Obituaries
Dianne Bates Henry
A Memorial service for Dianne Bates Henry will be 1 p.m., Friday, March 8, at Monticello Baptist Church, with a memorial gathering from Noon until the time of service.
On Monday, March 4, 2024, Dianne Bates Henry the loving wife and mother, passed away at Lawrence Co Hospital at the age of 77. Dianne was born July 16, 1946, to Wilbur Bernice Bates & Ollie Verdue Polk Bates.
Mrs. Dianne Henry was dedicated to her church, family and friends. Dianne was a devout Christian and a dedicated member of Monticello Baptist Church
and a member of the Twentieth Century Club.
Mrs. Dianne Henry loved working in her flowerbeds and card stamping. She was an avid game player and loved a challenging game with her friends and family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Sammie Lee Henry; grandson, Blaine Lee Reynolds; parents; and brothers, Billy Bates and Edgar Bates.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Jason Henry (Krissy) and Kay Fuller (Trent); brother, John Bates; sisters, Virginia Morris and Elaine Goss; four grandchildren, Logan Henry (Emily), Mary Henry, Megan Reynolds, and Logan Fuller; and one great granddaughter, Elyzabeth Henry. She is also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends.
Shane McNeill
The funeral service for Shane McNeill will be 11 a.m., Friday, March 8, at Riverwood Family with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, March 7, at Riverwood.
Paul Shane McNeill, of Brookhaven, was born in Meridian, MS, July 28, 1974, to Paul Douglas McNeill and Wanda Gibson Locke. Shane’s journey here on earth ended March 3, 2024. He was 49 years old.
Shane was the Director of the Office of Coordinated School Health in the Office of Healthy Schools and Director of Safe and Orderly Schools both in the Mississippi Department of Education.
Shane’s favorite pastime was playing ping pong with his precious daughter Allie Grace. He was one of her most loyal fans and loved attending her tennis matches. He also found pleasure in golfing, going to the gym, and completing projects around his house. He was a wonderful chef and enjoyed creating tasty meals for his family and friends, his motto would be “the more the merrier”. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Jessie Todd Wright and Walter Wright, Edna Ivy McNeill, and James McNeill; uncles, Jimmy McNeill and Franklin Hearn; and his aunt Patty Quinnelly.
Those he leaves behind to cherish his memory are his daughter, Allie Grace McNeill; his mother, Wanda Locke (Kevin); father, Doug McNeill (Joyce); uncles and aunts, Jerry Quinnelly, Carolyn Hearn, Sherry Cameron; lifelong mentor and friend, Neubern Atkinson and a host of other loving family members and friends.
Christie Beth Elkins
The funeral service for Christie Beth Elkins will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 6, at Calvary Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, March 5, at Riverwood and will resume Wednesday, from 10 a.m. until the time of service at Calvary.
Ms. Elkins, 55, of Brookhaven, passed away March 3, 2024, at Camellia Estates in McComb, MS. She was born in Brookhaven, October 8, 1968, to Gerald “Jerry” Crosby and Mary Lenard Crosby.
Christie was a devoted mother; her children gave her great joy and were the love of her life. She graduated from Bogue Chitto, Co-Lin, University of Southern Mississippi, and William Carey. She was very accomplished, earning two master’s degrees. Christie loved teaching and encouraging her students to excel, she was a well-loved English teacher for over 27 years and received Star Teacher numerous times.
She enjoyed reading her Bible, singing specials at church, and spending time with her family. She was a member of Moak’s Creek Baptist Church. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her father and her grandparents, Floyd & Bertha “Bertie” Lenard and Henry & Maude Crosby.
She is survived by her children, Matthew Elkins (Kristin) and Myles Elkins; her mother; brother, Ricky Crosby (Lisa); nephews, Lucas Crosby and Colton Welch and niece, Julianna Crosby, as well as a host of cousins, friends and other loving family members.
