Obituaries
Marinia Faye Smith
Graveside service for Marinia Faye Smith will be 10 a.m., Saturday, February 5, 2022, at Union Church Cemetery. Rev. Billy Joe Deer will officiate.
Mrs. Smith, 63, of Union Church, passed away February 2, 2022, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven. She was born in Natchez, MS, May 2, 1958, to John William Thorpe and Sallie Mae Thorpe. She worked in the medical field as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She was a member of Union Church Baptist Church. Mrs. Smith was a devoted servant of God and enjoyed being with her faith family. She was also a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and truly cherished time spent with her family. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, John Wade Thorpe.
She is survived by her husband of 44 ½ years, Joey Craig Smith; son, Craig William Smith; daughter, Melissa Faith Sandifer and husband, Dusty Wayne; brothers, Lloyd Thorpe and Jim Thorpe; sisters, Janet Tarver, Linda Irby, and Liz Haralson; one precious grandson, Colton Wayne Sandifer; and a host of nieces and nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Ercel Edward Knight
Mr. Ercel Edward Knight, 81, of Brookhaven, passed away February 1, 2022, in Brookhaven, MS. He was born in Laurel, MS, May 23, 1940, to Talmage Knight and Myrtel Rodgers Knight. He was a truck driver in the logging industry. Mr. Knight enjoyed fishing and watching old westerns on television. Family was of great importance to him. Given the opportunity, he would gladly share the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.
Mr. Knight is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Margret Eloise Knight; and his parents.
He is survived by his sons, John Douglas Knight and Charles Edward Knight; brothers, James Buford Knight and Harold Knight; sister, Barbara Holifield; six grandchildren, Stormie Knight, John Knight, Brett Knight, Skylar Knight, Maygun Knight, and Mason Knight; and by five great grandchildren, Braylen Knight, Kyle Knight, Deantez Collins, Damon Thornhill, and Wynter Thornhill. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Leslie Earl Naab
Mr. Leslie Earl Naab, 84, of Brookhaven, MS, passed from this life January 30, 2022, in McComb, MS. He was born at home in Hutton Township, Coles County, IL, March 12, 1937, to Harold Edward Naab and Opal Lorena Bostic Naab.
Mr. Naab served his country as staff sergeant in the United States Air Force and worked as a jet mechanic during the Korean War. He was self-employed as an electrical contractor and enjoyed time spent in his workshop as well as camping and traveling the country. Mr. Naab was a lover of animals especially his pet poodle, Pookey. He enjoyed hitting the flea markets and rummage sales with his wife and friends. He was a friend to all and always there to lend a helping hand. He was always the tower of strength in the family yet the most silent. He recently moved to Brookhaven, MS from Decatur, IL to be with his son and family.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Kathy Naab, his brother Harold Eugene Naab and Sisters Alberta Frances Glover, and Rita Bell Lammers.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 65 years, Barbara Naab of Brookhaven, MS; son, Tim Naab and wife Cindy of Brookhaven, MS; sister, Pat Kunz and husband, Ed of Decatur, IL; three grandchildren, Leslie Naab of Brookhaven, MS, Jamie Naab Meredith and husband, Mitch of Burnside, KY, and Katy Armstrong Lambert and husband, Jeff Of Warrensburg, IL; eight great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren, as well as other loving family members and friends.
Dan Weathersby Ashley
Mr. Dan Weathersby Ashley of Meadville, MS, completed his journey here January 30, 2022, in Meadville. He was born in Natchez, MS, July 13, 1940, to George Houston Ashley and Edna Adams Ashley. He was 81 years of age.
Mr. Ashley joined the Naval Reserves in high school. Later, he served his country in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Guam. He was employed with Armstrong Rubber Company for many years and most recently, Zeon Chemicals. His favorite things in life were listening to good music, especially Jimmy Buffet, taking walks, reading a good book and traveling through this beautiful country. He was a faithful provider for his family and loved his children and grandchildren above all things. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Bude and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Mr. Ashley is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dean Ashley; son-in-law, David “Tubb” Southerland; and his great-granddaughter, Ramsey Kaye Hill.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his son, Eric Ashley of Oakland Park, FL; daughter, Eileen Ashley Southerland of Meadville, MS; two grandchildren, Allan Hill and husband, Stan, Jordan Skinner and husband, Tom; and three great grandchildren, John Dale Hill, Emme Skinner, and Waylon Hill.
