Seven Oaks Funeral Home

09/04/2026

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Losing someone to su***de is difficult for anyone, but teens can struggle even more. Learn more about helping a teen cope with su***de grief.

09/02/2026

Warner Claiborne Webb

Warner Claiborne "Clay" Webb, a devoted soldier, loving father, and cherished member of the Union West community, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at the age of 97. Born on January 20, 1929, in Oxford, Mississippi, he was the son of sharecroppers and cultivated a strong work ethic from an early age, which he carried throughout his life.

At the age of 17, Clay enlisted in the United States Army, dedicating 27 years to service at numerous duty stations. He achieved the rank of Sergeant Major before his honorable discharge on December 13, 1974. Following his military service, Clay became a tactical officer at Lyman Ward Military Academy in Camp Hill, Alabama, before returning home to Oxford in 1982. He continued to embody hard work and dedication, lending his expertise to the Lafayette County Farmers Co-op and later to the Taylor Cotton Gin.

Clay's love for God, his family, and his community was evident in all aspects of his life. As a Deacon at Union West Baptist Church, he devoted countless hours in service to the congregation, reflecting his unwavering faith and loyalty. He was also known for his passion for gardening and meticulous yard work, which brought him joy and fulfillment in his retirement years.

In his personal life, Clay shared a deep and abiding love with his wife, Ella Webb, who predeceased him. Together, they enjoyed traveling and cheering on their grandchildren at numerous sports events. Clay is survived by his sons, Tony Webb and his wife Darlene of Waveland, MS, and Richie Webb and his wife Deb of Oxford, MS. He will be lovingly remembered by his eight grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Martha Herring.

Clay was preceded in death by his parents, Dewey and Pauline Webb; his beloved wife, Ella, and his siblings: Paul Webb, Wardean Webb, Gene Webb, James Webb, Lena Nicholas, Sarah Stringer, and Faye Gillespie.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, September 4, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. in the Gardiner Room of Seven Oaks Funeral Home. On Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 11:00 A.M., a funeral service will be held at Union West Baptist Church, officiated by Reverend Derek Starnes.

In this moment of farewell, we celebrate the remarkable life of Warner Claiborne Webb-a man whose legacy of hard work, faith, and devotion to family will forever inspire those who knew and loved him.

View Warner Claiborne Webb's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/31/2026

08/28/2026

Have you heard of funeral honorariums? If you haven't, check out this brief article that answers key questions about honorariums, including what they are and who receives them. And if you have more questions, just give us a call, and we'll provide the answers you need.

Did you know that an honorarium is customary when you perform specific roles at a funeral? Check out this article to learn more!

08/28/2026

Dr. James Robert Bell

James Robert Bell, a beloved and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and child and servant of God, transitioned peacefully from his life on earth on August 26, 2026 in Oxford, Mississippi at the age of 89. Born October 5, 1936, in Water Valley, Mississippi, he was the son of James Noel Bell and Marcella Ramzy Bell.

After dating in high school and into college, James (Jim) married the love of his life, Mary Louise Bell (Wessie) on June 14, 1958 (Flag Day) Their love and devotion to each other through sickness and health, was a true example of Godly love, partnership and friendship, along with servanthood. They shared three children and were devoted to them, raising them with God’s guidance. Together they were like parents to many church and community children, especially those friends of their children.

As a boy, Jim was a very devoted Boy Scout. He earned many awards and honors including Honor of the Arrow, Eagle Scout and Wolf Scout. He later spent many years devoting his adult service as a scout leader. As a boy and youth, he also enjoyed playing football for the Water Valley Blue Devils.

As an adult, he was a Sunday School teacher for older elementary through high school ages at various times. He took this role very seriously and helped to form not only his own children’s growth and belief in our Lord, but other children as well.

After teaching at Northwest Jr College a year, and then high school math and chemistry in Tupelo and Pontotoc (and driving a bus), and a year at Dupont in Nashville, TN, he found his home and life calling teaching chemistry and math at Hinds (Jr) Community College.

The family moved to Oxford (or Water Valley) during summers those first years for him to complete his Bachelors and Masters Degrees at The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). He completed his Doctorate Degree at The University of Southern Mississippi, taking a two year leave from teaching at Hinds.

