Claudell Pannell

Services for Claudell Pannell, 68, of Natchez, who died Tuesday,June 17, 2008, at Natchez Community Hospital, will be 1 p.m. Fridayat Springfield Baptist Church with the Rev. Freddie Canonofficiating.

Burial will follow at Springfield Baptist Church Cemetery under thedirection of Laird Funeral Home in Natchez.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the church.

Mrs. Pannell was born Sept. 23, 1939, in Franklin County, thedaughter of Ebbie and Bertie Gertrude Merritt Patt Sr.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Troy DuanePannell; two brothers, Charles “Shorty” Patt and Ebbie Patt Jr.

Survivors include her two children, Eddie “Bo” Pannell and wifeSandra, of Natchez, and Trudi Lampp of Milton, Fla.; fivegrandchildren, Troy Whittington, Courtney Pannell, Katrina McKeone,Timmy McKeone and Stacy Lampp; four sisters, Lore Stanley, ofNatchez, Peggy Smith, of Brookhaven, Ernestine Roberts, of Ball,La., Patricia O’Neal, of Covington, La.; three brothers, John Patt,of Natchez, Robert Patt, of Brookhaven, Melvin Patt, of Marion,Ohio; two special friends, Brenda Hudgins, of Natchez, and FayMcDaniel, of Union Church.

Pallbearers will be members of family and friends.

Honorary pallbearers will be M. L. “Binky” Vines and MikeReeves.

On-line condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.

Vincent Lamar Porter

Services for Vincent Lamar Porter, of Amite, La., are 2 p.m. onSaturday, June 21, at New Zion Union Missionary Baptist Church inBogue Chitto with burial in Bogue Chitto Cemetery.

Visitation is Friday from noon until 5 p.m. at R.E. Tyler FuneralHome.

Mr. Porter, 58, died June 14, 2008, at Tangi Pines Nursing Centerin Amite. He was born in Independence, La., on Sept. 13, 1948, toHarry Lee Porter and Carlee Porter.

He was a former deliveryman for Coca-Cola in Houston, Texas.

Preceding him in death were his mother; his brother, Harold Porter;and a sister, Katherine Porter.

Survivors are his father of Hammond, La.; his daughter, VinettaAustin, of Houston; his brothers, Robert Lewis Porter and the Rev.Brian Galloway, both of Houston, and Ronald Porter, of Hammond; hissisters, Jacqueline Woods, of Nassau, Bahamas, Gaynell Andrews andJanice Colvin, both of Houston, Minister Hilda Porter, of Hammond,Sheilda Madkins, of San Antonio, Texas, and Feneshia Walker, of LosAngeles, Calif.

Irvin Roberson

Services for Irvin Roberson, of Brookhaven, are 11 a.m. onSaturday, June 21, at St. James Missionary Baptist Church withburial in Hillcrest Cemetery. Kenneth I. Roberson Funeral Home ofPontotoc is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation is Friday from 1:30 until 7 p.m. at the church withfamily hour from 6 until 7 p.m.

Mr. Roberson, 73, died June 17, 2008, from complications of cancerat his residence. He was born in Lincoln County on Dec.8, 1934, toJohn Roberson Sr. and Mary Laura Short Roberson.

He was the first black police officer for the City of Brookhaven.He retired after 30 years of service with a position of captain.Mr. Roberson also served as bailiff for the Lincoln County CourtSystems for 11 years. He also served in the U.S. Army. He was the2007 Citizen of the Year. Mr. Roberson loved church, family andpeople. He loved to cook and to fish. He also loved football. Hewas a member of St. James Missionary Baptist Church where he was adeacon.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his brothers, JohnRoberson Jr. and Lucky Roberson; his sisters, Mittie Black, BertealSailes and Lou Emma Roberson.

Survivors are his wife, Maude Roberson, of Brookhaven; his sons,Kenneth I. Roberson, of Oxford, and Darrin G. Roberson, of McComb;his daughter, Cora Y. Barze, of Brookhaven; his sisters, RubyRoberson, of Brookhaven, and Louise Dickey, of Hazlehurst; his sixgrandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Rita Virginia ‘Granny’ Taylor

Services for Rita Virginia “Granny” Taylor, of Meadville, are 1p.m. Friday, June 20, at Meadville Baptist Church with burial inMidway Cemetery.

Visitation is Thursday from noon until 5 p.m. at Marshall FuneralHome Chapel and Friday at the church.

Mrs. Taylor, 84, died June 18, 2008, at Meadville ConvalescentHome. She was born in Franklin County on April 8, 1924, to StantonJones and Hazel Aaron Jones.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Walter B.Taylor; her sons, Kenneth Taylor and Robert “Bobby” Lee Taylor; herdaughters, Linda Sue Taylor, Sandra Taylor Cagle and JenniferTaylor Hebert; her brother, Charles Donald Jones; her sister, FayeJones Cothern; and a grandson-in-law, Dennis Cole.

Survivors are her daughters, Gloria Taylor Guice, Itasca TaylorWhite and Janet Ellen Taylor; a son, Dale Taylor; a brother, VanBuren Jones; her 16 grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews,other relatives and friends.