Obituaries
Amy Brister LaRue
Visitation for Amy Brister LaRue will be at Riverwood on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, from 5:00-7:00 pm.
Her funeral will be held at Riverwood on Thursday, June 3, 2021, at 10:00 am with a graveside
service at Wellman Baptist Church Cemetery to follow.
Amy Brister LaRue of Brookhaven, MS passed away in the early hours of May 30, 2021, surrounded by her family.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Theda Carlisle Brister and her father Lucius Bernard Brister.
She is survived by her girls Randi Laird (Micheal), Sarah LaRue, and Cecily Ethridge (Rickey), all of Brookhaven.
Her grandchildren Cadence, Amelia and Maddie Laird, and Tripp and Rory Ethridge.
Her brothers Steve Brister (Sue) and Luke Brister (Mary), sister Cathy Ivy (Danny), her bonus sister Darlene Underwood,
her best friend of 50 years Carolyn Laird (Dwaine),
as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Amy retired after almost 40 years working as the Speech Language Pathologist at her Alma Mater, Enterprise Attendance Center.
Amy loved her students, and their accomplishments made her proud - though she never took credit for their successes. Even children who did not need help
with speech knew her sweet smile, gentle eyes, infectious laugh and beautiful white hair. She also worked in Home Health where she could use her God-given talents throughout the state.
She enjoyed road trips with her loved ones, ballgames, trivia, and the "occasional" trip to Disney World - once or twice a year. She also never missed a single play,
awards ceremony, birthday, or special event in her children and grandchildren's lives. If the occasion was important to her family, it was important to her.
Amy's love for adventure led her to travel all over the world spreading the Good News of Jesus with humble hands, a servant's heart, and the assurance that "the Lord will provide."
Her love for Missions inspired her to lead Acteens for more than 30 years, she spent almost 20 years working with the state and local WMU, and she served on the board of
Garaywa Camp and Conference Center and Mission Madness. Though Amy was known for being soft spoken, her servant heart could not be contained.
Amy had a passion for helping all children, so in lieu of flowers, she would prefer a donation to Garaywa Camp and Conference Center or St. Jude.
Shelly Joseph Pitre
Service for Mr. Shelly Joseph Pitre, of Meadville are 12:00 pm on Saturday, June 5, 2021,
at Providence Baptist Church with burial at the Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of the service.
Mr. Shelly Joseph Pitre, 73, went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 29, 2021,
at University Medical Center in Jackson.
He was born on July 26, 1947, to the late Harris Joseph Pitre and Annalee Bourg Pitre.
Mr. Pitre served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.
He was a welder and a member of Providence Baptist Church. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman
and loved the outdoors and teaching our young kids the safety and fun of the outdoors.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Elizabeth DuBois Pitre, parents; and infant sister, Susan Pitre.
Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Randy Pitre and wife, Kim; daughter, Lorita Pitre Neil;
brother, Harry Pitre and 8 grandchildren, Blair Guidry, Blake Neil, Gracie Neil, Jace Neil, John Austin Pitre, Keri-Beth Pitre,
Taylor Cray and Tyler Hall; along with 4 great-grandchildren and Godchild, Annie Miller (Tommy)
and Godchild, Angie Pitre, and family friend Gee Himel.
He will be missed by all that loved and knew him.
Judy Boleware Chandler
Memorial service for Mrs. Judy Boleware Chandler will be Tuesday, June 1, 2021, 2 p.m. at Riverwood.
Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. Judy Boleware Chandler passed from this life May 27, 2021, at her residence in Brookhaven.
She was born September 25, 1951, to Seth Jackson Boleware and Millie Earn Bankston Boleware.
She lived here 69 years. Mrs. Chandler was a master chef, preparing meals for her family to enjoy
was a special enjoyment to her. She was most happy serving and fellowshipping with her family.
She will greatly be missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Alvie Chandler; parents; and sister, Ann Walters.
She is survived by her daughter, Misti Coleman and husband, Cody Coleman; two grandchildren,
Gracie Elaine Coleman and Chandler Ray Coleman; brother-in-law, Ken Walters and wife, Ruby,
and nephew David Walters, as well as other loving family members and friends.
A special thank you to St Luke’s Home Health & Hospice.
Kenneth Richard Miller
Services for Mr. Kenneth Richard Miller, of Maurepas, LA. are 10:00 am, Monday, May 31, 2021
at Riverwood Family with burial at Twin Oaks Cemetery, in Bogue Chitto.
Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 pm, Sunday, May 30, at Riverwood.
Mr. Kenneth Richard Miller, 78, went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 25, 2021. He was born on January 4, 1943
to the late Jesse Warren Miller and Bonnie Jean Turpin Miller.
Mr. Miller worked as a boilermaker and was a member of First Baptist Church in Gonzales, LA.