James was always active in many committees, boards and leadership in Raymond United Methodist Church, and Corinth United Methodist Church. He was an active member of the “Searchers” Sunday School Class at RUMC and the “Challengers” Sunday School Class at CUMC. In Corinth he was very active in a men’s prayer and bible study. He talked very fondly about this Godly Group of Men and how much this fellowship meant to him. They certainly rallied (along with their Sunday School Class and many others) around Jim, Wessie and their family during his hospitalization in 2010-11. Jim was currently a member of Oxford University United Methodist Church, where he attended a brief time in the “Stragglers” Sunday School Class as well as a monthly Life Group.

James was drafted into the Army. While teaching at NWJC, he was sent (with wife and new daughter) to Augusta, GA to MP School. Following that he participated with the Mississippi National Guard to assure the safety of all as James Meredith enrolled in The University of Mississippi.

The “trickle effect” of his teaching, and loving and devotion reached far beyond those he actually taught. We love hearing all of the “Dr. Bell” stories! Please feel free to share your stories with us on the Seven Oaks website.

James was preceded in death by his wife of almost 68 years Mary Louise Sartor Bell. His devotion and caring for her was commended by all who saw them for even a moment. Additionally, those preceding him in death were his parents James Noel Bell and Marcella Ramzy Bell, his sister Beth Bell Crumby and her husband John Crumby, his brother Thomas Arnold Bell and his grandson Robert Michael Bell.

James leaves behind daughters Lisa Bell Davis of Oxford, Mississippi, Lauri Bell Butt (David) of Mobile, AL, and son James Michael (Mike) Bell (Shana) of Belmont, Mississippi. “Poppy” leaves behind grandchildren, Jamie Carr of Oxford, MS, Alyssa Thomas (Graham) of Hattiesburg, MS, Shelby Bell of Birmingham, AL, Tony Butt (Katie) of Mobile, AL, Mary Bell (Jarrius Kizer) of Henderson, TN, Caitlin Butt of Nashville, TN, Michael Bell of Nashville, TN and Ramsey Bell of Birmingham, AL. along with 4 great grandchildren, William Carr and Olivia Carr of Oxford, MS, Noah Nelson of Birmingham, AL and Aria Kizer of Henderson, TN. Jim also leaves two brother-in-laws Clyde Sartor (Barbara) of Vicksburg and Mike Sartor (Paula) of Water Valley and sister-in-law Vicki Bell of Water Valley. Additionally, he leaves a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and numerous friends.

A visitation will be held Monday, August 31, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM with the funeral service immediately following at 2:00 PM, all at Seven Oaks Funeral Home. Bro. Chris McAlilly will officiate. Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery. Seven Oaks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Please feel free to make a donation in his name to the charity of your choice. Those close to the Bells were Oxford University United Methodist Church, Hinds Community College and Alzheimer’s Association.

View Dr. James Robert Bell's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/26/2026

Cremation is a popular choice for final disposition, but did you know it is still possible to have a service to honor your loved one?

You can hold a service to honor and commemorate their life before or after the cremation process occurs with a traditional funeral service or a simple memorial.

For more information about the importance of a ceremony and how to celebrate the life of your loved one with cremation, visit www.funeralbasics.org/cremation-importance-ceremony.

08/22/2026

Thomas Franklin Hill Sr

Thomas “Tommy” Franklin Hill, Sr., age 85, of Water Valley, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2026.

Tommy was born on April 24, 1941, in Water Valley, Mississippi, to Alfred Bennett Hill, Sr. and Vearl Hensley Hill. A lifelong member of the Water Valley community, Tommy was a graduate of Water Valley High School and Northwest Community College. He proudly served as a member of the Mississippi National Guard.

Tommy was a hardworking man who believed in faith, family, and treating others with kindness. He worked as a brick mason with Hill Brothers Bricking alongside his brothers, and later owned the Home Fireplace Co. with his beloved wife, Toni. He served his community as a member of the Yalobusha County School Board, a little league coach, and an Enid Lake Clean Up and Habitat Days volunteer. As a deacon and faithful member of Water Valley First Baptist Church he taught RAs, children’s Sunday school, and cooked for the youth prayer breakfasts. He led not by seeking attention, but by quietly showing others how to live with faith, humility, and love.

