Obituaries
Virginia Hastings Atherton
Funeral Services for Mrs. Virginia Hastings Atherton will be held on Friday, June 14, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Brookhaven. There will be a visitation from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Rev. Greg Warnock will officiate and interment will follow in Easthaven Cemetery.
Virginia Hastings Atherton (93) went to be with Jesus on June 9, 2019, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, Mississippi, after suffering a stroke.
She was born on January 10, 1926, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. After graduating from El Dorado High School, she attended Central College in Conway, Arkansas, where she was president of the student body, a member of Delta Beta Sigma, Delta Psi Omega National Honor Society, and Zeta Phi. Her home has been Brookhaven, Mississippi, for the past 70 years.
Virginia demonstrated her love of Christ through a gift of service and compassion. She was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Brookhaven and taught Sunday School for 65 years, served on various leadership committees, helped with Vacation Bible School, regularly visited friends and fellow church members at local nursing homes and hospitals, and also participated in numerous other church-related projects. During Upward Basketball she could be found working in the concession stand. In the community, she served with Meals-on-Wheels and was active with Habitat for Humanity. After her retirement, she took an active role in the Institute for Learning in Retirement at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. She loved to learn and to travel. She understood that travel is not about a destination, but it is about the people on the journey. She kept a bag packed waiting on friends or family to provide the itinerary.
Virginia was always loving and supportive of her family. She framed and displayed "art" in her house, weathered the storms of countless athletic events, an survived many recitals all to show how much she loved her family. She is survived by her three children, Perry E. Atherton, Jr. (Patsy), Jo Atherton Fairburn (Bobby), and Judy Atherton Cleveland (Lance); three grandchildren, Katherine Alford (Charles), Leslie Beaton (Jeff), and Myles Atherton (Melissa); and three great-grandchildren, Eli Beaton (Juliana), Perrie Michelle Beaton, and Natalie Beaton.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Perry E. Atherton, Sr.; her parents Charles and Clara Hastings; a sister, Julia Jo Burris; and a brother, John Charles Hastings.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that a memorial gift be given to the Baptist Children’s Village at PO Box 27
Clinton, Mississippi 39060 or First Baptist Church Brookhaven at 200 E Monticello St, Brookhaven, Mississippi 39601 in her memory.
Aline Miller Lowe
Memorial Service for Mrs. Aline Miller Lowe will be held on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 2:00pm at Riverwood Family with internment at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will also be Wednesday, from Noon till service time at 2:00pm.
Mrs. Lowe, 96, of Brookhaven, passed from this life on June 8, 2019, at her residence. She was born on January 15, 1923, to Lawrence Miller and Annie Chanler Miller.
She was a dedicated member of Macedonia Baptist Church for 59 years and dearly loved her church family. She was retired from the Brookhaven School District as an Aide for the first grade.
Preceding her in death were her husband of 69 years, Andrew “Jack” Lowe, Jr.; her parents; foster parents, Chester and Florence Krouse; brothers, Eddie Miller and Cleveland Miller; sisters, Louise English (Ollie) and Bernice Miller.
Those left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Jeanette L Smith (Phil); sons, Kenneth E. Lowe (Sherry) and Mark E. Lowe (Becky); grandchildren, Micah Lowe (Stephany), Anna L. Lee (Brent), Erica S. Johnson (RJ), Scotty Thaxton (Maggie), Brittany Harveston (Bob), and ten great-grandchildren.
The family would like to express sincere appreciation for Penny Norton, Peggy Britt, Shequito Dillon, Stacy Smith and the staff of Hospice Ministries, who assisted in caring for Mrs. Lowe during her difficult
Beverly Nations
Graveside service for Mrs. Beverly Nations will be 3 p.m., Sunday, June 9, 2019,
at Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until time of service at Riverwood Family.
Mrs. Beverly Ellis Nations, 70, of Brookhaven, ended her journey on this earth, June 6, 2019.
She was born September 6, 1948, to Frank West Ellis and Nancy Shultz Ellis. Mrs. Beverly was
Valedictorian of her 1966 graduating class at Yazoo City High School. She began a
teaching career early in life and worked with the Brookhaven School District 25 years before retiring.
She was a gifted teacher and worked in the Gifted Program, devoting her life to children with
exceptional skills. She participated in many community activities as well as being a member
of the Jr Auxiliary and the DAR. Mrs. Beverly was a loving wife, mother, grandmother,
and friend. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Donn Ellis Nations; sister, Barbara Tomcheck;
and brother, Frank West Ellis.
Those left to carry on her legacy are, her husband, Donn Nations; daughter, Nancy Nations;
two grandchildren, Ethan Nations and Mallory Nations; brothers-in-law, Dean Nations (Laura),
Dale Nations, and David Nations, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
Angela Hughes Matherne
Services are incomplete at this time
Cecil Barnett
Mr. Cecil Barnett, 57, of Wesson passed away June 6, 2019 at his residence.
He was born on September 9, 1961 to the late Archibald Cooper Barnett
and Ruby Mae Atkins Barnett.