He will be missed by all that loved and knew him.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Bobby Joe Miller and wife, Erma and Billy Charles Miller;
granddaughter, Marriah Bales Barron and great grandson, Waylon Jay Anderson.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Carol Sue Miller; sons, James Kenneth Miller, Timothy Keith Miller and wife, Darlene
and Wendell Charles Miller and wife, Cindy; daughters, Glenda “Tiny” Bales and husband, Kevin and Angie Renae Miller
and brother, William Paul Miller and wife, Janice Ann; along with 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren and sister-in-law Leah Campbell.
and brothers-in-law, Ronald Campbell and wife, Jo and Gerald Campbell, and by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
George Timothy (Tim) Mercier III
George Timothy (Tim) Mercier III died at home in Houston, Texas on May 23, 2021.
He was born March 15, 1947, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to George and Dorothy Mercier.
Tim graduated from Bellaire High School in Houston, Texas.
Tim pursued the same academic path as his father, graduating from The University of Texas at Austin in 1970 with a chemical engineering degree.
Tim began his career with UOP (now UOP Honeywell), an energy company in Des Plaines, Illinois,
and quickly shined as a brilliant engineer. While at UOP, he lived and worked in Italy and Switzerland.
His next stop was back home in Houston, where he took a position with Enjet, an oil blending company.
Tim traveled the globe on business. It was not unusual for him to call and check on his children from Singapore, India, or South Korea,
and talk through day to day events as if he were down the street. Tim also left his mark on the industry in which he spent his entire career.
He became a sought-after adviser in petroleum refining and operations and spearheaded domestic and international business practices still in use today.
As Tim’s career matured, he increasingly dedicated time to mentoring the next generation of chemical engineers. After 33 years with Enjet,
Tim retired from the oil business in 2018. He continued to consult in the oil and gas industries in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
While Tim’s talents found an early home in his chemical engineering career, his passion was for the farm in Wesson, Mississippi.
Indeed, the next phase of life was more a second career than a retirement. Like his father, Tim shifted his focus to managing his family farm.
He loved his time in Wesson so much that he bought and remodeled the home next to his parents' home. If you recently drove down
Timberlane Road early in the morning, you likely would see Tim and his beloved dog, Cash, walking to his parents' home to visit with his
father about American exceptionalism, timber, chores on the farm, politics, the stock market, or a great story about one of his friends or colleagues.
Tim found great joy in the regular visits to Wesson by his siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and he loved how his home quickly
became a gathering place for family and friends over the holidays.
Tim’s greatest loves were his children and grandchildren. He made breakfast for his young children every morning, with Renee and Skip
enjoying his famous whole wheat pancakes on the special occasions when he made them. He intensely inspected his children's vehicles before return drives to Texas,
replacing windshield wipers or worn-out tires when needed. He cherished scouting trips with his son, Matthew, and glowed with pride when Matthew became an Eagle Scout.
All three of his grown children earned their college degrees, with Skip ultimately obtaining a Ph. D in chemical engineering, the same field of expertise pursued by his father.
His last bundle of joy, Claire, was born on March 1, 2021. Before his death, Grandpa, as Tim was known to his grandchildren, was energetically working with Papaw (his father, George)
to build a couple of ponds for the fishing enjoyment of his grandchildren, nieces, nephews. He also loved time with his grandchildren on the farm, whether taking long walks
after a big lunch at Papaw’s, driving timber plots, or building fires and making s'mores.
Tim's journey on earth took him many places, yet he managed to record the meaningful milestones of his life close to home, increasingly
with loved ones as his remaining years fled. He leaves a great void, a greater legacy, and will forever be missed. Tim is survived by his father George T. Mercier Jr.; his wife Megan;
his children G.T. "Skip" Mercier IV (husband John), Renee (husband Russ), Matthew, and Claire; his grandchildren Luke, Garrett, and Evelyn; sisters Anne Woodson, Patricia Nicklas, Laurie Mercier,
and brother Chet Mercier; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Services will be held Saturday May 29 at Riverwood Family Funeral Home in Brookhaven, MS -
visitation at 9:00 am and service at 10:00 am. Graveside service to follow in Beauregard.
The family would like to thank Tim's many friends who generously gave assistance and support during his illness and the medical
staff who provided their compassionate care, especially Dr. Victor Sierpina and Dr. Maurice Willis at University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston.
Memorials may be made to the Dorothy Ragland Mercier Memorial Fund, c/o Copiah-Lincoln Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 649, Wesson MS. 39191.
Betty Bridges Womack
Funeral service for Mrs. Betty Bridges Womack will be 2 p.m., Friday, May 28, at Powell’s Grove Pentecostal Church
with interment at the church cemetery. Visitation begins at 5 p.m. on Thursday, at the church.
Mrs. Womack, of Jayess, passed from this life May 25, 2021. She was born May 23, 1944, to Berry Farmer Bridges and
Mary Maude Mullins Bridges and lived 77 years. She was a homemaker and caretaker of her family, who will feel her absence forever.
She is preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Charlie Bridges and John Bridges; and one sister, Barbara Ann Hux.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Kary Womack; son, Randy Womack and wife, Tanya; daughters
Peggy Smith and husband, Danny, Rachel Williams and husband, Marty, and Sherry Smith and husband, Craig.
She also leaves behind ten grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren as well as other loving family members and friends.
