Obituaries
Peggy A. Jones
Memorial gathering for Mrs. Peggy A. Jones will be 1-3 p.m., Thursday, April 1, 2021, at Riverwood Family.
Mrs. Peggy A. Jones, 78, passed away March 29, 2021, at her residence. She was born December 28, 1942,
to his parents, Loyce E. Davis and Ella B. Blass. She was a member of Jackson Street Methodist Church in Brookhaven.
She was an avid reader and she enjoyed gardening.
Mrs. Jones was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Nicole Luinstra; and brother, W.T. Davis.
She is survived by her husband, John L. Jones; son, Brian E. Jones; brother Don Davis; three grandchildren,
Shelby Luninstra, Kelly Lunistra, and Marcy Lunistra; and one great grand daughter, Daisy Nicole Lunistra, as well as other loving family members and friends.
Shirley Yvonne Case Lewis Cupit
A private Memorial service has been held to honor the life of Mrs. Shirley Cupit.
Shirley Yvonne Case Lewis Cupit, 92, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life March 28, 2021.
She was born June 21, 1928, to her parents, Rufus Pat Case and Ida Ella Ferguson.
She was woman of character and strength. Mrs. Cupit was self employed and owner of a Dairy Farm.
She was a member of Wellman Baptist Church. Her favorite thing in life was to spend time
with all of her grandchildren. She also enjoyed reading, bingo, traveling and playing cards.
She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, D.A. Lewis and J.B. Cupit and one grandson, Tom Burt;
six brothers and two sisters.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Judy Burt, Linda Souther, Patsy Cowart, and Toni Alvey;
her sister, Carolyn Carpenter; eight grandchildren, Jim Burt, Michelle Douglas, Brandi Evans, Chris Cowart,
Josh Cowart, James Alvey, David Alvey, and Adam Alvey; 20 great grandchildren, and 11 great, great grandchildren
Jeff Ray
Funeral service for Jeff Ray will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at Riverwood Family.
Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Jeff was born December 12, 1957, to Preston Allen Luther “A.L.” Ray and Etta Pearl Smith Ray in
Brookhaven, Ms. He passed at the age of 63, on March 26, 2021, in Wesson, MS while at home.
Jeff was a graduate of Copiah Lincoln High School in 1975 and Copiah Lincoln Junior College in
1977. He went on to obtain his Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of
Southern Mississippi in 1981, and later his Master of Science in Management from Belhaven University
in 2006. He was employed as a Social Worker with Van Winkle Home Health, the Department of
Human Services in Brookhaven, Ms and Jackson, Ms, King’s Daughters Medical Center, and
retired from the Mississippi Adolescent Center as Director of Risk Management in 2012 after 27 years with the state.
Jeff was a very talented drummer. He began his journey with music with his first band, “The Rejects”,
at the age of 15. He went on to play in various bands, Pluto Bandito, Elbert Shiver, and Cry Wolf to
name a few, making lifelong friends and an impact on everyone he met. He was also a member of the
drum line at Copiah Lincoln High School, Copiah Lincoln Junior College, Mississippi State, and the
University of Southern Mississippi. Although music was a lifelong enjoyment, his pride and joy were
his children and grandchildren. He never missed an event no matter how small, or far away. He led in
life with great support and wisdom that will not soon be forgotten. His love for teaching his
grandchildren to fish or the discussion of his latest book will be greatly missed. He was the most
amazing father and grandfather we could have asked for.
He was survived by his brother, Michael Ray (Sandra); sons, Zachary “Zack” Felix Ray, and
Preston Loranzy Ray; daughter, Dorothy Claire Ray McManus (Jared); grandsons, Jayden Ray, Landon Ray,
and Brian Ray; granddaughters, Isabelle Ray and Scarlette McManus; and mother of his children Ruthie Catt Stewart.
Proceeded in death by his parents, A.L. Ray and Etta Pearl Ray; and brother, Preston Ray.
Ervin Deen Brister
Funeral service for Mr. Ervin Deen Brister will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at Powells Grove Pentecostal Church
with interment at the church cemetery. Visitation is from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service.
Ervin Deen Brister, 90, passed away in his home on March 27, 2021.
Born April 13, 1930, he grew up in Jayess with a large family and was spoiled by his three older sisters. He served
as a marine in the Korean Conflict, where he sustained injuries at Bunker Hill. When he returned home in 1953,
he married his sweetheart, Loretta.
Before becoming disabled by his war injuries, Ervin Deen worked as a farmer. No one could leave his house
without taking home a mess of greens or a watermelon. He also raised cows and kept hunting dogs. After he
was no longer able to see well enough to hunt, he still took his dogs out and ran them. He could identify each
dog by its bark. Even in his last days, he could recount the name of every dog he had owned and describe
what kind of hunter it was. He told and retold the story of an old dog that could climb trees to catch squirrels.
Until his health kept him home, he attended Powell's Grove Pentecostal Church, where he sat on the front pew.
