Obituaries
James Doyle Powell
Graveside service for Mr. James Doyle Powell will be 4 p.m. Friday, October 16, 2020,
at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Mr. Powell, 87, of Brookhaven, passed from this life October 14, 2020. He was born in White Bluff,
Mississippi, January 29, 1933, to James Clad Powell and Neva Marie Price Powell Hendricks.
He served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. Mr. Powell was the
owner of R. B. Wall Oil Company where, over the years, he provided “first job” opportunities
for hundreds of young men, and he was a member of Central Baptist Church. He was a member
of various clubs including VFW Post 2618, American Legion Post 79, Wahabi Shriners, Grand Encampment
of Knights Templar, Master Mason Grand Lodge of Mississippi, John A. Galbreath Lodge 334, and
a founding member of Brookhaven Academy, serving on the first Board of Directors. He was an avid hunter
and fisherman and owned bird dogs his entire life up to just two years ago. He enjoyed collecting guns and
attending sporting events, especially those involving his children and grandchildren. He took care of a lifetime
stable of dogs…“Everyone should be so lucky to be Doyle Powell’s dog”, was an often used refrain around the
Powell house and business. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517,
Topeka, KS, 66675, www.woundedwarriorproject.org or National WWII Museum, New Orleans, Louisiana,
where he was on the Honor Roll of Charter Members. Please go to www.nationalww2museum.org, follow
the Tribute link for James Doyle Powell to make donations.
He is preceded in death by his parents; grandmother, Lillie Irene Dunnaway; daughter, Donna Lynn Powell Smith;
and brother-in-law, Howard Earl Rogers.
Those left to cherish his memory are, his wife, of over 65 years of marriage, Elizabeth Ann Powell; son,
Kenneth Wayne Powell and wife, Sherry, of Brookhaven, MS; daughters, Sharon Ann Powell, of Pensacola, FL,
Tina Powell McGhee and husband, Jim, of Pensacola, FL; brothers, Dale Powell and wife Betty, Billy Wayne Powell
and wife Cici, Richard Powell; sister, Peggy Rowell and husband, Kenny; six grandchildren, Joy Elizabeth Powell,
Jamison Powell, James McGhee, Robert McGhee, Bridgette Wheatley, Jessica Hyde; six great grandchildren,
Anna Wheatley, Spencer Wheatley, Luke Hyde, Olivia Hyde, Charley White, and Caroline Hyde. He is also
survived by a special family members, Mary Lee Brister and Randy Wallace and a host of special cousins,
nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
Mr. Powell’s family extends special appreciation to the caretakers who provided gracious assistance to our
father including Renea Dawson, Becki Berry and Rebecca Cameron. We also would like to thank the wonderful
medical staff in various Brookhaven offices, who did so much in caring for our father.
Laverne Smith Lea
Graveside services for Mrs. Laverne Smith Lea will be 11 a.m., Friday,
October 16, 2020, at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Mrs. Lea, of Brookhaven, passed from this life October 13, 2020. Her life journey
began October 11, 1924, being born to J. Arthur “Geems” Smith and Dicey Arcola Johnston Smith.
Her family celebrated her Sunday, on her 96th birthday. Mrs. Lea graduated from the
University of Southern Mississippi and began a teaching career. She was in the
Lincoln County School District for 30 plus years until retirement. Mrs. Laverne enjoyed
flower gardening as well as sewing and quilting. She wasn’t afraid to try new things,
she also worked with ceramics and was well acquainted with the art of cooking. She
was a member of First Baptist Church of Brookhaven and was a faithful loving servant
of the Lord Jesus Christ. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Coleman Lea; parents; and one brother, five sisters;
and son-in-law, Guy Hitt.
Those who are left behind to cherish her memory are, her children, Pam Hitt, Terry Lea and wife,
Amy and Tim Lea; and sisters, Evelyn Smith and Johnnie Jackson; six grandchildren,
Jessica Bullock and husband Nathan, Tiffany Malpass, Katie Lea Adam Lea, Matthew Lea,
Wade Lea along with four great-grandchildren, Kaleb Bullock, Noah Lea, Cole Bullock, and
Max Malpass. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and other family and friends.
The family would like to thank Mrs. Lea’s personal caregivers, Rita Wilson and Joyce Wright.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Baptist Children’s Village 114 Marketridge Dr, Ridgeland, MS 39157.
Linda Louise Case Hilton
Services Mrs. Linda Louise Case Hilton are 11:00 am Wednesday, October 14, 2020,
at Riverwood Family with visitation from 9:00 until the time of service.
Interment will be at New Salem Church of Christ Cemetery.
Linda Louise Case Hilton was born on November 1, 1941, to Bennie Louis Case and Clara Smith Case.
