Hattiesburg American from Hattiesburg, Mississippi • 12

Wednesday, November 13, 1996 Hattiesburg AMERICAN OBITUARIES PINE BELT Geneva Johnson COLUMBIA Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. today, at Colonial Funeral Home Chapel in Columbia for Geneva Johnson, 83, of Columbia, who died Nov. 11, 1996, at Methodist Hospital in Marion County. The Rev. Marlin Gipson will officiate.

Interment will be in the Caney Cemetery in Lumberton. Mrs. Johnson, a native of Lamar County, was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, James' Rankin Johnson and her son, Barney Lavelle, Johnson. Survivors, include, two daughters, Nita Gipson of Bogalusa, and Ouida "Billie" Bullock of Columbia; one son, J.R.

"Toby" Johnson of Columbia; nine grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. Colonial Funeral Home in Columbia is in charge of arrangements. I JONES FUNERAL HOMES HATTIESBURG Mrs. Gladys Simmons Purvis Services: Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. Jones Funeral Chapel Ladner Muckelpath Cemetery HATTIESBURG Mr.

Shafie Nohra Services: Wednesday, 3:00 p.m. Moore Funeral Chapel Midway Cemetery MOSELLE Mr. Karl Richard "Ricky" Tisdale Jayess Services: Wednesday, 2:00 p.m. Jones Funeral Chapel Providence Cemetery RICHTON HATTIESBURG MOSELLE BEAUMONT PS MOORE FUNERAL SERVICE 544-2141 Mrs. Margaret Alice.

Shaw Hattiesburg Services 2:00 pm Wednesday Culley's Meadow Wood Chapel Tallahassee, Fla. Interment Meadow Wood Memorial Park Mr. Grover McDaniel New Hebron Services 2:00 p.m. Wednesday Saulters-Moore Chapel Interment Cliburn Cemetery Mr. Shafie Nohra Hattiesburg Services 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday Moore Hattiesburg Chapel Interment Midway Cemetery Mrs. Bertie Blackwell Miles Wiggins Services 11:00 a.m. Thursday Big Level Baptist Church Interment Big Level Cemetery Mrs. Mabel M. Lyons Houston, Texas Graveside services 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday Woodlawn Cemetery Mars. Mony Frazer Rothwell Hattiesburg Memorial services 6:00 p.m. Friday Heritage Baptist Church Woolmarket SERVICE MEASURED NOT BY MEMBER GOLD THE ORDER BUT OF THE THE GOLDEN GOLDEN RULE Mabel H. Donavan Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at HulettWinstead Funeral Home in Hattiesburg for Mabel Hurst Donavan, 93, of Hattiesburg, who died Nov.

12, 1996, at Conva-Rest of Hattiesburg. The Rev. David Price will, officiate. Inter- Donavan ment will be in the Roseland Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Cary Eure, Al Eure, Don Benson, William Benson, Stephen Benson and George Hurst III.

Mrs. Donavan, a former features writer for the Hattiesburg American, was a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. She retired from the USM Public Relations Department. Mrs. Donavan was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church, the Dura Siegrest Sunday School Class and a charter member of the Orpheus Literary was a professional columnalish who traveled Europe writing feature articles.

Mrs. Donavan was preceded in death by her parents, George G. and Mary Hurst; her daughter, Jeanne D. Benson; her sister, Sadie H. Brown; and brother, George G.

Hurst Jr. Survivors include one daughter, Joy D. Eure of Hattiesburg; five. grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m.

today at Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home in Hattiesburg. Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Bertie B. Miles WIGGINS Services are scheduled for 11, a.m. Thursday at Big Level Baptist Church in Wiggins for Bertie Blackwell Miles, 83, of Wiggins, who died Nov.

12, 1996, at Stone County Hospital. Interment will be in the Big Level Cemetery in Wiggins. Mrs. Miles was a retired school teacher from Stone County High School. She earned a master's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Mrs. Miles was a member of Stone County Retired Teachers Association. Survivors include her husband, C.L. Dick Miles of Wiggins; two sisters, Lois Bond and Hoyt Blackwell, both of Wiggins; and two brothers, Millard Blackwell of Wiggins and Robert Blackwell of McHenry. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m., today, at Moore Funeral Home in Wiggins.

