Obituaries
Martha Juanita Phillips Coleman
Martha Juanita Phillips Coleman left her home surrounded by a loving family and ran into the arms of the Love of her life on December 18, 2023, ending their 10 years and 2 months apart.
She was born October 18, 1934, to W.L and Mary Pearl Phillips in Red Lick, Mississippi.
She was a loving wife, daughter, mother, Nonne/Mamaw and sister. She touched many using her creative gifts of sewing, crocheting, and quilting beautiful pieces that she shared throughout her life.
Those left behind to share her stories and cherish her memories are her children, Deborah Noel (John), John Coleman Jr., and Theresa Coleman (Patrick), her grandchildren Wes (Amy), Sarah (Tim), Alex and Caitlin. Great granddaughter Maddie and two adorable fuzzy butts, Luna Bella and Hoss Boss.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Special thanks to Hospice Ministries especially Jenna and Angie. Big Love and Huge Thanks to Gayla and Estella for the love and care, as well as the laughter and joy they brought to mother.
Deloris "Lori" Smith Wright
Services for Mrs. Deloris “Lori” Smith Wright of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm, Friday, December 22, 2023, at New Prospect Baptist Church with visitation from 12:00 until the time of service and interment at Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Deloris “Lori” Smith Wright, 67, passed away December 20, 2023, at her home. She was born September 29, 1956, in Brookhaven, MS.
She was owner of Wrights Fabrics for 10 years before she become ill. She was a member of New Prospect Baptist Church.
Preceding her in death were her parents; Roger and Loretta Smith; sister, Kathy Whittington; brothers, Roger Dale Smith and Joey Smith.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 49 years, Pete Wright; children, Lora Cade and husband, Juston and Lee Wright and wife, Shelby; sister, Karen Howell and husband, Hank and her seven grandchildren, Jered Cade, Malori Cade, Brayden Wright, Landon Wright, Mackenzie Wallace, Corbin Wright and Grayson Wright.
She will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Robert Leon Burris
The funeral service for Robert Leon Burris will be Noon, Saturday, December 23, at Ebenezer Methodist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mr. Burris, 81, passed away December 18, 2023, at UMMC in Jackson, MS. He was born in McCall Creek, MS, September 24, 1942, to Leon and Gladys (Arnold) Burris. Mr. Burris served his country in the United States Army National Guard.
Mr. Burris was a true outdoorsman, enjoying the many simpler things in life. Hunting and fishing were a source of pleasure for him, especially being able to teach his children and grandchildren how to fish. He was also a tractor enthusiast and enjoyed bush hogging. He was a great community leader and treasured the times he could help any of his neighbors and friends. He was a faithful husband, father, and grandfather, and he will be greatly missed by those who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Bobbie Nell Holland.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 27 years, Janet Burris; his former wife of 30 years, Brenda Burris; his children, Tony Burris, Rebecca Vasilenko, and Teresa Chiles; sister, Carolyn White; four grandchildren, Kimberly, Cassie, Tony, and Summer and two great grandchildren, Abbigale and Conner. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Flowers may be sent to Ebenezer Methodist Church in McCall Creek, or, on behalf of Robert L. Burris, to The Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, 207 W Jackson St 2nd Fl Ste 1, Ridgeland, MS 39157.
Glenn Everette Smith
Mr. Glenn Everette Smith, 74 of Jackson, passed away November 20, 2023, at UMMC in Jackson. He was born January 13, 1949, in Natchez, Mississippi, to the late John Everette Smith and Lois Davis Smith. Mr. Smith was a Respiratory Therapist.
Mr. Smith is survived by his sons, John Hall Smith and wife, Daniela, Jay Everette Smith and wife, Jessica, and four grandchildren: Izzie Smith, Jackson Smith, J.J. Smith, and Jacob Smith, all of Dana Point, California, and his sister, Barbara Hickman and husband Bill.
Glenn was known for sharing his Christian faith and offering a kind word and supportive spirit with anyone he met. His memory and positive influence will be cherished by those who knew him.
JoAnn Moak Thames
Services for Mrs. JoAnn Moak Thames of Brookhaven are 11:30 am, Saturday, December 16, 2023, at First Baptist Church Brookhaven with visitation from 9:30 until the time of service and burial at Rosehill Cemetery.
Mrs. JoAnn Moak Thames, 91, passed away December 11, 2023. She was born May 13, 1932, to the late Theodore R. Moak and Erma Mae Canoy.
Mrs. Thames was a lifetime member of the Gideon Auxiliary, Owner/operator of Flower Time Florist and Antiques, Owner/operator of Playtime Daycare and Owner of the Wedding Chapel. She was retired from South Central Bell and employed by KDMC for 22 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church.
Preceding her in death were her parents; son, David Hartley Thames; brother, Teddy Moak; and sisters, Peggy Seago and Norma Hart.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 71 years, Robert “Gene” Thames; brother, Roger Moak (Geraldine) and sister, Joyce Allred (Danny Ray).
She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members, and
special friends, Trey and Cathy Oldham and Walker and Courtney Franck.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
P.O. Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis TN 38148-0142
John Austin Bowden, Jr.
The funeral service for John Austin Bowden, Jr. will be 2:30 p.m., Saturday, December 16, at Riverwood Family, with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 1:30 p.m. until the time of service.
John A Bowden Jr. passed from this life December 7, 2023, at the age of 96.
He was born September 8, 1927. He enlisted in the United States Navy Reserves September 1, 1944, just a few days short of being 17.
