Obituaries
Lachelle June Givens
The funeral service for Lachelle June Givens will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Monticello United Pentecostal Church, with burial at Union Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 3, 2025, at Riverwood Family and will continue from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 4, 2025, at the church.
Lachelle June Givens, 77, of Brookhaven, MS, passed away December 31, 2024, at her residence. She was born in Brookhaven, MS, on September 8, 1947, to Earl Ray Oliver and Edith Hall Oliver.
Ms. June was a member of Monticello UPC. She loved her God and church and inviting people to her church.
She adored and was very proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening and taking care of her flower beds. She loved all things beautiful and eccentric from clothes, shoes, decorative platters, flowers, and more.
She was known to many as “Ms. June”. She was a hard worker. Until her retirement, she could be found working at the Star Drive In in Brookhaven, MS. Her greatest achievement was to have the best hamburger in Lincoln County. She loved her food HOT! Don’t bring her cold fries. She enjoyed eating out, but her favorite restaurants were Jerrys Fish House and Middendorfs.
Preceding her in death are her parents; husband, Jessie Earl Givens; sisters, Patsy Case and Janice Fuller; and brother, Kenneth Oliver.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Melissa Freeman (Mark) and Jessie Givens, Jr. (Tiffanye); three grandchildren, Amanda Bessonette, Meagan Bessonette, and Steven Bessonette; and six great grandchildren, Austin Jordan, Tucker Jordan, Chezley White, Finley Walker, Haze Lynn Bessonette, and Anola Bessonette.
The family would like to thank Nova, Amy, Lacey Bennet, and Teonna Mitchell with Dignity Hospice.
Shirley Ann Mitchell
A memorial gathering for Shirley Ann Mitchell will be held from 6-8 p.m., Friday, January 3rd, at Riverwood Family.
Mrs. Mitchell, 77, of Bogue Chitto, died December 31, 2024, at her residence. She was born March 9, 1947, to Harvey Lee Smith and Dorothy Mae Smith Case. Mrs. Mitchell was a member of Gum Grove Baptist Church.
“He who plants kindness, gathers love”. Shirley not only planted kindness, but she also reaped the benefit of great love by all her family. She was a loving and gentle wife, mother, and grandmother and treasured every visit they would make to her home. Her departure from this life will leave a tremendous vacancy in our family. She had a few other loves, potted plants, music, sweet desserts, and her animals. She treated her fur babies with the same kindness and grace as she did all those she loved. Mrs. Shirley will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Lora Ann McIntyre; granddaughter, Lauren McIntyre; and sister, Shelva Jean Smith.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 50 years, Donald Mitchell; children, Vicky Jarreau, Joey Wilson (Lee), Amy Kyzar (Dewayne), and Jason Wilson; 12 grandchildren, Clyde Louis Alexander III, David Joe “D.J.” Malone, Courtney Young, Joshua Kyzar, Heather Kyzar, Alex McIntyre, Olivia Wilson, Paul Jarreau III, Rhiannon Wilson, Hannah Jarreau, and Dawson Wilson; 12 great grandchildren, Skylar Sutton, Lorali Mercier, Luke Malone, Gracie Kyzar, Maddie Young, Noah Kyzar, Mary Young, Ian Buie, Tisen Wilson, Zoey Wilson, Chase Wilson, and Thor Wilson; her precious fur babies, Payne and Spanky, and a host of other loving family members and friends.
The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Deaconess Hospice, Bro. Mike Grenn, and Gum Grove Baptist Church for their faithful love and support.
Gerald Watson Lambert
Mr. Gerald Watson Lambert, 85, was born on
November 24, 1939, in Monticello, MS to the late
Ellis Watson Lambert and Rosalie Boyette.
He passed away on December 29, 2024, at
Silver Cross Nursing Home in Brookhaven.
Gerald loved to read and was interested in C.B. Radios.
He was a good carpenter and loved to work on his cars.
He was also an animal lover.