She passed from this life on Monday, October 12, 2020. She was a resident of Brookhaven.
Linda married Billy Ray Hilton Sr on October 16, 1961. To this union four sons were born, Bill, Mark, Shane, and Courtney Hilton.
Linda was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and Aunt. She was loved by all who knew her.
Linda was exceptionally talented. She was a professional seamstress, who could crochet, knit, and embroidery.
She was an excellent cook, cake decorator, and an avid reader.
She retired from Dr. Timothy Raborn’s office, where she worked for over 20 years as an office manager.
Linda was a faithful member of the Church of Christ and was a fine example of a Godly Christian Woman.
She entertained and fed many preachers and Church members, family, and friends thru the years. Linda loved the Church, and she loved the Lord.
She was truly a Proverbs 31 Woman.
Preceding her in death were her parents, beloved sons, Bill Hilton, and Mark Hilton. Brother Frank Olsovsky, sister in law Shirley Hilton, and brother in law Jerry Knotts.
Left to cherish her memory are husband BiIly Ray Hilton Sr., beloved sons, Shane Hilton (Angie), and Courtney Hilton. Grandchildren, Billy Hilton,
Blake Hilton, Mark Hilton, and Dree Hilton. Great-grandchildren , Greenlee Hilton, Scarlett Lewis, and Drue Brown.
Siblings Peggy Case Smith (Kelmer), Jim Case (Kathy) and Francille Matassa, and a host of nieces and nephews. She will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Barbara Ann Case
Services for Mrs. Barbara Ann Case will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2020,
at 11:00am at Riverwood Family With interment in Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Monday, October 12, 2020, from 5:00-8:00pm also at Riverwood.
Barbara Ann Case, 72, of Brookhaven, passed from this life on October 10, 2020 at
Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson. She was born on May 13, 1948 to
Calvin Conner Gates and Virginia Elmease Gates.
She was a huge supporter of her children and became an adopted mom to so many.
Mrs. Case was known as the North Pike Band Mom and she was a loyal supporter
of her grandchildren in all their activities. She was a former manager at Cato’s Fashions
and customer service manager at McComb Walmart along with an active member of Macedonia Baptist Church.
Preceding her in death were her parents; Calvin and Elmease Gates; brother,
Jeff Gates and father of her children, James Ray Wisinger.
Those left to cherish her memory are, her husband, Ralph O. Case; son, Jim Wisinger,
and wife Missy; daughters, Dee Dee Wisinger Gardiner and husband Greg and Melissa Rando
and husband Daniel; brother, Bobby Gates. She is also survived by nine grandchildren,
Alexis Gardiner, Kinley Wisinger, Gage Wisinger, Katy Wisinger, Karly Wisinger,
Shelley Holley, Marli Peden, Cooper Peden, Aubrey Peden along with one great grandchild, Hazel Grace Holley.
Juda Davis Givens
Visitation for Mrs. Juda Davis Givens are 5:00-8:00, Tuesday, October 13 at Riverwood Family and will resume
Thursday morning from 9:00 am until time of the service at 11:00 at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church in Lucedale.
Interment will be at Dickerson Davis Cemetery.
Juda Davis Givens, 61, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life on October 10, 2020, at Southwest Regional Medical Center in McComb.
She was born on February 18, 1959, to Frank Davis, Sr. and Lucille Davis Cochran.
Preceding her in death were both of her parents; husband of 44 ½ years, Ronnie Givens; daughter, Shana Givens;
grandson, Levi Givens; sisters, Gladys Murrah and Hope Tanner.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Wayne Givens (Christi), John Givens (Michelle), and Josh Givens (Whitney);
brothers, Jerome Davis (Gena), James Davis, Wilbur Davis (Nikki), Gerald Davis (Mary), and Frank Davis, Jr.;
sisters, Sylvia Durham (Herman), Edna Rouse (Tommy), and Mary Lee Bell. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Chris Givens (Heather),
Lexy Burt (Taylor), Camy Foret (Dylan), Wyatt Givens, Hunter Givens, Shana Givens, and Lucy Givens;
along with three great-grandchildren, Carsyn Givens, Aubreigh Burt, and Everleigh Foret, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Earline Gatlin Hall
Funeral service for Mrs. Earline Gatlin Hall will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, October 14,
at Moaks Creek Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation
is from 1 p.m. until the time of service at Moaks Creek.
Mrs. Hall, 85, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life October 12, 2020. She was born
November 15, 1934 to her parents, Edgar Neely Gatlin, and Thresa Mae Whittington Gatlin.
She was retired from Bogue Chitto Public School. Mrs. Hall was a dedicated wife, mother,
grandmother, and great grandmother. She enjoyed her family and loved to cook meals for
them to bring everyone together. She was a faithful member of Moaks Creek Baptist Church.
