Obituaries
Johnnie "Jere" Russell
RUSSELL, JOHNNIE “Jere” GERALEENE, age 92, a Richmond, VA resident for 47 years, passed away peacefully on Oct 4, 2024, at her daughter’s home after declining health.
Jere was born in Brookhaven, MS on March 25, 1932, to the late John F. and Bertie Lea Brister. She grew up in Brookhaven and was introduced to Jay Russell while in high school. He was smitten then and for the rest of his life. After Jere attended the University of Southern Mississippi for two years and Jay graduated from Mississippi State, the two got married in 1952. Jay’s Air Force career brought them stateside and overseas assignments including Germany and Okinawa. In 1965 they moved to the DC area for 12 years and then finally to Richmond, VA, where they retired. Everywhere they lived Jere adapted and made a beautiful home for her family. Her greatest joy in life was being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and she was happiest when she had her family around her – especially feeding them! Most importantly though, Jere had the sweetest spirit and kindest heart that caused all who met her to love her. She rarely greeted anyone without a kind word and compliment. Jere loved the Lord and truly desired to honor Him with the way she lived. We were blessed beyond measure to have her with us as long as we did. This world will not be the same without her.
Jere is survived by her daughter, Sandra Russell Howells, and son, Roger Alan Russell, and his wife, Lauren. She is also survived by her 6 grandchildren, Heather Howells, Chase Howells, Brittany Russell, Colin Russell, Trey Russell and Alexis Russell and 3 great-grandchildren Henry, Hannah, and Jordan, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, all for whom she cared deeply. In addition to her parents, Jere was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Jay, and her dearly loved sister, Mildred (Richardson).
A service will be held at Pleasant Grove Church in Monticello, MS on Nov 1, 2024, at 11am. Interment to follow in the church cemetery. Any memorial contributions may be made in memory of Jere to Pleasant Grove Church, 1098 Pleasant Grove Dr, Monticello, MS 39654.
Cynthia Diane Hawley
Cynthia Diane Hawley, 66, of Smithdale, MS, died October 16, 2024, at Southwest MS Regional Medical Center. She was born in Midland, Texas, on June 17, 1958, to Jimmy Garvin and Evelyn Rushing.
Ms. Hawley enjoyed spending time with friends and family. She loved God, arts and crafts, woodworking, and cooking.
She is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Kathleen Wolff.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Keysha Nations (Jerry), Rondah Williamson (Ron), Joey Hawley (Annie), and Kimberly Orcutt; brother, Sonny Welch; sisters, Genette Ratcliff and Sandra Cupit; ten grandchildren; and fourteen great grandchildren. She is also survived by her significant other, Mike Wells and many friends and family.
The family would like to thank the staff at Southwest Regional Medical Center.
Ba Van Le
The funeral service for Ba Van Le will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at St. Mary’s Basilica. Visitation will be 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
Mr. Le was born on March 15, 1931, and passed from this life on October 16, 2024, after 93 wonderful years.
Jerry Daniel Fauver
Mr. Jerry Daniel Fauver, 73, of Brookhaven, died October 11, 2024, at his residence. He was born in Brookhaven on April 27, 1951, to James Albert Fauver, Sr. and Audrey Pearl Case Fauver. He worked for the Oil Industry all over the world. Mr. Fauver was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, James Albert Fauver, Jr.
He is survived by his brother, Jimmy C. Fauver and wife, Edna, and a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Nicholas Cole Lofton
Funeral service for Nicholas Cole Lofton will be 2 p.m., Friday, October 18, at Riverwood Family. Visitation is from Noon until the time of the service.
Nicholas Cole Lofton, 26, of Brookhaven, MS, died Sunday, October 13, 2024, at his residence. He was born April 28, 1998, to Charles Lofton and Kimberly Cartwright Lofton. Cole passed away on October 13 after a lifelong battle with Conradi-Hunermann syndrome. He attended Enterprise Attendance Center and was currently attending Magnolia Place day program.
