tures. Greg worked as a Chef at the Corner House for over 30 years as well as his own catering service. His favorite pastimes were cooking and shooting darts. He catered to clients all over the State of WI. He was a pro- fessional dart player; he entered tournaments and played throughout the United States. He enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends. He leaves to cherish his memories: his lov- ing wife, Jacqueline McRae, of Racine, WI; his loving and caring mother, Edna McRae, of Lis- man, AL; his children: Jason Hopkins of Church Point, LA; Diquan McRae and Brandon McRae of Racine, WI; his sisters, Kenya McRae of Huntsville, AL; Annie Barry (Don- nie) of Racine, WI; three brothers: Lee Andrew McRae (Faye) of Layette, LA, Dominic McRae of Racine, WI; Joshua McRae of Huntsville, AL; seven grandchildren and a host of other rel- atives and friends. His grandchildren were his pride and joy. Greg was preceded in death by his loving father, Curtis McRae Final arrangements entrusted to Hayden & Butler Funeral Home, Inc. 10031 Crowell Drive, P. O. Box 128, Lisman, Alabama 36912. Condolences may be posted at haydenandbut- ler.com. Dennis Curtis Graveside services for Dennis Curtis were held on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 1:00 PM at Gilfield Baptist Church Cemetery, 7171 High- way 10, Lisman, Ala- bama 36912. Dennis Curtis was born July 15, 1953 to the late Benjamin and Addie Bee Curtis of Pushmataha Al. Dennis was the 5th child of 11 children. Two which proceeded him in death Benjamin Jr. and Ulssey Curtis. Dennis join Gilfield Missionary Baptist Church at a early age. Dennis join the Army in 1976 and was em- ployed for 20 + yrs at The Atlas Roofing Com- pany in Meridian Ms. Dennis was a Great Man who provided and care for his family. He enjoyed spending time with his grand and great grand kids. He taught them how to cut grass, wash and drive a car, he love taking his daily walks and watching his Sports. And to those memories he leaves to cherish a loving wife of 42 yrs Loretta. 4 daughter. Latisha (Shawn) Horn Tuscaloosa Al. Felicia Curtis Cincinnati, OH. Monique (Ter- rell) Roundtree Leesburg Ga. Sherita Curtis Butler Al. His siblings. Matthew (Carol) St Louis Missouri, Clara Hayes Savannah Ga, Mary Jones Tuscaloosa, AL, Lamar (Annette) Biloxi Ms., Gaylnne Curtis St Louis Missouri, Sandra (Roderick Sr.) Birmingham Al., Gregory (Sher- rell) Birmingham Al, Randy (Andrea) Mont- gomery AL. 1 cousin Charles Curtis: Ole Deek had to answer the master call. I know you were there to the end. he leaves you and Mookie you to take care of that end of Cyril Road. Take care of Aunt Willie Bell and check in on Loretta for me so long from deek by his brother Greg. He was cared for and loved by a host of nieces and nephews family and friends. Final arrangements entrusted to Hayden & Butler Funeral Home, Inc. 10031 Crowell Drive, P. O. Box 128, Lisman, Alabama 36912. Condolences may be posted at haydenandbut- ler.com. James Clyde Mozingo James Clyde Mozingo, 76, Altus, passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2020, with his fam- ily by his side. A private family service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kincan- non Funeral Home and Cremation Service. James was born on December 15, 1943 to James Woodie and Ruby Edith (Lucus) Mozingo in Toxey, Alabama. He joined the United States Air Force on July 27, 1966 and proudly served his country as an aircraft mechanic and in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged on July 24, 1970. James married Julia Bridgewater on June 16, 1968 in Midland, Texas. He earned his associ- ates degree at Western Oklahoma State College and worked for civil service at Altus Air Force Base until his retirement. He was a member of Lusk Baptist Church in Gilbertown, Alabama, Disabled American Veterans and The American Legion. James en- joyed auto mechanics, home repairs, vegetable gardening and tractors. James was preceded in death by his par- ents, a great grandson, Jax Stewart, and a brother, Clifton Mozingo. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife, Julia, of the home; two sons, Chris Mozingo and wife, Liza, Nick Mozingo and wife, Kristie; two grandchildren, Lindsey Wal- lace and Tyler Mozingo; and one sister, Pat Broadhead. