Obituaries
Cookie Wallace
The funeral service for Cookie Wallace will be 11 a.m., Monday, May 8, at Riverwood Family with interment in Bethel Community Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service at Riverwood.
Mrs. Wallace, 68, of Brookhaven, died May 4, 2023, at the Aspen. She was born September 13, 1954, to Charles Joseph Nations and Eloise Bessonette Nations. She was an active member of Brookhaven First Assembly, Sunday School teacher of 35 years, as well as acting as church secretary for many years. She will be greatly missed by those who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Wallace; her parents; brother, Billy Nations; and beloved nephew, Charles Nations.
She is survived by her daughter, Amy Kimble and husband, Ryan; sisters, Becky Dyess and husband, Eulus and Carolyn Etheridge and husband, Jerry. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews as well as other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to https://brookhavenfirst.breezechms.com/give/online, specify “Fire Bible”.
Judith Ann Nations
Services for Judith Ann (Alderman) Nations of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Riverwood Family Funeral Service with visitation from noon until the time of service. Burial will be at Fair River Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Judith Ann (Alderman) Nations, 85, went to be with her Lord on May 3, 2023. She was born on March 8, 1938, to the late Venon L. Alderman and Lena Bell Moak Alderman.
Mrs. Nations was a member of Willing Hearts Circle, a support organization for the Kings Daughter Medical Center in Brookhaven and had recently served as Director of the Women’s Missionary Union at Fair River Baptist Church. She served in both administrative and management roles during a decades long career in insurance, including the position of Assistant Vice President for the Consolidated American Life Insurance Company. She also served as President of the Insurance Women of Jackson (MS).
Mrs. Nations loved to read and cook, but most of all, she loved her family and serving others. She will be missed dearly by those who loved her.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Jimmy Nations; sister, Glenda Alderman; brother, John Alderman; stepbrother, Richard Patterson and stepmother, Helen Patterson Alderman.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, James Kerry Nations, Jr. and wife, Janet and Robin Dwayne Nations and wife, Cindy; stepsister, Eileen Patterson Allen; along with four grandchildren, Cameron Nations and wife, Carly, Shelby Nations, Caroline Nations, Grace Nations; and great granddaughter, CeCe Nations.
In her memory, memorials can be made to Compassion International.
Robin Brown Penn
A Memorial Service for Mr. Robin Brown Penn of Monticello are 11:00 am, Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Monticello United Methodist Church with visitation from 10:00 until the time of service.
Mr. Robin Brown Penn, 86, passed away at Halo Havens in Brookhaven MS, May 3, 2023.
He was born March 9, 1937, to the late, Robert Evans Penn, Jr. and Pearl Brown Penn.
He served his country in the Naval Reserve and was retired from Georgia Pacific.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Sue Simmons Penn; brothers, Dr. Billy Rivers Penn and Robert Evans Penn, III and grandson Hershel Hayden Harp.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Pam Hartzog and husband, John Eddie, Tanya Ballard and husband, Mike, Jana Harp and husband, Hershel and Robin Penn and wife, Christi; nine grandchildren, Trent Hartzog, Ashley Hartzog Franco, Michael Ballard, Marty Ballard, Samantha Harp Nail, Jordan Harp, Simmons Penn, Cooper Penn and Rivers Penn; and ten great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Monticello United Methodist Church.
William Farrell "Billy" Arnold
The funeral service for William Farrell Arnold will be 11 a.m., Saturday, May 6, 2023, at New Salem Baptist Church in McCall Creek, MS. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Rev. Cletus Moak will officiate.
Mr. Arnold, 66, of Smithdale, died May 1, 2023, at Southwest Regional Medical Center in McComb, MS. He was born in Natchez February 1, 1957, to Aubrey Rogers Arnold and Robbie Lee Pennington Arnold.
Mr. Arnold was a gun enthusiast and took great pleasure in buying, selling, and even building them. He also enjoyed shooting firearms. Hunting for petrified wood was another hobby that Billy enjoyed. One search produced a petrified log that he and Lemuel Jones dug on for days, only to be covered over again by weather conditions. After 30 years Billy, and his son, Brad was able to go back and claim that log. He like muscle cars and hotrods too, he was a true outdoorsman and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his mother; his sister, Diane Priest; and his grandparents, William Aubrey Arnold and Analo Arnold.
