Obituaries
Kathleen Kelly McGehee
The funeral service for Kathleen Kelly McGehee will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 1, at Clear Branch Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is Tuesday, April 30, from 5-8 p.m. at Clear Branch and will resume Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. McGehee, 71, of Brookhaven, died April 27, 2024, at Silver Cross Health and Rehab Center in Brookhaven. She was born in Wichita Falls, TX, May 2, 1952, to William Edward Johnston Kelly and Joan Elizabeth Jacks Kelly.
Mrs. McGehee was retired after serving 39 years with Trustmark National Bank, as an assistant vice president.
She is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, D.M. & Josie Jacks.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 52 years, James Russell “Jay” McGehee; daughter, Kimberly Eubanks and husband, Shannon; brother, Michael Kelly; two grandchildren, Kelly Eubanks and Aerin Eubanks; and other loving family members, Jan Kelly, Jacks Kelly, Will Kelly, Caroline Kelly Duffy and husband, Cameron. She is also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Louisiana Boxer Rescue, www.louisianaboxerrescue.org.
Debbie "NaNa" Coleman
Memorial Services for Mrs. Debbie “Nana” Coleman of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm, Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Riverwood Family with visitation from 5:00-8:00 pm, Wednesday, May 1, also at Riverwood Family.
Nana had many hobbies. Cross-stitching, crocheting, golfing, reading, puzzling, woodworking. She loved drag racing, Mustangs, and going fast. Working on cars with Len and the boys was her happy place. She turned wrenches and did body work right with them.
Out of all her hobbies the one she loved the most was ball. She loved to watch her kids play ball: She was everyone’s Nana at the ball field. She packed a cooler for all her boys. She never missed a game and was their biggest fan. Her “baseball family” will miss her dearly. But most of all she loved her family fiercely: her boys and her grandbabies were her life. She left us far too soon and left a hole that will never be filled. But the memories we have will last a lifetime.
She was born on February 29, 1956, and passed away on April 27, 2024, at University Medical Center.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Len Coleman; parents, Rip Robbins and Shirley Butler; grandson, Rodrigo Coleman; grandmother, Fannie Griffin; and brother, Bobby Robbins.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Travis Coleman (Shae), and Michael Coleman; brother, Scotty Dix (Karen); sister, Diane Miller (Jim) and grandchildren, Brayden, Patrick, Bryce, Brooke, Sophia, and other family members, Aunt Betty Forman, and niece Nikki Wilbanks.
In lieu of flowers please send support to your local Rec League
Johnathan Loyd Neal
Johnathan Loyd Neal, 46, of Jayess, MS died April 24, 2024. He was born in Tylertown, MS, May 14, 1977, to Gordon Neal and Bobbi Stephans Davis.
Johnathan was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying floating the river, kayaking and riding 4 wheelers. He also enjoyed working on vehicles.
Johnathan is preceded in death by his father and one brother, Gordon Neal.
He is survived by his daughter, Katie Fortenberry; mother, Bobbi Davis; brother David Neal; and two sisters, Shannon Burkhart and Barbara Anderson.
Dallas Mitchell Fair
A memorial service will be held for Dallas Mitchell Fair, 2 p.m., Sunday, May 5, 2024, at the home of Tiffany Cooper, 1033 Howard Cothern Rd, Jayess, MS.
Dallas was born March 22, 1997, to Terry Fair and Tiffany Murray. He passed from this life and entered eternity April 21, 2024; he was 27 years old.
Dallas was a loving dad to his daughter, Marlee, and enjoyed spending time with her and all his family. He was an avid outdoorsman, from working as a logger for many years, to just spending time fishing. He was a skitter driver on the job and was very good at it, even though he did flip a few, he would get up and get right back to work. He liked to play pool and just hang out with friends, most of which were like family to him. Dallas was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all.