Preceding him in death are his parents: wife,
Myrtle Lambert, and brothers, Pat Lambert
and Paul Lambert, nephew, Ellis Lambert,
and niece, Kathy Columbel.
Those left to cherish his memory are his brothers,
Jimmy Lambert and wife, Carolyn, E.W. Lambert;
daughter, Annette Bowen, and sister, Rose Templet.
He is also survived by his nephew, Tony Lambert
and nieces, Sandy Windborne (Stan), Sue Sutton,
Ann Dartez, Tanya Abshire (Milton),
Patrice Roberson (Jim), Patty King (Fred), Tina Southerland (Kenny), and Robin Chandler (Tony).
The family would like to express their appreciation for
Mr. Lambert's care to the Arden Hospice and staff.
Deloris M. Andrews
The graveside service for Mrs. Delores M. Andrews will be 11 a.m., Saturday, January 4, 2025, in Elliot Cemetery, Tylertown, MS.
Mrs. Andrews, 91, of Tylertown, died December 23, 2024, at her residence. She was born in Kansas, April 29, 1933, to Edwin Carl Christian Guentert and Cleona Opal Perkins Guentert.
She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Loyd Edwin Andrews.
Carolyn Grace Johnson Cox
Carolyn Grace Johnson Cox died December 25, 2024, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. She was born in Brookhaven on November 11, 1934, to Hollis “Dick” Johnson and Fredna Boyte Hall Johnson.
Ms. Cox had several gifts that were not only fun for her enjoyment, but they were also skills that benefited everyone she was able to help, being an avid quilter and gifted seamstress. One of her great pleasures was working in her flower beds. Often, she shared flower bulbs or cuttings she had rooted. She treasured pass-along plants from others. Ms. Carolyn was an amazing cook; her grandchildren’s favorite meal was chicken and dumplings. She leaves a legacy of love and grace as well as her culinary skills, to her grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Dale Cox; daughter, Charlotte Cox; and grandchild, Gabriel Applewhite Windham; great grandson, Crew Alexander Petty; sister, Marjorie Ellen Hart; brothers, Glen Kelly Johnson, Ronnie Dale Johnson, and Dickie Wayne Johnson.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Grace Cox Applewhite; four grandchildren, Stephen Applewhite, Phillip Applewhite, Ashley Petty, and Dakota Cox; four great grands, Mia Applewhite, John Baker Applewhite, Connor Dale Petty, and Caroline Grace Petty. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
The family would like to thank the staff at Halo Havens and her nurse, Jaci King.
Perry Lynn Thompson
Perry “Pete” Lynn Thompson, 67, of Brookhaven, MS, passed away December 26, 2024, at his residence. He was born in Silver Creek, MS, September 19, 1957, to James Thompson and Nora Blackmon Thompson.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, James Bennett Thompson.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 17 years, Scarlett Thompson; children, David Thompson, Breanna West, Misty Pilet, and Jeffrey Pilet, Jr.; and nine grandchildren.
Family will be in charge of a memorial services 3:00 pm on Sunday, January 5, at Centerpoint Church
Beverly Rose Lowery
A visitation for Mrs. Beverly Rose Lowery will be Saturday, December 28, 2024, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Riverwood Family with a graveside service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Mrs. Beverly Rose Lowery, 76, of Summit, MS, passed away on December 22, 2024, at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center. She was born in Columbia, MS, January 22, 1948, to the late Cecil and Dorothy Manton.
Mrs. Lowery adored her children and grandchildren. She loved being out in the sunshine and taking walks outdoors. She was a member of Jackson Street Methodist Church. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marvin Lowery; and brother, Ronnie Manton.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Adrienne Lewis (Sam) and Terry Case (Dee); sister in law, Terra Manton; two grandchildren, Samantha Grass (Sterling) and Drew Case (Chloey); and five great-grandchildren, Kataleena, Rex, Bobby, Nathan, and Greyson.
