Obituaries
Henry Vernon Fairchild
Graveside service for Henry Vernon Fairchild will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, August 22, at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9-10:15 a.m. prior to the graveside, at Riverwood Family.
Mr. Fairchild, 81, of Brookhaven died August 16, 2023, at Halo Havens in Brookhaven. He was born May 11, 1948, to Everett Fairchild and Ruby Lois Harveston Fairchild.
Mr. Fairchild was self employed as a cattle farmer.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Linda Gail Smith Fairchild; his parents; and brothers and sisters, John E. Fairchild, Jr., Ruth Jane Waldrop, Virginia Smith, Marvin Fairchild, Catherine Callender, and Carolyn E. Fairchild.
He is survived by his son, Jewell Fairchild; brother, Roy J. Fairchild (Joyce); two sisters, Lyda P. Brent and Margaret L. Fairchild; his special friend and companion, Bonnie L. Turner; and the family at Halo Havens that made him feel so loved and special.
Frances Lee Speights
The funeral service for Frances Speights will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, August 22, at Riverwood Family, with burial in Easthaven Cemetery. Visitation is from Noon until the time of the service at Riverwood.
Mrs. Speights, 89, passed from this life on Friday, August 18, 2023, at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, MS. She was born February 28, 1934, in Prentiss, MS to Johnny Roger Lee and Edna Bozeman Lee. Mrs. Speights was a homemaker. Being a mom and creating a wonderful home environment was her goal. She did that exceptionally well. Mrs. Speights was a Godly woman, who loved her family and church family.
Preceding her in death were her parents Johnny Roger Lee and Edna Bozeman Lee; husband, Francis Joe Speights; daughter Betsy Ann Speights; grandson Caleb Joe Harrison; brothers, Roger Lee, Robert Lee, John S. Lee, and Harold B. Lee; and sisters, Johnnie Sheltra, Louise Webb, and Mary Annette Morris.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Pam Harrison and husband Joel; her son Joseph Scott Speights and wife Sharon; grandchildren, Laura Tarver and husband Jacob, Anna Traxler and husband Ryan, and Luke Harrison; great grandson, Jaxson Hayes Traxler, and her sister Becky McGee and husband John William McGee, and a host of nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two men and their families who are family to her. They are Eric and Kathy Storm, and their children Sydney and Sam, and John and Natacia Storm, and their children Mitchell and Justin.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Frances Lee Speights name may be made to: Easthaven Baptist Church, Haven Cross Fund.
James Shelby Freeman
The graveside service for James Shelby Freeman will be 10 a.m., Monday, August 21, at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Freeman, 61, of Brookhaven, died August 17, 2023, at Select Specialty in Jackson, MS. He was born in Brookhaven, December 1, 1961.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Virginia "Jenny" Freeman; his mother, Linda McCullough and stepfather, Jerry Lee McCullough; father, Shelby Freeman and wife, Jenny Freeman; and grandparents, Martell and Elaine Allen and Roy and Abigail Freeman.
He is survived by his brother, Jerry Freeman and his sister, Chastity Freeman Burnette.
Julia Evelyn Oubre Simmons
Services for Mrs. Julia Evelyn Oubre Simmons of Brookhaven are 11:00 am, Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Riverwood Family with visitation from 9:00 until the time of service, and burial at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Mrs. Julia Evelyn Oubre Simmons, 94, passed away at her home, surrounded by her family August 16, 2023. She was born November 28, 1928, to the late Clarence and Holland Oubre in Magnolia Mississippi.
Mrs. Evelyn was a Charter Member of Brookway Baptist Church and a member of the Eastern Star.
She reared four children to whom she was devoted.
A Registered Nurse, she worked at Brook Manor Nursing Home for a short time and was co-owner of Gene’s Men’s Shop until her retirement.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Henry Gene Simmons, Sr.; her parents; and daughter, Cynthia Simmons Forrester.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Henry Gene Simmons, Jr. (Cris), Timothy Jack Simmons (Irene) and Angie Simmons McCardle (John). She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Chad Simmons (Tammy), Blaine Hamilton (Casey), Emily Edmonds (Brian), Blake Simmons (Erica), Marci Watters (John), Michaelanne Barton (Brett), and John Rhodes Farham (Jenny) along with 20 great grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her honorary daughter, Cindy Bowman Townsend; her Nurse Cat (Mama Cat), who never left her side, and her loving and devoted sitters, Gail Steckler, Irma Andrews, Pat Newman and Tena Riguard.
