Obituaries
L. J. "Buddy" Hamilton
The funeral service for L.J. “Buddy” Hamilton, Jr. will be 2:30 p.m., Monday, February 20, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Wellman Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service Monday.
Mr. Hamilton, Jr., 65, of Brookhaven, died February 16, 2023, at Haven Hall Healthcare Center in Brookhaven. He was born November 15, 1957, to L.J. Hamilton, Sr. and Mary Jane Clark Hamilton.
Buddy was reared by his loving grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Cline Clark. He enjoyed going to church, he was a member of Northview Baptist Church. He also enjoyed playing Bingo with his friends at Haven Hall and facetiming family, especially Cooper. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
Buddy is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Elizabeth Holcomb.
Those left to cherish his memory are his sisters, Debbie Waldrop (Donnie) and Darlene Holcomb; and a host of nieces and nephews, Mary Cope (John), Robin Pratt (Mike), Donna Therell (Davis), Olivia Wallace (Chris), Charles Upton, Jr., Daniel Upton, James Waldrop (Susie), Christi Russell (Clay), Gloria Holcomb, and Josh Waldrop (Kelsey). He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
The family would like to express appreciation to the Haven Hall staff for caring for our brother. Special thanks to LaRonda and Stacy at Haven Hall for your kindness.
Jan Ratcliff
Services for Mrs. Jan Ratcliff of Brookhaven will be held 11:00 am, Monday, February 20, 2023, at Riverwood Family with visitation from 9:00 until the time of the service and interment at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Mrs. Jan Ratcliff, 71, passed away February 15, 2023, at her residence.
She was born May 1, 1951, in Greenville, S.C. to the late Victor E. Hinton and Annie Mae Hinton.
Preceding her in death were her parents; brother, Frank Eugene Hinton; sister Vicky Hinton Pressly; and grandson, Skylar Lane Wease.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 54 years James F. Ratcliff; children, Robert W. Ratcliff, and Sonya A Ratcliff; sister, Micki Hinton Jordan (Daniel); four grandchildren, Alexis Diana Smith, Christen E. Ratcliff, Christopher Wease and Alyssa Grace Wease and three great grandchildren, Isaiah Wease, Michael Wease and Olivia Wease.
She is also survived by nephews, Blake Hinton, Dillon Hinton, Matthew Hinton, Daniel Smith and Derrick Smith; nieces, Kathryn Pressly Hinton, and Ashley Patrick Hinton; and cousins, Laura Cheek Taylor (Tom), and Teresa Hinton Satone.
She will be missed by all that loved her.
Robert James Lang
Services for Mr. Robert James Lang are 11:00 am, Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Bethel Baptist Church. Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 pm on Friday at the church and interment at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.
Robert James “Paw” Lang, 82, of Monticello, MS, passed away on February 14, 2023, at St. Dominic’s Hospital in Jackson, MS. Robert was born on May 1, 1940, in Magee, MS to W.D. Lang and Velma Warren Lang.
Robert was raised in Magee in the Dry Creek Community, where he was an outstanding football player for Magee High School, winning Little Dixie his senior year. While playing football at Co-Lin, he was offered a scholarship to play at Memphis State. While he loved football, he loved Betty Carolyn Powell more. The two went on to marry July 21, 1962, at Bethel Baptist Church.
Robert joined the Mississippi Army National Guard, serving for 11 years. He was best known for his 42 years of employment with Southern Pine. He began as a groundman, transferring to lineman, then serviceman for 16 years in Morton, MS. After moving back to Monticello, he was a field supervisor for the New Hebron District until he retired.
Robert is survived by Carolyn, his loving wife of 61 years; siblings Homer Lang (Kay) and Linda Nichols (Tommy); two sons Dwane (Gayla) and Cobby (Tonjia); grandchildren Kristin “Darling”, Brady “Sis”, Wesley “Wes”, Brennan “Brother”, and Megan; great-grandchildren Mazie “Big Sis”, Mabry “Little Sis”, Hayes “Good Buddy”, and Keegan “Kiwi”; and a host of nieces and nephews he loved dearly. He also leaves behind his Southern Pine family, who he loved as his own.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved grandson Lindsey “Bub” Lang.
Paw enjoyed doing anything on the farm, including working in his garden. He loved to fish and run trot lines. In his retirement, you could find him on the Gator checking cows. He enjoyed going to rodeos or watching PBR on his television. His favorite thing to do was watch his grandbabies play baseball and softball. He lived and breathed for his grandchildren and great grandchildren; they were his world.
Our lives have a big hole in it now, that will never be filled. We are so thankful he gave us the best memories to cherish and hold on to forever.