He was an athlete with Special Olympics of McComb and the McComb Miracle League
He is preceded in death by his mother, Kimberly Cartwright Lofton; and his grandparents, Claudia Cartwright, Charles Ray Lofton, and Harvey Seebach.
He is survived by his parents, Charles and Michelle Lofton; brothers, Garrett Lofton and Cash Lofton; sisters, Lily Lofton and Morgan King; and his grandparents, Phylis Lofton, Judy Seebach, and Sherry Haynes.
In lieu of flowers you may make memorials to Make-A-Wish Mississippi, 607 Highland Colony Parkway # 100, Ridgeland, MS 39157, or Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities, 2 Old River Place, Suite M, Jackson, MS 39202.
The family would like to thank his extended family of friends, caregivers and bonus mom Kathy William's for years of love and support.
Joe Lannie Temple
Mr. Joe Lannie Temple of Brookhaven, MS, died October 13, 2024, at his residence. He was born in Meadville, MS to James Temple and Wessie Mae Brister Temple, on January 25, 1960.
Joe was a beloved husband, father, son, Paw paw, and friend. Spending time with his family was especially important to him. He was a truck driver by trade but found great pleasure mowing the lawn or just taking the time to go fishing. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Joe is preceded in death by his father, James Temple; Brother, Nathan Temple; sister-in-law, Mary Sterling Temple; and first wife, Mickey Temple.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife of 13 years, Mary Porter Temple; his mother, Wessie Temple; children, Amy Jacobs and Nicholas Mueller; brothers, Wesley Temple, David Temple (PollyAnna), Bobby Temple (Jeannie); four grandchildren, Charleigh Jacobs, Remley Jacobs, Maelynn Jacobs, and Odin Jacobs; friends, Billy & Pam Jacobs, Connie Mueller, Kurt Mueller, and Jimmy Burns, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Arden Hospice for their compassion while Joe was in their care.
Deborah Ann Wallace Victory
Services for Mrs. Deborah Ann Wallace Victory of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm, Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at Riverwood Family with visitation from 1:00 until the time of service and burial at New Hope Methodist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Deborah Ann Wallace Victory, 58, passed away on October 11, 2024, at Kings Daughters Medical Center.
She was born on March 28, 1966, to the late Rayford Wallace and Kathleen Mary Johnson Wallace.
Mrs. Victory was a member of Jackson St. Global Methodist Church. She loved dressing up and going to church. Deborah was a loving wife, mother, sister, and grandmother and will be missed dearly by all who loved her.
Preceding her in death are her parents, and brother, Audie Ray Wallace.
She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Danny Ray Victory; sons Jonathan Wallace (Hanna Rippy) and Stephen Christa and wife, Summer; sisters Nancy Tanner and husband, Mike, and Becky Lofton and husband, Lloyd; six grandchildren, Joseph Wallace, Aurora Wallace, Ben Christa, Audrey Christa, Garrett Victory, and Paul Smith; sisters-in-law Betty Victory, Sonya Cannon, and Rita Wallace; and a host of other family and friends.
Carl Lewis Bardwell
Carl Lewis Bardwell, 85, of Ponchatoula, LA, entered through the gates of glory Thursday, October 10th, 2024, to be with his Lord and Savior. His life’s journey began January 11, 1939, when he was born to Alfred C. Bardwell and May Belle Hudgins Bardwell, in Ponchatoula. He spent 40 years in the Education System as a Teacher in both Louisiana and Mississippi. Carl honorably served his country in the United States Navy, Submarine Division, and was a member of the Submarine Veterans Association of Slidell, LA. He was a loving husband to his wife of 60 years, Edith, until her death, and he continues to be a faithful father, grandfather and great grandfather. Carl had a love for the outdoors, fly fishing and going camping with many amazing friends were two of his favorite pastimes. He was a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church. Carl will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Edith Holden Bardwell; his parents; twin sons, Douglas and Dudley Bardwell; and siblings, Calvin, Percy, Nelson, James, Milton, George, Alice, Lillian, Agnes, and Sarah.
