Oneil M. Sprouse Johnston, age 85, died Sunday, February 21, 2016 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford, MS. Born October 4, 1930 in Water Valley, MS, she was the daughter of the late Claude Sprouse and the late Earl and Dorothy Ware Hendricks. Oneil retired from Big Yank in Water Valley, MS where she worked as a seamstress. She was a member of Sylva Rena Baptist Church, and a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW. Oneil was well known for her homemade cakes, especially her famous caramel cakes. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, taking care of her family and helping others.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 23, 2016 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley, MS. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Raymond Aven and Bro. James West officiating. Burial will be in the Pine Crest Cemetery in Yalobusha County, MS with Willie Pullen, Joe Pullen, Dr. Lee Pullen, Larry Sprouse, Dale Rowsey and Jimmy Carlini serving as pallbearers.
Oneil is survived by her daughters, Jane (Ed) Wason of Milton, FL and Bessie (Jimmy) McCloud of Batesville, MS; her son, J. C. Womble of Water Valley, MS; six loving grandchildren, Darlene Stokes, Denise Donaldson, Jason Womble, Michelle Hubbard, David Shields and Dawne Honeycutt; ten great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and four special caregivers, her son, J.C. Womble; her great grandson, Brandon Hubbard; her sister-in-law, Patricia Hendricks; and a family friend, Johnny Spears.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert “Bill” Clark; and later, by her husband, Donald Johnston; her daughter, Peggy Simmons Shields; her brothers, Thomas Sprouse, Rayford Sprouse, Bill Hendricks, and Dale Hendricks; and her granddaughter, Danica Hollister.
The family requests that memorials be made to Sylva Rena Baptist Church or to the church of their choice.