Obituaries
Bobby Gene Britt
The funeral service for Bobby Britt will be 3 p.m., Monday, July 15, at Riverwood Family with burial in Sylvarena Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Monday.
Mr. Britt, 91, of Wesson, MS, died July 11, 2024, at his residence. He was born June 19, 1933, to Leroy Britt and Maggie Davis Britt. He was in the construction industry, specializing in carpentry, but was considered a “jack of all trades.”
Mr. Britt served his country in the United States Marines. He proudly and honorably served in the USMC as a Rifleman two years and eleven months, including one year ten months in Korea.
His medals include National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with 2 Stars, China Service Medal, and Korean Presidential Unit Citation.
Bobby was a man that wasn’t afraid of challenges or working hard. He loved his family and the town of Wesson, MS.
He could be found most days on the backhoe or dump truck. He was always moving dirt or something from one place to another. If he saw a project or need, he would jump on it with both feet. His love for history had him buying old buildings and turning them into places that would give back to the community. The Oliver House and the Scarbough House are part of a dream he had that came true.
He built multiple homes in Wesson and the surrounding communities. He started several subdivisions and also a trailer park, where over 60 families live.
Mr. Britt had so many dreams for his family and the town of Wesson. He loved serving his community, but his first commitment was to God and his family. He was so proud of each one of them and would spend hours bragging on them to anyone that would listen.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Frances Marie Britt; son, David Leroy Britt; his parents, Leroy and Maggie Britt; brother, Orville Britt; and sisters, Earlene Ashley and Wynell Beard.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Debbie Lynn Brown and husband, Ricky; two grandchildren, Danielle Graham and Devin Glover; and five great grandchildren, Autumn Graham, Miles Graham, Addilynn Glover, Mason Glover, and Dekland Glover. He is also survived by a host of other family members and friends.
Elisa June Newsom
Visitation for Mrs. Elisa June Newsom is 5:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, July 15, 2024, at Riverwood Family.
Mrs. Elisa June Newsom 80 passed away July 8, 2024, at her home in Brookhaven.
She was born on June 17, 1944, to the late Jesse and Alzina Perry.
June loved family time, cooking, watching game shows and westerns. Her life revolved around her family. She loved butterflies.
Preceding her in death are her parents; daughter, Judith “Judi” Colleen Bessonette, Brother, Marvin Perry, and brother-in-law, Rickey Bessonette.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Jo Bessonette Bowman, Jacqueline Gail Bessonette, and Jill Brown, and husband, Mike, and her brother, L.J. Perry; and sisters, Evora Cromier and Roiann Bessonette. She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Ken Hobgood, Tabitha Ratliff, Thor Hobgood, Sawyer Brown, and Markee Langham, and seven great-grandchildren, Ariana Diggs, Aubrianna Diggs, Kinley Hobgood, Ainsley Diggs, Kortlyn Hobgood, Hadleigh Brown and Easton Rippy. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.
Donald Ray Harrigill
Donald Ray Harrigill passed from this life on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at his home after a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 84. He was a long-time resident of Brookhaven, and a well-known local businessman, entrepreneur, and active community leader for many decades.
Don was born on October 6, 1939, in Natchez, Mississippi to Donald Bernard Harrigill and Gertrude Ray Harrigill, the firstborn of their five children. He graduated from Brookhaven High School in 1957 and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Millsaps College in 1961.
Don had a long and varied professional career. Following his graduation from Millsaps, he worked at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, on several projects for NASA including the Saturn V which was part of the original Apollo 11 mission that placed the first man on the moon. Following the completion of this project, Don returned to Brookhaven and began a series of entrepreneurial endeavors. He purchased two companies, Harrigill Postal Service and OK Welding Company, both started by his father, D.B. Harrigill. He expanded his focus by founding Harrigill Trucking Company as well as Harrigill Refuse Service and eventually became the owner of Hartman-Henderson (Harrigill) Funeral Home in downtown Brookhaven. Over the course of his career, he was able to provide many jobs for others and benefit the local community through his efforts. He was a member of First United Methodist Church where he served as the Chairman of the Board for many years, he was a Freemason, and involved in various civic organizations such as the Kiwanis Club and the Shriners, as well as a long-time member of the Chamber of Commerce where he was honored with the Soap Box Award for bringing new industry to Brookhaven.
