Obituaries
Geneva Ferguson
Arrangements for Mrs. Geneva Ferguson are as follows, Viewing Wednesday, February 27th 5:-6:30 Riverwood Family Funeral Service
in Brookhaven MS. Saturday March 2nd 3:00 Funeral services will be held at the Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home Chapel
in Trussville AL, viewing from 1:00-3:00.
Geneva Ferguson, 86, born July 15, 1933 in Margaret, AL, died February 20, 2019. She was a long-time
resident of Birmingham, AL residing most of her adult life in East Lake. In recent years she lived at
Highland Lake in Oneonta, AL. Geneva loved life to the fullest and loved family more than anything.
She was known for her pleasant disposition; the eternal optimist. She was generous and possessed the
gift of hospitality. Frequently her home was opened for guest with her table spread; where food was
served along with hugs and laughter. Although she had numerous interests and hobbies, playing cards
was her favorite past time. Young and old alike affectionately called her “Maw Maw.” Geneva was one
of the few surviving charter members of the Roebuck Seventh-day Adventist Church where she served in
various areas of responsibility including head deaconess, Sabbath school superintendent, head greeter, and
children’s ministries leader. Geneva had the reputation of being one that could get things done. Known as
the “Tupperware lady,” she was employed as a unit manager for over 30 years and conducted Tupperware
parties in thousands of homes throughout the Birmingham area. Geneva was the eleventh of 12 children born
to Sam and Jessie Carruba and was the last surviving child of their household. Sam, an Italian immigrant, was
a farmer and worked in the Margaret coal mines. Geneva’s husband of 57 years, Ray Ferguson, preceded her
in death in 2003. She is survived by one son, Charles (Sharon) Ferguson of Hendersonville, NC, along and
two daughters, Claudia (Tony) Gilmer of Birmingham and Carla (Dean) Snider of Brookhaven, MS; five grandchildren,
Charles’ two sons Adam and Carson and Sharon’s daughter Heather Buck, and Carla’s two children, son,
Jason and daughter Kelli; and three great-grandchildren Eli (Adam’s son), Madison (Heather’s daughter) and
Tanner (Heather’s son). Geneva also is survived by a multitude of nieces and nephews.
David Wayne Moak
Funeral services for Mr. David Wayne Moak will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 27, 2019, with
interment at Riverwood Memorial Park. There will be a visitation time from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 26,
at Riverwood, and will resume on Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.
Mr. David Wayne Moak, 67, of Brookhaven, passed from this life on February 23, 2019. He was born on
August 17, 1951, in Vicksburg, MS, to Andy and Laura Jane Moak. He worked as a house mover, but he
did everything to the best of his ability. David was treasured as a husband, father and grandpa, his
family were his greatest blessings. Those who love him will forever feel his absence.
Preceding him in death are his parents; three brothers, Buddy Moak, Paul Moak and Glen Moak;
and one sister, Alberta Douglas.
He is survived by his wife, Georgia Moak; daughters, Stacy Stewart and husband Howard, Jr. and
Sandy Smith and husband Adam; sisters, Neomia Boyte, Clara Reid, Jo Ann Rials and Cathy Martin;
seven grandchildren, Andrew Franklin, Derrick Stewart, Brant Smith, Jacob Stewart, Jesse Stewart,
Sawyer Smith, and Sadie Smith. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
Lanny Dwayne "Harry" Case
The funeral service for Mr. Lanny Dwayne “Harry” Case will be held at Riverwood Family on
Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. The visitation will be on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m.
until 8:00 p.m. and will resume on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
Lanny Dwayne “Harry” Case, age 49 and a resident of Brookhaven, went to be with the Lord on
Friday, February 22, 2019. Dwayne was born on February 4, 1970 to Lanny and Jean Pybass Case
in Brookhaven. He was a supervisor for Westlake Chemical and attended Macedonia Baptist Church.
He was an avid outdoorsman, which included rock hunting with his boys and hunting and fishing.