She will be missed by all those who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, John Neal Hall; her parents; sister,
Alene Gatlin Maxwell; and brother, Lee Edward Gatlin.
Those left to cherish her memory are, her sons, Kenneth Hall and wife, Judy,
Johnny Ray Hall and wife, Brenda, and Gary Neely Hall; brother, Charles Gatlin,
and wife Betty; and sister-in-law, Ernestine Gatlin. She also leaves behind a legacy
of faith to seven grandchildren, Emily Hall Hardacre, Sara Hall Renfroe, Tressie Hall Durr,
Briana Hall Fuller, Stuart John Hall, Hayley Hall Deer, and Collin Gent Hall; and 17
great grandchildren as well as other loving family members and friends.
Judy Pounds Peets
Services for Mrs. Judy Pounds Peets of Brookhaven are 10:00 am Monday, October 12, 2020,
at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, with burial at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Visitation is from 4:00-7:00 pm Sunday, October 11, at Riverwood Family.
Judy Pounds Peets was born on December 31, 1948, in Magnolia, MS. to Horace and Rosa Pounds and older brother, John Ray.
She was a graduate of Brookhaven High School and Copiah Lincoln Jr. College.
Later marrying the love of her life, Randy Peets, and having two sons, Jefrey, and Ryan Peets.
Judy was a lifelong parishioner of St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. She volunteered in her community and retired from
St Luke Home Health where she served the residents of Brookhaven. However, her most beloved role was as a wife,
mother to her boys, and grandmother to Taylor and Leighanna Peets. She was a devoted aunt to her niece and nephews,
Mitch Pounds (Holly), Lisa Breazeale (Kyle), Allen, and Derek Peets.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Horace and Rosa Pounds, her father-in-law, Albert Ray Peets,
and her sister-in-law, Mary Pounds.
Her passing will be mourned by her loving family, and friends, Ms. Phyllis Wallace, and Mrs. Judy Hall.
Susan Elizabeth Rowley
Susan Elizabeth Rowley, 51 of Monticello, passed away on October 7, 2020.
She was born on May 1, 1969, to Joe Clark and Bonnie Peavy Clark.
Susan was a homemaker, an amazing cook, and loved reading and spending time with friends and family.
She will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Preceding her in death were her daughter’s father, Anthony Wayne Watson; husband, Trafton Rowley;
grandparents, James B. Pevey, Irene Rutland Pevey, and Emily Clark.
Those left to cherish her memory are her parents; daughter, Bailey Watson and brother, Michael Clark, and nieces, Emmy Clark and Josie Clark.
Beverly Sue Case King
Funeral service for Beverly Sue Case King will be 10 a.m., Friday, October 9, 2020, at
Riverwood Family with interment at Mt Zion Church of Christ Cemetery. Visitation
is from 5-8 p.m, Thursday, October 8, at Riverwood.
Mrs. King, 68, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life October 6, 2020, at her residence.
She was born March 19. 1952, to Colon and Annie Merle Wilson Case.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Rodney King; her parents; sister, Betty Joyce Case;
father and mother-in-law, Horace and Pauline King; brother-in-law, Charlie Hart; and nephew, Joseph Libby.
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Scott King of Bogue Chitto; daughter, Neosha McGuffee and
husband, Greg, of Lawrence County; sister, Delores Hart; brothers-in-law, Roger Dale King and wife, Julia and
Richard King; four grandchildren, Annie, Gracie, and Adam McGuffee and Kristen Livings and husband, Matt;
five great grandchildren; nieces, Sharlene Libby and Jenny Carpenter; nephews, John Hart and Ray Joe Case.
She is also survived by two lifelong friends, Charlotte and Haley Terrell.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Berean Children’s Home, P.O. Box 1009 Brookhaven, MS 39602.
Daniel Earl Porter
Funeral service for Daniel Earl Porter will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at Riverwood Family,
with interment at Philadelphia Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, October 6, at Riverwood.
Mr. Porter, 68, of Brookhaven, passed from this life on October 4, 2020, at his residence. He was born November 16, 1951,
to Lawrence Porter and Bernice Herring Porter. He was retired from Brookhaven Monument and a member of Philadelphia Baptist Church.
Mr. Porter was also a member of the Loyd Star Volunteer Fire Department. Being an avid outdoorsman, in his spare time,
he enjoyed hunting and riding horses. He will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John Porter, Ben Joe Porter, and George Porter; sister, Juliette Westbrook;
brother-in-law, Robert Westbrook; and sister-in-law, Doris Porter.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Diane K. Porter; daughter, Valorie Honea, and husband, Joe;
sister, Rachel Etienne and husband, Albert; sisters-in-law, Maxine Porter and Sally Porter; one grandchild,
Anah Honea; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
