Clarion-Ledger from Jackson, Mississippi • Page 12

THE CLARION-LEDGER I I THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2009 CLARIONLEDGER.COM MISSISSIPPI DEATHS Huey L. Cupstid Crystal Springs Huey L. Cupstid, 70, died Tuesday, January 27, 2009, at home. (Wilson, 601-587-2573). Jacquelyn Duckworth Magee Jacquelyn "Jackie" Everett Duckworth, 81, died Wednesday, January 28, 2009, at Regency Hospital.

(Tutor, 601-849- 9995). Louise F. Ellis Greenwood Louise Funderburk Ellis, 96, died Monday, January 26, 2009, at Golden Age Nursing Home. (Williams Lord, 662-453-4541). Myrtis L.

Harper Jackson Myrtis L. Harper, 68, died Friday, January 23, 2009, at Baptist Medical Center. (Young's, 601- 785-4948). Charles Hodge Byram Charles Daniel Hodge, Sr, 82, passed away Tuesday January 27, 2009 at his home in Byram, MS. Visitation will be held today from 11 pm with funeral services at 2 pm at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram.

With interment to follow at Lakewood Memorial Park South in Jackson, MS. Mr. Hodge is best remembered by family and friends as an avid fisherman and hunter. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Billy Hodge.

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Doris Hodge of Byram; son, Danny Hodge and wife Sylvia of Jackson; daughter Mary Ann Matherne; one brother Rodger Hodge of Greenwood, MS; one sister Mary Darby of Noxapater, MS; granddaughter, Sheila Howell and husband, Mark of Pensacola, FL; granddaughter, Joanna Arnold and husband, Edward of Brandon, MS, grandson, Heath Hodge of Ridgeland, MS, K.C. Matherne and wife, Becky of Louisiana; great grandchildren, Tyler and Brooke Howell, Hannah and Evan Arnold, Zachary and Abigail Matherne of Louisiana. Pallbearers will be Danny Hodge, Heath Hodge, Mark Howell, Edward Arnold, Tyler Howell, and Mitch Lewis. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Camellia Hospice Nurses (Janet and Tammy) and Dr. Meador for the excellent care given during his last days.

Contributions can be made in memory of Mr. Hodge to Springridge Methodist Church Missionary Fund. On line guest book at www.chancellorfuneralhome.com. Myrtle T. McDonald Carthage Myrtle Troy McDonald, 94, died Tuesday, January 27, 2009, at Beverly Living Center.

(Wilcox, 601-267- Thelma Mitchell Madison Thelma Mitchell, 90, passed away suddenly Tuesday, January 27, 2009, at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center. Visitation will be 11:30 am until 1 pm Friday, January 30, 2009, at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home on High Street in Jackson. Graveside services will be 1:30 pm Friday at Beth Israel Cemetery. OBITUARY ADVERTISING POLICY The Clarion-Ledger publishes basic obituaries free of charge, which includes identifying information about the deceased. A fuller testament to his or her life, which could include memberships, achievements, a photo, activities and survivors, may be included for a charge.

As an example, a typical obituary of 25 lines would be $89, and $5 per line thereafter. Obituaries must be submitted by a funeral home by 4 p.m. for the next day's editions. For questions or assistance, call (601) 961-7159, -7391 or -7057. For those obituaries that do not include information regarding the times of visitation or service, please call the funeral home listed in parentheses.

All paid obituaries will appear online at www.clarionledger.com with an electronic guest book for 30 days. Guest books can be sponsored for one year for $29 or permanently for $79. For more information about guest book sponsorship contact Legacy.com at (888) 397-9494 or Thelma was born January 4, 1919, in Youngstown, Ohio to Mendie and Fanny Hansburg Smith and majored in journalism at the University of Missouri. She married George Mitchell in 1940 and in 1950 he brought industry to Mississippi and the couple moved to Jackson in 1953. Thelma was known for her humor, love of words, poems and plays.

