WATER VALLEY – James Russell “Woody” Walton, 61, died Tuesday, May 31, 2016, at his home in Water Valley. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks Funeral Home with the Rev. C. Jerome Battles officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Yalobusha County. Viewing will be held on Monday from 10 a.m. until service time at Seven Oaks Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.

Born in Water Valley, he moved to Chicago after finishing high school and lived there for 30 years where he was as self-employed auto mechanic. He returned to Water Valley in 2010. He was a member of Chapel Hill M.B. Church in Water Valley and enjoyed working in his yard and tinkering on cars as a hobby.

Along with his father, he was preceded in death by his sister Ruby Walton.

He is survived by his mother, Cordia Walton of Water Valley; sisters Martha Walton and Dorothy Jenkins, both of Water Valley; special friend Patricia Pritchard of Water Valley; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.