Thelma Watson Hodges
Funeral service for Thelma Watson Hodges will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 6, at Riverwood Family with burial in Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service at Riverwood.
Mrs. Hodges, 92, of Brookhaven, left her earthly home on March 2, 2024, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven. She was born on November 12, 1931, to John Abner Watson and Lula Fauver Watson. She married Clarmon Ray Hodges in 1949 and was married for 67 years, until his passing in 2016. She was a member of Easthaven Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister, Lillian Virginia Case and husband, Homer Clayton; brother, Larry Royce Watson and wife Nell; and son-in-law, Stephan Turnage.
She is survived by her daughter, Connie Turnage of Brookhaven; son, Garry Hodges of McComb; two grandchildren, Stacy Garner and husband, Jeff, Brian Turnage and wife, Tricia; four great grandchildren, Brandon Ravenscraft, Brett Ravenscraft, Megan Turnage, and Caleb Turnage.
She is also survived by other close family and friends
Dennis Ray Johnson
Dennis Ray Johnson was born June 8, 1955 and departed this life March 3, 2024 at his home in Crystal Springs.
Dennis is preceded in death by his first wife Debbie Walker Johnson, his parents Rev. Reynolds F. Johnson and Bobbie Nell Knight Johnson, grandsons Logan Johnson, Travis Courtney and granddaughter Gabby Courtney. He is survived by his wife of 22 years Pam Johnson, his children Dwight Johnson (Ashley), Bethany Allen (Cooper), Elton Johnson (Gina), Sidney Courtney (Donna), Rachel Courtney (Greg) and Kayla Bates (Joe). He is also survived by his brothers Ronnie F. Johnson, Gary Johnson (Carol) and David Johnson (Renea), as well as 18 grandchildren and many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Dennis worked as an electrician until his retirement. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. Dennis cherished time at the pond and outside with his wife, children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed working in the yard or in his garden. He even taught his faithful dog, Hank, to steer the lawnmower.
Beverley Louise Hall Dubois
Services for Mrs. Beverley Louise Hall Dubois of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm, Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Riverwood Family with burial at Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 12:00 until the time of service.
On Friday March 1, 2024, Beverley Hall Dubois went to be with our Lord and Savior. She was born in Winnepeg, Manitoba Canada on May 23, 1943, the daughter of the late George and Donna Hall (Olson). Beverley was a graduate of Herzig College of Manitoba where she received her degree in Business. She worked 35 years at Copiah Lincoln Community College caring deeply about providing guidance for the people of Mississippi on making the dream of higher education attainable. After retirement, she found fulfillment in her other great passion, her family. She also enjoyed gardening, painting and being a grandmother.
Preceding her in death are her parents, George and Donna Hall; and brother, Michael Hall.
Her memories will live on through her husband of nearly fifty years Gene Dubois whom she married on December 15, 1974, and her five children and eight grandchildren.
Charles Richard Bessonette
A Memorial Gathering for Mr. Charles Richard Bessonette of Brookhaven is 2:00-4:00 pm, Friday, March 1, 2024, at Riverwood Family.
Mr. Charles Richard Bessonette, 75, passed away February 28, 2024, at his home in Brookhaven.
He was born August 15, 1948, to the late Malcolm Bessonette and Annie Ruth Quinn Bessonette.
Mr. Bessonette enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with his grandchildren and dogs.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and brothers, James Bessonette and Michael Bessonette.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 54 years, Roiann Perry Bessonette; children, Richard Malcolm Bessonette and Rachel Bessonette Ard; he is also survived by nine grandchildren, Lindsey Foster Smith, Makayla Bessonette, Mylie Robinson, Piper Rutland, Kaleigh Robison, Aleah Wilkinson, Charlee Ard, Sofia Bessonette, Jaxon Ard and great grandson, Tripp Smith.
He will be missed by all those that loved him.
