Obituaries
Randal Louis Pennington
Funeral service for Mr. Randal Louis Pennington will be 11 a.m., Friday, May 13, at Bethel Baptist Church in Monticello, with
interment in Wanilla Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday evening at Bethel and will resume at 9 a.m. on Friday before the service.
Randal Louis Pennington was born January 8th, 1960, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Leroy Pennington. He was born at the
Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, Ms. Over the years, he grew up a military child, alongside his siblings Charlotte Young, Ronald Pennington,
and the late Roger Pennington. He grew up living in Mississippi, North Dakota, and Guam before relocating to Sontag, Ms. where he spent the
rest of his years. Randy attended school at Monticello High School where he graduated in 1979. After high school, he began working offshore in the
gas and oil industry where he dedicated 40 years to various oil companies, including Pool, Transocean, and Shell Oil Company. During this time,
he met the love of his life of 37 years, Kim Smith Pennington. After 12 years, they welcomed their only daughter and Randy's "pumpkin" Victoria Jayde Russell.
In 2018, Randy gained the son he never had when his daughter married Daniel Russell, who shared a love of hunting with Randy. Over the years,
Randy was an avid hunter. Randy was a member of Triple R hunting club for 37 years and dedicated many years of his life of learning to hunt and
teaching his nephews to hunt. Randy loved watching his daughter play softball and spent many years dedicating time to her teaching her the game.
Most importantly, Randy was a Christian. Randy was a member of Bethel Baptist Church where he sang in the choir as well. Randy never met a stranger
and loved everyone. Most importantly, he loved his wife and daughter with all his heart. Randy peacefully passed away with his wife and sister by his
side May 9th, 2022, at Select Specialty Hospital in Jackson, Ms. Although his family and friends are saddened by his passing, they know that to be
absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
He is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pennington, Sr. and Mr. and Mrs. Louis Pennington;
father and mother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Roger Smith; brother, Roger Warren Pennington; brother-in-law, Kevin Young; and nephews,
Elton Lee Maxwell and Hunter Lee Maxwell.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Kim Smith Pennington; daughter, Victoria Jayde Russell (Daniel); brother, Ronald Wayne Pennington (Jennifer);
sister, Charlotte Hope Young; sisters-in-law, Samantha Parria and Amber Smith; brother-in-law, Lionel Parria; nephews, Shawn Wesley Maxwell (Crystal),
Phillip Edward Maxwell, and Michael Pennington, as well as a host of other nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
William Meredith Newell
Funeral service for Mr. William Meredith Newell will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 13, 2022, at Riverwood Family,
with interment at Mt Zion Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Newell, 94, of Wesson, passed from this life May 7, 2022. He was born in Brookhaven, MS July 26, 1927.
He served his country in the United States Army. Mr. Newell was a hardworking man, retiring from the oilfield
after 42 years of service. He took pleasure in vacationing in Branson, MO and listening to Blue Grass Music.
After retiring, he began to raise Beef Master Cattle. He was also a master gardener, plowing his field with his mule.
He kept busy making all the necessary repairs to his farm equipment as well. Mr. Newell will be greatly missed by his
family and his friends at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where he was a member for many years.
He is preceded in death by his wives, Bennie Jean Cooley Newell and Marie Newell; his parents Clarence Newell and
Maude Britt Newell; two sisters, Loretta Allen (Emmitt) and Yvonne Sisco (Walter); brother, John Newell (Jeanette);
brother-in-law, Howard Smith; and his great grandson, Cooper James Newell.
He is survived by his sons, Gene Newell, Stacey Newell and wife, Wendy and daughter, Gail Hudson and husband,
Marcelle; sister, Maudell Smith; nine grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. He is also survived by a “bonus family”,
Scott Williams (Susie), and multiple Williams’ grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as other loving family members and friends.
We would like to thank Haven Hall Nursing Facility, Encompass Hospice, for their gracious, loving work and care during our loved one’s stay with them.
We are eternally grateful.
Joby Rutledge
Funeral service for Joby Rutledge will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 10, at Holly Springs Baptist Church with interment
in the church cemetery. Visitation is from noon until the time of service.
Mr. Rutledge, 63, of Bogue Chitto, passed away May 5, 2022, at his residence in Kelso, TN. He was born in San Francisco, CA,
May 15, 1958, to James Glynn Rutledge, Sr. and Barbara Anita Rutledge.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Grace Rutledge-Foster and Sandy Rutledge.