Because of her tremendous energy, she always had a project. She dabbled in ceramics, needlework, sewing, golf, and bridge. She had an incomparable zest for life and had friends young and old. She particularly enjoyed her baby grand piano and wanted to be remembered as a musical therapist having played for years at Magnolia Speech School and later while in her 80's for the old people" at Lakeland Nursing Home. She was a member of numerous groups including Contemporary Drama Group, Stitchery Guild, Pleiades, Symphony League, as well as Colonial Country Club and Beth Israel Congregation.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 59 years, George and her brothers, Milton Smith of Boston, MA and Leonard Smith of Washington, D.C. Survivors include: her children, Don A. Mitchell of Jackson, Linde M. and Nathan Feibelman of Memphis, TN; her grandchildren, Amy and Noah Wolfe, Seth and Sylvia Feibelman and her great grandchild Konrad George Feibelman all of Memphis, TN; several nieces and nephews including Susan Smith Ginsburg of Reston, VA; and other family members including Eula Dampeer. Memorials may be made to Magnolia Speech School, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra or Goldring Woldenberg Institute of Jewish Life.

Clara I. Polanski Jackson Clara I. Polanski, age 95, formerly of Kenosha, WI, late of Jackson, Mississippi, died on Saturday, January 24, 2009, with her family by her side. Born on August 26, 1913, in Cudahy, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Elizabeth (Grzybowska) Pawinski. Clara resided in Kenosha until 2006 when she moved to Jackson, Mississippi, to be closer to her family.

On November 13, 1937, in Gary, Indiana, she married Francis C. Polanski. They celebrated over 61 years of marriage before Francis passed away on February 24, 1999. Clara was a member of communicant at St. Richard Catholic Church.

In addition to her parents and husband, Clara was preceded in death by 13 brothers and sisters. Left to remember Clara Sanders, and Megan Dolores Sanders, all of Jackson; grandson, Sanders Allen Reid; granddaughter, Mackenzie Hayden Sanders; brother, Robert D. Sanders, Jr. (Mary Todd) of Jackson; sisters, Sheila Sanders of Stanfordville, NY and June Kelly Clement (Sonny) of Lufkin, TX; mother of his first three children, Bobbie Jean Sanders of Jackson; and many nieces, nephews and other family members. Memorials may be made to Mississippi Animal Rescue League, 5221 Greenway Drive, Jackson, MS 39204 or Musicares.

William J. Shutt, Jr. Glen Allan Funeral services for William John Shutt, 96, of Erwin Plantation, Lake Washington will be at 1 pm today at Chapel of the Cross Episcopal Church in Rolling Fork, MS. He died Tuesday, January 27, 2009, at his home. Burial will be in Greenfield Cemetery, Glen Allan under the direction of Boone-Wells Funeral Home, Greenville.

He was born on September 8, 1912, in Shreveport, LA. He attended Millsaps and Mississippi State, and graduated from Delta State College. He taught at Maben, Rosedale, Louise, and Ruleville, MS, and then farmed for over 30 years at Erwin, his wife's family home, which he restored and maintained. For many years, Mr. Shutt sang in the choir at Chapel of the Cross Episcopal Church in Rolling Fork, and served on the vestry there.

He also served for many years as treasurer of Highland Club of Lake Washington. He is preceded in death by his mother, Minnie Wentworth Shutt Gallups; his father, William John Shutt, and his sister, Merle Shutt Brown. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Margaret Preston Erwin Shutt of Chatham; his daughter, Margaret (Peggy) Erwin Shutt Mallett of Biloxi; his granddaughter, Lucy Margaret Mallett Sutherlin and her husband, John G. Sutherlin; his sister-in-law, Frances Percy Erwin Mcinnis and her husband, the Rev. Clifton J.