Because of the breadth of his work and community involvement, many people came to know him and he was a joy to know and a cherished member of his family known as Grandaddy, Papi, and Lindo to those who loved and knew him best.
Don is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Muriel Harrigill Dale of Florence. His survivors include his wife Hilda and his daughter Shelley Harrigill Barron and her husband Chad, of Brookhaven, as well as his three children with his first wife Susan Coats Harrigill, Alana Leigh Harrigill of Ridgeland, Keith Martin Harrigill and his wife, Elena, of Birmingham, Alabama, and Ray Fulton Harrigill and his wife, Monica, of Madison. Additionally, Don is survived by his brothers Alan Howard Harrigill and Bernard Harrigill of Brandon, and by his sister, Julia Harrigill Goodyear of Savannah, Tennessee, along with his four beloved grandchildren: Tori Harrigill, Max Harrigill, Graham Llivina and Ginger Llivina.
Visitation will be at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church from 9:00-11:00 AM on Saturday, July 13, 2024, located at 227 East Cherokee Street, Brookhaven, Mississippi. A memorial service will be held at the church at 11:00 AM, followed by interment at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Myrtle Pina Haley Ritchie
The funeral service for Myrtle Pina Haley Ritchie will be 11 a.m., Friday, July 12, at Heucks Retreat Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, July 11, at Riverwood and will resume at 10 a.m. Friday at Heucks Retreat until the time of service.
Mrs. Ritchie, 85, of Brookhaven, died Monday, July 8, at her residence. She was born July 8, 1939, to Harlan Haley and Bertile Smith Haley.
Mrs. Pina was a loving and gracious lady who loved her family and took very special care of them. She had many different hobbies, cooking, canning, sewing and quilting. She liked gardening vegetables and flowers. She also enjoyed playing “Skip-Bo” cards with her special friends and family. Mrs. Pina was a lifelong member of Heucks Retreat Baptist Church where she taught Missions Friends and Sunbeams in years past. She was also a member of Heucks Heartbeats and a former member of WMU. She was a gifted pianist and used her talent to serve the Lord through music at Heucks Retreat as well as singing in the choir. Mrs. Pina graduated high school from Heucks School and enjoyed a quiet life in the community she loved. Mrs. Pina was employed for many years with Bellsouth Telephone Company. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Joel Kenlock Haley.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, JeWayne Ritchie (Angela), Robin Ritchie (Melissa), and Michelle Douglas (Joey); six grandchildren, Mollie Goldman (Blake), Mackenzie Ritchie (Gabe), Taralyn Beeson (Brandon), Owen Douglas (Julianna), Dawson Douglas, Caleb Ritchie (Abby); and four great grandchildren, Kash Goldman, Tripp Goldman, Kaya Beeson, Camdyn Beeson and one more on the way. She is also survived by special friends, Barbara Douglas, Janett McCarstle, and Doris Gill as well as niece, Marjo Westmorland and nephew, Gordon Haley.
Hilda Ray Givens Floyd
The funeral service for Hilda Ray Givens Floyd will be 2 p.m., Friday, July 12, at Riverwood Family with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from Noon until the time of service.
Mrs. Floyd, 79, of Brookhaven, died July 7, 2024, at Haven Hall Nursing Home. She was born October 16, 1944, to Cliff Givens and Helen Shaheen.