Preceding him in death were his parents; granddaughter, Emily Barber and stepson, Chad May.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Debbie Floyd Barnett; stepson, Todd May and wife,
Wendy; step-daughter, Michelle Chambers and husband, Lenzie; brother, Sammy Barnett and sister, Rita Tuggle.
He is also survived by his 6 grandchildren, Destiny May, Mikayla May, Ethan May, Bella Barber,
Sawyer Chambers and great granddaughter, Raelynn Cecile May.
Cecil will be missed by all that knew and loved him.
Service will be at a later date
Donald Wilford Spence
A memorial service will be held for Mr. Donald Wilford Spence 2 p.m., Saturday, June 8, 2019, at Riverwood Family.
Friends may visit the family from noon until time of service on Saturday.
Mr. Spence, 84, of Monticello, passed from this life June 2, 2019 at Country Brook Nursing Facility. He was born May 7, 1935
to Ellis A. Spence and Ada May Kemp Spence. He was a Taxidermist by trade and he also worked with
the Mississippi Game and Fish Commission for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings.
He is survived by his wife, Jody Spence; sons, Johnny Wayne Spence and Toby Michael Warner;
daughters, Susan Rene Spence, Florence Angelina Spence White, and Donna Jo Spence Nulisch;
and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren
Gwendolyn Mercier Dixon
Services for Mrs. Gwendolyn Mercier Dixon of Bogue Chitto are 11:00 am Monday, June 3, 2019
at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church with burial at the church cemetery.
Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 pm Sunday, June 2 at Riverwood Family Funeral Service
and will resume on Monday from 10:00 until time of service at the church.
Mrs. Gwendolyn Mercier Dixon, 63, went to be with her Lord on May 30, 2019 at Countrybrook Living Center.
She was born on August 11, 1955.
She was a homemaker and a member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and Bible School.
She enjoyed fishing and spending time with family, friends and her 4 grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were her father, Howard E. “Bud” Mercier; mother, Toni Mercier and
brothers, Howard E. “Pee Wee” Mercier, Jr. and Louis Mercier.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Jimmy Dale Dixon; son, Jeremy Dixon;
daughter, Jody White and husband Jonathan; and brother, Brian Mercier and wife Susie.
She is also survived by her grandchildren, Morgan Dixon, Hunter Dixon, Gannon White, Olivia White
and special sister-in-law, Kay Dixon.
Claude McCaffrey
Services are incomplete at this time
Catherine Day Batson
Services for Mrs. Catherine Day Batson of Brookhaven are 3:00 pm Sunday June 2, 2019
at Lucien Baptist Church with visitation from 1:00 until time of service.
Burial is at the Church Cemetery. Riverwood Family Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Batson, 88, passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2019, at her residence.
She was born on October 11, 1930, to Emery Abner and Myrtia Jane Day.
She graduated from McCall Creek High School and attended Co-Lin Jr. College.
As co-owner of Betty Anns's for 38 years, she shared her talent of sewing and design to clothe and inspire all of her customers of their beauty from the inside out.
Throughout the years, she has especially touched the lives of countless brides, mothers of brides, queens, pageant contestants,
and others in finding and fitting them with their perfect dresses.
Mrs. Batson was a lifelong member of Lucien Baptist Church where she proudly served as the President of the Homecoming Cemetery Committee for many years.
She also attended First Baptist Church with her family.
Being called "Gee Gee" not only by her grandchildren, but to all she had the pleasure of knowing always brought a smile to her face.
Sugar, her longtime Pomeranian companion, rarely left her side and was always dressed in an outfit that was custom designed especially for each occasion.
Mrs. Batson was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Gene Batson, her parents,
Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Day, her brother, Emery Abner Day, Jr. and her sister, Dot Porter.
She is survived by her daughter, Cathy Batson McDonnieal and her granddaughter, Mary Catherine Franklin and husband, Keith Franklin,
and grandson, Grant McDonnieal and wife, Allyson McDonnieal, and several nieces and nephews, and many special friends.
Wayne J. Spring
Services for Mr. Wayne J. Spring of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm Saturday, June 1, 2019 at Riverwood Family
with burial Mt. Gilliad Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation is 5:00 -8:00 pm Friday, May 31 at Riverwood.
Mr. Wayne J. Spring, 83, went to be with his Lord on May 28, 2019 at his residence.
He was born on July 27, 1935 to the late George W. Spring and Gertrude Nunnery Spring.
Preceding him in death were his parents; son, Chris J. Spring; and brothers, Warren Spring and Ralph Spring.
Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Kirk Spring and wife, Darlene; brothers, A.J. Spring and wife Janie,
Eddie Spring and wife Pat; sister, Frances Berch. He is also survived by 3 grandchildren, Courtney Tate and husband Chris,
Kaitlyn Spring and Kimberly Spring and 3 great grandchildren, Camden Datz, Britton Bercegeay and Connor Tate.
With gratitude the family wishes to express a special thanks to St Luke’s Hospice Team,
Leanna and Vella and to his loving caregiver, April Prather.