Franklin D. “F.D.” Moore, 88, went to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, September 2, 2024.

Born to Benjamin F. Moore and Ruby Carraway Moore in McComb, Miss., F.D. was an accomplished athlete at McComb High School where he lettered in baseball and basketball. He went on to attend Southwest Mississippi Community College where he led the Bears to a state championship in baseball. He finished up playing baseball and graduated from Mississippi College, where he met and married the love of his life Joyce Givens.

After college, F.D. began pursuing his life’s calling as an educator, teaching for two years in White, Ga. He returned to the Magnolia State and settled down in Brookhaven where he loved pouring into the lives of his students as a teacher and coach at C.H. Lipsey Middle School for 32 years. His impact on their lives was evident as years later he would hear “Hey, Coach Moore” all the time when going around town.

In retirement, F.D. honed his passion for woodworking. He loved spending his days training himself to become a master woodworker and building various projects in his workshop for family and friends. 

He enjoyed traveling with his wife and local church groups as they organized mission trips across the United States. He also loved taking trips with his grandsons to cheer on their beloved Mississippi State Bulldogs at bowl games and baseball regionals.

A devoted member of Fair River Baptist Church, F.D. served as a deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, on the Building Committee for two of the church’s sanctuaries and on other committees throughout the years. A lover of Southern Gospel music, he delighted in using his singing talents in the church choir and with the Fair River Quartet.

He is preceded in death by parents Benjamin F. and Ruby Moore, brother Benny J. Moore, brother Barney L. Moore, sister Bobbie Nell Moore Templeton, and son-in-law Greg Hudspeth.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 65 years Joyce Givens Moore, daughter Missy Moore Hudspeth, grandson Jake Hudspeth, grandson Ben Hudspeth and wife Lindsey Snipes Hudspeth, and great grandsons Gray and Beau Hudspeth.

The funeral service for Franklin D. “F.D.” Moore will be 11 a.m., Friday, September 6, at Fair River Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service at Fair River.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Flowood Baptist Church Youth Ministry Fund or Flowood Baptist Church Mission Fund for Ethan and Karlie Foster. Donations can be sent to 1649 Old Fannin Rd., Flowood, MS 39232.

The funeral service for Mr. Dempsey Joe Hayes will be 3 p.m., Wednesday, September 4, at Riverwood Family, with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the time of service.

Mr. Hayes, 78, of Brookhaven, died August 30, 2024, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven. He was born March 24, 1946, to Rufus Joseph W. Hayes and Mattie Pearl Givens Hayes.

Mr. Hayes was retired from Oddee Smith & Sons Construction where he worked as Foreman. He enjoyed gardening and spending time with his family. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Dempsey Joe Hayes, Jr.; and sisters, Nita “Mickey” Russell and Barbara Munn.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 58 years, Delilah Hayes; children, Kimberly McCoy (Doug) and Karen Gilham (Tom); brother, Edward Hayes; sister, Nell Baham; seven grandchildren, Kaitlyn Biddle, Kristen Crane, Thomas Gilham, Bradley McCoy, Joe Garrett Gilham, Kathryn McCoy, Brooke Allen; and six great grandchildren, Simon Biddle, Shawn Biddle, Ellie Crane, Tommy Gilham, Jack Crane, Soren Biddle. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.

The Hayes family would like to extend a special thank you to King’s Daughters Medical Center Emergency Room for their exquisite care of Mr. Hayes during his stay with them.

The funeral service for Mrs. Magaline Allen Townsend will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at Riverwood Family with burial in Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service at Riverwood. Dr. Garland Boyd and Rev. Nathan Case will officiate. Pallbearers are Seth Allen, Drake Allen, Webb Britt, Casey Britt, Jody Britt, and Jerry Freeman.

Mrs. Magaline Allen Townsend, aged 97, went to be with her Lord on August 31, 2024. She was born on October 21, 1926, in Lincoln County, Mississippi, the daughter of Wiley and Lela Allen. Magaline spent her childhood in the Old Red Star Community and graduated from Loyd Star High School in 1944. Soon after, she married her husband, Wadie D Townsend, on April 20, 1957. Magaline and Wadie D were married for 59 years until his death in 2016.

Magaline was a lifelong member of Macedonia Baptist Church, where she served as Sunday School Secretary in Mrs. Paula Walker’s class for many years. She worked at Potter’s Company and Stahl Urban before becoming a full-time mother to her beloved son, Wade Dwayne Townsend. Magaline enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She especially enjoyed sharing Friday night meals, usually fried chicken, with Almon and Jean Brister. Magaline adored her family and affectionately called them, “her people.” She enjoyed watching “The Days of Our Lives,” eating anything sweet (especially Hershey’s Kisses), and spending time with her only granddaughter, Allie Claire Townsend Piazza, who she adored.

She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Yvonne Britt, and husband, Wilmer; brother, Martell Allen, and wife, Elaine; and husband, Wadie D Townsend, all of Brookhaven, Mississippi.

She is survived by her son, Wade Dwayne Townsend, and wife Cindy; granddaughter, Allie Claire Townsend Piazza, and husband Jacob; and nieces Jeanene Newell, and husband Prentiss, and Kathy Evans, and husband David, all of Brookhaven, Mississippi.   

Magaline’s last years were spent at Diversicare of Brookhaven where she made many friends. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Diversicare, especially Ashley Newell, and Sherry Sellers.

Ms. Betty Lou Allen Davis, 87, of Monticello, MS, died September 1, 2024, at her residence. She was born in Gary, IN, May 5, 1937, to Arthur and Arbie Allen. She was retired from Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS, where she worked in Nursing Administration. She was a member of North Riverside Baptist Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Peggy Derrington.

Ms. Davis is survived by her children, Sherry Runnels (Ray), Cheryl Snavely, Brad Davis (Julie), and Kevin Davis (Laurie); brother, Joe Risner (Phyllis); a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Deaconess Hospice for their care and compassion for Ms. Davis.