Obituaries
Claude Bennett Smith, Jr.
Funeral service will be held for Claude Bennett Smith, Jr., at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Riverwood Family Funeral Service in Brookhaven, MS, with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Riverwood. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Church of Christ Cemetery.
On Tuesday, March 7, 2023, Claude Bennett Smith, Jr., devoted husband and father, passed away at the age of 88. Claude was born on April 12, 1934, in the Midway community, Copiah County, MS to Claude and Maimo (Strait) Smith. He graduated from Loyd Star School in 1952 before attending Copiah Lincoln Jr. College. On October 8, 1954, he married Grace Elaine Montgomery. They raised two sons, Scott and Steve.
Claude enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends, and loved making people laugh. Claude was a gifted farmer and gardener, growing some of the best vegetables and fruit in Lincoln County. One of the many ways he showed love to others was by giving away the fruits of his labors. He was a faithful member of Hillcrest Church of Christ where his deep bass voice could be heard singing regularly.
Claude was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Elaine, his father, Claude Sr., and his mother, Maimo, his brother Kerry, and an infant son. He is survived by his brother John, two sons Scott (Renee) Smith of Clinton, MS and Steve (Jana) Smith of Edmond, OK; one grandson, Riley (Katie) Smith of Houston, TX; one granddaughter, Laura (Caleb) Baze of Waco, TX; two great-grandchildren, Cora and Alan Baze; special friends, Collins and Micah Allen.
The family would like to express sincere appreciation to Hospice Compassus and the staff at Kings Daughters Hospital.
John Thomas Norman, Jr.
The funeral service for John Thomas Norman Jr. will be 2 p.m., Friday, March 10, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Stewart Cemetery. Visitation is from Noon until the time of service Friday.
Mr. Norman, Jr., of Bogue Chitto, died March 7, 2023, at his residence. He was born in Brookhaven September 13, 1955, to John Thomas Norman, Sr. and Thelma Adams Norman. He worked in the logging industry as a truck driver. John enjoyed riding motorcycles and fishing as a pastime, but his greatest investment was in spending time with his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents John Thomas Norman, Sr. and Thelma Adams Norman; his son, Billy Norman; and his father-in-law, Ford Crane.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 48 years, Cathy Norman; his son, Tommy Norman and wife Leigh Ann; daughter-in-law, Ina Jackson (Casey); eight grandchildren, Savannah Smith (Patrick), Landon Norman (Amanda), Luke Norman, Shelby Roberts (Landon), Johnna Norman, Mackenzie Hall, Dakota Richardson (Katlin) and Stratton Jackson. He is also survived by nine great grandchildren and a host of other loving family members and friends as well as coworkers.
Garry Dale Thornhill
The funeral service for Garry Dale Thornhill will be 1 p.m., Friday, March 10, at Powell’s Grove Pentecostal Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.
Mr. Thornhill, 66, of Brookhaven, MS, passed from this life March 5, 2023, in Houston, TX. He was born in Tylertown, MS, July 8, 1956, to Delma Thornhill and Edna McNease.
Mr. Thornhill worked as a Fishing Tool Supervisor. He would spend his free time golfing, grilling, frying fish and just spending time with his two very special grandkids. He was a member of Wesson United Pentecostal Church.
The family of Mr. Thornhill would like to express gratitude to his Premium work family as well as every oil company he was associated with. All Garry has ever known is fishing tools. He was very dedicated to his job and enjoyed talking to all his co-workers.
He is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Walter and Janie McNease and Paul Lee and Buena Mae Thornhill; uncle, David McNease; aunts Christine McNease, Myrtle Barnett; and his father-in-law, Oliver Ashley.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 45 years, Karole Ashley Thornhill; daughters, Dana Stone (Jason) and Megan Thornhill; two grandchildren, Emily “Em” and Caleb “lil man”; sister, Belinda Thornhill; niece, Carlie Davis (Caleb); two great nieces, Aubrey and Kinsley Davis; mother-in-law, Kathleen Ashley; and sister-in-law, Ronda Ashley. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tupelo Children’s Mansion P.O. Box 167, Tupelo, MS 38802
Johnnie James "Red" Hamilton, Jr.
The funeral service for Johnnie James “Red” Hamilton, Jr. will be 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 8, at Bethel Temple Pentecostal Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.
Mr. Hamilton, Jr., 93, of Brookhaven, went home to be with the Lord March 6, 2023, in his home, surrounded by his family. He was born in Beauregard, MS, February 2, 1930, to the late Rev. Johnnie James Hamilton, Sr. and Maggie Lee Norton Hamilton.
“Paw Paw Red”, as he was known to his grandkids, loved the outdoors. In his later years he spent his time gardening, squirrel hunting with his dog, Stub, and fishing.
Johnnie retired from ARCO Offshore. After retiring, he came home to work for many years at the Hardware Store. He was also a veteran of the Korean War.