Dallas is preceded in death by his grandparents, Doris Brooks and Roy Brooks.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Marlee Clair Morgan; mother, Tiffany Cooper; father, Terry Fair and stepmom, Christy; brothers, Jonathan Cooper, Brandon Case, and Dylan Fair; sisters, Santanna Courteaux, Breanna Courteaux, Alexis Cooper, and Ariel Murray; and the mother of his daughter, Chelsey Morgan. He is also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends, Nicholas Kleppinger, Matthew Kleppinger, Lovell Trotter “Poke”, Lil Wayne, Jacob Hickman, Deion Hampton, Roni Hartman, Haley Heard, Betty Box, and his best friend, Roland LeBlanc; as well as a host of nieces and nephews whom he loved very much.
David Allen Farnham, Sr.
The funeral service for David Allen Farnham, Sr will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 24, at Riverwood Family with interment in Heucks Retreat Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from Noon until the time of the service on Wednesday.
Mr. Farnham, 84, of Brookhaven, passed away April 21, 2024, at his residence. He was born in Marshall, TX, October 24, 1939, to Robert Lee Farnham and Dorothy Elizabeth Cowan.
Mr. Farnham graduated from MSU in 1966 with an Electrical Engineering degree. He began his career in Brookhaven, MS as a Distribution Engineer with MS Power & Light. He went on to start his own business, Farnham Electric Co., in 1973, which he ran until his retirement.
Mr. Farnham was an active member of the Church of Nazarene where he participated in the bus ministry, nursing home ministry, and was Sunday School Superintendent for many years. He also worked in the youth ministry and music ministry. He was a National Delegate to the General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene.
He is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Linda Barnett.
Those left to cherish memory are his wife of 62 years, Katie Farnham; children, Allen Farnham (Donna), Chuck Farnham (Alice), Mary Farnham Davis (Marty), and Melinda Farnham Legg (Samuel); brother, Sam Farnham; sisters, Becky Morgan and Bobbi Cornacchione; 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He is also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends.
Elaine McFall Buitt
The funeral service for Elaine McFall Buitt will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 24, at Riverwood Family with burial in Stewarts Cemetery in Bogue Chitto, MS. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 23 at Riverwood and resumes Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. Buitt, 72, of Columbia, Louisiana, passed away April 20, 2024, in Baton Rouge General Hospital in Louisiana. She was born in Jena, LA, May 17, 1951, to David A. McFall and Annie Agnes Rawls McFall.
Elaine lived life to the fullest. She loved the outdoors. If it happened outside, she was right there. She loved growing things, and always planted a garden as well as canned what she harvested. When hunting season rolled around, you can bet she was in a deer stand waiting on that big buck. Oh, and let’s not forget fishing, if the weather was nice, you’d find her in a boat on the river catching the “big fish” as she would say. But when the day was winding down, she would sit down to relax and love on her sweet babies, Mitsy and Daisy, her precious little dogs. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Brooks McFall, Marvin McFall, and Glen McFall; and sisters, Betty Sue Varnel and Patricia Rippy.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Shanan Case (Darren), Marvin Buitt (Angela Fick), Jimmy Buitt, Billy Ray Buitt (Veronica); sisters, Billy Sue Kinnison, Marjorie Houston, and Peggy Moak; nine grandchildren, Cameron Buitt, Brandon Smith, Taylor Buitt, Jayden Buitt, Hunter Buitt, Hanna Case, Fisher Buitt, Chole Buitt, and Racheal Buitt; and two great grandchildren, Autum Buitt and Ayden Buitt. She is also survived by her cousin, Irene Jewell and her close friend, Betty Jean, as well as other loving family members and friends.
Michael Shane Smith
The funeral service for Michael Shane Smith will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 23, at Macedonia Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Monday, April 22 at Macedonia and will resume from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday.
Mr. Smith’s faith has become sight, April 19, 2024, as he has passed from this life and entered life forever with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was 52 years of age, born September 11, 1971, to Bobby Mitchell Smith and Shirley Ruth Case Smith.