Moore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. OBITUARY POLICY The American publishes obituaries free of charge. To have an obituary published, simply provide all pertinent information including a photograph, if desired to your funeral director, and ask your funeral director to contact the American at 582-4321. Hulett Winstead Funeral Home, Inc. 582-1571 205 Bay Street Mrs.

Mabel Hurst Donavan Hattiesburg Services 10:00 a.m. Thursday Hulett-Winstead Chapel Interment Roseland Park Cemetery Mrs. Fleta Berry Hattiesburg Services to be announced Mrs. Wilamena Rogers Hattiesburg Services to be announced MEMBER BY NATIONAL INVITATION SELECTED MORTICIANS Thank You Beat 4 Jones County From Johnny Morris My family, friends, and I would like to express our deepest appreciation for your vote and support. I humbly ask those of you who supported one of the other fine gentlemen for your vote, support and prayers in the upcoming runoff election.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. VOTE TUESDAY NOVEMBER 19th JOHNNY MORRIS SUPERVISOR BEAT 4 TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Wicker says election proves support of GOP congress TUPELO (AP) Last week's election was as an endorsement of efforts begun by a Republicancontrolled Congress two years ago, U.S. Rep. Roger Wicker said. The GOP in 1994 seized control of Congress for the first time in 40 years.

Of the 70 members of that freshman class, 58 were re-elected last week. "I think the fact that so many were re-elected indicates voters in those districts pleased with our accomplishments and pleased with the representation we've given them in Washington," said Wicker, who also won re-election. Wicker was president of the freshman GOP class that promised a revolution in the 104th Congress by deficit cutting and government downsizing. He said that effort will continue in the 105th Congress. "I don't think we'll back away from the basic objectives we were elected on balancing the budget, reducing red tape and restoring common sense to the federal government," Wicker said.

Despite the re-election of Bill Clinton, Wicker believes the low number of congressional defeats shows support for the Republican agenda that began with the Contract With America and led to clashes that shut down the federal government for weeks in 1995. "I challenge the assertion that the policies of the 104th Congress were dramatic," Wicker said. "President Clinton has engaged in what can only be described as demagoguery and scare While he believes Newt Gingrich will continue to serve as House Speaker, Wicker hopes there are some changes when Congress goes back into session in January, "I do hope there will be an increased degree of consensus building now that the election is over," he said of Congress and the White House. "I hope there is less Police continue search for clues in elderly woman's beating death VICKSBURG (AP) Police continued to seek a motive Tuesday in the murder of an elderly woman whose violent beating death shocked neighbors. A cousin found the body of Ruby Lee Barnes, 85, late Monday morning on a bed in her public housing apartment.

"She could hardly help herself," said Manie Johnson, Barnes' neighbor. "She could hardly see. She was always there by herself. She couldn't get around." Johnson said a vacant apartment between his and Barnes' might be a reason he didn't hear a disturbance. Detective Lt.

Mark Culbertson said there were numerous blows to the woman's face and head. Warren County Chief Deputy Coroner Ronald Regan said Tuesday that the blows caused her death. Culbertson said police recovered the weapon used in the slaying, but he would not identify it. He also said police have not determined a motive in the slaying, but added Barnes did not own a telephone or a television and that theft was not the apparent reason for the crime. Culbertson also said there was no sign of forced entry.

"We haven't been able to determine that anything was missing from the residence at this time," he said. "We're just trying to talk to people who might have seen her on Saturday or Sunday." Police have determined Barnes was seen on Saturday afternoon. 'Unsolved Mysteries' will air piece on Itawamba County Jail fugitive FULTON (AP) Authorities hope a nationally televised program will generate tips on a 32- year-old Itawamba County Jail escapee. Mysteries" is set to air a story on Michael Wilburn, who escaped from the jail in Fulton on Aug. 15.