Mclnnis, Jr. of Vicksburg, and their children and grandchildren. Bryan E. Sullivan Brandon Bryan E. Sullivan, 86, died Tuesday, January 27, 2009, at his home near the Reservoir in the Jackson area.

His family and friends will all miss this fun loving and generous man. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am in the chapel at Lakewood Funeral Home on Friday, January 30, 2009. Visitation will be tonight from 5-7 pm and after 9:30 am on Friday. Burial will follow the service in Lakewood Memorial Park. Born in Columbia, MS, Sullivan Bry a moved to Toomsuba, MS as a young child and then as an older child to the Jackson Sullivan area.

He graduated from Central High School in 1939 and then joined the United States Marine Corps when WWII broke out in 1941 where he was a carrier based fighter pilot in the Pacific. He returned to the Jackson area in 1946. Bryan met and married Mary Jane Sullivan. He worked in the insurance industry for forty years with the R. S.

Greer General agency, New Hampshire Insurance Company and then American International Group. He loved dove and deer hunting. He especially loved to cook for and entertain others. Preceding him in death is his wife Mary Jane Sullivan. He will be missed by many especially his children, Tip Sullivan and his wife, Teresa, Bill Sullivan and his wife, Jennifer and his daughter, Greer Sullivan; his precious grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Sullivan, Will Sullivan, Annie Sullivan and Bryan Sullivan; and other extended family also survive him.

His family was blessed by the ever-present help of his caregiver Alana Donovan who made a difficult situation for him and the family much better. All memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org. LaChristopher Ulmer Jackson LaChristopher J. Ulmer, 16, died Friday, January 23, 2009, at UMC. (Westhaven, 601-922-3666).

Samuel Yelverton, Jr. Pearl Samuel Evon Yelverton, 63, died Tuesday, January 27, 2009, at UMC. (Baldwin-Lee, 601-939- is her son, Francis E. "Frank" (Sandra) Polanski of Jackson, MS. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2009.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 am at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, 1919-54th Street, Kenosha, WI. Entombment will follow in All Saints Mausoleum. A visitation for Clara will be hosted on Saturday from 9 am until the time of the mass at the church. Memorial remembrances to the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.

Robbie G. Ragland Crystal Springs Robbie Gail Ragland, 65, passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2009, at her residence. Visitation will be 4 pm-6 pm today at Stringer Family Funeral Home in Crystal Springs. Services will be 11 am Friday, January 30, 2009, at Stringer Family Chapel with burial in Pine Bluff Cemetery. Stringer Family Funeral Services in Crystal Springs is handling arrangements.

She is survived by husband, Jesse R. Ragland, son, Jesse R. Ragland, Jr. of Crystal Springs; daughter, Teresa R. Farrell and husband, William of Roxie; father, John B.

Jordan, Jr. of Roxie; and grandchildren, Sharree Alexandra Farrell, John William Robert Farrell, and Mason Douglas Farrell. Bill Sanders Jackson James William "Bill" Sanders I1, 77, passed away Monday, January 26, 2009 at the University Medical Center. Visitation will be 5-8 pm today and 10 am Friday, January 30, 2009, at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home on High Street in Jackson. Services will be 11 am Friday at the funeral home Chapel with burial to follow in Lakewood Memorial Park.

Bill was born January 21, 1932, in Jackson, MS to Robert D. Sanders and Maude Kelly Peeler Sanders He was a graduate of Hazlehurst High School and attended the University of Southern Mississippi, the US Naval Academy and the Jackson School of Law. He was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman who excelled in golf, tennis, scuba diving, snow skiing, hunting and fishing, he was musician and a pilot. He was a charter member of the Jackson Country Club and River Hills Tennis Club. He was in the oil business, and proprietor for 30 years of Poets Bar and Restaurant.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Melissa Seal Sanders; sister, Shirley Estelle Sanders; son, James William "Jim" Sanders; and step-mother, Catherine W. Sanders. Survivors include his children, Shirley Sanders Foster (Eddie), Samuel Allen 4 Ex-cop accused of faking own abduction The Associated Press BIRMINGHAM A former Alabama police supervisor accused of stealing evidence money, faking his abduction and flying off to Las Vegas plans to plead not guilty to federal charges, his attorney said Wednesday. A grand jury indicted former Sgt. Faron White, 48, of Falkville on charges of stealing from a program that receives federal funds.

