Nathalene “Nat” Arbuckle Dempsey, 87, died Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, at Yalobusha Nursing Home in Water Valley. The funeral service will be held Thursday, Sept., 15, 2016, at 3 p.m. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with the Rev. Gerald Shook officiating. Burial will follow in Anchor Cemetery. Visitation will take place Wednesday evening, Sept. 14, 2016, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mrs. Dempsey was born in St. Paul, Arkansas, but lived the majority of her life in Mississippi. She was the daughter of the late William Nathaniel Arbuckle and Opal Simmons Arbuckle. Nat was preceded in death by two wonderful husbands. Nat and her first husband Lloyd Eugene Simmons, “Jay Bird” lived on an 80-acre farm and made their living by farming. Nat’s second husband, Charles Cobb Dempsey, was a trucker. During their marriage they lived in Southaven and Nat worked at Wray Williams Blue Print Company.  Once they retired they became active members of Anchor Baptist Church and traveled on numerous trips with the Joyful Generation.   They both enjoyed traveling and the outdoors.  Nat was a very strong woman and found joy in cooking and spending time with her family and friends.

In addition to Jay Bird Simmons and Charles C Dempsey, Nat was predeceased by three sons, John “Ray” Simmons Sr., Charles “Buddy” Simmons and Lloyd Eugene Simmons “Gene” and two granddaughters Tammy Darlene Simmons and Brittany Samantha Simmons. She also was predeceased by brothers: William Nathaniel Arbuckle, Kenneth Arbuckle, Deloys Arbuckle, Dalfred Arbuckle, and Robert Arbuckle.

Nat is survived by a daughter Sandy Simmons Bishop (Wayne) of Oxford; one brother, Darrell Arbuckle of Coffeeville; three sisters, Rose Birdene McElroy of Decatur, Alabama, Joyce Bryant of Water Valley and Sharon Surette of Oxford; seven grandsons, Jeff Simmons of Ocean Springs, Richard “Ricky Simmons of Biloxi, David Simmons of Bremerton, Washington, Barry and Blake Simmons of Water Valley, Brandon Simmons of Grenada,  and John Simmons of Oxford; three granddaughters, Sharmon B. Norwood, Crystal B. Rushing, and Sabrina B. Morgan of Oxford; nine great grandsons, Michael David Simmons, Patrick Simmons of Orlando, Florida, Mason Simmons of Bremerton, Washington, Brantley Simmons of Water Valley, John Christian and Benji Simmons of Oxford, Michael McGregor of Hernando, Bradley “Scout “ and Beckett Morgan of Oxford; seven great granddaughters, Briella Simmons, Breanna Simmons of Grenada, Keely Simmons of Water Valley, Taylor Simmons of Oxford, Haley Force of Hernando, Staci Bishop and Madison Rushing of Oxford, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Anchor Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1009 Highway 7 South, Water Valley, MS 38965, the Alzheimers Association, 232 Market Street, 2nd Floor, Flowood, Mississippi, 39232 or to Bethel Baptist Church, 50 CR 271, Oxford, MS 38655.

For additional information or to sign an online guestbook, visit www.wallerfuneralhome.com or call 662-234-7971.