Viola Lea Wilson
Services for Mrs. Viola Lea Wilson will be held at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 2:00 pm with graveside service to follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Wilson, 70, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life February 14, 2023, at Trend Health Case, surrounded by family and friends. She was born April 3, 1952, in Brookhaven, MS.
Mrs. Wilson worked for the State of MS for 25 years and retired in 2001, from the MS Forestry Commission. Her hobbies included reading, crocheting and creating beautiful cross stitch pieces. She loved visiting the MS Coast and was an avid NASCAR fan.
She is preceded in death by her parents, John Price and Joyce McGraw Price Weaver; Pops, Elmo Weaver; father, Nelton Hodges; and her grandparents, Marvin and Ruby McGraw.
Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Royce Wilson; daughter, Elisha Ward (Jimmy); grandchildren, Eden, Connor and Sofie Ward; brothers, Mark Price (Cindy); Normon Price (Susie); sisters-in-law, Joyce Farmer (Danny), Carolyn Link (James); special friends, Brandy Richardson and family, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Christopher Lamar Williams
Christopher Lamar Williams, 37, died February 5, 2023. He was born May 27, 1985, to Chester Lamar Williams and Robbie Bessonette.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Nadine and Billy Williams, Francis Dungan, and Sam Peavey.
He is survived by his children, Amanda Guess, Christian Guess, and Trinity Hoffman; parents; brothers, James Bessonette, Dominic Bessonette, Dakota Williams, and Billy Williams; and sister, Angela Brown. He is also survived by two nephews, Christopher Allen and Gavin Allen, as well as other loving family members and friends.
The family would like to send special thanks to Bro. Kendal.
William Ronnie "Sundown" Thomas
The funeral service for William Ronnie “Sundown” Thomas will be 2 p.m. Thursday, February 9th, at Charity Baptist Church, with burial in Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from Noon until the time of the service at Charity.
Mr. Thomas, better known to all his family and friends as, “Sundown”, died February 7, 2023, at his residence in Bogue Chitto, MS, he was 71 years old. He was born in Laurel, MS, July 15, 1951, to Melvin and Betty Thomas. He spent many years driving trucks before he retired from the trucking industry. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
“Sundown” is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jim Thomas; and sister, Joanne Thomas.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 17 years, Paulette Thomas; children, Billy Thomas (Melissa) and Jason Thomas; eight grandchildren, Justin Whatley, Ashley Whatley, Kayla Smith, Corey Funk, Page Funk, Starr Thompson, Gavin Thomas, and Trey Thompson; and ten great grandchildren, Kendall, Tommy, Georgia Rae, Cooper, Ryland, Daxs, Cruze, Stalle Rae, Addie, and Hensley. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
The family would like to express a special thank you to his hospice nurses, Karlee Gilbert and Sherry Case Britt.
Barbara Jordan Smith
A graveside service will be held for Mrs. Barbara Jordan Smith, Monday, February 6, at Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Saturday, February 4, at Riverwood Family.
Mrs. Smith, 78, of Brookhaven, died February 2, 2023, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, MS. She was born in Brookhaven, June 25, 1944, to Jewell J. Jordan and Geneva Watts Jordan.
Mrs. Smith was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She took great care in managing her home and she was also very much involved with her church family. She was a member of Friendship Baptist Church, where she was active in Ladies Bible Study and Tim Ratcliff Sunday School class. She was always happy to assist with meals at Friendship, for families or community and greatly enjoyed Friday night dinners with her sisters.
She was not just employed with Stribling, she had a very special place in her heart for her work family. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Dan P. Smith; parents; brother, Joe Jordan; and two nephews, Mark W. Moody and Jay C. Jordan.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Deanna Blackledge (Adair) and Dana Roberts (Dwayne); sisters, Elsie Smith and Betty Moody; four grandchildren, Taylor Brooke Roberts, Treston Roberts (Elizabeth), AnnAdair Blackledge, and Blount Blackledge; two great grandchildren, Paisley Roberts and Brileigh Roberts; a host of nieces and nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
We are most comforted by a special scripture during this journey, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.
Our family would like to send sincerest love and appreciation to Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland and Deaconess Home Care in Brookhaven, for the comfort care given to our mom during one of the most difficult times in our lives.
Please consider a donation in her memory to Friendship Baptist Church 1502 Friendship Lane, Brookhaven, MS 39601 or Hospice Ministries, Inc. 450 Towne Center Blvd, Ridgeland, MS 39157.
Donna Lynne Ratcliff Cupit
Services for Mrs. Donna Lynne Ratcliff Cupit is 11:00 am, Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Riverwood Family with visitation from 9:00 until the time of the service.
