switch to federal court based on "an equal protection andor dvfl rights claim," made by Belhaven residents, he said. This week, the Presbyterian Church-affiliated college counter-sued residents for more than $1 million in damages. Belhaven President Roger Par-rott hopes the new lot the first of three he seeks to build quickly goes forward. "Additional parking is the highest priority listed among students," Parrott said.

In his eight years as president, Belhaven has "worked diligently to hear, discuss and often incorporate the suggestions of neighbors regarding parking," Parrott said. Gilliam Chapter of the Daughter of The American Revolution in which she served as the National Defense Chairman for 20 years. She was a former member of the Colonial Dames XVIIC in which she served as Scholarship Chairman. She was a former member of the Daughter of the American Colonies. She served four years as state president of the Mississippi Society of the Dames of the Court of Honor.

She was a member of the Stitchers, a sewing club, for more than 50 years. Mrs. Graham was also a member of the Batesville Woman's Club in which she served as Educational Chairman. She was a member of Friends of the Library and a member of the First Baptist Church of Batesville. Survivors include: one son, H.

DeVon Graham, Jr. of Houston, Texas; two daughters, Mary Virginia Knapp of Houston, Texas, Elizabeth Ann Butler of Michigan City; four grandchildren, Dr. H. DeVon Graham, Nl, Joseph Yancey Butler, Elizabeth Grace Giroir, and Mary Elizabeth Hoke; and six great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Mississippi State Development Foundation, P.O.

Box 423, Mississippi State, MS 39762. A memorial obituary may be viewed at www.Legacy.com. Bertha S.Hanna Yazoo City Rev. Bertha S. Hanna, 98, a retired minister, died Tuesday, July 8, 2003, at King's Daughters Hospital in Yazoo City.

Services are 1 1 a.m. today at Stricklin-King Funeral Home in Yazoo City with burial in Qenwood Cemetery. She was born February 27, 1905 in Mississippi. She married J.C. Hanna in Yazoo City, who preceded her in death.

She was a retired Pentecostal minister at Trinity Pentecostal Church of God. Survivors include: nephew, Sonny Bradshaw of Yazoo City and several nieces. Pallbearers include: Jesse Germany, Bobby Germany, Stuart Rusche, Marcus Rusche, Ken Pinter, and Doug Humphreys. Rev. Lawrence Perkins and Rev.

Terrell Veazey are officiating the services. Frank James Harris Fayette Frank James Harris, 51, died Friday, July 4, 2003, at home. Services are 10:30 a.m. today at Rollins Funeral Home in Fayette with burial in Pine Grove Cemetery. James E.

Harris Sr. Jackson James Edward Harris, 86, of Jack son died Tuesday, July 8, 2003 at the G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Jackson. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. today at Lakewood Funeral Home.

Services are 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with burial in Lake-wood Memorial Park. Mr. Harris was a member of Leavell Woods Methodist Church, Leavell Woods Exchange Club, and he was a Mason. He is survived by his loving wife, Omera Harris of Jackson, son James E.

Harris, Jr. and his wife Barbara of Brandon, daughter Jan McKnight and her husband Robert of Brandon, brother Kenneth Harris of Columbia, LA, and grandchildren Jennifer Harris, Kimberty Harris, Brad McKnight, ICcOTfiSl Since 1903 948-7223 MRS. BONNIE HAYES 11:00 A.M. Thursday Collins Northside Chapel MARKSEFE FUNERAL I fa fE 601-3S2-5Z19 TilFree 7D5KwndrIiiejKfaui.lR TesthcmMenrnd MR. ALBERT MILLER, JR.

Thurs. 1100 am. New Gethjemane Church MRS. MARY LUCILLE OWENS -WILLIAMS FriJOOpm. Word of Truth Worship Center wis vnKif Aari I fcdat 1 Dkra at fntstmlSmia )m Cm DrwWfV 601-922-3666 Noxapa later John Anthony "Tony" Haynes, 87, office manager for Sacks Electrical Supply in Akron, Ohio, died Sunday, July 6, 2003, at home.

Services are 1 1 a.m. Saturday at Noxapater Baptist Church with burial in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Porter Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Rilla Ann Houston Jackson Rilla Ann Houston, 84, a bookkeepersecretary, died Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at the G.V.

"Sonny" Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Jackson. Graveside services are 3 p.m. today in New Black Jack Cemetery in Philadelphia. John E. Stephens Funeral Home of Philadelphia is in charge of arrangements.

Alma Teffcoat Crystal Springs Alma Louise Davis Jeffcoat, 60, died Tuesday, July 8, 2003, at St. Dominic Jackson Memorial Hospital. Visitation is 6-9 p.m. today at Stringer Funeral Home in Crystal Springs. Services are 1 1 a.m.

Friday at the funeral home with burial in Crystal Springs Cemetery. Jack M.Moody Cleveland Jack M. Moody, 73, a retired furniture business, died Tuesday, Jury 8, 2003, at home. Services are 2 p.m. today at Williams Lord Funeral Home in Ruleville with burial in Lehrton Cemetery in Ruleville.

