Obituaries
Melissa Annette Brister
The funeral service for Melissa Annette Brister will be 1 p.m., Friday, May 26, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Union Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, May 25, at Riverwood and will resume from Noon until the time of service on Friday.
Mrs. Brister, 53, of Brookhaven, died May 23, 2023, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. She was Born October 22, 1969, to JJ Wallace, Jr. and Denise Durr Upton.
Melissa worked for Superior Welding and Fabrication in the bookkeeping and accounting department. Her life away from the busyness of work included riding the creek with family and friends as well as just taking long walks around her home to enjoy the fresh air. She also found great joy in just listening to music or singing along with her favorite songs. Her greatest enjoyment was her children. Melissa will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.
She is preceded in death by her father, JJ Wallace, Jr.; stepfather, Bo Upton; and father-in-law, Morris Brister; and her sister, Tina Annette Wallace.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 34 years, John “Speck” Brister; her children, Brooke Brister, John Garett Brister, Saylor Brister, and Cheyenne Brister; her mother, Denise Upton; brothers, Tony Wallace (Roslyn), J.J. Wallace III (Rhonda), and Wendell Upton and niece Angel Upton; sister, Sarah Hodges (Johnathen). She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Anthony Tyler "Red Ant" Oswalt
A Memorial Gathering will be held for Anthony Tyler “Red Ant” Oswalt 5-8 p.m., Thursday evening, May 25, at Riverwood Family.
Mr. Oswalt, 21, of Liberty, MS died May 19, 2023. He was born June 29, 2001, to Thomas Vester Oswalt, Sr. and Paula Marie Hull Oswalt. He worked as a Lineman.
“Red Ant” enjoyed the great outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed camping and mud riding. He was a great storyteller and his stories always brought a smile to all who listened. Anthony loved his family above all things and he will be greatly missed by all.
He is preceded in death by his father and his grandparents, Carnard & Elizabeth Oswalt and Richard E. & Claire Hampton.
He is survived by his mother; brothers, Daniel Delaney (fiancé Samantha Sampson) and Kyle Oswalt; his best friends, Tyler Allen and Jesse Haas; nephews, Gotham Jordan and Arkham Delaney; and by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718 Oklahoma City, OK 73123.
Loretta Nix Smith
The funeral service for Mrs. Loretta Nix Smith will be 11 a.m., Thursday, May 25, at New Prospect Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service at New Prospect.
Mrs. Smith, 89, of Bogue Chitto, received a call, an offer that she could not refuse, for an appointment from which she will not be returning, May 22, 2023. Her work here is done, and she has already experienced a glorious reunion with family and friends that she has not seen in a long time. She is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior, home at last. Mrs. Loretta was born March 16, 1934, to Joe Nix and Gladys Shephard Nix.
Mrs. Loretta was a hero to everyone who knew her. She was a loving compassionate wife, mother, grandmother and friend and will be forever remembered for her humble and gracious spirit in all circumstances. She was an avid reader, her Bible especially. She loved her flowers and tended to them as long as she had the health to do so. Her greatest joy was family, she adored her grandbabies she was a bold witness for the love of Jesus to each one of them. As instructed through His Word, God was always first and that meant everything else would fall into its rightful place. Mrs. Loretta leaves a legacy of faith and will forever be a treasure.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Roger Smith; her parents; sons, Joey Smith and Roger Dale Smith; daughter, Kathy Whittington; four brothers; and one granddaughter, Rebecca Ann Whittington.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her daughters, Karen Howell and husband, Hank and Lori Wright and husband, Pete; 8 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by a host of other loving family members, friends, and her faith family at New Prospect.
Susan Mystique "Mysti" Benson
Ms. Susan Mystique Benson, 48, of Brookhaven, died May 20, 2023. She was born in Hattiesburg, MS, August 15, 1974, to Dennis Benson and Rebecca Howell Benson.
Mysti enjoyed singing and entertaining people. Nothing compares to the love she held for her daughter, Gracie. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her grandmothers, Gladys L. Howell and Eunice M. Benson; and her aunt, Susan J. Howell.
