Obituaries
David Jerry Weeks
The funeral service for David Jerry Weeks will be 11 a.m., Monday, July 1, 2024, at Riverwood Family with burial in Sylvarena Baptist Church Cemetery in Wesson, MS. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at Riverwood.
Mr. Weeks, 89, of Walker, LA, was born in Wesson, MS, to William “Willie” Weeks and Nan Speed Weeks on July 3, 1934. He completed life’s journey on Monday, June 24, 2024. He retired from the railroad where he worked for many years as a civil engineer. After retiring, he enjoyed the art of woodworking as well as just spending time with his family and friends. Mr. Weeks was a member of Woodlawn Baptist Church in Vicksburg, MS.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Joyce Harvey Weeks; his parents; son, David Jerry Weeks, Jr.; brother, Dan Weeks; and sisters, Jeanette Jackson and Charlotte Drane.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 12 years, Laverne Weeks; children, Rachel Gordon (Kenneth), Ronnie Weeks, Sr, Janet Curtis (Dewayne), stepson, Darryl Matthews (Viki), stepdaughter Dawn Richmond (Brian); five grandchildren, David Byrum, Kristen Byrum, Peter Tarnabine, Jr., Ronnie Weeks, Jr., and Caleb Curtis; three great grandchildren, Andrew Byrum, Emmy Lou Byrum, and Annitston Weeks.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Wounded Warriors Program at support.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Anthony D. Gilmore
Anthony D. Gilmore, 52, of Brookhaven, passed away on June 24, 2024, at his residence. He was born in Texas on November 1, 1971, to the late A.D. Gilmore and Gloria Jean White.
Anthony, known as “Mickey,” by his family and friends, was disabled and mentally challenged his entire life. His parents adopted him when he was just a few days old after not being able to bear children themselves. He was loved passionately by his new family. He loved to fish and always loved family gatherings. He loved going to church and loved music. Mickey had a special place in everyone's hearts. He was under the care of Ace Caregiving in Jonesville, LA before moving to Brookhaven in September 2023 to live a lifelong dream of living independently. His main caregiver was Anita Smith. He was visited by other family members who would stop by and help take care of his needs.
Those left to cherish his memory are his aunts, Peggy Alexander and Billie Faye Gilmore and uncles, Glenn Smith and James L. “Jim” Gilmore and several cousins and other family members.
There will be a graveside memorial at 2:00 pm, Monday, July 1, 2024, at the Burroughs Garden of Memories in Columbia, LA.
Lynnvel Gene Spence
Services for Mr. Lynnvel Gene Spence of Brookhaven are at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Riverwood Family with visitation from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Mr. Lynnvel Gene Spence, 83, passed away on June 26, 2024, at his residence.
He was born on December 5, 1940, to the late Coy Gilbert Spence and Lillian Corinna Roberts Spence.
Mr. Spence served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He retired from MS Hwy Patrol after 23-plus years and was a member of the Masonic Lodge # 241 for 50-plus years.
He was a lifelong musician who played Guitar, Piano, Dobro, Mandolin, Banjo, Dulcimer, and Harmonica.
Preceding him in death are his parents, son, Jeffrey Gilbert Spence, and sisters-in-law, Terri Beach, Gladys Beach Taylor (Lealon), brothers-in-law, Lamar Beach (Leatrice), Gary Beach (Shirley), Bobby Beach, Billy Beach, Wayne Beach, and Roy Beach.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 60 years, Helen B. Spence; daughters, Jodie Sartin and husband Steve and Rebecca McDowell and husband, Tim; brother-in-law, Donald Beach, sisters-in-law, Margie Rogers, Lattiemore Beach, Jenny Beach, Dorothy Beach, and Phyllis Beach, along with his 4 grandchildren, Hunter McDowell (Lauren), Brady Hall (Katy), Emily Torres (Camilo), Kristen Blanks (Bo), 10 great-grandchildren, Kyler McDowell, Hayden McDowell, Liam Thacker, Easton Barnes, Parker Torres, Addison Blanks, Madilyn Torres, Ella Torres, Claire McDowell, and Gilbert Hall, He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, family members, friends, and friends at Accent Care. He will be dearly missed by all who love him.
Deborah Joy Griffin
The funeral service for Deborah Joy Griffin will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, June 26, at Riverwood Family with burial in Mt. Zion Church of Christ Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, June 25, at Riverwood.
Mrs. Griffin, 68, of Brookhaven, died June 22, 2024, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. She was born in New Iberia, LA, May 24, 1956, to Edgar “Buck” James and Billie Joy Laird James.
Mrs. Griffin was a loving mother, and cherished the time spent with her daughters. She graduated from West Lincoln High School in 1974, where she was voted “Miss West Lincoln”. She was a member of Mt Zion Church of Christ and was faithful in attending the ladies’ Bible Studies. Mrs. Griffin enjoyed reading and she adored her dog, “Littleman”, which she had to say goodbye to in May of 2021. Mrs. Griffin leaves behind a legacy of faith and grace, she will be missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jackie Griffin and her parents.
