Obituaries
Martha Melinda Diamond
Graveside service for Mrs. Martha Diamond will be 6 p.m., Thursday, September 9, 2021, at Wesson Cemetery.
Mrs. Martha Melinda Diamond, 102, Wesson, MS, ended her journey here and entered eternity September 5, 2021.
She began her life journey September 8, 1918, born in Hazlehurst, MS to Sam Fairchild and Susie Fairchild. She was a
homemaker and a loving wife and mother. She also enjoyed grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren.
Being a homemaker meant more than just caring for her home, she also was a seamstress and a gardener.
Her favorite thing was family, and she enjoyed every moment with those grands.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Frank Diamond; her parents; Butch “Smokey” Diamond, Mary Sue Vardeman,
Fred Diamond, Anna Diamond Timberlake, and Twin Samuel Diamond.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Michael Diamond and Lydia Diamond Latham, 12 grandchildren,
17 great grandchildren, and 7 great, great grandchildren.
Carmen Hill
Memorial service for Carmen Hill will be held at 2 p.m., at Riverwood Family in Brookhaven, MS, on Friday, September 10,
with visitation from Noon until the time of service, there will be no interment service.
Carmen Hill was born September 8, 1965, in Brookhaven, MS. She passed peacefully from this earth on September 4, 2021, at
the age of 55. She is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, James “Jim” and Dottie Hill; her maternal grandparents,
George and Pearl Cunningham; her father, John Patrick “Pat” Hill; and her brother, John Clifton Hill.
Carmen was an overachiever, excelling at whatever she tried her hand. In her younger years, she was an all-star catcher in softball.
She played clarinet from the eighth grade through high school as first chair. She graduated a year early from Monticello High School
as an honors student, and went to Copiah-Lincoln Community College, where she graduated with an Electronics Technology degree.
She worked at Georgia Pacific for many years, where she was active in the union, and created many lifelong friends.
Carmen had a multitude of interests, including four wheeling, reading, rock collecting, and photography, just to name a few,
but she was most passionate about motorcycle riding. She was very active in American Bikers Active Toward Education (ABATE),
where she was secretary and treasurer for many years. She was also active in the Moose Lodge, where she often worked to help support fund raising events.
Carmen in survived by her mother, Judith Cuningham Eisworth; her sister, Holly Hill Clem; brother-in-law, Nick Clem; her nephews,
Erik, Alex, and Ethan; her niece, Chloe Clem; and her fur baby, Kibby.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Southwest Mississippi Chapter of ABATE, 3326 E Lincoln Rd SE, Brookhaven, MS 39601
Malcolm Walker
Services for Mr. Malcolm Walker of Ruth are 12:00 pm on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at Ruth Baptist Church with visitation from
10:00 until the time of the service. Burial will be at Ruth cemetery.
Mr. Malcolm Walker, 83, went to be with his Lord on September 3, 2021. He was born on January 13, 1938, to the late
A.C. Walker and Rosa Lee Lambert Harvey.
Mr. Walker was a member of Ruth Baptist Church.
Preceding him in death were his parents; son, Gary Walker; and brother, James King.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 65 plus years, Sylvia Walker; daughter, Mitzie Rutland and husband,
Larry; and brother, Gerald Walker.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Scott Thornhill (Tami), William Thornhill (Sharon), Malcolm “Chopper” Walker (Erin),
Jamie Walker (Amanda), Lindsey Terrell and Lauren Beaty (Dewayne).
Also, his great grandchildren, Cody, Ava, Parker, Matthew, Austin, Emma, Dovie, Kameron, Foster, Lexie, Chloe, Zoey, Coleman, Jaxson.
He will be missed by all that loved and knew him.
Keith Randall Byrd
Graveside service for Mr. Keith Byrd of Summit is 11:00 am Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, with visitation at the church from 9:00 am until the time of the service.
Mr. Keith Randall Byrd, 72, passed away on September 3, 2021, at his residence at Lake Dixie Springs.