She is survived by her daughters, Kate Soske and Madeline Grace “Gracie” Breazeale; her parents; sisters, Dana Rae Barksdale, Tonya Karan Bourn, Sonya Kay Kennedy; nieces, Ashlyn, Autumn, Kathlena, Ali, Stephany, and Olive; nephews, Gavin and Wyatt, as well as other loving family members and friends.
When I go, don’t learn to live without me, just learn to live with my love,
in a different way. And if you need to see me, close your eyes, or look in your shadow, when the sun shines, I’m there.
Sit with me in the quiet and you will know, that I did not leave.
There is no leaving when a soul is blended with another. When I go,
don’t learn to live without me, just learn to look for me in the moments.
I will be there. (Donna Ashworth)
Brenda Holder Roberts
Ms. Brenda Holder Roberts, 70, of Wesson, died May 20, 2023, in Brookhaven, MS. She was born in Hazlehurst, MS, on December 8, 1952, to W.D. Holder and Emma Mae Barlow Holder.
She was a graduate of Hazlehurst High School and Copiah Lincoln Community College. While at Co-Lin, she was a member of the Collettes. Ms. Roberts enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including Scrap Happy Mama’s Scrapbooking Club and the Red Hat Society. She retired from Co-Lin where she was Librarian for many years.
She is preceded in death by her parents and one grandson, Joshua Ellis Tarver.
She is survived by her children, William Daniel Roberts and Jamie Tarver Roberts; sister, Debbie Davis; three grandchildren, Chasity Paige Henderson, William Laine Roberts, and Victoria Nichole Tarver; and one great grandchild, Thea Elanor Kelly. She is also survived by many other loving family members and friends.
Linda Faye Smith
The funeral service for Linda Faye Smith will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 23, at Riverwood Family, with interment in New Sight Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Monday, May 22, at Riverwood, and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday.
Mrs. Linda Faye Smith went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 18, 2023. She was born on February 19, 1941, to James K. and Hollyce Smith. She was married to James Rowan “Junior” Smith, Jr. and they had two daughters, Sharon Rose and Linda Sheree.
Mrs. Linda worked at Stahl Urban, TG & Y, and Imaginations. She was a wonderful seamstress and homemaker. She was very creative and talented and loved to quilt, craft, paint, garden, and basically anything that allowed her artistry to shine.
After her husband Junior passed away in 1974, Linda became mother and father, grandmother and grandfather, over the next forty-nine years. Her daughters fondly remember her teaching them basic skills, from changing a tire and driving, to cooking and crafts. She loved teaching her grandchildren those same skills and involving them in all the teachable moments of life.
She is preceded in death by her husband; parents; sisters, Jerelene Walker (Lloyd) and Aileen Traxler; her brother, Curtis Smith (Relda); and brother-in-law, Robert Terrell.
Those left to cherish her memory are her, her daughters, Sharon Rose Case (Greg) and Linda Sheree Crosby (Wayne); sisters, Peggy Porter (Carol Ray) and Charlotte Terrell; her five grandsons, Brandon Case (Linda), Mitch Case (Sandy), Byron McCullough (Kimberly), Cody Crosby, and Reid Crosby; one granddaughter, Cherilynn Howell (Robert); nine great grandchildren, John and Jace Marbury, Charlie and Chell Rose Howell, Madelynn and Rowan Case, Brian and Brandon Monteleone, and Baby McCullough (parents Byron and Kimberly) coming December 2023.
Dennis Earl Berry
The funeral service for Dennis Earl Berry will be 11 a.m., Friday, May 19, at Wesson Baptist Church, with burial in Wesson City Cemetery.
Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service Friday.