TroyW.Nordin Byram Troy W. Nordin, 52, a truck driver, died Tuesday, July 8, 2003, at home. Visitation is 9:30 a.m. today at Breeland Funeral Home in Canton. Services are 1 1 a.m.

today at the funeral home with burial in Canton Cemetery. Mr. Nordin had lived in Byram most of his life. Survivors include: son, David Nordin of Florence; daughter, Donna Palmer of Florence; brothers, Kenneth Nordin of Texas, Jerry Nordin of Pearl, Larry Nordin of Terry, Donald Nordin of Jackson, Lee Nordin of Clinton; and four grandchildren. Benjamin F.

Odom Vicksburg Benjamin F. "Benny" Odom, 81, a retired Chief Engineer with the U.S. Army Corps Engineers, died Monday, July 7, 2003, at Selected Service Hospital in Jackson. Services were 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at Center Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery.

Jordan Funeral Home of Kosciusko is in charge of arrangements. Helen Pitts Kosciusko Helen Frazier Miller Pitts, 64, a retired waitress, died Wednesday, Jury 9, 2003, at home. Visitation is 5-9 p.m. today at Jordan Funeral Home In Kosciusko. Services are 1 1 a.m.

Friday at the funeral home with burial in Parkway Cemetery. Joan Pritchard Columbus Joan Dale McCormick Pritchard, 6 1 a nurse practitioner, died Tuesday, Jury 8, 2003, at home. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbus and 1-2 p.m. Friday at Beer-sheba Cumberland Presbyterian Church near Cokmbus.

Services are 2 p.m. Friday at the church with burial in the church cemetery. Arthur Richardson Belzoni Arthur Richardson, 86, a farmer, (led Thursday, Jury 3, 2003, in Omaha, Neb. Services are 1 p.m. Saturday at Redeem Breeland FUNERAL HOME CANTON 859-3661 922-1071 LOCALLY OWNED MR.

TROY W. NORDIN 11 AM Thurs BFH Chapel Visit 9 30 AM Thurs WRIGHT FERGUSON MR. JOHN G. HAND IflOpm-FruWiFHSt Visit 12 pa. Fn.

i Hh St MR. 00 at SttjrdiT KtF ClmtAB Chapd Van 106 pa Saturday WSSSHEIUStNDARAJl 352-3632 From IB Musgrove in the Nov. 4 general election. However, he must first defeat challenger Mitch Tyner in the Aug. 5 Republican primary, and Musgrove must get past four challengers in the Democratic primary.

Barbour has said that the state needs to repay transportation and health care trust funds with federal money approved by President Bush in a tax-cut bilL He also said the state needs to improve work-force development and job training to create jobs. And while Medicaid is implementing a cost-saving disease management program, it is not as aggressive as other states, he said. But Barbour also said his proposals probably amount to only a few hundred million dollars for the state this fiscal year. The state's expected shortfall this fiscal year has been put as high as $700 million. "We're going to have to go through the whole budget," he said.

"There are going to be a lot more specifics." House Appropriations Vice Chairman John Read, R-Gautier, said in a telephone interview he hopes the state's budget woes can be repaired in a couple of years if tax collections continue to increase. "Let's just hope that everything smiles on us," he said. However, he added if the state's income remains flat, then he wants Donors: Support group meetings help families cope From IB groups for donors and recipients. "They've shown us so much love and support," Loretta Hart said of the agency. Going to a support group has helped the Hart's deal with their loss.

"It's like talking to family," Loretta Hart said. Recipients attend support group meetings with donor families. "Sometimes a recipient has an amount of guilt, especially if the donor was young," Debora Drew said. Communication between recipients and donors' families helps both groups deal with the emotional turmoil, she said. "You can't change the past, but you can hope for the future," Drew said.

A medal given by the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency to donors' families is grafted onto Willie Hart headstone. Below the medal, his favorite saying is carved in the stone. It reads: "Everything happens for a reason." Parking: Residents' attorney says school 'avoiding hearing' From IB in Jackson. Jackson lawyer Dale Danks who represents homeowners seeking to stop construction of the lot, said the court change Wednesday shows there's no immediate need for Belhaven to build the lot "I call it avoiding a hearing today," Danks said Wednesday. "It (the parking lot) doesn't appear as FUNERAL HOME Personal 6c Diginified Service Notice of Funeral Home Closing Noell Flippin Funeral Home in Ridgeland has made the difficult decision to close.

We wish to assure that any funeral prearranpemenu made tth Ncmcll Pippin Funeral Home remain safe and valid, and haw been transferred to Natchez Trace Funeral Home ia Madison. Please contact the Natchez Trace Funeral Home at 60I-9774X5 if voa have any qurUxmv Think yoa for allowing Nowcll-Flippia Faacral Home serve jo "Srn ing Others As Would Be Senrd".