Mrs. Floyd was a hard working successful and well-known businesswoman. In the early 70’s she owned and operated Kitty Haven Daycare. She and her husband, Eddie, purchased The Half Shell Restaurant in 1974. This was a thriving and well-respected business up until they embarked on another chapter in 1996, when Mrs. Floyd and Eddie bought The Oak Tree Restaurant. The Oak Tree was another successful venture with many loyal customers. Chances are, if you ate at the Oak Tree, you had a conversation with Hilda Ray. She did like to talk. Hilda Ray was also known to be somewhat of a prankster. Most people that knew her would agree. Mrs. Floyd sold the Oak Tree and retired in 2008. After retiring, she traveled extensively and eventually bought a R. V. She loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. She will be missed.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Floyd; her parents; brother, Jessie Earl Givens, Sr.; and sister, Carolyn Richardson.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Troy Floyd (Sage) of Wesson, MS, Eddie Floyd, Jr. of West Monroe, LA; daughters, Cristi Montgomery (Mike) of Union, MS, Terry Hedgepeth of McComb, MS, Missy Freeman (Mark) of Brookhaven, MS; sisters, Linda Oliver (Earl) of McComb, MS, Darlene Allen (DeLynn) of Brookhaven, Lisa Givens of Madison, MS; sister-in-law, June Givens of Brookhaven, MS; and brother-in-law, Bobby Richardson of Bogue Chitto, MS. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, Cody, Caden & Cayman Rane LeMieux, Megan Dove (Tyler), Ryan & Alex Montgomery, Raiden Floyd (Shelby), Carly Nicholson (Brayden), Wyatt, Will & John Wesley Floyd, Kelsey Hedgepeth, Amanda Bessonette, Meagan Walker, Steven Bessonette (Brieann), and Jacob Floyd; 9 great grandchildren; and honorary daughter, Thelma Gayten. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Barry Dean Burris
The funeral service for Barry Dean Burris will be 11 a.m., Thursday, July 11, at Riverwood with burial in Concord Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Burris, 66, of McCall Creek, died July 7, 2024, at his residence. He was born in Baton Rouge, LA, May 12, 1958, to Russell and Jacqueline Burris.
Mr. Burris loved his family. He cherished the time spent with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed music and was an accomplished guitarist. He also loved his dogs, Duke and Buddy. He was an excellent mechanic and could fix anything. He enjoyed cooking, especially fried shrimp, for his family, and running trot lines with his brothers on the river. Mr. Burris worked as a level 1 NASE Coding Inspector. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Jacqueline Burris; grandparents, Hampton and Jimmie Burris; and stepmother, Evelyn Lacour Burris.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Miranda Decrane (Jason), Erica Harrison (Eddie); father, Russell W. Burris, Sr. (Margaret); brothers, Russell W. Burris, Jr. (Sharmon) and Michael Todd Burris; sister, Kimberly Lofton (Jay); eight grandchildren, Taylor Jones, Addison Jones, Harper Jones, Chase Jones, Jayden Harrison, Scott Harrison, Penelope Harrison, and Jase Decrane, Jr. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Tommy Joe Smith
Services for Mr. Tommy Joe Smith of Brookhaven are Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Riverwood Family and visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service and burial at New Sight Cemetery.
Mr. Tommy Joe Smith, 76, passed away on July 6, 2024, at his home in Brookhaven.
He was born on July 21, 1947, to the late Holon Smith and Grace Allen Smith.
Mr. Tommy was a logger until retirement. He was a member of Clear Branch Baptist Church. He loved being outside and “piddlin” in his workshop and mowing his yard. Most of all he loved his family and grandchildren.
He will be remembered for his kind, generous, and humble spirit.
Preceding him in death are his parents, his son, Justin Smith, and his brother, Jerry Smith.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 36 years, Janice Mullen Smith, children; John Smith and wife, Kelly, Tracey Edwards and husband, Tim, Tracey Howell and husband, Jay, and sister, Barbara Watts; along with his 12 grandchildren, Ainsley White (Doug), Shelby Bandy (Jason), Joey Smith, Halley Smith, Bennett Case, Suzanna Smith, Tansley Case, Landon Howell, Nathan Howell, Hayden Howell, Palyn Smith and Evie Smith and their parents, Amy and Chris Smith; and his five great-grandchildren, Addison White, Amery White, Merritt White, Mary Michael Bandy, and Molly Grace Bandy.
He will be missed by all who loved him.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Enhabit Hospice for their compassion and care during this time, we deeply appreciate it.
Memorials can be made to the New Sight Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.
Greta Gay Cox
Ms. Greta Gay Cox, age 78, of Crystal Springs, MS., formerly of Elliott County, KY. passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024.
She was born July 23, 1945, in Elliott County, KY. the daughter of the late Elda Binion.
In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Lowell E. 'Bill' Cox, and son Kendall Ray Cox.
