Obituaries
Lonnie Ray Beavers
Funeral service for Mr. Lonnie Ray Beavers will be 2 p.m., Saturday at Solid Rock Pentecostal Church,
with interment at Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation for friends will begin at noon at the church.
Mr. Beavers, 78, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life August 6, 2020 in Meridian, MS. He was born in
Lincoln County, MS November 22, 1941, to Felix and Annie J. White Beavers. He was a carpenter by trade
but was so much more. He was a faithful husband and father and he absolutely loved his five grandchildren
and three great grandchildren. He will be missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Thomas Beavers, Monroe Beavers, and
Bobby Wayne “Pete” Beavers; sisters, Betty Sue Gill and Elaine Richardson; and granddaughter,
Alyssa Chance.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife, Patricia Arnold Beavers; sons, Ricky Beavers
and wife, Brandi and Jonathan Bunyard and wife, Holli; daughter, Donna Beavers Chance; sisters,
Mary Johnson, Joyce Ruby, Dorothy Martin, and Johnnie Boyles; his five grandchildren, Justin Beavers,
Tracy Gerald, Jessica Chance, Sullivan Bunyard, and Whitlea Bunyard; and three great grandchildren,
Autumn Beavers, Alex Gerald, and Logan Gerald. He is also survived by numerous nieces and
nephews as well as other loving family members and friends.
Rex Anthony "Tony" Baker
A private graveside service will be held for Mr. Rex Anthony “Tony” Baker at a later date.
Mr. Baker, 58, of Brookhaven, passed from this life August 5, 2020 at his residence. He was born December 21, 1961 to his parents, Rex Allen Baker and JoAnn Williams Baker Myrick. He was employed as a Finish Carpenter. Tony was an avid fisherman and loved being in the great outdoors. He had a small garden that took up most of his free time and it gave him great pleasure to share all that he would grow. Tony was a good-hearted man and will be missed by those who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Sonia Geneva Smith Baker; his father, Rex Allen Baker; stepfather, Roger Myrick; and stepson, Joshua Lee Lambert.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his mother, JoAnn Baker Myrick; step daughters, Amanda Marie Gatlin and husband, Tyler and Lisa Lambert and Brandon Rakes; sisters, Terri Baker Moak and husband, Frank, Renee Baker Darby and husband, Ted; four step grandchildren, Teagan and Brennan Gatlin and Emma and Connor Rakes. He is also survived by four nieces and two great nephews as well as other loving family members and friends and his precious little dog, Maggie.
Keely Ellen Ballard Adams
Graveside service for Ms. Keely Ellen Ballard Adams will be 11 a.m., Saturday,
August 8, 2020, at Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery. Service will be officiated by Rev. Jacob Glasz.
Ms. Adams, 34, of Hattiesburg, passed from this life August 2, 2020, in Metarie, Louisiana.
She was born November 17, 1985 in Natchez, Mississippi, to Kenneth C. Ballard and Miriam Smith Ballard.
She graduated college with a degree in nursing and worked as a Registered Nurse. Keely was a
compassionate soul and truly cared for the people she ministered to. She worked in the Intensive Care Unit
and she also worked as a traveling nurse. Her free time was enjoyed by golfing, swimming,
and attending concerts. She will be missed by those who loved her.
Keely is preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Lamar smith and her paternal grandparents,
Lillie and Mayo Manuel.
Those who are left to cherish her memory are her parents; her sister, Karly Rose Ballard Dyess and husband,
Ryan as well as a niece, Madison Paige Dyess and nephew, Gabriel Lee Dyess; and grandmother, Mary B. Smith.
She is also survived by her long-time companion, Kevin Roper.
Deborah Welch Reeves
Mrs. Deborah Welch Reeves, 68, of Bogue Chitto, MS, passed from this life August 6, 2020,
at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven. She was born August 26, 1951, to
G.C. Welch, Jr. and Tommie Ruth Baker Welch. She was a member of Topisaw Baptist Church.
