Obituaries 02-26-26

VIVIAN J. "BILLIE" STADALIS

Feb. 16, 2026

Funeral services for Vivian J. "Bille" Stadalis, 92, a native and 
resident of Wayne County, were conducted on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 from 
the Chapel of Freeman Funeral Home, with Rev. Paul Harris officiating.

Interment followed at Waynesboro Cemetery.

She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday 
School for many years. She retired from the Wayne County Health 
Department after many years of providing service to residents of the 
community.

Her nursing career took off when she joined the United States Army and 
was stationed in South Korea. While in South Korea, she met a helicopter 
pilot/mechanic, Marty. After she completed two years in the U.S. Army, 
the two married and made Waynesboro home.

She died on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 at Southern Living in Waynesboro.

She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Martin Stadalis of 
Waynesboro; three children and their respective spouses, Joseph and 
Molly Stadalis of Thibodaux, La., Jeffery Stadalis of Bay St. Louise and 
Suzan and Buddy Langley of Waynesboro; seven grandchildren, Hannah, 
Evan, Kathryn, Cole, Quade, Madison and Rylee; and two 
great-grandchildren, Ava and Lucy.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Katie Holland Daniels; her 
father, Grover Cleve Daniels; eight brothers, Ward Daniels, P.H. 
Daniels, Otho Daniels, Robert Daniels, Mason Daniels, Alfred Daniels, 
Frank Daniels and Jimmy Daniels; and her sister, Jeanett Scott.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of 
Southern Living for all the wonderful care given over the past four 
years.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

ROBERT LEE "BOBBY" WATKINS, JR.

April 28, 1943-Feb. 16 2026

Funeral services for Robert Lee "Bobby" Watkins, Jr., 82, of 
Waynesboro, were conducted on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 from First Baptist 
Church of Waynesboro, with Dr. Steve Smith officiating.

Interment followed at Waynesboro Cemetery.

Born in Laurel on Wednesday, April 28, 1943, he was the son of Robert 
Lee Watkins, Sr., and Vernon Lee Watkins. He was a devoted lifelong 
member of First Baptist Church of Waynesboro and loved his church 
family.

A 1961 graduate of Waynesboro High School, Bobby played football, 
baseball and basketball. His favorite pastimes were hunting deer and 
turkey, fishing with his buddies and watching Ole Miss football. He 
graduated from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor's degree 
in business administration in 1965. If you spent much time with him, you 
would know of his love for the Ole Miss Rebels and "Hotty Totty."

He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and served in the United States 
Army during the Vietnam Era. His priorities in life were God, family and 
country.

In 1964, Bobby married the love of his life, Elaine Clanton, and they 
were blessed with 62 years of marriage. They became high school 
sweethearts when she was in the eighth grade and the rest is history. 
They have two children, Shara and Brent.

After Bobby graduated from Ole Miss in 1965, they moved to Gulfport, 
where he was employed with Mississippi Power Company as Dealer 
Coordinator.

A longtime businessman in Waynesboro, Bobby began his career in the 
clothing business in 1968 when he and Elaine moved bsack home and opened 
Watkins Heritage Shop on the second flood of Watkins Department Store, 
which had been established in 1949 by his parents. Ten years later, the 
business was expanded with the new Men & Boys Store. The clothing stores 
were closed in the 1990s.

Bobby then entered a new era in business by opening Watkins Ad Products 
in 1997, specializing in promotional advertising products with 
embroidery and screen printing plus tuxedo rentals. It is still in 
operation today.

He achieved his dream and was successful with a total of 58 years in 
business on Station Street in Waynesboro. He loved and appreciated all 
his customers who came through the doors, and he made so many friends 
over those years.

He never met a stranger, and he could talk to anyone about anything.

He died on Monday, Feb 16, 2026 at Wayne General Hospital in Waynesboro.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Laura Elaine Watkins of 
Waynesboro; his son and daughter-in-law, Robert Brent and Kriss Watkins 
of Nashville, Tenn.; his daughter, Shara Watkins-Bowdoin of Waynesboro; 
his sister, Mary Kay Watkins Souther of Waynesboro; five grandchildren 
who he dearly loved and enjoyed spending time with and was proud of each 
one, Caleb and Charley Bowdoin, Caroline Watkins and Bobby Caudell, 
Lauren Watkins and Will Bundy, Anna Watkins and Lilly Watkins; his 
great-grandson, James Robert Caudell; his sister-in-law, Betty Clanton; 
his nephew, Trevor Clanton; two nieces and their spouses, Melanie West 
and Reed Harman and Chandler and Kevin Chance; four great-nieces, Kate 
Harman, Courtlyn Clanton, Blakely Chance and Brenleigh Chance; and two 
great-nephews, David Harman and Brantley Chance.