Greta is survived by one son, Phillip Cox of Elliottville, KY, and two daughters; Phyllis Adkins (Danny) of Youngsville, NC, and Cheryl Marble (Jeff) of Crystal Springs, MS. two grandchildren, Dillon Pearce, Youngsville, NC, and Jennifer Dunaway-Fowler, Brandon, MS.
She also leaves many other family members and friends; and her bluegrass family and friends, all who will sadly miss her.
A grave site service will be held at a later date.
Charles Leon Burkholder
The funeral service for Charles Leon Burkholder will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 8, 2024, at Riverwood Family with visitation from 9:00 until the time of service and burial at Jayess Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Burkholder, 81, of Jayess, MS, passed from this life on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at the Beehive in Brookhaven. He was born in Waynesboro, PA September 10, 1942, to Glenn Scheller Burkholder and Beulah May Statler Burkholder.
Mr. Burkholder is a 1960 graduate of Greencastle-Antrim. After graduating he joined the United States Air Force and served his country from 1960 to 1967. While in the military he worked in electronics in the missile maintenance division. After returning to civilian life, he attended and graduated from MS State in 1970 with a BS in math and a minor in physics.
As a pastime, Mr. Burkholder enjoyed the art of woodworking and putting jigsaw puzzles together. He and his wife were blessed to have traveled to many beautiful places, Greece, Italy, Rome, Hawaii, and the South Pacific. They also worked well together. Mr. Burkholder was a self-taught carpenter, and with his wife assisting, they constructed their home in Rockaway Beach, MO, a rental house, and a shop on their MS property, with very little outside help. He was a collector of matchbox cars, miniatures, and model trains. As a musician, Mr. Burkholder enjoyed playing the fiddle. He lived a gracious life and loved his family. He was a member of Jayess Baptist Church and will be greatly missed by all those who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gene Statler Burkholder; and one grandson, Tyson Vaughan.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 46 years, Lois C. Burkholder; children, Eastlyn D. Burkholder of Magee, MS, Genie B. Vaughan (Wesley) of Jayess, MS, Roland Vogt of Wichita, KS, Doug Vogt (Sandie) of Sedgewick, KS, and Jason Avers of Tulsa, OK; sister, Ruby Peterson (Ray) of Greencastle, PA; eight grandchildren, Jacob Russell (Virginia), Ben Russell (Shelby), Nathan Russell (Caleigh), Christy Stuart, Kayla Smith, Ashley Johnscher (Dean), Daniel Vogt (Olivia), and Levi Vogt (Katie) and 18 great-grandchildren, the newest one arriving the day before his passing. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends from Jayess, MS to the South-Central Pennsylvania area.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Beehive and Gentiva Hospice.
Linda Faye Davis
Services for Mrs. Linda Faye Davis of Brookhaven is 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Wellman Baptist Church with burial at Easthaven Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, July 5, at Wellman Baptist Church.
Linda Faye Davis, 73, passed away on July 3, 2024, at her home. She was born on November 14, 1950, to the late Wessie Dee Boyte Sr and Lavada Kyzar Boyte.
Linda was a secretary for Brookhaven Public Schools for 30 years. She was a faithful member of Carmel Baptist Church. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death are her parents; husband, Clinton B. Davis; mother-in-law and stepfather-in-law, Wilena Roberts and LeeRoy Roberts, and sisters, Tommie Elizabeth Allen and Theresa Ann Boyte.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Chris Davis and Alicia Ragland (Jon); brothers, Mr. & Mrs. W.D. Boyte Jr., Edwin Boyte, Mr. & Mrs. James Boyte, and Mr. & Mrs. Ricky Boyte; sisters Kathleen Bogard and Bonita (Pete) Boyte.
She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Ashley Parks, Dusty Parks (Hallie Chaisson), Emily Parks (Brandon McKey), Grayson Davis, and Ella Ragland; five great-grandchildren, Bryson White, Brylee White, Hadleah Parks, Makenna Parks, and Liam McKey; and sisters-in-law, Louise Busby (Tommy), Janie Hart (Gary), Linda Johnson, and brother-in-law, Robert Davis (Jennifer).
She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Wellman Baptist Church,
1918 Wellman Dr. SE, Bogue Chitto MS. 39629
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