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests that donations be made to the Disabled American Veterans #33, 101 E. Commerce Street, Altus, Oklahoma 73521. Online tributes may be made at kincannon- funeralhome.com. Myrtle Marie Day Greene Graveside services for Ms. Myrtle Marie Day Greene, age 87, of Crandall, MS, were held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at Shady Grove Cemetery in Crandall, MS, with Reverend Travis McManus and Reverend Kenny Smith officiating. Ms. Greene was born Feb- ruary 20, 1933 in Carmichael, MS. She passed away Sunday, April 26, 2020 at her residence in Crandall, MS. She was an avid outdoor- swoman and loved western tv shows. She also enjoyed singing and listening to southern gospel music and had served as a choir director in the past. She is survived by sons, Logan Greene (Micheal) of Birmingham, AL, John Stephen Greene, Sr. (Cindy) of Saraland, AL, and Jerry Greene (Sissy) of Crandall, MS; daughter, DeAnn G. Fletcher (Greg) of Crandall, MS; grandchil- dren, Tara Marie Green, Lauren Pippin, Ryanne Jernigan, John Stephen Greene, Jr., and Bobby Joe Greene; and thirteen great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, John V. Greene, Jr.; parents, Eddie Price Day and Flo- rence Donald Day; broth- ers, Thad Day, J. D. Day, and Morris Day; and sister, Electra Day Mayo. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Shady Grove Cemetery fund in honor of Ms. Marie Greene care of Keith Roberts, 2210 CR 615, Shubuta, MS 39360. Expressions of condolence may be offered at www.phillips-funeral-home.com. Arrange- ments provided by Phillips Funeral Home, 116 West Main Street, Gilbertown, AL 36908. LOCAL/STATE NEWS The Choctaw Sun-Advocate Page 4 Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Dennis Curtis nObituaries from page 3 part, it would hopefully have been enough,” she said. “At that time, I was reluctant to issue a stay-at-home order because if a gov- ernment kills a business, Washington can’t print enough money to bring it back to life.” She added that she had made the deci- sion to issue the stricter stay-at-home order on April 3 based on information at that time. The order closed most retail businesses, leaving open those deemed ‘essential’ by the state, such as grocery stores, hardware stores, and others. According to the new order, retail busi- nesses will be allowed to reopen with re- strictions of no more than 50% capacity, with customers maintaining a distance of six feet apart. Restaurants and bars will still be limited to curbside and drive-through service only. ‘Close contact’ businesses, such a hair and nail salons, are to remain closed for now. Gyms, fitness centers, and entertain venues (like nightclubs, bowling alleys, and theaters) are also not yet allowed to reopen. Elective medical procedures will be al- lowed to resume, following rules and guide- lines from state regulatory boards, unless medical resources need to be preserved to fight COVID-19. Beaches will be reopened with restric- tions of no more than 10 persons gathering together, using the 6-feet social distancing rule. Ivey said that mayors in the coastal areas will be enforcing those restrictions. As with the previous order, non-work gatherings will still be restricted to no more than 10 individuals with distancing of 6 feet apart. Senior citizen programs will remain suspended, and schools will remain closed. Church services and funeral services will not yet be allowed to resume for in-per- son assemblies that include more than 10 in- dividuals. Employers in businesses that are re- opening are being urged to take reasonable steps to ensure that their employees avoid gatherings of 10 or more, to practice social distancing, and to disinfect their office spaces. Residents are urged to continue to stay at home when possible and follow guide- lines such as wearing masks when in public, handwashing, and using good personal hy- giene. “Obviously, no one will arrest you if you don’t, but it’s just good, sound medical advice, and it’s for your safety, as well as the safety of those with whom you come in contact,” Ivey said. The new order will remain in effect until May 15. Ivey said that the decision to lift some restrictions and still keep others in place was based on recommendations from the White House and the Centers of Disease Control, as well as improvements in the sta- tus of the health crisis in the state. “As of this week, we no longer believe our hospitals will see an overwhelming amount of ICU patients who need ventila- tors, as we had once believed,” Ivey said. “While we have not seen a decrease in the amount of COVID-19 patients, we have seen a leveling off, a stabilization of cases.” Dr. Scott Harris gave an update on the numbers of cases still being seen in the state. As of Tuesday, the state had reported about 6600 cases over the past month and a half, with 242 deaths. Harris said that it is ‘very reasonable’ to begin a gradual opening