She will be dearly missed by all her family, friends and all that loved her.
Memorial can be made to the B.A.R.L.
P.O. Box 3477, Brookhaven, MS 39603
Bobby Lynn Parrette
A Graveside service for Bobby Lynn Parrette will be held at 2:30 p.m., Monday, August 21, at Thompson Chapel Cemetery. There will also be a visitation from 1-2 p.m. prior to the service at Little Bahala Baptist Church.
Mr. Parrette, 74, of Wesson, died August 14, 2023, at Southwest Regional Medical Center in McComb. He was born in Tampa, Florida, August 12, 1949, to Paul Parrette and Estelle Brown Parrette. He was a retired welder.
He enjoyed watching wrestling with his son and going to football and baseball games to watch his sons and grandsons play. While around the house he loved to just “tinker” with things, working on lawnmowers and other things. He preferred to be outdoors doing something. Fishing was a favorite pastime and went whenever he was able. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Mr. Parrette is preceded in death by his parents; son, Andrew Parrette; brother, Danny Parrett; and sister, Tina Maples.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Kathy Parrette; children, Tonya Mayeaux, Andrea Parrette, Audra Beall, and Anthony Parrette; brother, Billy Joe Parrette; sisters, Pat Newman, Wanda Bishop, Mary Waldrop, and Susie Beall; four grandchildren, Justin Beall, Ronnie Mayeaux, Dereck Mayeaux, Caitlin Mayeaux; a host of nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews as well as other loving family members and friends.
John Michael "Jack" Barrett, Jr.
Mr. John Michael “Jack” Barrett, Jr., 63, of Brookhaven, died August 16, 2023, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. He was born to John Michael Barrett, Sr. and Kathryn Rudge Barrett, March 28, 1960, in Shirley, Massachusetts. He was baptized into the St. Mary Catholic Church on April 14, 1960.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his brothers Matt Barrett (Karyssa) and Kevin Barrett; two nieces, Kaitlyn Barrett and Kyra Barrett; as well as host of other loving family members and friends.
Burial will be in Dugan Cemetery in Fowler, Ohio.
James Alton Wallace
The funeral service for James Alton Wallace will be 11 a.m., Friday, August 18, at New Zion Baptist Church with burial in the Halford Cemetery in Jayess, MS. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, August 18, at New Zion Baptist Church, and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.
Mr. Wallace, 69, of Monticello, passed away August 14, 2023, at his residence. He was born January 31, 1954, to Houston Wallace and Erma Lee Wallace. He worked in the oil Field until becoming disabled. James would call everyone and ask if they had anything to eat or to just bring him a bowl of cereal. He really liked giving everyone a hard time. He also liked to go to auctions and to the Casino.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Johnson; brothers, Monroe Wallace, Charles Wallace, and Jessie Wallace; and stepson, James Halford.
He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Doris Wallace; children, Martha Brent, William Halford, Bobby Halford (Ashley), Amanda Halford Votaw (Lance), Randall Halford (Tiffany), and Eugene Halford; brother, Ronnie Wallace (Cathy); sister, Lona Rushing; 16 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Terry Lee Smith
The funeral service for Terry Lee Smith will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 16, at Sylvarena Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mr. Smith, 66, of Wesson, died August 13, 2023, at his residence. He was born February 11, 1957. He was a man of many talents and hobbies including travelling, baseball and cross stitch. His greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren. Mr. Terry will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his father, Tony Lee Smith; mother, Mary Knight Davis; and his grandparents, Minnie Belle and Troy Lee Smith.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 35 years, Lisa Smith; children, Sarah Smith Prevost (Peyton), Victoria Bella Smith, and Troy Lee Smith; and five grandchildren, Tyler Prevost, Analeigh Prevost, Jacob Smith, Kolton Ferguson, and Brylee Smith. He is also survived by many other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Sylvarena Baptist Church’s Children’s Ministry, 1119 Old Sylvarena Road, Wesson, MS 39191
Mary Ann Allen
Graveside service for Mary Ann Allen will be 10 a.m., Saturday, August 19, at Riverwood Memorial Park.