He is survived by his children, Brad Arnold (Vickey) and Cliff Arnold (Heaven Andrews); brother, Mike Arnold (Katie); eight grandchildren, Lexie Arnold, Bailey Arnold, Abby Arnold, Ava Kate Arnold, Victoria Robbins, Wyatt Robbins, Ashley Bowlin, and Sawyer Bowlin; and his father, Rogers Arnold and mother, Marlene Arnold, as well as other loving family members and friends.
Mary Lou Anderson
Graveside service for Mary Lou Anderson will be 11 a.m., Saturday, May 6, at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Mary Lou Anderson, 100 years old, of Cumberland, and formerly of Brookhaven, MS and Ridgeley, WV, passed away Friday, September 9, 2022, at Country House.
Born February 17, 1922, in Eupora, MS, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Mary Vivian (McCain) McGovern. Waiting to welcome her home is her husband and father of her three children Woodrow Summerlin, her husband George Anderson, sister Catherine Clark, son-in-law Samuel Allen, son-in-law Jesse Jones, Jr., and Ronnie Trusdall.
Growing up in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and being one of three daughters, because “Daddy didn’t have any boys” the girls had to help pick cotton. The family loved hearing her stories from her childhood. She was a loving mother, grandmother and had a green thumb for plants. She was strong and very disciplined about her life. She was the matriarch of the family. As a devout Catholic we knew she had a direct line to God that kept the family in check. She was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Brookhaven, MS. In addition to managing her home she also worked for Jones’ Meat Market and Benoits Dress Shop, Brookhaven, MS. She retired from Brams Distributing, Los Angeles, CA.
She is survived by her daughter Mary Ann Allen, son James W. Summerlin (Johnnie), daughter Patricia L. Jones, and Sue Dorman, who she thought of as a daughter, grandchildren Juadon Allen, Angela Trusdall, Jerome Summerlin (Trevor), Julianne Latham (Van), Kristie Spiroff (Mike), Michael Jones, Jimmy Jones (Cherlynn), 16 great grandchildren, 18 great great grandchildren, and her sister Edna Earle Branning.
The family would like to thank her daughter, Patricia, for taking such loving care of her over the last several years.
Carol Ann Alexander
The funeral service for Carol Ann Alexander will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 2, at Riverwood Family with interment in Montgomery Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service at Riverwood.
Mrs. Alexander, 70, of Bogue Chitto, died April 28, 2023, at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, MS. She was born in McComb, MS, November 8, 1952, to J.C. and Lenis Whittington.
Mrs. Carol was interested in many hobbies, including crocheting, bird watching and flower gardening. She also enjoyed photography, traveling, and baking up tasty goodies for everyone to enjoy. Her greatest pleasure was visiting with family, friends, and taking care of her furbabies.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jesse K. Alexander; her parents; brother, Karey Dale Whittington; and granddaughter, Kimberly Whittington.
She is survived by her children, Cory Whittington (Tiffany), Mandy King (Brian), Maela Badon (Mickey), and Rita McKnight (John); six grandchildren, Jacee, Katelynn, Jeremy, JayAnna, Zayne, and Laci. She also leaves behind her special friend, Linda Williams, and a host of other loving family members and friends.
Polly Saulters Clark
Graveside service for Polly Saulters Clark will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 2, at Lone Star Cemetery in Collins, MS. Bro. Doug Kimble will officiate.
Mrs. Clark, 80, of Brookhaven, died April 27, 2023. She was born in Covington County Ms., April 16, 1943, to Douglas Clyde Saulters and Mildred Knight Saulters.