Johnathan Blake Grammer
Visitation 9-10:30 a.m., Monday, March 4, at Riverwood Family
Graveside service, 11 a.m., Monday, in Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery
Johnathan Blake Grammer, 21, of Brookhaven, was called home and into eternity to be with the Lord on February 26, 2024. Johnathan was taken from this world much too soon. He loved everyone around him, always putting others before himself, and only saw the good in others.
Johnathan was a family man and always looked forward to having a family of his own some day with his girlfriend, Kylie Brumfield. Johnathan’s passions included hunting, fishing, and spending time with the Lord admiring His Creations. Johnathan greatly loved his mother, Dawn; his sisters, Autumn and Brittany; and nephews, Maddox and C.J.
Preceding him in death were grandfather, James Ray Grammer; Nana, Linda Ruth Grammer; Pops, Michael Pickett; and his father, Thomas Nathan Pickett.
Johnathan also loved all his aunts, uncles, and cousins. Johnathan will be greatly missed and forever loved for those who remain to cherish his memory.
Ralph Nevels
Visitation for Mr. Ralph Nevels is from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, February 29, at Riverwood Family. A graveside service will be 10 a.m., Friday, March 1, at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Nevels, 88, of Brookhaven, passed away February 27, 2024, at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. He was born in Brookhaven, July 26, 1935, to Elmer Nevels and Littie Ann Smith Nevels.
Mr. Nevels served his country in the United States National Guard. He worked for many years as a welder in the oilfield.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sons, Vernon Kent Nevels and Troy Roscoe Nevels; and granddaughter, Stephanie Lynn Nevels.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 68 years, Sylvia Sue Nevels; children, Litty Ann Nevels, Ralph Douglas Nevels (Sharlae), and Brady Scott Nevels (Renee); sister, Doris Brown; daughter in law, Letha Nevels; 13 grandchildren, Alicia Thomasee, Adam Nevels, Cari Nevels, Lacey Nevels, Amy Shoop, Ava Grace Nevels, Jessica Nevels, Ashley Ryan, Daintry Stelly, Matthew Nevels, Alison Nevels, Heather Nevels, and Amanda Sullivan; and 24 great-grandchildren.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Gregory E. Covington
The funeral service for Gregory E. Covington will be 2 p.m., Thursday, February 29, at Riverwood Family with burial in Edward’s Family Cemetery. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Covington, also known as “Widetrack”, passed away peacefully on February 26, surrounded by family, after a three year long battle with Glioblastoma. He was born in Brookhaven on June 20, 1962, to Diane Anding and Claude Covington. He attended Eva Harris School until the 12th grade, then began working. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for many years, where he loved his job and was very good at what he did. He made many friends through the profession and gained the nickname, “Widetrack”. He retired in 2020, and began to enjoy fishing, hunting and just being outdoors.
“Widetrack” loved his family and enjoyed laughing and sharing old hunting stories with his friends. Although he never had kids, he treated his nieces and nephews as his own. He was loved and will be missed by all those who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Ricky Edwards; brother, Chris Covington; brother-in-law, John Bennett; and grandparents, Earl and Etta Mae Covington and Willie and Lillie Mae Anding.
He is survived by his stepmother, Brenda Covington; brothers, Kevin Edwards (Beth), Jeramie Edwards (Adrianna); sisters, Vicky Bennett and Dana Smith (Rob); and stepbrother, Joel Avants and stepsister, Chastity Cooper. He is also survived by nephews and nieces, Richard Edwards (Emily), Jarred Bennett (Courtney), Devin Edwards, Evan Edwards, Kaylon Sullivan (Alex), Raigan Nelson (Beau), Kaylea Simmons (Lane); great nephews and nieces, Jessi Claire Bennett, Ruby Edwards, Emery Edwards, Weston Edwards, Gracelyn Sullivan, Olivia Sullivan, and Jackson Simmons; caregiver, Carla Knighten, and a host of other loving family members and friends.