He also loved the four family fur babies, Rebel, Maxx, Dixie Belle and 
George. He will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Lee Watkins, Sr., and 
Vernone Lee Watkins; his grandson, Cameron Thomas Stewart; his 
father-in-law, Roy Clanton; his mother-in-law, Maggie Laura Clanton; and 
two brothers-in-law, Terry Clanton and Charles "Chuck" Souther.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

VIVIAN DEAN TAYLOR

May 1, 1951-Feb. 16, 2026

A memorial service for Vivian Dean Taylor, 74, of Clara, were conducted 
on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 from Clara First Baptist Church, followed by 
a graveside service on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, with Rev. Jason Sehon 
officiating.

Interment followed at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton.

Born in Laurel on Tuesday, May 1, 1951 to the late Roland Robert Dean, 
Sr., and Maudie Vee Dean, she faithfully served as Secretary for the 
Wayne County Baptist Association for 52 years, a role she carried out 
with dedication and quiet strength. She was also a devoted member of 
First Baptist Church in Clara for more than 60 years. Over the decades, 
she served as Church Secretary, Sunday School Teacher, WMU Director, 
Social Committee Chair, Vacation Bible School leader and as a member of 
countless committees. She simply loved her church and was always willing 
to step in wherever she was needed.

Vivian had a special heart for missions. The Lottle Moon Christmas 
Offering, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, Edwina Robinson Special Day 
Offering and Global World Hunger were especially meaningful to her. 
Supporting these causes was not just something she did but something she 
truly believed in.

Vivian proudly served in multiple leadership roles with the Enlisted 
Association of the National Guard of the United States Auxiliary, 
including serving as President, Vice-President, Secretary and Area 
Director, earning numerous awards for her dedication and service. She 
also served as President, Vice-President and longtime Secretary of the 
Englisted Association of the National Guard of Mississippi, where she 
was honored with many awards, including Spouse of the Year.

In addition to her leadership roles, "Viv" was deeply committed to 
supporting military families. She volunteered with the National Guard 
Family Program Advisory Team and faithfully served at the Mississippi 
National Guard Youth Camp, always showing up with a heart for others and 
a willingness to help wherever she was needed.

She died on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 at Brookwood Villa Personal Care Home 
in Wayneboro.

She is survived by her brothers and sister-in-law, Robert and Carole 
Dean and Richard Dean; her brothers-in-law and their spouses, Jimmy and 
Janis Taylor and Joe and Teresa Taylor; her nieces and their spouses, 
Melissa Taylor, Ashley Dean and Nichole and Darrin Caddell; her nephews 
and their spouses, Nicky Joe Taylor, Stephen Matthew and Laura Taylor, 
Jeffrey and Melissa Taylor, Richard Chase and Misti Dean, Ronald Brett 
and Bre Dean and Jason L. and Marsha Sehon; much loved great-nieces and 
great-nephews (two whom she was known as "Aunt Doddie" to Allie and 
Brenon Sehond); honorary kids and very special friends in Maggie Lofton, 
Latricia Mills, Connie Myers and Paula Carrigan.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 49-plus years, Jerry Wayne 
Taylor; her parents, Roland R. Dean, Sr., and Maudie V. Dean; and her 
grandparents, Grover and Lula Bunch and Robert Edwards and Bama Dean.

Honorary pallbearers were David Sumrall, Paul Holyfield, Rusty Bradford, 
Will Mason, Ronnie Lofton, Mackie Beasley, Jay Jay Mills, Brenon Sehon 
and Alvin Cook.

The family will never be able to adequately thank all of Vivian's 
caregivers, church family and friends for the support provided to her, 
but our Savior knows who you are and how much the family appreciates you 
all.

Memorials may include flowers or donations to First Baptist Church in 
Clara (P.O. Box 15, Clara, MS 39324) for any of the special missions 
offerings or Gideon Bibles, to EANGUS "We Care for American" 
Foundation, Inc. (1 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 880, Washington, DC 
20001) or any other charity of the donor's choice.

An online guestbook can be signed at www.freemanfh.com.

Freeman Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of arrangements.

JOSEPH L. COLEMAN

June 22, 1945-Feb. 10, 2026

Funeral services for Joseph L. Coleman, 80, of Waynesboro, were 
conducted on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 from Gin Creek Baptist Church in 
Gilbertown, Ala., with Rev. Larry Pickens officiating.

Interment followed at Gin Creek Church Cemetery.

Born on June 22, 1945, he worked for Beard Logging Company, Longleaf 
Timber company and Hood Industries. After 40 years, he retired but 
remained an esteemed member of the Hood family.

At his church, he served as Financial Secretary, Choir President and was 
a devoted deacon. He also owned his own paper wood truck and farmed.

He died on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 at his residence.

He is survived by his wife, Ruby Coleman; his daughters and sons-in-law, 
Victoria and Dale Howard, Mamie and Horace Thompson, Wendy Coleman, 
Shabra and James Lewis and Monica and Terence Sargent; seven 
grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren who brought him so much joy and 
laughter; and a host of nieces, nephews, cosigns, friends and 
acquaintances who will remember him with fondness.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Lucille; his 
brother and sister who raised him, Columbus and Mamie; his sisters, 
Charlie, Lucille and Mattie Christine; and his brother-nephew, 
Roosevelt.

McDonald and Sons Funeral Home of Waynesboro was in charge of 
arrangements.