Michael was a very caring and loving person, always thought of others before he thought of himself. He was an avid joke teller and enjoyed hearing the laughter they brought. He was a musician as well and liked spending time playing his drums. His greatest joy was sharing his faith with anyone he met. Michael was an animal lover and was very attached to his dog, PeeWee.
Michael was called “the million-dollar miracle” for many years by the staff of Ochsner’s Hospital. He had many medical challenges throughout his life but always kept a positive attitude, he was never a complainer.
His special gifts of “lollipops” brought smiles to everyone he met. He loved and was loved by so many.
He is preceded in death by his father, Bobby Mitchell Smith; grandparents, Robert and Ola Pearl Smith and Lamar and Natalie Case; step-father, Shelby Freeman; aunt, Aillene Tompkins; and uncles, Roland James, Lamar Case, Jr., and Carey Michael Case.
Those left to cherish his memory are his mother, Shirley Case Freeman; brothers, Danny Mitchell Smith (Paula), Mark Kevin Smith (Anita), Robert Bryan Smith, James Earl Mason, Mitchell Hugh Smith, and Justin Lee Smith; and sisters, Deborah Sue Alexander (Doyle), Christine Crawford (Jack) and Della Thomas. He is also survived by a special friend, Jennifer and a host of other loving family members and friends.
Walter Dale Ready
The funeral service for Walter Dale Ready will be Noon, Monday, April 22, at Riverwood Family with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Dale Ready, 71, of Summit, was born August 8, 1952, and was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on April 19, 2024. He was the only son of Otha and Lowdy Ready. Dale was married to Mary Jane Acy Ready for 52 years, they had two children, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
Dale was a retired roadside development supervisor for MDOT. He had a variety of hobbies that always included his family. He loved trail riding and making the weeklong wagon train ride to Dixie Nationals with the Wesson Wagon Train. He enjoyed his pigeons and watching them race as well as enjoying running his hunting dogs. Above everything he adored his family and spent time with them. His grandchildren were the absolute light of his world. He never met a stranger and will be missed by everyone that knew him.
Dale is preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Diane Ready Acy; and one niece, Lisa Carnley.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Ready; children, Kim Ready, Dee Ready (Kristen); grandchildren, Kaitlyn Moak, Kevin Moak, Kody Moak (Adriana), Daytin Ready, Adley Ready, and Nick Farris; his only great grandchild, Stetson Moak; one sister, Carolyn Hensarling and a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Lonnie Eugene Ferrell
Graveside services for Mr. Lonnie Eugene Ferrell of Brookhaven are at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery with visitation from 9:00 -11:00 am at Riverwood Family.
Mr. Lonnie Eugene Ferrell, 75, passed away on April 17, 2024, at King’s Daughters Medical Center.
He was born March 9, 1949, to the late George and Pearl Ferrell.
Mr. Ferrell served his country in the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War. He worked for Energy Drilling Company.
Lonnie was an avid hunter and member of the Bunkley Hunting Club. He enjoyed woodworking, making family members pieces that are treasured. He also loved sitting on his front porch visiting with family and friends, and vacationing in Missouri and Tennessee with his family members.
Preceding him in death were his parents; mother-in-law, Eula Lofton; father-in-law, T.P. Lofton; brother, Larry Ferrell; brother-in-law, Danny Robinson and son-in-law, Kennon Case.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 52 years, Judy Lofton Ferrell; children, Lonnie Ferrell, Jr. and wife, Melissa and Michelle Case; brother, Keith Ferrell, and wife, Sherry; sister, Glenda Robinson, and six grandchildren, Haleigh Case, Sami Whittington and husband, Josh, Matthew Crosby, Luke Ferrell and wife, Laine, Sarah Crosby and Sydney Brister and his eight, great-grandchildren, Aiden, Paislee, Drake, Jaxon, Jeb, Lincoln, John and Riley. He will be dearly missed by all who loved him.
Special thanks to Hilda Blair, KDMC ER, EMS, third-floor Medical and Nursing Staff, Enhabit Hospice Care Staff, and Tracy Ezell, RN.
