Obituaries
Hayden Chandler
Funeral service for Hayden Lee Chandler will be 11 a.m. Thursday, January 6, 2022, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Wesson Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, January 5, at Riverwood, and will resume at 10 a.m. Thursday until the time of service.
Mr. Chandler, 27, passed away January 3, 2022, at St. Dominic Medical Center. He was born in Greenwood, MS, March 31, 1994, to Dr. Gary W. Barkman and Dwana Chandler Barkman. Hayden had an adventurous personality and a passionate work ethic. He had an amazing outlook on life. His greatest joy in life was crane and rigging, which was what he loved to do most. His love for this industry pales in comparison to his greatest loves, his children, Gentry and Leighton. Hayden was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Betty J. Wilkinson and Alvie Chandler; paternal grandparents, Aline and Frank Barkman; and uncle, Kelvin Chandler.
He is survived by his son, Leighton Chandler; daughter, Gentry Chandler; and his parents; fiancé’ , Ellen Joiner and her parents, Mike and Brenda Todd. He also leaves behind many other loving family members and friends.
Stan James Smith
Funeral service for Mr. Stan James Smith will be 2:30 p.m., Friday, January 7, 2022, at Riverwood Family. Visitation is from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Smith, 64, of Brookhaven, passed from this life on January 3, 2022. He was a member of Ramah Baptist Church.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Willard and Margie Smith; his birth mother, Janie Havis Smith; brother, Dannie Willard Smith; and sister, Helen L. Ratcliff.
Survivors are his sons, Stan James Smith, Jr and wife, Deloras, of Port Neches, TX, Corey Daniel Smith and wife, Brooke, of Holden, LA; brother, Randall Lofton and wife, Patricia; sister, Susan L. Keys and husband, Mike; sister-in-law, Gail H. Smith and brother-in-law, Johnny Ratcliff. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Janie Lynn, Katie Christine, Jacelyn Gene, Chase Bennett, Grant Lee, and Luke Daniel: and three great grandchildren
The family would like to thank the staff of McComb Nursing and Rehab and St Luke Hospice Ministries, for the care given to him during the final eight months of his life.
Norma Frances Case
Memorial service for Mrs. Norma Frances Case will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, January 5, at her residence. Interment will follow in the Family Cemetery.
Mrs. Case, 74, of Brookhaven, passed away January 2, 2022. She was born in Port Gibson, February 25, 1947, to Norman and Frances Ammons. She enjoyed being outdoors, horseback riding, barrel racing and playing solitaire on the computer. She also loved doing her hair and makeup and being surrounded by her family.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Melvin E. Case; her parents Norman and Frances Ammons and her brother Orise Ammons.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Dewain Case (Katasha) and Sheila Smith (Chris). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Brieann Bessonette (Steven), Nathan Case (Tamara Adams), Blake Case and Brooke Smith along with three great-grandchildren, Hazelynn Bessonette, Anola Bessonette, and Braxton Case and a host of other family and friends.
Joyce Evoline Woods
Graveside service for Joyce Evoline Woods will be Noon on Friday, January 7, at Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service at Riverwood Family.
Mrs. Woods, 90, passed away January 1, 2022, in Cleveland, MS. She was born in Brookhaven June 22, 1931, to John T. Dickerson and Gladys Hodges Dickerson.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, James D. Woods and sister, Marion Lanell Watts.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Betsy Woods Romine; two grandchildren Mary Morgan Tharp (Chris), and John Douglas Romine and two great grandchildren, Anslee Morgan Tharp and Tucker Woods Tharp.
She was a graduate of Johnson Station High School and McComb Infirmary nursing school.