At the time of his escape, Wilburn was awaiting trial on a charge of capital murder in connection with the February shooting death of Lila Jean Hood of Mantachie. County law enforcement officials sent information on Wilburn's escape to NBC's "Unsolved Mysteries," as well as Fox's "America's Most Wanted" as part of their continuing efforts to track Wilburn, said Itawamba County Sheriff Leon Hayes. "America's Most Wanted" has not made a final decision on airing a Wilburn story, but the sheriff's department should know something in the near future, Hayes said. Hood was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds in a wooded area in southern Itawamba County on Feb. 14 after disappearing from her home a few days earlier.

Wilburn had worked for Hood and her husband, Lewis, at Parkway Building Systems, but had been fired on Dec. 30, 1995. Wilburn escaped by making jailers believe he was still asleep and then slipping out as other inmates headed for work crew duty outside the jail. Arrest causes brief uprising in Moorhead MOORHEAD (AP) Town officials here said calm returned Tuesday after two days of spats between citizens and police officers. The unrest started late Sunday night when two Moorhead police officers had trouble arresting a man who had been involved in an earlier fight at a grocery.

When Officers Deborah Stevens and Lannie Johnson tried to arrest the suspect at a nightclub, a group tried to prevent the arrest. "The crowd got kind of rowdy," Mayor Betty Fowler said. Coast soldier 1995 Saudi bombing survivor says road to recovery was long PASCAGOULA (AP) A year ago this Wednesday, a military officer drove to Mary Thigpen's home and told her that her son was one of six people killed in a terrorist bombing in Saudi Arabia. Just as the officer was leaving after breaking the news, he received a cellular phone call that Army Staff Sgt. Antonio Thigpen wasn't dead after all.

But he was seriously wounded. Thigpen, 39, was one of 60 Americans and Saudi military housed in the three-story building that was bombed. A year later, Thigpen has recovered from head injuries, including the loss of an eye. It's been a year of hospital stays and rehabilitation for Thigpen and his family. "It's been kind of rough the first part of the year, traveling around one place to another.

It kind of wore us out. After we got to Tampa, and he started recuperating and the rehabilitation got under way, he started CRIMESCENE value, $365 Dooney and Burke purse and contents stolen from 1996 Ford Explorer, 200 block Woodshire Drive reported Tuesday by Sarah Tillery; entry made by breaking window; value, $300 Area 204 Pings golf clubs, back pack, three sweatshirts, Cobra radar detector, six compact discs stolen from 1995 Ford Probe, Turtle Creek Mall; reported Tuesday by Lawrence Dobson; entry made by breaking window; value, $2,175 Highway Patrol Moffett Emmons, 20, Route 2, Taylorsville; killed in head-on collision, 3:40 p.m.. Tuesday, Mississippi 28, three miles west of Soso; Emmon's 1984 Chevrolet collided with tractor-trailer rig driven by Earl Malone, 52, Route 2, Union; Malone taken to South Central Regional Medical Center for treatment of concussion, cuts Investigated five other accidents, one with injuries, made one DUI arrest in 24 hours ending at 6 a.m. today By Janet Braswell Hattiesburg City Limits Petal City Limits Rd 203 Richion 202 201- Sumni Hattiesburg Hardy Street 98 103 204 one 101 Grove 104 Palmer's 102 Crossing EMERGENCY: 911 Lake Industrial CRIMESTOPPERS: Park 582-STOP Rd. 98 The following is a roundup of reported Tuesday by Joel Trussell; crimes reported to area agencies entry made by breaking window; within the previous 24 hours.