Interment to take place at 1:00 pm at Adams Methodist Church Cemetery.
Donna Lynne Ratcliff Cupit, 62, went to be with her Lord on February 1, 2023.
She was born on October 30, 1960, to the late Melvin Hewitt Ratcliff and Doloris Marlene Temple Ratcliff.
Donna loved playing softball in her youth. As a member of Barnes Furniture team, she made many close friends and traveled to tournaments across the South.
She enjoyed gardening and was a green thumb, like her mother. She considered herself a country girl and felt that turning the soil was therapeutic.
She was dedicated to her careers in healthcare both as a pharmacy technician and then as an LPN. She enjoyed spending time with her family as well as serving her McCall Creek community and attending New Salem Baptist Church.
Preceding her in death were her parents; and infant twin daughters, Jane Ellen Wilson and Jessica Hope Wilson.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of nine years, W.L. Cupit; daughters, Michelle Wilson and stepdaughter, Cydnee Russell Merritt and husband, Victor; brother, Mark Ratcliff and wife, Casey and sisters, Lisa Goforth and husband, Ray and Karen McPherson and husband, Ron. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Marley Grace Barfoot, Samuel Thomas Barfoot and Annalise Olivia Merritt; and close friend since high school, Eileen Wells, and many cousins and extended family nieces and nephews.
Memorials can be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Memphis TN) or Blair Batson Children’s Hospital (Jackson, MS)
Tommy Gene Puckett
Mr. Tommy Gene Puckett, 68, of Magnolia, MS, died January 28, 2023, in McComb, MS. He was born in Temple, TX, March 3, 1954, to Thomas Ray Puckett and Linda Faye Puckett. Tommy grew up in Belton, TX, where he met and married the love of his life, Patricia. He worked at Wilson Art for 32 years. After retiring, he and Patricia moved to Mississippi to be closer to his mother. He was a loving husband, and a wonderful father. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.
A memorial service will be held for Tommy at a later date in Temple, TX.
Larry Bryan Barlow
Larry Bryan Barlow, 88, died January 24th at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Jackson. He was born in Beauregard, Mississippi to Albert Bryan and Virgie Lusk Barlow. He was the youngest son to brother Albert Hillery Barlow.
He is survived by his daughter, Melonie Leverett of Oakdale, CA; and two grandsons, Randy and Travis Leverett, and great grandson, Cayden Burgeno Leverett; nieces, Karen Virginis (Frank) and Robin Santoriello; nephew, Russ Barlow; first cousins, Michael Lusk Sr. (Lynne), Bettye Blair Lusk Boutwell (Billy), Sammye Rose Lusk Levy, Lisa Lusk Lynn Smith (Gary), Don Lusk.
He was raised in Wesson, Mississippi, going to Copiah Lincoln Community College, with his lifelong friends and family. He graduated from Southern Mississippi University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. He enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Monterey California following his schooling.
He married and moved to Newman and Gustine California with his family. His first teaching position was at Bonita School, then to Gustine Elementary and High School, teaching, coaching and principal at High School from 1973- 1977. After going back to teaching, he then taught at Romero in Santa Nella, then Pioneer, Gustine Continuation High School, before retiring after 35 years.
He left Newman and moved to Lake Tulloch in Copperopolis after building a beautiful home on the lake with Duane Forbus and others. He loved boating and fishing there with his grandsons, and others, almost as much as he loved baseball, football and western movies. He missed fishing and visiting with his other friends like Vance Wolfsen in Newman and Gustine but loved the beautiful weather at the Lake where daughter, Melonie Leverett and grandsons were closer and had more time to visit.
After years at the lake, he was homesick for Wesson. Randy helped him move back to Mississippi in 2004. He was very happy to be back with family and enjoyed his new home with his beloved Pug, Bubba, and yearly visits with his daughter and grandsons.
Besides sports and catching prize bass, which he mounted for his home, he had done continuing education in Chico and other California Colleges, as well as being on a California State Committee to study new science textbooks and working at the White Sands Proving grounds in New Mexico. He loved long drives, exploring historical sites, birds, plants, and rocks. He enjoyed trips with friends, Lake parties on the party boat, and being on the Board of Poker Flat Homeowners Association. He spent many hours playing baseball with the Moose Lodge, with some games at the Crows Landing Naval Base.
He was a member of the Beauregard United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir with family and friends. He loved the Lord and the time he spent in church. We love him and will miss him.
A graveside service will be held at the Beauregard Cemetery, 11 a.m., February 9, 2023. A luncheon will be hosted at the Beauregard United Methodist Church immediately following the service.
Remembrances can be sent to the Beauregard United Methodist Church.