He is survived by his sons, Justin Rutledge (Mercedes), and Matthew Rutledge; daughters, Jessica Rutledge-Schmidt (Daven),
Kelly Huff-Watts (Joseph), Caitlyn Huff-Mendez (Freddy); brother, Freddie Rutledge; sisters, Deborah Rutledge-Jackson (Mark),
and Crissy Rutledge-Tikirolu (Burcin); 12 grandchildren, Isabel Flores, Christian Robertson, Gabby Anding, Kailey Barras,
Madden Coleman, Madison Pierce, Karter Barras, Kylie Watts, Mya Black, Tristen Huff, Oliver John, and Tristan Cordell; his best friends,
Teddie Joe McCaffrey and Jimmy King; as well as his faithful companion, Jack, and other loving family members and friends.
Charles Robert Cupit
Graveside service for Mr. Charles Robert Cupit will be 11 a.m., Monday, May 9, at Damascus Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Cupit, 45, of McCall Creek, passed away May 6, 2022, at his residence. He was born in Brookhaven, MS, June 12, 1976, to
Billy Pat Cupit and Linda Faye Case Cupit. He was a member of Damascus Baptist Church.
Mr. Cupit is preceded in death by his brother, Stephen Patrick Cupit; and by his grandparents, Charles and Jewell Case and Earl and Lela Cupit.
He is survived by his daughter, Ada Grace Case; his parents; sister-in-law, Leslie Thompson (Justin), and his niece,
Libby Grace Cupit Thompson, as well as other loving family members and friends. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him.
Jerry Glenn Lofton, Jr.
Funeral service for Mr. Jerry Glenn Lofton, Jr. will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at Ramah Baptist Church
with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, May 10, at Ramah and will resume
from 1 p.m. until the time of service on Wednesday.
Mr. Lofton, 60, of McCall Creek, passed away May 5, 2022, at his residence. He was born in Enigma, GA,
August 21, 1961, to Jerry Glenn Lofton, Sr. and Hazel Louise Kimble Lofton. He was a 1979 Franklin County
graduate and then went on to graduate from Mississippi State with a bachelor’s degree. He was retired from
Walmart Distribution Center. Mr. Lofton was a member of Ramah Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.
He loved his faith family as well as his immediate family. He enjoyed traveling and trying out different restaurants.
He was a tremendous fan of gospel and country music. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family.
He is preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother, James Lofton.
He is survived by his uncle, Vernon Kimble; aunts, Barbara Kimble, Shirley Oliver, Marie Hilton, Eva Allen,
and Geraldine Lofton. Even though Glenn had no children of his own, he leaves behind his nephews and niece, Patrick, Aaron, and Sarah,
whom he loved as his own, as well as a host of other family members, cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Ramah Baptist Church as a memorial to Mr. Lofton.
Judy Ann Russell Patt
Funeral service for Mrs. Judy Ann Russell Patt will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 10, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Easthaven Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Monday, May 9, at Riverwood and will resume from 1 p.m. until the time of service on Tuesday.
Mrs. Patt, 69, of Brookhaven, passed from this life May 5, 2022, at her daughter’s residence. She was born in Brookhaven October 18, 1952. She was retired from McLane Southern, which freed her to do some of her most favorite things, working in her flower gardens and finding the best bargains at flea markets. Mrs. Patt was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and spending valuable time with her family and friends was the most important thing to her. She was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church and will be greatly missed by all.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Keith Patt and her father, Edwin Russell.
Those left to cherish her memory are her mother, Alma “Ginny” Russell; son, James Keith Patt and wife, Melissa; daughter, Jennifer Ann Dickerson and husband, Chris; three grandchildren, Austin Patt and wife, Kara, Hannah Dickerson Davis and husband Bryce, and Mary Ellen Patt; she also leaves behind one great grandchild, Fisher Alan Davis, and expecting another, James Raylan Patt, this October. She is also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends.
Virginia Ruth Bardwell Fernandez
Funeral service for Ms. Virginia Ruth Bardwell Fernandez will be 10 a.m., Saturday, May 7, at Riverwood Family, with interment in
Little Bahala Cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Friday, May 6, at Riverwood.