Mr. Berry, 64, of Wesson, died May 16, 2023, in Wesson. He was born in Hazlehurst, MS, February 9, 1959, to the late Carl Langston Berry and Helen Olive Smith Berry. Mr. Berry was employed in the Lumber and Concrete business where he was a saw filer and truck driver. Mr. Berry was an avid Mississippi State fan, he enjoyed watching and cheering them on and spending time with his grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Paula Dawn Berry; his children, Langston Berry (Heather), Alex Berry (Peyton), Greg Ryan (Ashley), and Brooke Swaney (Trey); sisters, Linda Crews, Betty Estes (Lester), Sue Heard (Fred), Marilyn Davis (David), and Trisha Moore; six grandchildren, Emrie Leigh Berry, Avrie Reign Berry, Joseph Parker Ryan, Aubrey Elaine Ryan, Savannah Brooke Ryan, and Olivia Catherine Swaney. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Richard Eugene Hollingsworth, II
The funeral service for Mr. Richard Eugene Hollingsworth, II will be 10 a.m., Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 8 a.m. until the time of the service Saturday morning.
Mr. Hollingsworth, 53, of Bogue Chitto, died May 15, 2023, at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. He was born in Brookhaven, November 26, 1969, to Richard Eugene Hollingsworth (Ricky) and Patty Jean Smith Hollingsworth.
Richard spent many years and retired from the oil industry, working offshore. His most recent job, after retirement, was working as a welder with Peppers Welding. Richard was a hard-working man who also enjoyed the simpler things in life like fishing or boating. Another escape for him was through music, Merle Haggard and George Jones were two of his favorite musicians. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Richard’s family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to Peppers Welding. They didn’t treat him like just an employee, but with respect and concern as he went through the diagnosis of cancer until his death. They were a constant source of support for Richard and his entire family. We want to thank Mrs. Lisa and Mrs. Sheila, especially, for always taking the time to check on him. No words can truly express the depth of gratitude and love we have for the entire Peppers Welding staff and family.
He is preceded in death by his father; grandparents, Barto and Elizabeth Hollingsworth and George Brantley and Ernestine Smith; brother, Louie Barto Hollingsworth; cousin, Tommy Smith; and niece, Arianna Rochelle Hollingsworth.
He is survived by Melissa Brister Bourn; children, Barry Hollingsworth, Allen Kyzar, and Tiffany Kyzar; his mother; brother, Slade Hollingsworth; sister, Rebecca Hollingsworth Nolan; one grandchild, Remi Diane Kyzar; cousin, Howard Smith; and close friends, George and Maria Case and Steve and Penny Roberts, as well as his lifelong friend, Johnny Cooper.
Patti Smith Benton
The graveside service for Mrs. Patti Smith Benton will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 17, at Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 8:30-10 a.m., Wednesday, prior to graveside, at Riverwood Family.
Mrs. Benton, 70, of Farmersville, TX, died May 12, 2023, at her residence. She was born September 5, 1952, to Jasper Leon Smith, Jr. and Sybil Stevens Smith.
Mrs. Benton is preceded in death by her husband Steve Benton and her parents.
She is survived by her sons, Stevie Benton and wife, Sara, Matt Benton and wife, Mindy, and Billie Benton and girlfriend, Kelly Zambo; and three grandchildren, Sebaston Taylor Benton, Sophia Benton, and Skyler Benton. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Edwin Percy Fauver
The funeral service for Edwin Percy Fauver will be Noon, Tuesday, May 16, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mr. Fauver, 81, of Brookhaven, died May 14, 2023, in Brookhaven, MS. He was born December 14, 1941, to Percy Fauver and Alta Mae Case Fauver.
Mr. Fauver enjoyed spending time outdoors, quail hunting, going fishing, and camping. He valued time spent with his family and watching his grandchildren play sports. Mr. Fauver was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Tommie Jean Fauver; son, Tad Fauver; his parents; sister, Laurie Goetz; and granddaughter, Alli Mullins.
Mr. Fauver is survived by his children, Tammy Nunnery (Kody Wayne) , Brad Fauver (Kristie), and daughter-in-law, Debbie Fauver; 9 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. He is also survived by best friends, Mike and Patsy Smith.