She worked for Dr. Ed Safley and Dr. Louie Wilkins, was assistant director at Kings Daughters Medical Center and County Coordinator at Lincoln County Health until retired, a member of WMU, Mission Committee at FBS and worked in Vacation Bible School for 30 years. She also had a catering business with Janet Moreton and was chosen as an Unsung Hero of Lincoln County in April of 2003, she was a charter member of OB-GYN Association and worked to establish MS Nursing Practice Act, and worked with Dr. Jerry Durr in outreach ministries and was a shelter volunteer for the local American Cross.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Thomas E. Welch
Memorial service for Thomas E. Welch will be 2:30 p.m., Thursday, January 6, 2022, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Welch Cemetery in Bogue Chitto. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Welch, 91, of Bogue Chitto, passed away January 1, 2022. He was born in Canton, MS, July 28, 1930, to Grover Cleveland Welch, Sr. and Verna Fisk Welch. He served his country in the United States Marines during the Korean War. Mr. Welch was the founder and owner of Tom’s Sheet Metal and a member of Easthaven Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Bogue Chitto. He was a hardworking man and enjoyed lending a helping hand to all in need. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He went on many hunting trips to Colorado. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
Mr. Welch is preceded in death by his first wife of 50 years, Charline Davis Welch; his second wife Dorothy Burt Welch; parents; bother, G.C. Welch, Jr., sisters, Dorothy Welch Johnson and Edith Welch Laird.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Darlene Welch Hutson and husband, Bruce; two grandchildren, Barbara Beyl and Michael Hutson; four great grandchildren, Grayson Beyl, Matthew Beyl, Jack Hutson, and Palmer Hutson, and one step grandchild, Brayden West. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and other loving family members, and friends.
Claudette Irene Crawford
A celebration of life for Claudette Irene Crawford will be held on January 15, 2022, Noon, at the Assembly of Brookhaven. Visitation for the family will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. Crawford, 82, of Brookhaven passed away at Haven Hall Nursing Home, December 29, 2021, in Brookhaven, MS. She was born in Harvey, IL, August 19, 1939, to Marvin James Wiers and Margaret Helen Reuille Wiers.
She was the owner and manager of two businesses along with her family, from 1960-1973, Superior Forest Lodge in Ely, Minnesota and from 1973-1979, Crawford Construction and Bus Company, also in Ely. She then moved to Mississippi and started work at Trustmark National Bank. She was there from 1980-1988 until moving to Jackson. She retired at the age of 78 with Irby Construction, where she was the Administrative Assistant from 1988-2017.
Mrs. Crawford, affectionately known as “Gramma Claudette”, is loved by many. Heaven has received a “Diva”. She will be greatly missed by her friends and family.
Mrs. Crawford is preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Nick N. Crawford; her parents; brother, James D. Wiers; and sister, Bethel Y. Wiers.
Those who remain to celebrate her memory are her sons, James “Jim” Crawford and wife, Kathie, Edward “Ed” Crawford and wife, Debi, Nickie N. Crawford and wife, Rhonda, and Claude “Rusty” Crawford and wife, Missy; ten grandchildren, Chris Crawford Huffman , James Crawford Huffman , Thomas Crawford, James Brandon Crawford, Claudia Stein, Terri Lynn Lamport, Justin Crawford, Bethany Ballard, Christian Ian Crawford, and Delaney Crawford. She also leaves behind 14 great grandchildren as well as other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Gideons International, PO Box 1106, Brookhaven, MS 39602.
Jesse Ronnie Smith
A Memorial gathering will be held from 1-2 p.m., Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at Riverwood Family.
Mr. Jesse Ronnie Smith, 72, gained his wings on Dec 31, 2021. He was born August 25, 1949 in Brookhaven to Jesse W. and Quinnie (Williams) Smith.
Ronnie was a straight A student with an IQ that bordered on genius but sadly, suffered a brain injury that left him mentally disabled as a teenager. Even so, he was an avid reader of the Bible and history books... particularly any pertaining to World War II. He also enjoyed collecting Military Memorabilia.
He lived the majority of his life at home with his parents and enjoyed helping his Dad raise cattle and a garden, When they grew older and needed help, Ronnie did his best to help care for them.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Jesse and Quinnie Smith and his brother-in-law, Michael H. "Sarge" Smith.
