The funeral service for Edna Mae Brewer Haley will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 24, at Riverwood Family with burial in New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service at Riverwood.

Mrs. Edna was born July 30, 1936, in McComb, MS to Hollis and Leona Brewer. She would live most of her life in the Brookhaven and McComb area. She was married 58 years to Johnny Haley, who preceded her in death.

Mrs. Edna was a woman of tremendous faith and as someone recently said, “she has left a deep legacy of faith and missions.” She possessed a true servant’s heart, faithfully serving her Lord in many ways. She was a great supporter of and worker in Bible Drills at New Prospect as well as directing VBS and working with GA’s and Acteens. She was more than a leader of young women; she was a mentor and encourager, and she will forever be remembered for her great love and compassionate heart. She was an active volunteer with our Baptist Association in Lincoln County, and she had an unwavering dedication for reading God’s Word every day. To list every accomplishment of Mrs. Edna would mean something would be left out.

She would talk to a stranger as if she’d known them for years and even if only a brief conversation was shared, they knew this was a woman who walked daily with God. She worked hard and would seldom rest, but when she did, she enjoyed playing the piano and tending to her rose garden. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and her gift of joy and laughter will be forever remembered by everyone who knew her.

Mrs. Edna’s faith became sight January 19, 2024, when she was called out of this world and stepped into glory to be with her Savior forever. She journeyed 87 years here and touched many lives in those years. Her homegoing leaves a void that is felt by all who loved her.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Haley; brothers, W.K. Brewer, Joe Brewer, Esco Brewer and infant brother, Hollis Lamar Brewer; sisters, Marjorie Lawrence and Peggy Rawson; and grandson, Bill Griffith III.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Connie Baker (Ricky) of Florence, SC,; sons, Ronnie Haley (Madonna), Terry Haley (Sylvia), and Jeff Haley (Becky) all of Brookhaven, MS; brothers, Byron Brewer (Joan) of Gulfport, MS, Dan Brewer of McComb, MS; sisters, Wanda Satterwhite (Jeff) of Monroe, GA; sister-in-law, Sudie Brewer; and brother-in-law, Wade Rawson; six grandchildren, Candis, Ron, Alan, Garson, Gavin, and Anna; and five great grandchildren. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends, as well as her faith family at New Prospect Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering or a charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank the staff of Diversicare and Arden Hospice for their continued care of Mrs. Edna.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant...” Matthew 25:21

Mary Nell (Hart) Smith of Brookhaven, Miss., passed away on Friday, January 19, 2024, in New Orleans.  She was born on June 5, 1929, in Brookhaven, Miss., to Fred and Mary Hart.

She was an identical twin.  Family found it almost impossible to tell her apart from her twin sister Sarah in their early years.  She felt a strong kinship with all twins and news stories about twins.

Mary was also immensely proud of her Mississippi heritage and ancestry.  Her roots extended into the Hart family of Bogue Chitto and Rials family of east Lincoln, both of which were early settlers of Lincoln County.  She had 12 siblings (three sisters and nine brothers) who were extremely close.  She was integrally involved in family get-togethers and holidays – a Hart family Thanksgiving was an event to behold.

She attended Fair Oak Springs High School from 1943 to 1947.  She was an excellent student and played on the women’s basketball team.  In later years, she was a frequent participant in school reunions.

After high school, she attended Copiah Lincoln Junior College.  There she met her future husband, James August Smith.  They married on June 5, 1948, on her birthday and at the same time as her twin sister at the City of Brookhaven courthouse.  They were married for 72 Years until James’ death in August 2020.

Mary lived at Millsaps and Mississippi State University while James attended college.  She enjoyed close friendships with other young couples attending school.  At Mississippi State, she and James attended football games and she would follow Mississippi State sports for the rest of her life.

Following James’ graduation and employment with the Humble Oil Company (Exxon) as a petroleum geologist, she lived across south Louisiana in New Orleans, Crowley, La., Grand Isle, La., and finally River Ridge, La.  She was an exceptional homemaker and raised three children during this time.  She was also an integral part of a community of company geologists and engineers and their spouses.

While living in River Ridge, she was an active member of the Douglas Park Garden Club, including serving as president.  She was a member of the local bridge club and was one of their top players.  She also participated in the neighborhood’s annual Christmas door contest, winning first on many occasions.

She had many, varied Interests and hobbies, including growing flowers, watching birds, traveling, and cooking.  She was an avid collector of glass and crystal and specialized in collecting depression glass.  She also created many beautiful quilts.

In 1987, she and James moved back to Brookhaven following his retirement.  There they enjoyed more than 30 years of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, and other family coming to visit.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Linda Smith, and two sons, Bruce Smith and wife Brenda, and Glynn Smith and wife Sharon.  She had seven grandchildren, Ginger (Cliff) Daniel, Jeffrey Smith, Kevin (Jessica) Smith, Thomas (Jennifer) Rohr, Courtney (Rick) Paschal, Kaitlin Smith, and Glynn Smith.  She also had five great-grandchildren, Ella Daniel, Briggs Smith, Tucker Smith, Harper Paschal, and Clayton Paschal.  She is survived by two brothers, Jerry Hart, and Joe Hart.

Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Riverwood Family Funeral Services in Brookhaven, Miss.  Visitation will start at 9:30 a.m. and a chapel service will start at 11:30 a.m.