Polly’s greatest life achievement was being a mother to her son, Albert. She loved him dearly and was overjoyed when her family expanded to include her three grandchildren. Polly loved her family and her Savior, Jesus Christ, more than anything.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Albert Clark; her parents; sisters, Connie Austin, Betty Graf, Erma Delaune, Donice Self, and Christine Maples; and her brother, Larue Saulters.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her son, Albert M. Clark and wife, Shanna; brother, Douglas Saulters; three grandchildren, Katy Cupit and husband, Kyle, Kara Chapman and husband, Bryce, and Kamren Clark. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Dennis Duane Meilstrup
The memorial service for Mr. Dennis Duane Meilstrup will be 3 p.m., Wednesday, April 26, at Riverwood Family, with visitation from 1-3 p.m.
Mr. Meilstrup, 80, of Brookhaven, died April 24, 2023, at his residence. He was born in South Bend, IN, February 25, 1943, to Henry Elmer Meilstrup and Nina Lucille Crouse Meilstrup.
Dennis served as minister through music to youth in several churches throughout the southeast before being called to missions. He served at First Baptist Pell City, AL; Morningview Baptist Church, Montgomery, AL; Petal-Harvey Baptist Church, Petal, MS; and Superior Avenue Baptist Church, Bogalusa, LA.
In 1983-84, he and the family lived in Zimbabwe, Africa, where he served as Logistics Coordinator for a Hunger Fund Project with IMB/SBC. In 1985, Dennis and Sherrie were commissioned as career missionaries to Argentina where they served for 22 years.
His favorite pastimes were golf, tinkering with cars, watching the Florida Gators football team, and spending time with his family. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
He is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and 1 brother.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sherrie W. Meilstrup; children, Duane S. Meilstrup (Jennifer), Devin J. Meilstrup (Jamie), Deron K. Meilstrup (Mary Beth); brother, Don Wiseman; nine grandchildren, Madeleine M. Roberson, Kathryn, Drew, Jake, Aidan, Asha, Zak, Kylie, and Tyler; and three great grandchildren, Nadia, Ivar, and Rilla R. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (www.imb.org/campaign/continuing-dennis-meilstrups-legacy).
Carolyn Diamond Day
The funeral service for Carolyn Diamond Day will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 25, at Clear Branch Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mrs. Day, 81, of Brookhaven, died April 19, 2023, at her residence. She was born May 26, 1941, in Wesson, MS, to Jim and Virgie Ruth Diamond.
Mrs. Day is preceded in death by her husband, Jack W. Day; her parents; and one granddaughter, Brittany Lane Gill and brother, Ricky Diamond.
She is survived by her son, Jackie Nelson Day and wife, Kathy; brothers, Jimmy Diamond and wife, Sandra, and Ronnie Diamond and wife, Doris; granddaughter, Jessica Morris and husband, Devin; and five great grandchildren, Kaylee Anding, Madison Anding, Riley Touchstone, Gunner Gill, and Ryder Touchtone.
Brenda Gail Brown Case
The funeral service for Brenda Gail Brown Case will be 2 p.m., Monday, April 24, at Philadelphia Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from Noon until the time of the service at Philadelphia.
Mrs. Case, 74, of Wesson, died April 20, 2023. She was born May 17, 1948, to Hilton Wilson Brown, Sr. and Gertrude Irene Parsons Brown. She was a homemaker as well as working with Stahl Urban and the Auburn Garment Factory.
Mrs. Case is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Hilton Brown, Jr; sisters, Ann Callender and Sharon Hall; and brothers-in-law, Mitchell Case and Gary Case.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Terry Wayne Case; children, Jenny Jo Pepper (Jamie) and Matthew T. Case (Kandie); sisters, Shirley Smith (Puddin) and Frankie Leggett (Johnny); sisters-in-law, Glenda Crosby (Mike), Pam Jackson (Erwin), Patsy Case, and Joyce Brown; brothers-in-law, Claude Callender, Buddy Hall, and Kaylon Case (Brenda); four grandchildren, Georgianna Lewman (Casey), Wyatt Pepper (Darian), Rosa Pepper, and Matti Jo Case; and three great grandchildren, Tegan Lewman, Tatum Lewman, Tansley Lewman, and John Turner (due in July). She is also survived by her adopted sister, Lavern Hardin, as well as other loving family members and friends.