On April 15, 1949, he was born to the late William Lee Byrd and Aline Lofton Byrd. He graduated from
West Lincoln High School, where he played basketball and enjoyed all activities there. He graduated from
Copiah Lincoln Jr. College and Whitworth College. Keith enjoyed life to the fullest and fostered beautiful memories
that are centered around lake life. Whether it was swimming, skiing or boating, he thrived in the laughter of
loved ones, and on many occasions, enjoyed traveling abroad with friends. Keith was co-owner of his family
business W.L. Byrd Lumber Co. and Magnolia Lumber Co. He has been blessed with an abundance of
friends and treats all like family, including Meg Goodson Smith, Mary McDaniel, his friend, and secretary,
Randy White, and his special love, Dude, his dog.
Keith was a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, where he grew up from birth. Keith will be
missed by all who knew him. His quiet spirit and generous nature will live on forever. Everyone who knew Keith
experienced his relationship strength through opening his heart and home in the most hospitable way.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brother James Byrd; sister-in-law, Jean Byrd; nephew Larue Byrd;
and brother-in-law, Jerry Robinson, Jr.
Those left to cherish his memory are his brother, Jerry Byrd, and wife Betty and sister, Barbara B Robinson;
also, family members, Sherry Byrd Powell and husband, Ken; Stacy Byrd Clanton, Kevin Byrd and wife,
Carla, Karl Byrd, and wife Dana, Mary Karen Byrd Case and husband, Jason, Wyatt Robinson, and wife Angie,
Tom Robinson, Gina Robinson, Aimee Robinson, Lee Robinson and wife, Windy, and a host of great-nieces and nephews.
Albert Lee Palmer
Albert Lee Palmer, 77, passed into the presence of God on September 1, 2021, surrounded by family in Brookhaven, Mississippi.
Lee was a longtime resident of DeKalb, Mississippi, and retired to Alligator Point, Florida. The son of Albert Marcelle Palmer and
Sallie Terry Palmer, he lived in DeKalb most of his life. He was a graduate of DeKalb High School and attended Mississippi State University.
Lee was a cattle and timber farmer, builder, and rural letter carrier.
Lee was a faithful servant in his church, serving in various capacities at DeKalb Baptist Church but is most remembered as a
student of the scriptures and a beloved Sunday school teacher. He also helped build the fellowship hall at DeKalb Baptist Church.
After retirement, he joined Panacea First Baptist Church where he was a Sunday School teacher and active volunteer in the food bank ministry.
Lee asked little of anyone but gave of himself generously. He was dedicated to his community, working on many building
projects such as DeKalb Town Hall and serving on the DeKalb Volunteer Fire Department. Lee had a heart for teaching young
men independence, leadership, and outdoor skills and served as a volunteer and a scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America.
Lee was devoted to his family that loved him dearly. His nieces and nephew looked forward to summers spent in Mississippi with
Uncle Lee fishing, shooting, and learning to drive the truck. Lee was happiest in the outdoors and particularly enjoyed fishing, hiking,
camping, and canoeing, and helping others enjoy the outdoors. After retirement, if he was not helping others, Lee could usually be
found on his fishing boat in Apalachee Bay or, if the weather was right, in the Gulf of Mexico.
Lee is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ellen (Matt) Taylor; cousins including J.L. (Billie) White of DeKalb and Rod Terry
of Meridian; nieces, Terri Taylor (Burl) McClendon of Austin, Texas, and Jane Taylor (Paul) DeGrood of Flowery Branch, Georgia,
and nephew Mike (Becky) Taylor; and a host of great-nieces and nephews and their children.
An outdoor service will be held at Pine Crest Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 4, 2021, on Depot Hill Street in DeKalb.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to DeKalb Baptist Church, 11 Bell Street, DeKalb, Mississippi 39328 or Panacea First Baptist Church,
38 Otter Lake Road, Panacea, Florida 32346.
Stephanie Nicole Elkins
Funeral services were held for Stephanie Nicole Elkins last week at Johnson Grove Church of Christ.
Stephanie, 34, died August 31, 2021, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. She was born in Hazlehurst, December 19, 1986, to
Thomas Allen Elkins and Deborah Diane Pell Elkins. She was a member of Mt. Zion Church of Christ. Stephanie was a
loving and caring person. No job was too difficult for her. She will be greatly missed by all that loved her.