Skylar Lane Wease
Funeral service for Skylar Lane Wease will be 3 p.m., Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at Riverwood Family with interment in
Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the time of service at Riverwood.
Skylar, 23, of Brookhaven, passed from this life May 21, 2021. He was born February 12, 1998 to Nathan Daniel Wease
and Sonya Ann Ratcliff. He was a graduate of Loyd Star Attendance Center and a member of Easthaven Baptist Church.
Skylar was interested in music and played guitar. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his uncle, Paul Douglas Lee, Jr. and his great grandparents, Fred and Grace Ratcliff.
Those who remain to hold his memory close are his parents; daughter, Olivia Renee Wease; brother, Christopher Braiden Wease;
sisters, Alyssa Grace Wease and Christina Renee Wease Adams and husband, Chris; grandparents, James and Jan Ratcliff and
Madline Lee and Leroy Wease; uncles, Andy Lee and Robert Bobby Ratcliff; aunt, Constance Currie Lee Mitchell; cousin,
Christen Elizabeth Ratcliff and special friend, Britlyn Ciera McLeod.
Elmer Lee Buie
The funeral service for Mr. Elmer Lee Buie, Sr. will be 2 p.m. Monday, May 24, 2021, at Riverwood Family with interment in Bethel Cemetery. Visitation is from Noon until the time of service. Rev. Billy Joe Deer will officiate.
Mr. Buie, 85, of Union Church, MS, passed away May 19, 2021, at his residence. He was born in Caseyville, MS, December 22, 1935, to John Duncan Buie and Nannie Vickery Buie. He was retired from Armstrong Tire & Rubber Company and was the owner of Buie Logging. Mr. Buie was a member of Philadelphia Baptist Church. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunting and fishing and caring for his dogs. He was the President of the Homochitto Hunting Club for 43 years. When he was not performing the duties of life, he enjoyed sitting on his porch swing. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Mr. Buie is preceded in death by his lovely wife of 64 years, Ruby Buie; his parents; his son, John Duncan Buie; brothers, John, Wilton, and Prentiss Buie; and sister, Frances Grisham.
Those left to cherish his memory are his sons, Elmer Lee Buie, Jr. and wife Rebecca and Daniel R. Buie and wife, Sallie; daughter, Beverly Jones and husband, Bill; sister, Maggie Weed; 16 grandchildren, Jason Magee (P.J.), Hope Case (Justin), Cody Buie (Carla), Caleb Buie, Chelsey Myrick (Chad), John Courtney Buie (Mallory), Christopher Buie (Courtney), Rex Buie (Kimberly), Richard Buie (Heather), Rhiannon Mercier (Shawn), Deke Purdy (Tanya), Ashlie Waldrop (Arron), Jacob Purdy (Caroline), Sarah Goodman (Justin), Mark Jones, Stacy Scott, 38 great grandchildren and a host of extended family members and friends.
The family would like to give a special “Thanks” to his loving caregiver, Ann Dickerson and Hospice Ministries.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice Ministries 397 Brookhaven Street, Brookhaven, MS, 39601.
Ouida Renee Malone
The funeral service for Ouida Renee Malone will be 11 a.m., Saturday, May 22, 2021, at
Wellman Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m.
until the time of service. Rev. Thomas Wicker will officiate.
Mrs. Malone, 51, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life May 19, 2021, at King’s Daughters Medical Center.
She was born October 5, 1969, to Billy Joe Williamson and Ouida Geraldine Nations Williamson.
Mrs. Malone was the owner of Lucky 7 Greenhouse and also worked for MDRS. She was a
loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
Preceding her in death are her parents; brother, Billy “Pnut” Williamson; and niece, Gena Smith.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Leonard “Manny” Malone; sons,
Joseph Malone and wife Brandi, Jeremy Malone, and Austin Malone; brothers, Dale “Yogi” Williamson
and wife, Joann and Lance Williamson and wife, Cassie; sisters, Sherry Williams and husband,
Rusty and Connie Hamilton and husband, Mike; five grandchildren, Katelynn Malone, Lexie Malone,
Parker Diax, Tucker Malone, and Luke Malone. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Rev. Lairah Murray
Services for Rev. Lairah Murray of Brookhaven are 7:00 pm, Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at
Bethel Temple Pentecostal Church with visitation from 6:00 until the time of the service.
Burial will be at Midway Cemetery in Franklin County at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 20.
Rev. Lairah Murray, 93, went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 16, 2021 at his residence.
He was born on December 24, 1927, to the late Ernest Hattan Murray and Arie Clark Murray.
He was a Pentecostal Minister for 60 years and a member of Bethel Temple Pentecostal Church.
Mr. Murray enjoyed woodwork and gardening.
Preceding him in death were his parents; six siblings; and his spouses, Billie Murray and Lorraine Dykes Murray.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Sandra Dearman and husband Roy, and Sheliah Germany and husband, Jeffery.
Along with 4 grandchildren, Dennon Dearman, Caleb Dearman, Adrian Dearman and Scarlette Neese,
and 4 great grandchildren, Juliana Neese, Diana Neese, Adrian Dearman and Jaslyn Dearman.
He will be missed by all that knew and loved him.