He proudly served his country and retired a Master Chief (E-9) after 24 years of service. He was a decorated veteran of WWII, Korean War and the Vietnam War.
He worked for the Social Security Administration in Jackson and transferred to the Brookhaven office in the summer of 1975.
Upon his retirement from the SSA, he enjoyed his leisure time grooming his yard, planting his garden and auctioneering as well as woodworking and trips to the Great Smokey Mountains.
He was a man known by multiple names, "John", "Daddy", "Pappy", "Poppa John" and "Uncle Buddy" and will be missed by many.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father, his first wife, Mary Bowden, his son, John Bowden III, his sister Joyce Oakes and brother Harold Bowden.
His survivors are his wife, Rose Carolyn Bowden; his daughters Lee Moore (Carroll), Terry Collura (Don),Wanda Melton (Carlos),
Son, Stevie Yoas (Lee Laurie), 10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to especially thank Aston Court in McComb and all their employees for adopting him and his wife, Kaiki, into their compassionate and loving family and
also extend a special thank you to COMPASSUS of McComb.
Sheila R. Babb
Graveside service for Sheila R. Babb will be 2:30 p.m., Thursday, December 14, at Gum Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from Noon until 2 p.m., at Riverwood Family.
Mrs. Babb, 62, of Summit, MS, died December 10, 2023, at her residence. She was born in Tylertown, MS, on August 5, 1961, to Thomas Beavers and Violet (Beavers) Kyzar. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Mrs. Babb’s world revolved around her daughter, Shelly, and her two beautiful grandchildren, she devoted every moment she could to them and treasured those times. She also enjoyed time spent with all her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Douglas C. Babb; her father, Thomas Junior Beavers; and her brother, Thomas Wayne Beavers.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Shelly Hambach and husband, Rick; her two precious grandchildren, Hayden Hambach, and Braden Hambach; mother, Violet Ray Kyzar; sisters, Brenda Brown and Connie Lynn Beavers; nephews, Jason Brown (Melissa) and their family, Dwayne Brown (Willie Vandenheuvel); and niece, Felicia Noll (Chase) and their family. She is also survived by her very special friends as well as other loving family members.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 E 33rd St, New York, NY 10016.
Jerolyn Brister McCullough
Services for Mrs. Jerolyn Brister McCullough of Brookhaven are 11:00 am, Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at Freedom Church with visitation from 9:00 until the time of service.
Mrs. Jerolyn Brister McCullough, 69, passed away December 8, 2023, at her home. She was born August 26, 1954, to the late John Enoch Brister and Marcell Murray Brister.
Jerolyn loved to collect antiques, shop, and spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren, they were the love of her life.
Preceding her in death were her parents; Enoch and Marcell Brister; mother-in-law, Doris McCullough Newell and fathers-in-law, Ed McCullough and A.C. Newell.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 52 years, Lennis McCullough; daughter, Jody McCullough and son, Mark McCullough and wife, Kelly; sister, Gwen Tardo and husband, Rickie and her two grandchildren, Ashton McCullough and Skyler McCullough.
She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Dennis McCullough and wife, Paula; sisters-in-law, Rita O’Keefe and husband, Paul, Brenda McCullough and Sheila Britt and husband, Edward; and a host of family, friends, nieces and nephews.
She will be dearly missed by all that loved her.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the charity of your choice.
Freedom Church, 1611 Pleasant Ridge Rd., Wesson MS 39191
Oscar "Johnny" Smith
Services for Mr. Oscar “Johnny” Smith of Wesson are 12:00 pm, Monday, December 11, 2023 at Macedonia Baptist Church with visitation from 10:00 until the time of service and interment at the Church Cemetery.
Mr. Oscar “Johnny” Smith, 69, passed away December 8, 2023, at his home.
Johnny was born July 14, 1954, in Brookhaven, MS to Oscar and Lexie Smith.
He enjoyed building houses, cabinetry and other woodworking projects, where he made lifelong friends. In retirement he worked as a bus driver for Loyd Star and loved the kids on the bus.
He loved his church family. At the age of 20, he became the youngest deacon of the church and continued serving as a deacon for 50 years.
Johnny’s family, along with members of our church, were involved in mission trips to Paynesville, WV, and helped in the building of the first Southern Baptist Church (Bradshaw Mountain Community Church).
Preceding him in death was his father, Oscar L. Smith.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 51 years, Cindy Smith; mother, Lexie Smith; sons, Andy Smith and wife, Lauren and Todd Smith and wife, Jessica; brothers, Kenny Smith and Mitchell Smith and three grandchildren,
Lily Smith, Owen Smith and Julia Smith.
N. Ruth Posey
The funeral service for N. Ruth Posey will be 10 a.m., Friday, December 8, at Riverwood Family with burial in Gum Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Thursday, December 7, at Riverwood and will resume from 9 a.m. until the time of service Friday.
Mrs. Posey, 76, of Wesson, MS, died December 4, 2023, at her residence. She was born October 7, 1947, to G.F. Watson and Orlean Harper Watson. She worked with Keystone Wire Company for many years. Later she became a caregiver and served many people. She enjoyed taking daily walks on Mission Hill, playing cards with family, taking care of her roses, and spending time with her dog, Little Man.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Mike Posey; her parents; brother, Billy Ray Edwards; and sisters, Sandra Gorenflo and Dorothy Jean.
She is survived by her daughter, Michele Posey; three grandchildren, Landon Parsons (McKenna), Devin King, and Justin King; and two great grandchildren, Branson Parsons and Elyse Parsons, and one more on the way, as well as other loving family members and friends.