Stephanie is preceded in death by her grandfathers, Samuel Clayton Pell and Earnest Lenox Smith; and two uncles, Shane Lewis and Michael Elkins, Sr.
Those left to cherish her memory are, her parents; her brother, Thomas Elkins, Jr. “T.J.”; grandmothers, Linda Woods Pell and
Kathy Smith Etheridge; aunt, JoAnn Miller; uncles, Michel Smith, Dewayne Pell, and Michael Pell (Donna); and a host of cousins,
as well as other loving family members and friends, including a special best friend, Alicia Griffin Cook.
Roy Quinn Holmes, Sr.
Services for Mr. Roy Quinn Holmes Sr., of Florence are 11:00 am Saturday, September 4, 2021,
at Riverwood Family, located in Brookhaven, MS, with visitation from 9:00 until time of the service
with burial at Jayess Baptist Church Cemetery, in Lawrence County.
Mr. Roy Quinn Holmes, 80 went to be with his Lord on September 1, 2021, at his residence.
He was born on March 29, 1941, to the late Shirley Quinn Holmes and Nettie Holmes.
Mr. Holmes was an avid fisherman, as he referred to as “perch jerking”, he loved motorcycles,
old cars and tractors and was a lifelong New Orleans Saints fan.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Marvin Holmes, and two half-sisters and one-half brother.
Those left to cherish his memory are his former wife, S. Elaine Holmes; son, Roy Q. Holmes, Jr.,
and wife Suzanne of Brandon, MS.; daughter, Rolanda Lang of Pearl, MS.; one granddaughter,
Brittany Ellzey and husband, Keegan, of Brandon, MS.
He is also survived by partner-friend, Deborah McGowan of Richland, and former son-in-law, Tim Lang.
He will be missed by all that loved and knew him.
Kayla Lynn Alexander
Services for Kayla Lynn Alexander of Bogue Chitto are 2:00 pm, Friday, September 3, 2021,
at Bethel Baptist Church with visitation from 12:00 until the time of the service. Burial will be at the church cemetery.
Kayla Lynn Alexander, 61 went to be with her Lord on August 31, 2021,
She was born on October 23, 1959, in Gretna, LA. to the late Dennis Gordan Moak and Bette Lynn Summers Moak.
Ms. Alexander was a member of Bethel Baptist Church and loved spending time with her loving family and shopping for them.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, James Steve Alexander; nephews, John Curtis and Zachary Lee Dunaway;
and special friend Charles Edward Martin.
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Shawn Kevin Alexander; stepson, Charles Ashley Martin and wife, Tiffany;
daughter, Karla Bett Martin Thompson and husband, Billy; brother, Mike Wayne Moak and wife, Becky, and sister, Pamela Moak Dunaway and husband Curtis.
Along with grandchildren, Emma Thompson, LaLanie Thompson, Dawson Thompson and step grandchildren, Azlynn Martin, Fancy Martin and other family members,
Bethany Wright, Renee Moak Howell, Madison Moak, Ashley Wright Love and several great nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
She will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Constance Aliene Guillory
Memorial service for Mrs. Constance Guillory will be 10 a.m., Friday, September 3, 2021, at Riverwood Family.
Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
Constance Aliene Guillory, 78, of Brookhaven, passed away August 31, 2021, at King’s Daughters Medical Center,
in Brookhaven, MS. She was born in Euince, Louisiana October 11, 1942, to Joseph Estule Guillory and
Vurley Marie LaFleur. She was a homemaker and enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking
delicious meals. She was an avid reader and a member of Christ Church International and was
happily involved with her faith family. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
Mrs. Benoit is preceded in death by her husbands, Ramus Benoit, Barbie Hicks, and Raymond Sonnier;
her parents; and brother, Mark Dwane Guillory.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Howard Kirby Sonnier and Daniel Raymond Sonnier and wife,
Cecilia; daughter, Tina Marie Smith and husband, Kim; brother, Ronald E. Guillory; seven grandchildren, Emilee, Brandon,
Nikki, Stevie, Kimbra, Bailey, and Megan; and 17 great grandchildren, as well as other loving family members and friends.