White, who led the Decatur Police Department's organized crime unit, tried to stage his disappearance from his office on Jan. 2 to cover up more than $5,000 missing from the unit's safe, prosecutors say. Federal marshals caught up to him in a Las Vegas hotel lobby three days later. Authorities believe White was using the stolen cash to try to win enough gambling to pay off debts. White plans to enter a not guilty plea in federal court, possibly Friday, said his defense attorney, Jake Watson.

After his arrest, White was fired from the department in northern Alabama and was in jail Wednesday. Also, Sarah Richardson, 29, a police volunteer accused of helping White stage his disappearance, was indicated as an accessory. Richardson provided information that led investigators to White, court documents show. Authorities have said Richardson was romantically involved with White, a decorated police veteran and married father of three. Free on bond, Richardson did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Watson said he had not yet received any evidence from prosecutors and hadn't decided whether he would seek a plea deal in the case. Cold weather helps catch escaped Louisiana inmate The Associated Press to get out of your car and put PLAQUEMINE, La. Life on handcuffs on me," Blanchard the run was apparently tougher said. than prison for an escaped con- The convict had been hopping vict from Louisiana. trains, Blanchard said.

"He said, A cold front and hunger were 'I'm cold, I'm hungry and I'm too much for Troy Hargave, 32, wet, and I'm willing to turn who surrendered two days after myself in," the officer said. he escaped a privately run state Tuesday's temperatures were prison with two other men, in the 70s, but it was 30 degrees authorities said Wednesday. colder a day later. Hargrave was about 100 miles One of the other two escaped from the southwest Louisiana convicts remained at large. A prison when he turned himself in prison guard has been charged to an off-duty sheriff's deputy with helping the prisoners working at a chemical plant, escape.

Iberville Parish sheriff's Maj. Authorities think the prisonJohnny Blanchard said. ers may have escaped by cutting "The guy walks up to the razor wire inside a fence and deputy and says, "You might want climbing over. Palestinian couple in Alabama with 6 kids fighting deportation The Associated Press BIRMINGHAM An immigrant couple with six children are trying to block the government's attempt to deport them and their oldest son from Alabama, arguing they are stateless Palestinians with nowhere else to go. Mohammad Mohammad said he and his wife, Sana Alsayed, and 18-year-old son, Imad Mohammad, were arrested Jan.

12 at their home in Hoover as the couple's five younger children all U.S. citizens watched. They were detained on warrants for failure to depart the country after being denied asylum in July 2001. The father, who works as a handyman, has since been released from custody to care of the younger children -ages 6,7, 13, 15 and 17. But the mother and son, a former track captain at Spain Park High School, are being held in a Louisiana jail.

A judge in Birmingham set a Thursday deadline for the government to show the mother and son should continue to be held. The Birmingham News reported Wednesday on the plight of the Mohammad family. They have been in the United States since 1993. A spokesman with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately return a message Wednesday.

Court documents show the family entered the United States with travel documents from Jordan and Egypt, and that Imad was born in Saudi Arabia. But as Palestinians, none has a passport or official nationality, the family claimed. The Mohammads argued in court documents they should be released from jail because they are "not criminals, but only the victims of the world political circumstances as Stateless Palestinians." Their attorney, Douglas Cooner, said in the documents that after the asylum denial the government "could not locate any country that would take this family and they would have left the U.S. on their own if they had a country to go to or that would take them." Faculty at Imad's former high school have written letters to their congressmen urging his release. He is currently a student at Jefferson State Community College..