A private memorial will be held to honor Mr. Ashley’s memory.
Mrs. Gary Marcelle Nelson
Funeral service for Mrs. Gary Marcelle Nelson will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 2, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, February 1 at Riverwood.
Mrs. Nelson, 77, of Brookhaven, passed from this life January 30, 2022, at St Dominic Medical Center in Jackson, MS. She was born in McComb, October 27, 1944, to Elmer Johnson and Eva Mae Wilkerson Johnson. She worked as a hairdresser and in later years she was a caregiver. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Kristi Thornton; son, Eddie Nelson, Jr.; sister, Wonzie Matlock; and brother, Nicholas Johnson.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 46 years, Eddie Nelson; son, Reggie Thornton; daughter, Theresa Watson; brother, Clyde Johnson; five grandchildren, Shauna Smith, Tara Tanner, Ramsey Thornton, Landon Nelson, and Courtney Watson; 12 great grandchildren, Taylor Kennedy, Hayden McGill, Bishop Kennedy, Dylan McGill, Natalie Bergenron, Chloe McGill, Gracie Tanner, Lyndsey McGill, Dalton Thornton, Jackson Thornton, Addison Thornton, and Rory Reid; and one great great grandchild, Casen McGill. She is also survived by best friends, Phillip and Vera Boyles, Ray and Faye Reid, and Mrs. James Biggs.
Rosemary Smith Case
With sadness our family announces that Rosemary Smith Case passed away on January 11, 2022.
Rosemary was a longtime hairdresser in Brookhaven, Mississippi.
You may leave your condolences or light a candle for Rosemary and the family here.
She was born on October 8, 1946 in Brookhaven Mississippi.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her father and mother, Louis and Omie Smith and her brother, Ray Smith and his wife Mary Louise, all from Brookhaven.
She is survived by her sister, Judy Smith Townsend, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Rosemary will be missed. May she Rest In Peace.
Bonnie Janell Bradley
Funeral service for Bonnie Janell Bradley will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Liberty, MS, with interment in the New Zion Cemetery. Visitation is Monday, January 31, from 4-8 p.m. at Zion Hill.
Mrs. Bradley, 65, of Smithdale, passed away January 27, 2022, in McComb, MS. She was born in Rusk County, TX, April 1, 1956, to Cecil Parker and Elvie Victoria Lunsford Parker.
“NeNe” was an active member of Zion Hill Baptist Church. There she served in various areas including worship leader. She loved singing praise and worship to her Savior. Her biggest accomplishment was making sure that her grandkids knew she was the sweetest “NeNe” in the world. Not only did the grands know it, EVERYONE knew it.
She loved to travel, the mountains and beach were her favorite. The mountains gave her beautiful sight seeing and shows at area theatres. The beach, though, the beach is where she showed the world her unmatched and most envied volleyball skills. She was always eager to get out in the yard with kids for a game of baseball, everyone always clambered to get “NeNe” on their team. Everyone that knew her, loved her. She was kind, loving and encouraging. She loved to laugh and when she did, it instantly made you laugh too. Her smile was beautiful: warm and genuine. If she was smiling, you were smiling with her because it made you feel happy.
“NeNe”, most importantly, loved her Savior. She lived each day glorifying Him in the way she walked and talked. If she wasn’t speaking of her Savior, she was singing about Him and His goodness. She was the mightiest of prayer warriors, you knew if she said, “I’m praying for you”, that she genuinely was and it was powerful. You could feel Him in the room when she spoke, it was a palpable and comforting feeling to be covered in her prayers. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
“NeNe” is preceded in death by her son, Danny Maurice Dixon, Jr. “Dandy”; her parents; brother, William Parker and wife, Carolyn; and brother-in-law, Armando Pegueros.