Donations can be made in his memory to any charity of your choice.
Thomas Jackson Stuckey
After a long battle with Parkinsons, Lung Cancer, and other co- morbidities Thomas Jackson Stuckey peacefully passed on Wednesday February 28, 2024, about 9 am, a few days after admission to inpatient hospice care at the Cardiovascular Institute in McComb, MS.
Jack was born in Portsmouth, VA at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital on January 7, 1954. He lived in the Portsmouth area until age 10 when his family moved to Houston Texas in the summer 1964. While in Virginia he attended Hickory Elementary until his move to Texas. In Houston Texas he attended North Shore Elementary, Jackson Jr High, and North Shore Jr and Senior High School.
In 1971 he joined the US Army and served honorably from 1971-73 as a radioman and was stationed at Camp Casey near the DMZ in South Korea.
After he was out of the Army he returned to Houston Texas where he worked as an electrician often working with his father.
More than anything else in this world Jack loved and adored his family members. He had a restless spirit and traveled to many places in the United States, often to see and visit with different family members. This included stays in North Carolina, Virginia, Texas, and Montana. In the 80’s he ended up in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico where he lived for many years. When it was discovered he was boarding with Mrs. Garduno and family many of his siblings traveled to visit him there. At times he would take a bus to stay with his father for a while in Houston Texas when the family had reunions there.
On New Years Day of 2000 he came by bus to live with his sister Carol in New Orleans.
As a Veteran he received care and services at the VA in New Orleans and volunteered there for a while taking a mobile library to inpatients there. When asked, he described that job as giving patients “something to say no to”.
For several years he stayed in New Orleans until he was accepted into the Veterans War Home in Jackson, Louisiana in August 2003. After Katrina he was transferred to the newly built Veterans War Home in Reserve, LA which was closer to New Orleans. He stayed there from 2006 until about 2010 when he moved to The Atrium in Metairie, LA. In 2016 he moved to the Landing at Behrman Place, another assisted living facility in New Orleans on the West Bank where he stayed until January 2019.
Diagnosed with Parkinsons and Lung Cancer his health began to decline quickly in 2019 until he was placed in home hospice in June 2020 in New Orleans. Shortly after that he moved to Liberty MS where he continued in home hospice until his death.
Through these years so many people loved and helped care for Jack. Many thanks to special long time caregivers Nicole Smith, Lisa Zullo, Tammy Price, Beverly Maxwell, Rosestela Murray, and the entire Compassus Team out of McComb MS who all helped keep him safe, well cared for, and loved.
Jack had a strong will to survive and live in this world despite his physical and mental challenges because of disease. If anyone wrote him off as not really being there he would surprise them with an incisive comment revealing that he was much aware of what was happening around him. These four years in home hospice were challenging but in some ways he was living his best life and we all grew because of our relationship with him.
Thomas is preceded in death by his parents Lester Levy Stuckey and Georgia Voncile Hill Stuckey and his brother Richard Lewis Stuckey.
He is survived by his siblings Michael W. Stuckey (Janice), Patrick Lynn Stuckey (Rosalind), Connie Stuckey Forester, Carol A. Stuckey, Susan Y. Stuckey, Leslie Leah Stuckey (Lee Williams), sister in law Pam Q. Stuckey, and nieces and nephews Keri Stuckey (Ray), Megan Arriaga (Fito), Sara J. Stuckey, Seth Lewis Stuckey (Yesenia), Lisa Zeman (Gary), Brandy Goodwin (Sean), Michael Forester (Terry), Darin Branch (Mercedes), Kelsey Stuckey, Jency Liddell(Alan), and many great and several great great nieces and nephews.
Cremation was carried out by Riverwood Family Services in Brookhaven, MS.
A Memorial Service is pending and will be announced when plans are finalized.
In lieu of flowers in his memory please consider donations made in his name to treatmentadvocacycenter.org or a favorite charity.