He also enjoyed riding 4-wheelers with his boys and working with mechanics. Dwayne was
a caring man who will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his father, Lanny Case; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Stephanie Case; his mother, Jean Case and Jerry; sons,
Dustin and Anthony Case; brother, Scott Case and wife Claudina; sister, Lori Smith and husband Chad;
nephews, Gavin Hooper and Lawson Smith; nieces, Lanna Case, Allye Case, and Lanie Smith. He is also
survived by his aunts and uncles, Mary and Eddie Case, Arlene and Gene Albritton, Bobby and Anita Case,
Laura and Johnny Pybass, and Ann Sutton; mother and father-in-law, Jerry and Sue Palmer; sister and
brother-in-law, Nathan and Wendy Kreps; nieces, Haley and Alayna; and nephew, Tristan; as well as a host of cousins and friends.
Billy Ray Winborne
Services for Mr. Billy Ray Winborne of Brookhaven are 11:00 am Tuesday, February 26, 2019
at Riverwood Family with visitation from 9:00 until time of service. Interment will follow at New Sight Cemetery.
Mr. Billy Ray Winborne, 76, passed away February 22, 2019 at Diversicare in Brookhaven.
He was born on May 19, 1942 to the late William Troy and Virgie Smith Winborne.
He worked as a welder and crane operator.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Shirley Faye Winborne; son, Keith Winborne and wife, Stephanie;
daughter, Jimmie Gayle Cain and husband Michael; sisters, Betty Boone of Vicksburg and Sue Smith of Brookhaven.
He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Justin Cain and wife, Sarah, Lydia Fairchild and husband, Shane, Mandy Smith and husband David, and Emily Floyd and husband, John; and 6 great-grandchildren.
Margert E. Knight
Visitation for Mrs. Margert E. Knight of Brookhaven is 5:00-8:00 pm Monday, February 25, 2019 at Riverwood Family.
Mrs. Margert E. Knight, 73, passed away February 21, 2019 at her residence.
She was born on February 6, 1947 to the late Charlie Blackwell and Earnestine Sullivan Blackwell.
She was a Brookhaven City Bus Driver. She loved gardening and hummingbirds. She will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Preceding her in death are her parents; sister, Janet Bankston, and brothers, Larry Blackwell and Roger Blackwell.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Ercel Edward Knight; sons, John D. Knight and Charles E. Knight; brothers,
Reggie Blackwell, Paul Blackwell, Buddy Blackwell, Wayne Blackwell; sisters Linda Herrington and Evelyn Warrington; She is also survived
by six grandchildren, John Knight, Stormie Knight, Brett Knight, Skylar Knight, Maygun Knight and Mayson Knight and three great grandchildren.
Lela Joyce Brister Smithie
Visitation for Mrs. Smithie is Thursday, February 21, 2019 from 5-9pm at Providence Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be Friday, February 22, 2019 at 11 am at Providence Baptist Church with burial at Ruth Cemetery.
Lela Joyce Brister Smithie was born on August 10th 1937, to Early Ray and Geneva Lois Brister.
She called Ruth her home for most of her life. Her faith in Jesus ensured her true home was in Heaven,
and Joyce was called to that eternal home on February 20th 2019.
She is preceded in death by her father and mother, one brother, Hugh Denver Brister,
one sister, Mildred Earline Walker, her husband Donald Smithie, and her son Ronny Smithie.
Survivors include her daughter Bonita Smithie Britt of Ruth, her sister Mary Edwards and husband Jimmy of Bush, Louisiana,
sister-in-law Barbara Randall and husband Gene of Jayess, sister-in-law Patsy Parkman and husband Lowry of Jayess
and two grandsons, Jonathan Britt of Ruth and Stuart Britt and wife Ashlee of Madison.
Joyce was blessed with three great grandchildren whom she loved dearly—Addi, Benna, and Judah.
Michael Emmett Elkins, Sr
The visitation for Michael Emmett Elkins, Sr. will be held on Thursday, February 21, 2019 from 9:00 a.m.
until the memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at Wesson Baptist Church.