Mrs. Reeves is preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Wayne Welch.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her husband, Wayne Reeves; sons, Tom C. Wallace
and wife, Pam, Billy Reeves and wife, Sarah, Alan Reeves and wife, Miranda, and Chris Reeves;
daughters, Patricia Wallace and Tami Thornhill and husband Scott; brothers, Kent Welch and wife,
Jeanette, Steve Welch and wife, Barbara, and Mark Welch; and one sister, Marsha Welch. She also leaves
behind 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren as well as a host of other loving family members and friends.
There are no services at this time.
Fred Lampton Willoughby
Graveside service for Mr. Fred Lampton Willoughby of McComb is 3:00 pm, Thursday, August 6, 2020,
at Sartinville United Methodist Church Cemetery with visitation from 12:00-2:00 pm at Riverwood Family Funeral Service.
Mr. Fred Lampton Willoughby, 56, went to be with his Lord on August 2, 2020, at his home.
He was born on May 9, 1964, to the late Fred Miller Willoughby, Sr., and Georgia Merle Stinson Willoughby.
Mr. Willoughby loved working on cars, grilling, and cooking, and spending time with his family. He always enjoyed watching westerns and wrestling.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Brian Willoughby, and niece Sylvia Diane Bergeron.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Sandra Willoughby; daughters, Emily Ragas, and husband, Brandon,
Lula Grace Willoughby, Kerri Byrd and husband Walter, Christina Miller and husband, Richie; brother, Timothy Willoughby,
and sisters, Rannah Rushing and Sylvia McKenzie. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Alexis Domanick, Payton Domanick,
Cade Domanick, Ayden Smith, Anthony Ragas, Jayce Miller, Adyson Miller, and Gage Taylor Ragas.
Mark Andrew Fuller
services for Mark Andrew Fuller will be 2:00p.m. Monday,
August 3, 2020 at Charity Baptist Chuch with burial at Bethel Temple Cemetery. Visitation is from noon until
2 p.m. at Charity Baptist Church
Mr. Mark Andrew Fuller, 46, of Brookhaven, passed from this life July 30, 2020.
He was born June 24, 1974 to parents, Rev. Billy Ted Fuller and Jeanette Rutland Fuller.
Mr. Fuller was employed with Southern Electric Works Electrical Services as Shop Foreman.
He was a loving husband, father, and friend. As a past time he would work in his shop on different
types of wood projects. He enjoyed being outdoors, camping, and taking care of his cats, Izzy and Nala.
He was also a part of two church congregations, Jackson Street United Methodist, and
Bethel Temple Pentecostal Churches. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is preceded in death by his father; brother, Timothy Paul Fuller; and grandparents,
Ernest and Mandy Rutland and Rev. Morris and Lois Fuller.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife, Dawn Hampton Fuller; mother, Jeanette Fuller;
daughters, Jadeyn Marie Fuller and Jenna Grace Fuller; sisters-in-law Bonnie and husband, John McCaslin,
Debbie and husband, Reubin Matthews, Vicki and husband, Gary Hughes, , Heather Fuller Edwards, and
Sheila Fuller Owens; brother-in-law, Chris Hampton and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews,
cousins and friends.
John Christopher Rhodes
Private services for Mr. John Christopher Rhodes of Brookhaven are Sunday, August 2, 2020, at Riverwood Family.
Mr. John Christopher Rhodes completed his journey in this life on July 30, 2020. He was born on August 4, 1929, to John and Thelma Rhodes of Toxey, Alabama.
Preceding him in death were his parents; along with his wife of 54 years, Margaret Dobbins Rhodes; daughter, JoAnn Drew, and husband, Robert;
grandson, Lonnie C. Preston, and 2 sisters, Lillie Taylor, and Annie Hoback.