Jackie M. White Laird
Mrs. Jackie M. White Laird, 75, of Summit, MS, passed away December 24, 2024. She was born in Pineville, LA, January 5, 1949, to Thomas Milton White and Zoe Mae Marler White Lamkin.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Mike Laird; four children, 7 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Helen Margaret Walters
A memorial service will be held for Helen Margaret Walters on Saturday, December 21, at Riverwood Family in Brookhaven, at 10 a.m. with a time of visitation beginning at 9 a.m. Burial will follow the service in Riverwood Memorial Park.
Mrs. Walters, 86, of Hattiesburg, MS, died December 6, 2024, at Forrest General in Hattiesburg. She was born in Stamford, CT, March 3, 1938, to James Frances McKaige and Alvina Bumb McKaige. She retired after serving many years as a teacher. She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi in Brookhaven and loved serving the Lord with her faith family there. She also enjoyed sewing, arts and crafts, and sign language.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William Ronald Walters; her parents; her brothers, James McKaige, Jr. (twin brother), and Stuart McKaige; and sister, Dotti McKaige.
She is survived by her children, William R. Walters, Jr. (Nga), James W. Walters (Tricia), Nicole M. Walters (Jim), Kevin R. Walters (Jana), and Paul A. Walters. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren as well as her faith family at St. Francis and a host of other loving family members and friends.
Sherra Crawford Smith
Sherra Crawford Smith, of Brookhaven, died peacefully at her home surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday evening, December 17, 2024. All services will be held at Heucks Retreat Baptist Church, December 20 and 21. Visitation is Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral is Saturday, December 21, at 10:00 a.m., with burial to follow.
Mrs. Smith, 78, was born August 1, 1946, in Magnolia, Mississippi, to Chillis and Dorothy (Davis) Crawford. She graduated from South Pike High School and furthered her education at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. During this time, she met and married the love of her life, Hamp. Married for almost 60 years, they have dedicated their lives to serving the Lord at Heucks Retreat Baptist Church. Whereas Hamp finds his joy working the family farm, Sherra wholeheartedly committed herself to building a loving and caring home for their sons, Scott and Brett. Not only did she serve her home with gladness, she used her spiritual gifts to serve others in her church and throughout the community. At Heucks Retreat, she could be found mentoring youth, rocking babies, leading the choir, participating in Women’s Ministry, playing the piano, or teaching a Sunday school class, but the role she cherished most was serving as Vacation Bible School Director at Heucks Retreat for over 40 years! In the community, she found joy in serving others, especially children, through organizations such as the Junior Auxiliary of Brookhaven (past president and Golden Crown Recipient), Brookhaven School District (PTA member from 1979-1996 and BSD Parent of the Year 1996), the Willing Hearts Circle (joined in 1995), Silver Cross Nursing Home Trustee, woman’s chairman of Lincoln County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, and the King’s Daughters Medical Center Board of Trustees from 2001-2009 and 2014-2024, serving as chairman numerous times. In 2009, she was recognized as the Mississippi Hospital Association’s Trustee of the Year. She was the first woman to receive this coveted award. When Sherra had a moment to spare, you could find her cheering on the Panther football team, canning, sewing, cooking, gardening, birdwatching, and traveling.
Preceding her in death are her parents, and brother, Maxie Crawford; brother, Winston “Wink” Crawford, and wife Shirley, and brothers-in-law, David Allen Farnham, Sr. and Rudy Smith.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband William “Hamp” Smith; son, Scott and wife, Heather Smith; son, Brett and wife, Erin Smith; grandchildren, Logan, Abby, Landon, Bryce, Hampton, and Ashlynn; sister, Katie Farnham; sister, Debbie and husband, Mark Smith; brother-in-law, Rev. Bobby and wife, Nina Smith; sister-in-law Patsy and husband, Perry Atherton; and sister-in-law, Linda Smith, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Heucks Retreat Baptist Church’s Oberschmidt Park Fund (2167 Heucks Retreat Rd NE, Brookhaven, MS 39601 or online at hrbaptist.net)