Michael Emmett Elkins, Sr., age 52 and a resident of Hazlehurst, went to be with the Lord on February 18, 2019,
surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 3, 1966 to Thomas Edward Elkins, Sr. and Kathy Teel Elkins Etheridge
in Long Beach, CA. Michael was an active member of Wesson Baptist Church and will be dearly missed by all of those who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his father.
Those left to cherish his memory are his mother; sons, Michael Elkins, Jr. and Matthew Elkins;
daughters, Kayla and Trista Elkins, and Caitlin Hughes; brothers, Tommy Elkins and Michel Smith;
and sister, Jo Ann Miller. He is also survived by a grandson, Cody Hughes, Jr.;
6 nephews; 1 niece; and a special family friend, Evon Glasper.
Agnes Lanell Burt Williams
Services for Mrs. Agnes Lanell Burt Williams of Brookhaven are 11:00 am Thursday, February 21, 2019
at Riverwood Family Funeral Service with interment at New Sight Cemetery.
Visitation is from 5:00-7:00 pm on Wednesday, February 20 at Riverwood.
Mrs. Agnes Lanell Burt Williams, 91 went to be with her Lord on February 18, 2019 at St Dominic’s Hospital.
She was born on July 31, 1927 to the late Thomas Decatur Burt and Effie Inez McCaughlin Burt.
She was Bookkeeper and Co-Owner of Dickerson & Bowen and a member of First Baptist of Brookhaven,
Woodmen of the World, Alpha Lions Club, LLL at First Baptist.
Mrs. Williams enjoyed reading, gardening, games, golf, fishing, crocheting and knitting.
Preceding her in death are her parents; husband, Wayne B. Williams; son, Sidney Wayne Williams;
brothers, Hoover Burt & Julius Burt and sisters Inez Thornhill and Opal Burt.
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Lester O. Williams and wife Deborah;
daughters, Beverly W. Wise and husband Reginald, Velma W. Estess and husband Cecil;
brother, Roffie Burt and wife Joyce; sisters, Sandra Ratcliff, Barbara McCracken and Hilda Penner.
She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Melissa Wise Philley, Matthew E. Wise, Mitchell W. Wise, W. Clint Estess,
Justin R. Estess, Hannah Estess LaPorte, Caleb S. Williams, Courtney Williams Fetcko, Cassie Maude Williams;
and 15 great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers memorial can be made to the First Baptist Church Brookhaven Senior Ministry, P.O. Box 589 Brookhaven MS 39602 or your favorite charity.
Bobbie Nell Johnson
Services for Mrs. Bobbie Nell Johnson of Crystal Springs are 2:00 pm Friday, February 22, 2019
at Bethesda Methodist Church with visitation from 12:00 until time of service and interment at the church cemetery.
Mrs. Bobbie Nell Johnson, 87, went to be with her Lord on February 19, 2019 at Copiah County Medical Center.
She was born on October 6, 1931 to the late Jake Tully Knight and Dovie Mae Sullivan Knight.
She was a homemaker and a member of Bethesda Methodist Church.
She was best known for her pepper jams & jellies, basket weaving, making teddy bears
and spending time in the “little house” with her husband.
Bobbie Nell started the Bethesda food pantry to help the community.
She loved cooking for everyone and everyone loved her food.
Preceding her in death are her parents; husband R.F. Johnson;
brothers, Spud Knight and Earl Knight.
Those left to cherish her memory are her are her sons, Ronnie Johnson, Gary Johnson, Dennis Johnson and David Johnson;
sisters, Joan Kennedy, Peggy Johnson, Carolyn Duboise, Sylvia Beach;
11 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.
Michael Stephan Brown
Graveside Services for Michael Stephan Brown, of Bogue Chitto are 11:00 am Monday, February 18, 2019 at Montgomery Baptist Church Cemetery.
Michael Stephan Brown, 65, went to be with the Lord on February 16, 2019. He was born on November 11, 1953.
Preceding him in death are his parents, George and Shiela Brown.
Those left to cherish his memory are his son, James Michael Brown and wife Jessica;
daughter, Kimberly Pointer and husband Shaun; sister, Cheryl Ezell and husband Eddie;
and three grandchildren, Taylor Brown, Finn Brown, and Declan Pointer.