Everyone could hear him pray. He believed in praying without ceasing and prayed even before he took a sip of
water or had a bowl of ice cream. He began his mealtime prayers with "Kind, wonderful Jesus, dear Lord and
Savior" and, after enough protest from his granddaughters, ended with, "Bless the hands that prepared it."
Ervin Deen was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Loretta Barnett Brister; his son, Don Brister;
an infant son; his parents, Connie and Sarah Brister; his brothers, Purvis Brister and Clayton Brister; and
three sisters, Azemer Coon, Joyce Honea, and Jimmie Brister. He is survived by two sisters, Connie Mae Clark
and Izettie Carney; his daughter, Debbie (Alan) Moody; his daughter-in-law, Gwen Rayburn; grandchildren
April King Davis, Amber King (Sihya), Adam Brister, Anthony King, Connie Brister Boyd, and West Brister
(Ashdon); great-grandchildren, Emma Siler, Grayson Davis, Ethan King, Corbyn Pekins, Guydon Brister,
Isabella Brister, and Sophia Brister; and his long-time caregivers, Betty Colyer and Shanne Cupstid.
Joycelyn Sketchler Fonseca
Joycelyn Sketchler Fonseca, age 94, passed away after a brief illness at King’s Daughters Hospital in
Brookhaven, Mississippi. She was a native of Algiers, Louisiana, a long time resident of
Des Allemands, LA and Brookhaven, MS. She was most recently, a resident of Haven Hall Healthcare
Center in Brookhaven.
She was a woman of many talents, including sewing, cooking, gardening, photography and art.
She loved caring for Abby dog. She was a member of the Camelia Society of Brookhaven.
Some of her work history included working for South Central Bell and was a restaurateur. Her wonderful
recipes, we will always cherish. She treasured her family, surrounding herself with paintings, portraits,
and pictures and held them close to her heart. She was full of compassionate for strays, be it people or animals.
She was a devoted member of St. Assisi Catholic Church in Brookhaven.
She is survived by sons, Raymond Fonseca, Jr. (Georgine), and Stephen Fonseca (Connie),
grandmother of Mark Fonseca (Ingrid), Michael Fonseca, Matthew Fonseca (Kristen) ,
Monica Breaux, (Kerry), Bart Fonseca, Carol Rasmussen (Nick) , Megan Fonseca Wallace,
great grandchildren, Victoria Kimball (Jason), Michell Harris (Mark), Joel Fonseca,
Saidee Fonseca, Evan Dempster, Matthew Fonseca (Allie), Gabriel Fonseca (Courtney), Dylan Lewis,
Halie Page, Alyssa Fonseca, Zachary Breaux, Laken Breaux, Joseph Wallace, Aurora Pearl Wallace and
Abby Grace Rasmussen great, great grandchildren, Ayden Kimball, Avah Kimball, Lorelai Kimball,
Sebastian Kimball, and Rye Fonseca. She will be remembered and greatly missed by all.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Joseph Sktechler and Mathilde Hargis Sketchler,
husband, Raymond Fonseca Sr., brother, Charles Sketchler, sisters, Emily Ballay, Yvonne Foucha,
Leila Forrest, Isabell Bulot and Marie Babineaux.
Wesley Fredrick Kent
Graveside service for Mr. Wesley Fredrick Kent will be 11 a.m., Friday, March 26, 2021, at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Rev. Greg Warnock will officiate.
Mr. Kent, 94, of Brookhaven, slipped into the arms of Jesus March 24, 2021. He was born in Bude, MS January 30, 1927
to his parents, Hubert Leroy Kent and Mollie Ann Sullivan Kent. He served his country in the United States Navy,
a part of that “greatest generation”, during WWII. He was a graduate of MSU and USM, as well as attended
Copiah Lincoln Community College and Southwest Community College. Mr. Kent was the owner of Kent Realty
after retiring as the District Director of MS Farmers Home Association and he served on the Board of
The Natural Conservation Service (NRCS) for many years. He was also a longtime volunteer with the
Salvation Army, not only serving as a “bell ringer” but also coordinating other volunteers during the Christmas season.
Mr. Kent exemplified integrity and faithfulness, serving God, family and country. He was a Life Deacon at
First Baptist Church Brookhaven where he also taught Sunday School and he was a member of Brookhaven Exchange Club.
Mr. Kent enjoyed gardening, hunting, tree farming and just spending quality time with his family. He will be greatly
missed by his wife of 67 years as well as all his family and friends.
Mr. Kent was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Edwena Kent Price and Juanita Kent Wallace; and brothers,
Wayne Kent and Barnett Kent.
He is survived by his precious wife, Ida Louise King Kent; son, Wesley Allen Kent and wife, Wanda; daughter,
Pamela Louise Kent Matthews and husband, Greg; brother, Kenneth Allen Kent; two grandchildren, Colby Allen Kent and wife,
Erica and Mollie Ann Matthews. He is also survived by his extended family and friends.
The family requests that you take precautions for the visitation and practice social distancing.