Those she leaves behind to cherish her memory are her husband of 16 years, David “Dave” Bradley; daughters, Renee Kirkland (David), Tina Ginn (Greg), Sarah Bradley, Davilynn Paige Mendoza (Beto); brother, Cecil Litt Parker (Anita); sisters, Edith Pegueros, Mary Maxine Osborne, and Ellen Nevil (Thomas); grandchildren, Karlyn Paulet (Adrien), Hunter Ginn (Mattie), Steven Ginn (Kayley), Hannah Ginn, Gabby Kirkland, Ford Kirkland, Katelynn Kirkland, Caden Mendoza, Anna Leece Mendoza, Paul Mendoza, Tristan Bradley, Nathanael McCabe, and Savannah Ruiz. She also leaves behind other loving family members, friends, honorary daughters, and grandchildren, Cindy Smithers (Jeremy), Braden and Tae Blanks and Delanie Blanks, Bo Smithers, Briley Smithers, Blake Smithers, Angie Kirkland (Brian), Colby and Grant Leake, Reagan Kirkland, and Aaden Kirkland; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Sandra Lauren Jordan
Funeral service for Sandra Lauren Jordan will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Shady Grove Baptist Church,
with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation is from Noon until the time of service.
Mrs. Jordan, 71, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life January 24, 2022, at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson.
She was born in Bogue Chitto, MS, November 11, 1950, to Kees Nations and Laura Helen Nations.
She earned a Registered Nursing degree from Copiah Lincoln Community College and worked with
Dr. Becker and then went on to work with Home Health. She enjoyed working in her yard and shopping.
She also would serenade family and friends with guitar and singing. Mrs. Jordan will be missed by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Linda White; and her granddaughter, Jordan Brittany Roberts.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her husband of 51 years, Stanley Jordan;
son, Nicholas Drew Jordan and wife, Amanda; daughter, Stancie Dawn Jordan Roberts;
brothers, Terry Lane Nations and Booth Nations; six grandchildren, Jordan Roberts, Jakab Jordan,
Abigaile Jordan, Emily Jordan, Alexis Jordan, Brittany Nicole Jordan; two great grandchildren; and a host of other loving family members and friends.
Myron Davin "Ron" Skelton
Services for Mr. Myron “Ron” Davin Skelton of Bogue Chitto are 2:00 pm, Friday, January 28, 2022, at Riverwood family with visitation from 1:00 until the time of the service.
Burial will be at Concord Baptist Church Cemetery.
He was a Vietnam Veteran where he served his country in the United States Air Force from 1970-1974. He worked as a purchasing manager for Keystone Seneca and was a member of Ramah Baptist Church.
He was born on May 12, 1950, to the late Clifford Carlton Skelton and Ruby Huffman Skelton. He passed away January 24, 2022, he was 71 years old.
Ron loved the Lord and was a devoted husband and father. He was a man that always put his family first. He enjoyed playing his guitar and loved his grandchildren, taking family trips and spending time outdoors. He will be greatly missed by his family. The grandkids will tell you, “Poppie knows everything!”
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Carl, Johnny, Robert, William and Mack Skelton, all of Greenwood MS, and Jerry Skelton of Greensboro, NC.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 46 years, Shelia Montgomery Skelton; son Kevin Skelton and wife, Becky of McCall Creek, MS; daughter Tera Heathcock and husband Wylie of Bogue Chitto, MS and his five grandchildren, Lexie Smith and husband, Charles Wayne, Braylei and Macey Steele, Gunner Smith, Chloe Skelton and brother, Ernie Skelton of Grenada MS.
And he was blessed to have five bonus grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Ronald Patrick Durr
Services for Mr. Ronald Patrick Durr of Brookhaven are 11:00 am, Thursday, January 27, 2022,
at New Hope United Methodist Church with visitation from 10:00 am until the time of the service.
Burial will be at New Hope United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Ronald Patrick Durr, 78, went to be with his Lord on January 24, 2022, He was born in Brookhaven MS, on
December 6, 1943, to the late Louis Monroe Durr, Sr. and Virgie Paxton Durr.
Mr. Durr was retired from U.S. Geological Survey and Lincoln County as Litter Coordinator and
served as board member for Lincoln Rural Water and Keep Lincoln County Beautiful.
He was also a member of Philadelphia Baptist Church where he served as deacon and Sunday School Director.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Donald Edwin Durr and Louis Monroe Durr, Jr., and nephews, Donnie Durr and William Durr.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 54 years, Marilyn Durr; daughter, Rhonda Johnson and husband David,
brother, Mike Durr and wife, Nita Faye; sister-in-law, Elois Durr and brother-in-law, Milton Wallace and wife, Patsy, along with grandchildren, Anna, Alexis and Harrison Johnson and a host of nieces and nephews.