Those left to cherish is memory are his sister, Patricia "Pat" Smith; his nephew, Christopher Smith and wife, Christina; his niece, Alanna Smith and husband, Tracey Case; his great nephew, Quinn Smith; and his great nieces, Elizabeth Smith and Wrynn Case. He is also survived by his Aunts and Uncles, John and Patsy Smith, Ralph and Aby Smith, and Chuck Carter; and numerous cousins and his many friends from the Life Skills and PSR Programs.
Judith McGraw Burns
Funeral service for Judith McGraw Burns will be Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at Riverwood Family, with interment at the family residence. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Monday, January 3, at Riverwood.
Mrs. Burns, 69, of Ruth, passed away December 30, 2021, at her residence. She was born in Brookhaven June 2, 1952, to Charles McGraw and Sarah Joyce Brister McGraw. She was a dedicated wife and mother, and she loved and cared for her family above all things. Spoiling grandkids was her favorite thing to do. She also enjoyed watching football and cooking with family as well as shopping and going out for a good meal. Her favorite spot to visit was the Great Smoky Mountains, she took many trips there with her family. Mrs. Burns like the simple things in life, like swinging on the front porch watching the grandchildren play and receiving flowers they picked from the field. She was the most amazing wife, mother, and grandmother; her absence will be greatly felt.
She is preceded in death by her father, Charles McGraw; son, Kyle Burns; and brother, Larry McGraw.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are, her husband of over 50 years, Clyde E. Burns; sons, Kennon Burns (Sydney), Kody Burns (Brandy), Konley Burns (Cacey); daughter, Kelsey Gerald (Tim); her mother, Sarah Joyce McGraw; brother, Joey McGraw; sister, Missy Morgan (Stan); sister-in-law, Nicki McGraw; 12 grandchildren, Collin Burns, Ashlyn Burns, Chloe Burns, Hayden Burns, Will Brooks, Kathryn Brooks, Kallie Burns, Gracie Burns, Caison Burns, Kailor Burns, Eli Gerald, and Eliza Gerald; one great grandchild, Kashtyn Peak; and a host of other loving family members and friends.
Beatrice Oswalt “Becky” Millien
Beatrice Oswalt “Becky” Millien, 55, of Smithdale, Mississippi, passed away December 28, 2021. She was born March 16, 1966, to Vester Oswalt and Elizabeth Oswalt, in Palestine, Arkansas. If you’ve enjoyed a meal at The Caboose Restaurant in McComb, she most likely prepared it for you, being employed as Chef there. Mrs. Millien was a loving wife, mom, grandmother, and friend. She will be greatly missed by all that loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Brenda Melton and one brother, Thomas Oswalt.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Jeffery Millien; son, Michael Millien; daughters, Ciji Redmond and Jessica Millien; brothers, William Oswalt, Raymond Adair, and Randolph LeTell; sisters, Julie Oswalt and Marry Hardeman; seven grandchildren, Shyanna Millien, John Joseph Millien, Brenton Redmond, Darren Redmond, Lorenzo Miller, Jr., Allannah Miller, and Ashton Millien. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Karter Isaiah Sims
Funeral service for Karter Isaiah Sims will be 10 a.m., Thursday, December 30, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Philadelphia Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
Karter is the infant son of Gregory Sims and Alisanne Hall. He was born August 8, 2021, in Brookhaven, Mississippi. He returned to heaven December 24, 2021. Although his time was short with us, he will forever be remembered for his infectious smiles with enormous dimples. For a little guy, he was great at knowing how to get his way. He was affectionately known as “Big Man” and “Sunny Boy”. Karter’s footprints will leave a mark on all our lives.
Karter is preceded in death by his great grandparents, Sandra Hall (Nanny) and Phil Hall; grandfather, Wade Hall.
Those left to cherish the Karter’s memory are his parents; sisters, Kaylee Sims and Raylen Reed; grandparents, Patricia Jenkins, Gregory Sims, Sr., Leigh Hartsook (Michael); great grandmothers, Velma Sims, Cathie Smith and Cindy Hall; uncles, Mason Hall and Kendra Allred, Ashton Roberson, Tanner Britt and Brittany Montecino; and aunt, Jorina Jenkins. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and other loving family members.