He was an active member and deacon of Bethel Temple Pentecostal Church for 53 years and will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Hubert Earl Hamilton and Jerry “Butch” Hamilton; three brothers-in-law, Curtis Smith, Carroll Allen, and Buddy Sandifer; and one sister-in-law, Belva Sandifer.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 68 ½ years, Winifred Allen Hamilton; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Connie Hamilton; grandson, Allen Hamilton and wife, Desi; great granddaughters, Makayla Hamilton and fiancé Daniel Wicker and Hannah Hamilton and fiancé Thomas Chapman, Jr.; sister , Janet Smith; three sisters-in-law, Nell Hamilton, Judy Hamilton, and Diana Allen; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members.
J.W. McCardle
The funeral service for J.W. McCardle will be 11 a.m., Friday, March 10, at Pearl Valley Baptist Church, with burial in Lowe Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m., Thursday, March 9, at Pearl Valley Baptist Church and will resume Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Mr. McCardle, 91, of Wesson, MS, passed away March 5, 2023. He was born June 11, 1931, to Ira Virgil “Cricket” McCardle and Minnie Viola Broome McCardle. J.W., as he was known to family and friends, served his country in the United States Marines, serving from 1951-1953. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, he worked to provide for his family as a sewing machine mechanic. J.W. enjoyed spending time with his family, working with his cows and growing a garden. He was a member of Pearl Valley Baptist Church. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Dell Page McCardle; parents; son, David J. McCardle; sister, Frances McCardle Kimble; and brothers Melvin McCardle and Dewey Lee McCardle.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Mary Ann Westmoreland and husband, Curtis, of Hazlehurst; son, Robert Virgil McCardle, of Wesson; sister, Carolyn Tarbutton; grandson, Brad Kendall Westmorland and wife, Shannon; granddaughter, Kelly Lynn Collins and husband, Chris; great grandchildren, Grayson, Bryant, and Eden; and other loving family members and friends.
Jimmy Lee Williams
Services for Mr. Jimmy Lee Williams of Brookhaven are 11:30 am, Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Bethel Temple Pentecostal Church with burial at Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5:00 – 9:00 pm on Friday, March 3, at the Church.
Mr. Jimmy Lee Williams, 82, went to be with his Lord on March 1, 2023, at his home surrounded by family.
He was born May 23, 1940, to Jessie Frank Williams and Agnes Louise Dunaway Williams.
Mr. Williams was a member of Bethel Temple Pentecostal Church.
Preceding him in death were his parents; grandson, Hunter Williams; granddaughter, Jasey Calcote; father and mother-in-law, Rev. Morris and Lois Fuller; and sister, Henri Mae Anding.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 62 years, Frances Williams; children, Dempsey Williams and wife, Theresa, Ricky Williams and wife, Gay, Tammy Calcote and husband, Victor, Billy Williams and wife, Lisa and Larry Williams and wife, Natalie; sister, Mary Ann Roberts and husband, Reggie.
Along with 12 grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
He will be missed by all that loved him.
Delores Delrio Greer
The funeral service for Mrs. Delores Delrio Greer will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 28, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Poplar Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Hazlehurst. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Monday, February 27, at Riverwood, and will resume from 10 a.m. Tuesday until the time of service.
Mrs. Greer, 84, of Wesson, died February 24, 2023, at her home in Wesson, surrounded by her loving family. She was born April 27, 1938, to Ivo Lea and Naomi Klinepeter Lea. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother. She was a homemaker for the majority of her life, but did hold several positions and jobs during her life. She was a GA’s/Acteens teacher; Discipleship Training Teacher; WMU Leader; Sunday School Teacher; she worked with special needs children at FBC Picayune Daycare; Daycare Worker and Cook and FBC Mendenhall; seamstress at Stahl Urban Garment Factory in Brookhaven, MS; she worked at her sisters’ children’s clothing store, Hanzel & Gretel; and she cared for her ailing mother for 12 years.
She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Jewell Greer; sister, Ivolene Coker; brothers, Ivo Lea, Roscoe Lea, Douglas Lea and Marcus Lea.
She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Hubert Greer; children, Becky Lockhart (Greg), Ronald Greer (Jennye), and Lisa Greer; brothers, Roland Lea and Teunnison Lea (Johnnie); nine grandchildren, Heather Davis (Nick), Caleb Morris, Josh Lockhart (Tana), Jayce Greer (Renee), Casey Berry (Brandon), Noah Greer (Kelsey), Leah Calvert (Lucas), Cullen Greer (Allie) and Theresa Chapman; brother-in-law, Willie Greer; and sisters-in-law, Mildred Lea, Faye Broussard, and Kay Lea. She is also survived by her special friend, Esta Lambert.
In lieu of flowers please purchase Bibles from Gideons International, P.O. Box 1106, Brookhaven, MS 39601.
Thomas Ray Case
The funeral service for Thomas Ray Case will be 11 a.m., Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Hawkins Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service at Riverwood.
Mr. Case, 73, of Brookhaven, died February 25, 2023, in Brookhaven. He was born in Brookhaven April 6, 1949, to Thomas Versie Case and Emma Anding Case. Ray loved all sports and most of all, coaching his son’s baseball teams in Madison, MS.