Those who are left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Ashley Laird (Randy) and Alisha Cook (Dennis) and a host of other loving family members and friends as well as her faith family at Mt. Zion Church of Christ.
Mark Eugene Smith, Sr.
The funeral service for Mark Eugene Smith, Sr. will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 26, at Friendship Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, June 25, at Riverwood Family and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of service at Friendship on Wednesday.
Mark Eugene Smith, Sr., of Brookhaven, MS, went to his heavenly home on Saturday, June 22, 2024, in the arms of his loving wife and children.
Mark was 64 years old, he was married to his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Patricia, for 43 years.
He had an endlessly abundant love for his wife and four children, Mandy (Michael Warren), Elaina (Lane Anders), Katie, and Mark Jr (Lennye). Mark had nine grandchildren, Mikayla Travis and husband, Canon, Kaylynn McCool and husband, Owen, Peyton Warren, Logan Anders, Cara Jarancik, Brady Anders, Kylie Jarancik and Anna Reese Smith; and one great grandchild on the way.
Mark was the definition of a great man. He was a man that you could call on for friendship and comfort. He would give of himself to help others without question.
Always known as a free spirit, Mark had a love for life, good music, and his work. He had a gift of fixing any and everything, if it was broken “call Mark”. He had a great knowledge of mechanics and did not fail to get things back up and running, even if the job seemed impossible.
His big smile and bright blue eyes will be greatly missed. We were truly one of the luckiest families to have been given the gift of being loved by his limitless, undying love. We will miss him endlessly. Until we meet again.
He is preceded in death by his loving parents, Robert Eugene Smith, Jr. and Elaine A. Smith.
He is also survived by his brother, Robert Wayne Smith and wife, Nancy; sister, Nancy Smith Campo and husband, Mark; two bonus sons, Philip Jarancik and Alton Hart; and a host of other loving family members and friends.
Peggy Lynn Smith Vince
The funeral service for Peggy Lynn Smith Vince will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 25, at Carmel Baptist Church in Monticello, MS. Visitation will begin at 6 p.m., Monday, June 24 at Carmel Baptist Church and will resume Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. Vince, 65, of Monticello, died June 21, 2024, at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was born in Monticello January 5, 1959.
Mrs. Vince worked as a cosmetologist. She was a forgiving, compassionate and nonjudgmental person. She was a proud mom of two linemen and loved her family above all other things. She had several hobbies that she enjoyed, riding Harley’s, traveling, going to the mountains, and watching hummingbirds. She also liked to tend to her yard, garden and go fishing. Mrs. Vince was on Neighborhood Watch in her community. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed baking cakes to share with friends and family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald, Vince; father, Clarence E. Smith; brothers, Carl Smith and Tommy Smith; and nephew, Bobby Manseill.
She is survived by her significant other, Rodney Blackwell; children, Josh Nations (Donna), Toby Nations (Jessica); brother, Larry Smith; sisters, Jeaner Smith Blakeney, Kathy McNeese, and Judy Burgess; eight grandchildren, Coby, Sawyer, Xan, Caleb, LeAnna, Lyza, Aiden, Kyson; three great grandchildren, Truett, Dakota, and Saige. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Plez William “Trey” Summers III
Funeral service for Plez William “Trey” Summers III will be 11 am Friday, June 21, at Riverwood Family with burial in Kees Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 am until time of service.
Summers, 57, of Bogue Chitto, died June 14,
2024, at his residence. He was born May 10, 1967,
to Plez W. Summers, Jr. and Anne Brazda
Summers.
Command Sergeant Major Plez William Summers
III “Trey” enlisted in the Mississippi Army National
Guard, January 27, 1988. Shortly after completing
Basic Training, he enrolled in ROTC at Jackson
State University where he earned his commission
in May 1990. During his time as an officer,
Summers served as an infantry officer, executive officer, and a commanding
officer in 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment, including a nearly eight-month
mission in Bosnia as the company commander of B/1-155 IN. He elected to
resign his commission, October 31, 2002, to accept an AGR training NCO position
with A/1-155 IN.
Summers’ first assignment as an enlisted Soldier was serving as Company Master
Gunner in Company A, 1-155th CAB. Quickly rising through the ranks and
promoting to Sergeant First Class in May 2004, he served as the unit readiness
NCO for A/1-155 IN for a few months before deploying as a platoon sergeant in
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 21, 2004, through January 20,
2006. Summers served as 1st battalion’s master gunner from November 2006,
until March 2015. Promoted to Master Sergeant in February 2008, he deployed
again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and served as the First Sergeant of
Company D, 1-155 IN while deployed.
Upon returning from his second combat deployment to Iraq, Summers continued
his time as a master gunner in 1-155th, before becoming the operations NCO for
the MSARNG at Joint Force Headquarters, March 18, 2015. He continued serving
at JFH as a training NCO, operations/exercise training NCO, and training NCOIC
until his promotion to Sergeant Major in November 2018, becoming the
Operations Sergeant Major for 66th Troop Command.