He is survived by his daughter, Monica Hutson and husband, Lance, and his nephew, whom he considered a son, Dennis K. Bardwell; three grandchildren, Jordan Hutson Threadgill and husband, Jacob, Emily Hutson, and Mackenzie Hutson; and three great grandchildren, Hadley Hayden Threadgill, Bexley Grace Hutson, Hutson Claire Threadgill; honorary grandchildren, Amy Bush and husband, Jason, April Bardwell, Steven Bardwell and wife Shannel; and honorary great grandchildren, Tyler, Jayla, Colton, and Zoey.
The funeral service for Carl Bardwell will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, October 16, at Jerusalem Baptist Church with burial in Cooper Cemetery. Friends may come for a time of visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
The family would like to thank North Oaks Medical Center, North Oaks Rehabilitation and Hood Memorial Hospital Staff for their care of Mr. Carl.
Jerold Lee Kepper
The funeral service for Jerold Lee Kepper will be 2 p.m., Thursday, October 10, at Riverwood Family with burial in Hillcrest Church of Christ Cemetery. Visitation is from Noon until the time of the service at Riverwood.
Mr. Kepper, 84, of Summit, MS, died October 7, 2024, in McComb, MS. He was born July 9, 1940, to J.O. “Bubba” Kepper and Annie “Cassie” Short Kepper. He was a graduate of Mars Hill High School.
Jerry had many jobs over the years and never met a stranger. All of his jobs involved selling and dealing with the public because that was his gift. He worked as a finance manager at EZ Finance, a loan officer at First Bank, he sold cars at many different dealerships around the McComb area and after he retired, he drove a school bus. He loved building relationships and getting to know people.
Jerry was a loving father and grandfather. He loved spending time outdoors hunting and fishing, especially with Andy and his grandsons and all of their friends. He always had time to go hunting and fishing with his family and friends and made countless trips back and forth to Winnfield over the years to make sure he didn’t miss any ball games or graduations or anything his grandsons were involved in. He loved to socialize at the hunting camp and loved telling stories about his many adventures over the years. He became Paw Paw to the entire family in 1991 when his oldest grandson Drew was born. Paw Paw always took the time to get to know the friends of his sons and his grandsons and loved giving them all a hard time. Everybody that ever met him has a story about Jerry.
He is preceded in death by his wives, Barbara Kepper and Mary Jo Kepper; daughter, Melanie Kepper Pezant; great granddaughter, Landry Kepper; brothers, Dudley Kepper, J.O. Kepper, and Hewitt Kepper; and sisters, Dorothy Palmer, Nellie Kepper, and Winnie Rester.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Andy and Lisa (Thornton) Kepper; grandsons, Drew Kepper, Brady Kepper (Cassidy), and Payton Kepper.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, PO Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23453.
Wanda Jane Childs
Graveside service for Wanda Jane Childs will be 11 a.m., Friday, October 11, at Magnolia City Cemetery.
Mrs. Wanda Jane Overstreet Childs, 68, of Wesson, MS, died October 8, 2024, at Silver Cross Nursing Center in Brookhaven. She was born in Lynchburg, VA, March 21, 1956, to Brady Gray Overstreet and Catherine Brister Overstreet.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Luther David Childs; son, Jeffery Scott Rollins; and her parents, Brady and Catherine Overstreet.
She is survived by her children, Dale Rollins (Samantha) and Lance Rollins (Kimberly); sisters, Debbie Lockett (John) and Cathy Lamberth (Alan); five grandchildren, April Rollins, Kris Herring, Brittany Rollins, Brady Rollins, and David Rollins; and two great grandchildren, Hunter Rollins and Atticius Herring.
The Rollins family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff and nursing department of Compassus and Silver Cross for their excellent care of Mrs. Childs.