Ray was a graduate of the 1967 class of Loyd Star High School, where he played football. He attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi. Following college, Ray moved to Madison County where he raised his family and retired from Frito-Lay, Inc. as a route salesman. After retirement, he returned back home to Brookhaven.
He loved to support Loyd Star and Southern Miss Athletics. “Ray Ray” enjoyed attending various activities with his five grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Mr. Case is preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Frances Case Hamilton and Dorothy Nell Case.
He is survived by his children, Bradley Scott Case (Chalon Dominick) and Clinton Day Case (Chereé Rembert); brother, Edwin Versie Case (Patricia); five grandchildren, Thomas Dean Case, Lillian Scott Case, Samuel Adner Case; Leighton Dominick Case, and Landry Day Case; former wife and best friend, Kathy Day Case; nieces and nephews, Pamela Case, Dawn Berry (Dennis), Alana Greer (Ray), Darrell Hamilton, Kirk Case (Amy), and Mark Hamilton (Beth); and a host of great nieces and nephews as well as other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hawkins Chapel United Methodist Church, 908 N Jackson Street, Brookhaven, MS 39601, or St Jude Children’s Hospital PO Box 1000, Dept 142 Memphis, TN 38148.
Angela "Hope" Wooley Letchworth
Angela “Hope” Wooley Letchworth, 41, passed away unexpectedly on the evening of Monday, February 13, 2023. Visitation is from 4-8 p.m., Thursday, March 2, at Riverwood. A Celebration of Life for Hope Letchworth will be 10 a.m. Friday, March 3, 2023, at Riverwood Family with burial in Hepzibah Cemetery in Silver Creek.
Hope was born on March 24, 1981, to the late William Keith Wooley and Gloria Debbie McWilliams Turnage, in Brookhaven, MS. She was very active and outgoing growing up and accepted Christ as a young teenage girl. She loved life and everything in it. She was incredibly passionate about what she believed in and loved fiercely. She married the late William Josh Letchworth on September 17, 1998. Together, they had two children, William Chance Letchworth and Amellia Shayne Letchworth.
Hope enjoyed being with friends, dancing, listening to music, and was the life of the party. She loved making others smile.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William Josh Letchworth; paternal grandparents, W.E. Wooley and Pattie Jean Wooley; maternal grandparents, Charlie Lee McWilliams and Patsy Ruth Smith; father, William Keith Wooley; and nephew, Hunter Lee Maxwell.
She is survived by her children, William Chance Letchworth (Shayna) and Amellia “Mia” Shayne Letchworth; mother, Gloria Debbie McWilliams Turnage; sisters, Crystal Page Chain (Chris), Jodie Elizabeth Morgan (Travis), and Christian Faith Turnage; in-laws, Elton and Margaret Letchworth; sister-in-law, Kim Letchworth; nieces and nephews, Harlee Claire Chain, Jonah Scott Morgan, Levi Baker Morgan, Katie Thompson, Mattie McRaney, and Sophie McRaney; and great niece Laynee Wright, as well as a host of other loving family members and friends.
Kenneth Alva Berry
The funeral service for Kenneth Alva Berry will be 11 a.m., Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Central Baptist church, with interment in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at Central.
Mr. Berry, 86, of Wesson, passed from this life, February 19, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 31, 1937, to George and Mary Beryl Berry in Blue Mound, Kansas. He was a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army, serving at several U.S. installations and Korea. He was a veteran of the Vietnam war, where he received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and numerous Air Medals. After completing his military service, he was a helicopter instructor pilot contracted by the U.S. Army. Next, he began his career with the Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) as an air traffic controller in Memphis, TN. His total years of service to the U.S. Government was over 34 years.
Mr. Berry was a talented craftsman who used his skill to create and build furniture for his family and friends. He signed each piece with a personal note; "Made with wood, glue and love". The assisting in the construction of his family's house as well as his church building was one of his proudest accomplishments. His love for woodworking is only surpassed by his love of music. He had a beautiful bass voice which he shared with his choir, quartet and with solos in his church. He also played several instruments.
His greatest loves were God, Family and Friends.
In 1965 he married the love of his life, Berenda Foster Berry. This marriage would be blessed with a son, daughter, daughter-in-law, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren who he loved dearly.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his sisters, Marie and Martha and his brother, Charles.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Brenda of 58 years, son, LTC (ret.) Kenneth Bradley Berry and wife, Julia; daughter, Jill Berry Guy; granddaughters, Liza Berry, Emma Berry and Gracie Berry; grandson, Tyler Guy, wife, Lauren; great grandchildren Wyatt and Madigan Guy; sister, Linda Noble and husband, Kevin; mother in law, Doris Foster; brothers in law, Dale Foster and Chester Foster and his wife and Mary and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mission/Outreach Ministry of Central Baptist Church, 970
Highway 550, Brookhaven, MS 38601 or the charity of your choice.