Tommy and Toni shared 54 years of marriage. Through life’s joys and challenges, they stood faithfully by each other. During Tommy’s illness, Toni never left his side. Her unwavering love and devotion were a beautiful reflection of the life they shared for more than five decades. Tommy was an avid sportsman who loved the outdoors. He knew the lakes like the back of his hand and loved crappie fishing from his handmade pirogue, waterskiing, or hand grabbling for catfish. He spent a lot of time in the woods hunting deer, quail, rabbit, and squirrel.

Other activities Tommy enjoyed were planting and harvesting his garden and watching the news, westerns, and Ole Miss football. Earlier in life, he enjoyed and won several speedwalking races. He could often be found singing in the kitchen while making pancakes and pecan pies to share with family and friends, and he was known for having a special nickname for nearly everyone he knew.

While Tommy accomplished much throughout his life, those who knew him best will cherish the simple things that made him who he was. They will remember his easy grin, his blue eyes, and his kindness. His family will hold especially dear the laughter, the backrubs, the nicknames, the fishing trips, the summer days spent shucking corn and shelling peas, the pancakes, pecan pies, and fried crappie, and all the countless ordinary moments that became precious memories.

Tommy is survived by his beloved wife, Toni Trusty Hill; his children, Tina Hill; Thomas “Tom” F. Hill, Jr. (Carole); and Tyler Hill (Jency); his grandchildren, Madison Hill Norwood (Matthew); Layla Hill; and Ashlyn Hill Williamson (Watson); and his great-granddaughter, Hadley Mae Norwood. He is also survived by his brother, Jerry Wayne Hill, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Bennett Hill, Sr. and Vearl Hensley Hill; and his siblings, Alfred Bennett Hill, Jr.; Wayland Dean Hill, Sr.; Edwin Earl Hill; Bobby Hensley Hill; Mary Lou Hill Childress; Billy Jack Hill; and Betty Ann Hill Williams.

Tommy’s greatest legacy will not be measured by the homes he bricked, the pancakes he cooked, or the fish he caught. It will be found in the people he loved, the faith he shared, the family he built, and the goodness he quietly gave to others throughout his life. Tommy was deeply loved, and he will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Baptist Church Water Valley or Shepherd Center Foundation, 2020 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30309.

View Thomas Franklin (Tommy) Hill Sr.'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/21/2026

The more personal a funeral service is, the more meaningful it will be for the entire family. To help your family brainstorm possible ways to create a truly one-of-a-kind final goodbye, check out this list of 10 ideas to consider. And if you don't find something that feels right, this list is only the beginning. We're happy to sit down with you and come up with even more ideas to create the perfect sendoff.

To be meaningful and healing, a funeral must be personal. Check out this article for 10 ideas to create a truly unique final tribute.

08/19/2026

Williiam "Bill" Clinton Jones

William "Bill" Clinton Jones passed away on August 18, 2026, in his beloved hometown of Water Valley, Mississippi, at the age of 62. Born on February 3, 1964, in Water Valley, Bill spent his entire life rooted in the community that shaped him.

Bill was a proud graduate of Water Valley High School, earning his diploma in 1982. He forged a respected career as a heavy equipment operator in the construction field. Whether he was maneuvering big machines on construction sites, driving 18-wheelers, or dedicating his effort and time to working on local farms, Bill found joy in the jobs and the people with whom he worked.

Unique in his personality, Bill had a presence that will long be missed by those who knew him. Friends and family fondly remember the countless hours he spent tinkering with old cars and tractors, always ready to lend a hand or offer advice when someone else’s project needed a fresh perspective. He had a genuine love for the outdoors: fishing and hunting, especially in his younger years. Bill also loved to tell stories of days gone by. Perhaps more than anything, Bill cherished the simple pleasures of spending time with his friends and family.

Bill is survived by his nephew, Andrew Duchnowski (Miri); a great-nephew, Greyson Nam Duchnowski, a great-niece, Magnolia Estelle Duchnowski, all of Salem, CT; his step-mother, Betty Jones; as well as several cousins and friends who were dear to him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Herman Glenn Jones; his mother, Corrie Gardiner Jones; and his sister, Linda Jones Claus. Their memories and influences remained strong in Bill’s life, serving as a source of enduring comfort and guidance.

Seven Oaks Funeral Home is pleased to serve Bill's family during this time of loss. We ask that you remember them in your thoughts and prayers in the days and weeks to come.

View Williiam "Bill" Clinton Jones's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.