"Our beloved Mary Ann Allen, 84 years old of Bellflower, CA passed away Friday, June 16, 2023, when the Lord called her home. Waiting to welcome her is her husband and father of her two children, Sammy Allen, her mother, Mary Lou Summerlin (Anderson), her father, Woodrow Summerlin, stepfather, George Anderson and her son in law, Ronnie Trusdall.
Born April 1, 1939, in Philadelphia, MS inside of her grandparents' home, she was the eldest of three children. She lived in Brookhaven, MS when she married Sammy and they moved to California. To say she was a caring person who loved her family is an understatement. Not only did she spoil her grandkids and great grandkids with love and affection, but she also made sure they were raised in the Catholic church by faithfully taking them to St. Dominic Savio church in Bellflower every Sunday when they were young. She was a strong-willed woman and there wasn't anything she could not or did not handle with grace. Aside from taking care of her home, husband, and children (also later grandchildren and great grandchildren), she worked as an Engineering Analyst in the Problem Action Center for Rockwell International (later Boeing) where she received many awards and was recognized numerous times for her achievements. She continued her education through her employer and received many certificates and a bachelor's degree in science. She retired from Boeing in Huntington Beach, CA in 2002.
She is survived by her two children, Juadon Allen and Angela Trusdall, grandchildren Bobbi Hoenig (Chris), Dustin Trusdall, Cody Trusdall (Jackie), Jodi Allen, Samantha Allen, and Anastasia Allen, her thirteen great grandchildren, her brother James Summerlin (Johnnie), her sister Patricia Jones, and her best friend, Sue Dorman."
Ronnie Dale Porter
The funeral service for Ronnie Dale Porter will be 11 a.m., Monday, August 14, at Riverwood Family, with burial in New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service at Riverwood.
Ronnie Dale Porter, age 74, left us way too soon on August 10, 2023. He was born on August 22, 1948, in Brookhaven, MS, the son of Eloyce and Pat Porter. Ronnie grew up and lived most of his life in Brookhaven, Mississippi, graduating from Brookhaven High School in 1966. He continued his education at Co-Lin community college where he obtained his degree in architectural drafting and during which time he met the love of his life, Charlotte Jackson Porter. Their 56 years of companionship is a testament to the power of loves enduring flame. After their marriage on July 28, 1967, he took a drafting job in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for a short period of time. Soon after he realized that he wanted to begin and raise his family in Brookhaven. In 1968 Ronnie and Charlotte moved back to Brookhaven where he joined his family working at Porter’s Body Shop and where he continued the family business for 55 years. Ronnie was so devoted to the body shop that Charlotte would say to him “that if the body shop was a woman, I would have something to worry about”. Anyone who knew Ronnie knew he loved hunting, fishing, gardening, traveling and woodworking. He could fix anything. Above all he treasured the moments he spent with his family. Every shared experience became a lesson in bonding, teaching his family the immeasurable value of togetherness. He enjoyed working at the farm with the boys to get ready for hunting season, and this will be the first time in 23 years that he will not be the one planting the food plots.
Ronnie had been an active member of Central Baptist Church for many years, where he taught Sunday school and was a Deacon. Ronnie was a loyal husband, father, son, brother, boss, and friend to many. He was that one phone call you would make when you needed to count on someone for help.
Ronnie and Charlotte loved traveling and they shared that love with their three boys, Tim, Brad and Patrick. They have many great memories of family vacations traveling across country from the Grand Canyon to the Smokey Mountains. They made it a priority for their family to spend quality time together.
Known as Peppaw to his grandchildren, he spent many days and nights attending their activities, celebrating their birthdays, and doing pretty much anything that they asked of him. They have great memories of him teaching them how to ride a bike right in his front yard. He was selfless in that way putting others first above himself. He leaves behind a legacy of love and commitment to family that has made an impact in their lives as well as their future generations to come.
He is survived by his wife Charlotte Porter; son, Timothy Porter (Samantha) of Ridgeland, MS, Patrick Porter (Annette) of Brookhaven, MS; Father, Pat Porter; three brothers, Randy Porter (Ruby), Jeff Porter(Lou Ann) and Terry Porter; Eight grandchildren, Madeline Leifeste (Will), Dallas, TX; Savannah Thomas, Detroit, MI; Harrison Porter, Jackson, MS; Carlisle Porter, Memphis, TN; Jarod Porter, Jalen Porter, Jillian Porter and Jaxson Porter all from Brookhaven, MS.
He was preceded in death by his son Brad Porter and his mother, Eloyce Porter.