Mr. Rhodes served his country in the United States Army and was a minister of the gospel for many years,
and was presently pastoring Faith Pentecostal Church in Brookhaven, MS.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ellen Richardson Rhodes; son, John C. Rhodes, Jr. and wife Gloria, Jack Rhodes and wife, Gail;
daughter, Margaret Ann Glass and husband, Ray; Elaine Overton and husband, David of Jackson, AL.
He is also survived by his stepsons, Wayne Richardson, Jack Richardson, Johnny Richardson and wife, Julie,
stepdaughter, Debra Keeton and husband, Jonathan, of Pearland, Texas; along with 29 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.
Debra Marie McCullough Bourn
Graveside services for Mrs. Debra Marie McCullough Bourn of Brookhaven, are 2:00 pm, Wednesday, August 5, 2020,
at Riverwood Memorial Park. There will be a private visitation.
Mrs. Debra Marie McCullough Bourn, 62, went to be with her Lord on July 30, 2020, at Kings Daughters Medical Center.
She was born on August 29, 1957, to the late William Cloy “W.C.” McCullough and Thelma Earline Butler McCullough.
She was a member of Halbert Heights Baptist Church. Mrs. Bourn was a loving mother, grandmother, and sister.
She will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, James Harrison Bourn, Sr., grandmothers, Eunice Butler and Grace Hayes Subico;
brother-in-law, Johnnie Harveston, and sister-in-law, Shan McCullough.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, James Harrison “Bimbo” Bourn, Jr. and wife, Tonya, Roman Blake Bourn and wife, Chasity, both of Brookhaven,
step-son, Dustin Scott Bourn, and wife Susie, of Magee, MS; daughters, Kimberly Faith Bourn Lahman, Melissa Christine Bourn Hardin and husband, Chaz, of Brookhaven;
brothers, Robert McCullough of Vicksburg, MS, and G.W. McCullough of Brookhaven; sister, Mavis Fleming, and husband, Garner of Jackson, MS.; along with 12 grandchildren,
Brittany Johnson and husband, James, Hunter Hux, Hannah Hux and husband Chris, Caleigh Bourn, Ashlyn Bourn, Sara Lahman, Wyatt Bourn, Jordan Lahman,
Celsey Bourn, Lachlan Bourn, and Finn Bourn. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Skylar Sutton and Peyton Johnson.
Velma Lenora Taylor
A private graveside service will be held Saturday at Rosehill Cemetery.
Mrs. Velma Lenora Taylor, 101, of Brookhaven, passed from this life July 29, 2020.
She was born in Eupora, MS, to James Irvin Love and Ollie Winfred Watson, March 22, 1919.
On July 1, 1939, she was married to William Lamb Taylor. Mrs. Taylor was employed as a
Financial Secretary for the First United Methodist Church for 24 years. She was also a
member of First United Methodist Church. In her free time, she enjoyed several clubs and
organizations including the Garden Club, Sewing Club, Rural Development Club, Rook Club,
and the Women’s Society of Christian Service.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William Lamb Taylor and her parents.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Harry Taylor and wife, Lynn and James “Jimmy” Taylor
and wife Christine; grandchildren, Allan Taylor, Mark Taylor, Trent Taylor, and Lara Taylor; and three nieces,
Becky Wilkes, Lilley Scott, and Melinda Young.
Dorotha Belle Nordan Strahan
The graveside service for Mrs. Dorotha Belle Nordan Strahan of Griffin GA, will be 10:00 am, Thursday, July 30, 2020, at Wellman Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9:00-9:30 am on Thursday, at Riverwood.
Dorotha Belle Nordan Strahan, 85, went to be with her Lord on July 26, 2020 in Griffin, GA.
She was born on October 24, 1934, in the Enterprise Community.
Preceding her in death are her husband, Doug Strahan and son, Andy Strahan.
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Billy Strahan and daughters, Stephanie Herrington and Lorri Worley, along with 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