value, $365 Plasma cutter torch, half-inch drill, Bausch hammer drill, Mikita Sawzall power saw, two tires and rims stolen, Daniel's Sandblasting and Welding, 901 James reported Tuesday by Daniel Hobson; entry made through roof; value, $2,210 Motorola radio, kerosene heater stolen, two cars burglarized, Bert's Auto Repair, 102 Alcorn reported re Tuesday by Bert Fells; radio stolen from 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier, nothing stolen from 1986 Nissan; value, $350 Area 102 Living room, bedroom, dining room furniture stolen, 2400 block McInnis Loop; reported Tuesday by Kathryn Fairley, who has been out of town for six weeks; value, $5,000 Area 103 Panasonic television stolen, 1800 block Broadway Drive: reported Tuesday by Dwight Donaldson Area 201 Brian Matthew Lee, 23, 1800 block Mamie Street; jailed Tuesday on possession of substance charge; police confiscated two rocks of crack cocaine, East Eighth Street and Moore Circle Plum 1993 Cadillac stolen, West Fourth and West streets; reported Tuesday by Alfreda Jones; car has Mississippi personalized license tag "IMEUYU;" Rossi Remington revolver, gold 100 block watch, East Third three rings stolen, Street; reported Tuesday by Lilly Meggs; entry made by breaking window; value, $810 Orion television, RCA videocassette recorder stolen, 900 block Dewey Street; reported Tuesday by Cassandra Martin; value, $470 Area 203 I Alpine player, Metallica CD stolen from 1994 Toyota pickup truck, Shemper Drive Hattiesburg Area 101 PUBLIC RECORDS MARRIAGES Forrest County Danny Earl Clinton 47, and Mary Ruth Keen, 34, both of Hattiesburg I Alvis Brooks 56, and Caroline Annette Floyd, 42, both of Hattiesburg Earl Wayne Smith 62, and Beverly Carol Dunn, 40, both of Hattiesburg FIRE CALLS Hattiesburg 11:25 a.m. Tuesday, 5008 Mississippi 42, child locked in of bombing SURVIVOR: Staff Sgt. Antonio one of 60 Americans wounded in last year. Thigpen is scheduled to receive a prosthetic eye. He was to be examined Aug.

24 but had to postpone the appointment until Nov. 25 after his father died. Mary Thigpen said her family will go into the holiday period Numbers to know Hattiesburg Police: 544-7900 Forrest Co. Sheriff: 544-7800 Petal Police: 544-5331 Lamar Co. Sheriff: 544-2412 Purvis Police: 794-6512 Jones Co.

Sheriff: 425-3147 Laurel Police: 425-4711 Perry Co. Sheriff: 964-8461 Highway Patrol: 264-3529 FBI: 582-8202 SAFETY TIPS Do not, under any circumstances, give out your credit card number. Motion-detector lights with wide scanners will scare away intruders. The group of about 20 to 30 people broke a window on the police cruiser, and someone threw a bottle that hit Stevens in the head. Fowler said her seven-officer department and deputies from the sheriff's department were called in.

About 1 a.m., all the businesses were ordered closed and the streets cleared. Officers were able to arrest the instigator, whose name was not released. But his brother, Dexter Levy, was shot in the arm the next day in what officials believed may have been related to the Sunday night fracas. puts horror becoming his old self again then it got better for us," Mrs. Thigpen said.

"It really didn't get good until we got home. We had been away from home for so long the 17th of November until April of this year was a long time." Today, with the rehabilitative process completed, a shy Thigpen is ready to fully resume his life. It was a just a few days after the bombing that Mrs. Thigpen was able to fly to Saudi Arabia and be near the son she had seen only three weeks earlier when he visited her Pascagoula home. "We went from Saudi to Germany and from Germany to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., then to Illinois, and to Tampa.

Then we went to New Orleans, then home. We have been going back and forth to (veterans) hospitals in Birmingham and Biloxi and Atlanta since we've been here for his treatments," she said. Thigpen said he has resumed many activities. He's an avid sports enthusiast and travels to local ball games in a new Explorer utility vehicle. "I walk.

I watch a lot of TV," he said. car, opened car 12 p.m. Tuesday, Bedford Road, gas smell reported, nothing found 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, 105 Dixie Road, pine straw fire HOTLINE NUMBERS 800-262-2463 AIDS Hotline: 800-342-2437 Alzheimer's: 800-621-0379 Cancer: 800-562-2623 Sudden Infant Death: 800-232-7437 Child Find: 800-292-9688 Child Abuse: 800-422-4453 behind him Mississippi Press Mississippi Press Thigpen, shown here Monday, was a terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia thankful for her son's and friendships formed and rerecovery newed through the ordeal. "I'm thankful we had God on.

our side and so many friends and family were so supportive," she said. "If it hadn't been for that, we couldn't have made it.".