and to resume cer- tain activities because the state has met two of the three criteria set down by the White House for Phase One of reopening. “Our case numbers are relatively flat,” he said. “We are somewhere around a cou- ple hundred cases per day. Deaths are not accelerating at rates that were seen earlier on. We have not had shortages of ventilators as we had thought. We do have adequate ICU beds and the ability to care for people within the four walls of the hospitals. We have not needed alternative care sites we had prepared for.” Harris said that the state has not, how- ever, met the third criteria set down by the White House for full reopening. “We have yet to meet the 14-day sus- tained decline recommended in those guide- lines,” he said. “For that reason, we are not proceeding to the full Phase One reopening, consistent with the White House plan.” Ivey elaborated on the decision to keep restrictions in place for churches and reli- gious gatherings. “Faith is clearly a part of the thread of the people of Alabama, and getting back to worship services is essential in getting back to normal,” she said. Ivey called on minister Dr. Jay Wolf, who has been part of the Coronavirus Task Force, to address the issue. “We simply want to honor the Lord, help and protect God’s people, and do what is right and responsible,” Wolf said. Dr. Wolf said that, for large in-person gatherings, the state must proceed gradually in a measured fashion, in a way that will not result in the spread of the virus. He cited stories from other states where the virus has spread through a congregation, taken lives of church members and pastors, and caused community outbreaks. He added that Alabama does not meet the criteria proposed by the CDC for re- opening places of worship for large in-per- son gatherings. “Reopening places of worship will be a process, not an event,” he said. “As the number of infections goes down, then the numbers of people who can safely gather will go up.” “It is not yet safe and wise to gather in person,” he added, stating that churches are encouraged to continue to use creative online worship options, meetings, and ministries, including drive-up services. In regard to restaurants, barber shops, and beauty salons, Ivey said that her administration is working proac- tively with the state cosmetology board and the restaurant association, as well as other organizations that are on the list of higher-risk businesses that will remain closed for now. She added that she will address gyms, summer camps, bowling alleys, and recreational/entertainment entities in the near future. “This is the first phase of what we hope and expect will be a multi-phase reopening of our state,” she said. “It will please some and make others frustrated that we are not going further at this time.” Ivey said that the state is focusing on keeping people healthy and on the economic health of state, with input from the small business administration, legislators, health officials, and others. In response to media questions, Dr. Harris addressed the issue of COVID- 19 testing in rural areas of the state, stat- ing that testing is increasing in every county. He added that the governor’s of- fice could be working with Walmart and other entities in rural areas, like Clarke, Marengo, and Dallas counties, to offer testing opportunities. The state has con- tinued to have supply chain issues with testing materials, he explained, but right now, supplies are stable. Harris said that there has been a bar- rier in some areas where residents may visit a physician in one area but have to travel to another area for testing. He also reported that the state has added to the numbers of workers who are conducting contact tracing of those who test positive. He added that other resources are being considered, such as the use of electronic means to trace contacts. “When we get a new case, (we ask) do we have a case linked to another case, or is it a case without known exposure?” he said. “That tells us if there is community trans- mission going on. We really want to make sure those cases are going down. They have been, but not at the level we want to see.” Ivey said that, while some restrictions are being lifted, the threat remains. “Let me be abundantly clear. The threat of COVID-19 is NOT over,” she said. “We are still seeing the virus spread, and all of our people are susceptible to the infection. The greatest disservice is to think that by lifting the comprehensive health restrictions that this must be a sign that there is no longer a threat of COVID-19. 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