Helen Suzanne Allen Rester
Funeral services for Helen Suzanne Allen Rester will be Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at 1 p.m. at
Macedonia Baptist Church. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 24, from 12 p.m.-1 p.m. at
Macedonia Baptist Church with burial at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Rester, 55, was born March 11, 1966, in Memphis, TN, to William Clinton and Peggy Sue Allen.
She went to be with her Lord on March 19, 2021, at her residence.
She is preceded in death by her son, Hunter Brooks Rester.
She was a former dispatcher of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Lincoln County, Madison County
and Franklin County Sheriff’s Departments. She was also a member of Macedonia Baptist Church.
She is survived by her parents; son, William Casey Rester and wife, Mackenzie Marie Rester; brother,
William Bradley Allen; four grandchildren, Ember Marie Rester, Michaella Marie Rester,
Hermione Grace Brooks Rester, and Luna Belle Rester.
Sue Ann Edwards Hamm
Funeral service for Mrs. Sue Ann Edwards Hamm will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 24, 2021,
at Sylvarena Baptist Church, with interment at the church cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m.
until the time of service.
Sue Ann Edwards Hamm was born at home on Steele Road, Steele, MS, March 1, 1947, to John D.
and Christine Marie Edwards. She was the fourth child and first daughter in what would eventually
be a group of six siblings. Like most farm children of her age Sue’s childhood was more about work
and responsibility than it was about play and adventure. In Spring she helped plant the gardens.
In Summer she helped pick, can, and otherwise process the produce so we could continue to have
food throughout the coming Winter. Sue was an excellent student while attending grades 1-12 at
Haperville Attendance Center in Harperville, MS. She went on to marry the love of her life and raise
a family while traveling the states with her husband for work. Later in life she would gain her BS in
counseling from Liberty University. This was an apt degree as Sue always had the ability to show empathy
and concern for the needs and problems of others. Her deep faith in the love of God and the grace of
Christ made her the perfect conduit for the Holy Spirit to move in the lives of others through her with
His gift of counsel. Through her guidance, an untold number of souls were won for Christ. Throughout
her life it was not uncommon for her to have persons not related to her living in her home as they
overcame problems in this life. Her generosity seemed almost infinite as she gave not only of her time
but also of her resources, often doing without herself so that others would have what they needed.
Her church family was always central to her life. She studied scripture and taught Sunday School
for most of her life, sharing the love of God.
Sue was preceded in death by her father, John D. Edwards; brothers, John Milton Edwards and
Steven Thomas “Tommy” Edwards.
She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, August F. Hamm; daughters, Misty Karen Williams Wise
and Cynthia Grace Hamm Tronstad; son, David Ashley Hamm; as well as 11 grandchildren
and five great grandchildren.
Kenneth Ray Wallace
Memorial service for Mr. Kenneth Ray Wallace of McCall Creek are 11:00 am, Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at Riverwood Family.
Mr. Kenneth Ray Wallace, 62, passed away March 20, 2021 at his residence.
He was born on January 18, 1959 to the late JJ Wallace, Sr. and Vera Mae Grooms Wallace.
He enjoyed old cars and going to softball games.
Mr. Wallace will be missed by all that knew and loved him.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Larry Wallace and JJ Wallace, Jr., and a sister, Linda Murray.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Carmen Wallace; son, Cory Matthew Wallace and wife, Karla Wallace; daughters, Brandi Turnage and husband, Dan of Monticello and Misty Troulliet of Brookhaven.
He is also survived by his brother, Dennis Wallace and sisters, Sharon Smith and Clarece Dier. Along with his 5 grandchildren.
Lewis Walter Brown
Graveside service for Lewis Walter Brown will be 2 p.m., Thursday, March 18, 2021, at Rosehill Cemetery.
Mr. Lewis, 82, of Brookhaven, passed away from this earth to his heavenly home on March 13, 2021 at 11:20pm, at his residence.
He was born in Houston, Texas, October 14, 1938 to Junius Walter Brown and Audrey Lee Thames Brown.
Although plagued by different illnesses in his latter years, his kind heart and generous spirit were known to all who met him.
He was retired from Shell Oil where he worked as an electrician and held his friends, with whom he worked, dear to his heart.
He was a lifetime lover of learning, especially where his faith was concerned. At the time of his death he was a member of Fair River Baptist Church,
and in his earlier years, he was an active member of Union Baptist Church and Easthaven Baptist Church. He was a man of great faith and integrity
and as honest in his love of his family and friends as he was of his Savior. He was always one who shared his Christian spirit with anyone he met.
He was a loving husband to Mary Ruth Brown with who he shared fifty three years. They had one son, Shawn Blair Brown, who preceded him in death.
“Oh my, the stories they are sharing now!”
Mr. Lewis was also preceded in death by his precious granddaughter, Nealey Blair Brown, and his two sisters, Carrie Fritch and Frances Mizell.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary Ruth Brown; daughter, Heather Vaughn Brown; three grandchildren, Lauren Elizabeth Brown,
Payton and Colleen Brown. The family would like to express a special thank you to his first cousin, Sandy Thames Braswell, for her many years of love and support.
