Obituaries for Oct. 3, 1999

Obituaries published in The Natchez Democrat

Dr. Paul A. Doherty

Aug. 6, 1923 – Oct., 2, 1999

Services for Dr. Paul A. Doherty, 76, of Natchez, who died Saturday, Oct. 2, 1999, at Natchez Community Hospital, will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Mary Basilica, with the Rev. Al Camp officiating.

Burial will be at the Natchez City Cemetery, under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home, with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m.

Dr. Doherty was born Aug. 6, 1923, in Canton, the son of Patrick McGroarty and Pauline Helene Donahue Doherty.

He was a retired optometrist and a member of St. Mary Basilica. He was a member of the American Optometric Association, the Mississippi Optometric Association, the Knights of Columbus, the Krewe of Kilarney and the Santa Claus Committee. He was a veteran of World War II, where he served in the Naval Air Corps as a fighter pilot.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and four sisters.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce Cloy Doherty of Natchez; three sons, Dr. Shawn Doherty and Dr. Patrick Doherty, both of Natchez, and Dr. Michael Doherty of Ridgeland; one sister, Josephine Grace of Ocean Springs; and four grandchildren, Ian Doherty and Lauren Doherty, both of Natchez, and William Doherty and Caroline Doherty, both of Ridgeland.

Pallbearers will be Fred Ferguson, Freddie Voss, Dr. Michael Puddister, Rod Blanchard, Bill Crews and Gary Edwards.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Mississippi Optometric Association.

Johnnie Alvin Thomas

Sept. 10, 1943 – Sept. 27, 1999

Services for Johnnie Alvin Thomas, 56, of Natchez, who died Sept. 27, 1999, in Union Church, will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Rose Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. K. E. Stanton officiating.

Burial will be at the Natchez National Cemetery under the direction of Curtis Funeral Home.

Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home and from 10 a.m. until service time Monday at the church.

Mr. Thomas was born Sept. 10, 1943, in Natchez, the son of Alvin and Catherine T. Thomas.

He attended Adams County public schools and the University of La Verne in Verne, Calif. He was employed with the Verne Post Office in Verne and was a Baptist.

Survivors include his mother; four brothers and their wives, Alvin and Patricia Thomas of Baton Rouge, Leonard and Anna Thomas of Santa Anna, Calif., William Thomas of Natchez and Gregory Thomas of Portland, Ore.; three children, Carmen Newton, Antoinette Thomas and Kevin Thomas, all of California; and a number of other relatives.

Pallbearers will be Leon Ridley Jr., William Thomas, Cedric Titus, Timothy Thomas, James Thompson and Manson Wade Jr.

Berta Newell Miller

May 25, 1905 – Oct., 1, 1999

Graveside services for Berta Newell Miller, 94, of Waterproof, La., who died Friday, Oct. 1, 1999, in Waterproof, will be at 3 p.m. Monday at the Natchez City Cemetery with the Rev. William Dennis officiating and under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home.

Mrs. Miller was born May 25, 1905, in St. Joseph, La., the daughter of Isabelle Young and Farrar Newell. She was a homemaker and a member of Grace Mission Episcopal Church of Waterproof.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harrison C. Miller; and one son, Harrison C. Miller Jr.

Survivors include one son and his wife, J.B. and Gloria Miller of New Orleans; three grandchildren, Melinda Miller of New Orleans, Dr. J. Bayard Miller Jr. of Wallace, Iowa, and Harrison C. &uot;Buddy&uot; Miller III of Waterproof; and a number of great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

James McCarthy

Nov. 26, 1916 – Oct. 1, 1999

JONESVILLE, La. – Services for James McCarthy, 82, of Jonesville, who died Friday, Oct. 1, 1999, in Ferriday, will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Liberty Worship Center with the Rev. Lester Johnson officiation.

Burial will be at Heard Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home of Jonesville.

Visitation is at 5 p.m today at the funeral home.

Mr. McCarthy was born Nov., 26, 1916, in Manifest.

He was retired from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture. He was a Baptist and a World War II veteran, serving in Germany in the U.S. Army.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Elouise McCarthy and one grandchild, Cindy Gardner.

Survivors include one son and his wife, Billy Wayne and Rosie McCarthy of Jonesville; one daughter and her husband, Barbara and Junior Gardner of Jonesville; five brothers, Luther McCarthy of Laurel, Illy McCarthy, Charles McCarthy and Jetty McCarthy, all of Jonesville, and Ronald &uot;Wimp&uot; McCarthy of El Paso, Texas; three grandchildren, Patrick McCarthy of Jonesville, Judy Wesberry, Caren, Colo., and Robert McCarthy; and two great-grandchildren, JoeAnna Holloway and Karen Holloway, both of Caren. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Four River Veterans Association.

Fran Keys

Funeral arrangements for Fran Keys, 22, of Ferriday, La., who died Saturday, Oct. 2, 1999, at Riverland Medical Center, are incomplete at Davis and Jones Mortuary.