Ms. Fernandez, 71, of Shelby, North Carolina, passed away April 29, 2022, at her residence. She was born in Brookhaven, MS, April 5, 1951, to
Vernon Clifton Bardwell and Evelyn Ruth Russell Bardwell. She was retired from the food industry, spending many years preparing meals for
the crews on tugboats. She loved traveling, but her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; and other family members, Russell Bardwell, Beulah Magee, Mary Owens, Ann Posey, and Clifton Bardwell.
She is survived by her son, Johnathan Bardwell; daughters, Cindy Heathcock and Michelle Garcia; brother, Hollis Bardwell; nine grandchildren,
and ten great grandchildren; her faithful dog, “Sassy”, as well as other loving family members and friends.
James R. Hemby
Funeral service for Mr. James R. Hemby will be 11 a.m., Monday, May 9, 2022, at Harmony Baptist Church, with
interment in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mr. Hemby, 83, of Brookhaven, passed from this life May 4, 2022, at Silver Cross Nursing Home. He was born in
Simpson County, February 5, 1939. He served his country in the United States National Guard and was a member
of Harmony Baptist Church. Mr. Hemby was a faithful and loving husband, father, and grandfather, he will be greatly missed by all.
He is preceded in death by his parents, WJ Hemby and Willie Bell Hemby; brother, JR Hemby (wife Ouida); sister, Virginia Davis: and nephew, Billy Davis.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 62 years, Fannie Mae Hemby; son, Phillip Ray Hemby (Donna);
daughters Virginia Grubb (Skip) and Melissa Barrios (Frank); five grandchildren, Matthew Jackson (Katie),
David Hedgepeth (Megan), Brittany Ashley (Jarrad), Tara Pepper, and Tanner Hemby (Isabel) and nine great grandchildren.
He is also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends, as well as his faith family at Harmony.
A special thank you to Carol Thompson for her care and loving support.
Jewell Faye Wallace Case
Funeral service for Mrs. Jewell Faye Wallace Case will be 2 p.m. Friday, May 6, 2022, at Riverwood Family
with interment in the Gum Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Thursday evening, May 5, at Riverwood.
Mrs. Case, 88, passed from this life May 4, 2022, at her residence in McCall Creek, MS. She was born in Brookhaven, MS,
May 11, 1933. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and always took time to care for her household.
She was also a businesswoman, working in retail. Mrs. case was a member of New Salem Baptist Church.
Her life will be long remembered through her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Charles V. Case; her parents, Zack Wallace and Berdie Brown Wallace;
grandson, Stephen P. Cupit; and her four brothers and two sisters.
She is survived by her daughters, Linda F. Cupit (Billy Pat) and Sandy Berry (Mike); three grandchildren, Charlie Cupit,
Amy Davis (Chase),Casey Kirkland (Tyson); and ten great grandchildren, Ada Grace Case, Libby Grace Cupit Thompson,
Baylor Davis, Reagan Davis, Carter Davis, Peyton Davis, Ava Kirkland, Jake Kirkland, Casen Kirkland, Hadley Davis, and
Hudson Davis. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
The family of Mrs. Jewell would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff of Hospice Compassus and the faithful sitters
who exhibited genuine love and grace to her and all the family, Carla Modrick, Carolyn Smith, Shirley Arnold, Maggie Wilson,
Amy Arnold, Faye Smith, Dody Huff and Deborah Thomas. We are truly grateful for you.
Irma Jean Ross
Funeral service for Mrs. Irma Jean Ross will be 11 a.m., Friday, May 6, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. Friday until the time of the service.
Mrs. Ross, 79, of Wesson, passed away May 2, 2022, in Brookhaven, MS. She was born in Brookhaven January 22, 1943. She was retired from General Motors.
She filled her days with things that brought her joy, playing piano, watching sports, or just staying home and visiting with her family. She was a member
of Macedonia Baptist Church where she used her musical gift to sing in the sanctuary choir. Mrs. Ross will be greatly missed by her family as well as her faith family.
She is preceded in death by her parents, James “Jake” Case and Ruby Cleo Case and her brother, Gerald James Case.
Those she leaves behind are her husband of 59 years, Buford Roland Ross; sons, Ronald Berry Ross (Elizabeth) and Stephen Ryan Ross (Mary Louise);
sister, Ernestine Gatlin; six grandchildren, Jacob Ross, Olivia Goff, Hogan Ross, Stone Ross, Luke Ross, and Lily Ross. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital PO Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38148.