In October 2019, Summers was selected to lead 1-155th IN as the Command
Sergeant Major until May 2021 when he moved to north Mississippi to serve as
the 155th ABCT Operations Sergeant Major. In less than two short years, he was
appointed as the Command Sergeant Major of Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training
Center, January 18, 2023.
His military education includes Basic Training, Infantry Officers Basic Course,
Infantryman Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Bradley Master
Gunner Course (Honor Graduate), Range Operations Course, Level II Range
Safety Course, and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy.
A 1986 graduate of Brookhaven High School, Summers earned a football
scholarship to play for the Choctaws of Mississippi College in Clinton. He was a
member of the 1989 Division II National Champion Football Team and graduated
in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education with a minor in
Criminal Justice.
CSM Summers’ awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with 1
bronze oak leaf, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 bronze oak leaf, Army
Commendation Medal with a 4 bronze oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct
Medal with 3 knot device, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal,
National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary
Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with 1 campaign star, Global War on Terrorism
Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hourglass and
mobilization device, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 5,
Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 3, Army
Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, NATO Medal, Mississippi
Magnolia Medal with a 2 bronze oak leaf cluster, Mississippi Medal of Efficiency,
Mississippi War Medal with 1 bronze star, Mississippi Emergency Service Medal,
Mississippi Longevity Medal with a 4 bronze oak leaf cluster, Navy Unit
Commendation, Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit
Commendation, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Master Gunner
Badge, and the Order of St. Maurice.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 23 years, Amy Summers;
children, Alex Jordan Nations, Amy Josephine Summers, and Annabelle Leigh
Summers; and his sister, Stephanie Hargett.
Helen Juanita "Nita" Allbritton
A graveside service will be held for Helen Juanita “Nita” Allbritton, 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 19th in Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Allbritton was born November 28, 1933, to William and Ethel McDonald. She completed her journey on earth and entered eternal life to be with her Lord and Savior on June 17th, 2024, she was 90 years of age.
Mrs. Allbritton worked for many years at Lofton’s Department Store and was also the owner of Shirley Slipper Shop. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and was blessed to have welcomed 8 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild into the family before her homegoing. She was a member of Ramah Baptist Church and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She leaves a legacy of faith and love.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Archie Allbritton; her parents; sisters, Mildred Smith and Gwendolyn Floyd; and brother, Huey McDonald.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Paula Albritton (Barney) and Lindy Carver; brother, Jerry McDonald; grandchildren, Jason Albritton(Jonna), Jeremy Albritton (Shellie), Jill Johnson (Allen), Skye Allbritton, Logan King (Stephanie), Abby Carver, Blake Carver (Sara), Britt Carver (Camille); great grandchildren, Dawson Albritton, Alli Grace Albritton, Jax Albritton, Crews Albritton, Gabe Carver, Jaidynn Adams, Adalyn Adams, Juliana Adams, Archie Adams, Jonas Johnson, Blake Albritton, Evan Albritton, Zoey King, Kali Herring, Conner Rakes, Emma Rakes, and Emerson Carver; and great, great, grandchild, Kasen Ferrell. She is also survived by a host of loving family members and friends as well as her faith family at Ramah.
Patty L. Smith
The funeral service for Patty L. Smith will be 1 p.m. at Damascus Baptist Church, Thursday, June 20, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. Smith, 87, of Brookhaven, died June 15, 2024. She was born September 11, 1936, to F.T. “Pete” Stroud and Callie Wilson Stroud.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Larry Smith; her parents; sister, Shelby Jean Waldon; two grandsons, Jacob Smith and Christopher Smith; and daughter-in-law, Martha Furr Smith.
She is survived by her sons, Terry D. “Bubba” Smith, Steve Smith (Lisa), and Mitchell Smith (Cindy); and daughter, Sharon Kay Allen (Dennis); four grandchildren, Donnie Allen (Tori), Josh Allen, Brody Smith, Holli Migues (Zane); and five great-grandchildren, Mac Migues, Riley Brooke Migues, Mia Smith, Micah Smith, and James William Allen.
Rev. Reese Eugene Kyzar
The funeral for Reverend Reese Eugene Kyzar will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19th at Riverwood Family with burial in the Rosehill Cemetery. Friends and family are welcome to come from Noon until the time of the service on Wednesday for a time of visitation.
Rev. Kyzar was born in Lincoln County, MS, February 22, 1927, to Felix Henry Kyzar and Mary Hughes Kyzar. He served his country in the United States Navy during the WWII era.
After returning from the war, Rev. Kyzar surrendered into the gospel ministry and served the Lord Jesus over 70 years in diverse places. On June 16, 2024, Rev. Kyzar’s faith, that he preached about and believed in so faithfully, became sight as he entered eternal life with the Savior he loved so. He was 97 years of age.
Psalm 37:23 tells us “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Rev. Kyzar was a delight to the Lord and to the many he served over the years. He will be remembered and cherished by those who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Ollie Grice Kyzar; his parents; brother, Luther Elmo Kyzar; and sister, Ruby Lee Kyzar Allen.
He is survived by the many friends he has made along his journey as well as a host of distant family.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the MS Baptist Foundation, PO Box 530 Jackson, MS 39205.
