Obituaries
Willie Glenn Townsend
A memorial gathering for Willie Glenn Townsend will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, November 23, at East Lincoln Baptist Church. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mr. Townsend, 82, of Monticello, passed from this life November 18, 2022. He was born August 28, 1940. He lived and worked in Lincoln County as a surveyor/civil inspector until he retired. Mr. Townsend was a lifelong member of East Lincoln Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jessie & Lurline Townsend ; his brother, David Townsend; grandson, Cole Buchanan; great grandson, Stetson Padgett; brother-in-law, Donnie Geohegan; and nephew, Richard Geohegan.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife, Annie Townsend; children, Tod Townsend (Jennifer), Deirdre Buchanan (Bubba), and Shawna Padgett (Woody); brothers, Charles Townsend (Florence), Jimmy Townsend (Debbie); sister, Karen Geohegan and sister-in-law, Lavenia Townsend. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Jacob Waldrop (Alisha), Ryan Welther (Tiffany), Michael Waldrop (Amber Dillon), Bret Padgett (Demy), Hanna Reid (Ryan Magee), Hope Gatlin (Eli), Megan Skinner (Kaleb), Jade Padgett (Keith McKigney), and Zackary Townsend; nine great great grandchildren; and his two favorite nurses, Monica of Silver Cross and CC of St. Luke. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Asa Dalton Hardison
Services for Mr. Asa Dalton Hardison of Monticello are 2:00pm Saturday, November 19, 2022, at Bethel Baptist Church in Monticello with visitation from 12:00 until the time of the service. Burial will be at the Church Cemetery.
Mr. Asa Dalton Hardison, 73, passed away November 17, 2022. He was born November 25, 1948, to the late James Hardison and Annie Lee Barber Hardison.
He served his country in the United States Army, 101st Airborne during the Vietnam War.
Mr. Hardison was a Senior Vice President for Georgia Pacific. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and playing golf and tennis.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and his wife, Ruth G. Hardison.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Casey Pevey and husband, Jason and their children, Sydney Ruth Pevey and Abbey Lee Pevey; and Jamie Nicole Hardison; sisters, Frances Hardison, Lilian Dunlow, Jeanette Griffin, Sue Leggett: and brother, James Cecil Hardison. He is also survived by other family members and friends.
He will be dearly missed by all that loved him.
Vicki Lynn Thompson Greer
The funeral service for Vicki Lynn Thompson Greer will be 10 a.m., Saturday, November 19, at Riverwood Family. Visitation will from 5 - 8 p.m., Friday, November 18 at Riverwood.
Mrs. Greer, 62, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life, November 14, 2022. She was born in Lakeland, FL, September 25, 1960, to Thomas Frank Thompson and Dena Ruth White Thompson. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, always looking out for the good of her family and caring for their needs. She liked to bake and share her goods with others. The greatest love she had was for her family, and she enjoyed every moment spent with them. She will be greatly missed by all those who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Bryan Thompson; and by her paternal and maternal grandparents.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 40 years, William Glynn Greer; children, Thomas Greer and wife, Maranda, Candace Adams and husband Dwayne; brothers, Danny Thompson and wife, Shelley and their children, Aarron and Chelsey and their families, Steven Thompson and his daughter, Amanda; sisters, Patricia Allen and husband, Burl and their family, and Denise Baldwin; five grandchildren, Cody Adams, Chloe Adams, Braxton Greer, Chance Greer, and Austin Greer; and a host of nieces and nephews whom she loved very much, as well as other loving family members and friends.
Gerald Wayne Reid
A memorial service will be held for Gerald Wayne Reid, 4 p.m., Tuesday, November 15, at Divide Memorial Methodist Protestant Church.
Mr. Reid, 75, of Monticello, passed from this life November 11, 2022. He was born January 25, 1947, to G.W. Reid and Frances Mildred Carney Reid. Mr. Reid proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Viet Nam War. Gerald spent years working in the trucking industry and retired from working for Lawrence County District 3.
Gerald had a love for hunting and fishing, he spent many hours enjoying the outdoors. He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend. He was a kindhearted man who enjoyed caring and providing for others, especially friends and family. Gerald will be missed by all who loved and knew him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Joe Reid; grandson, Dillon Reid; brothers, Billy Don Reid, Tony Reid, and Charles Reid; and nephew, Lance Reid.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 42 years, Pam Reid; children, Jesse Reid and wife, Heather of Monticello, Chad Furr of Greenville, and Tina Page of Petal; three grandchildren, Archie Reid, Kyle Reid (Reagan), and Kayla Doby (Dillon); a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
Allison Eileen Newell Francis
Funeral service for Allison Eileen Newell Francis will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 16, at Riverwood Family Funeral Service, with interment in the Newell Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday evening at Riverwood and will resume Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Ms. Francis, 49, of Brookhaven, Mississippi, passed away on November 12, 2022. Allison was born on October 22, 1973, to John E. Newell, Jr. and the late Frances Lanelle Sykes Newell. She attended Bogue Chitto Assembly of God and Church of the Way where she had a host of Christian friends who loved on her in her time of deepest need. She has worked as a teacher assistant at Mamie Martin Elementary School since 2000 and was still employed there upon her death. She loved working with the children each day and talked of her co-workers with much gratitude for their genuine love and friendship toward her. Her life's greatest pleasure and memory was knowing she gave her all to her family through her enduring dedication, unconditional love, and sacrificial giving of herself throughout all their years in all of life's circumstances.
Preceding her in death is her loving, Christian mother, Frances Lanelle Sykes Newell. Her favorite Bible verse was Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you...”
Those left to cherish her precious memory are her father, John E. “Johnny” Newell, Jr.; husband of 32 years, Charles M. Francis Jr.; two children, Brittany Francis Tanksley and Daniel Francis ; her loving sister, Deidre Michelle Newell Case and brother-in-law, Patrick Clayton Case; her
son-in-law, Roman Tanksley; four precious grandchildren Blake, Brantley, Zayne, and Mila whom she loved dearly; and a host of loving friends, co-workers, and precious children.
She should best be remembered for her love of and faith in Jesus Christ and her enduring love for her family.
Dorothy Jean Bunch
Dorothy Jean Bunch, 69, of Wesson, passed from this life November 1, 2022, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven. She was born in Foley, AL, February 14, 1953, to Ben Adrian Golson and Lilly Jean Tillery. She was a retired truck driver but enjoyed many different hobbies, including, gardening, baking, and fishing. She was an avid outdoors person and found great comfort and entertainment in the beauty of God’s creation. Mrs. Bunch was a member of Clear Branch Baptist Church in Wesson.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Linda Gail Gladney; and stepson, Rusty Neal Singleton.
Those left to cherish her memory are, her husband of 21 years, Mark Bunch; brother, John Golson; sisters, Phyllis Mini, Elizabeth Dyess, Theresa Byrne, and Karen Griffin. She is also survived by four nieces, Anna Walker, Ashley Augustinowize, Elizabeth Love; two nephews, Herman “Keith” Davis, Carol Mini; six great nephews and four great nieces.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clear Branch Baptist Church, 2156 Clear Branch Drive, Wesson, MS 39191
Donna Marie Howell
Donna Marie Howell, age 53, passed away on October 31, 2022. She was born January 22, 1969. She was a well known & loved business owner of Tara's Tint in Brookhaven, Mississippi. She is survived by her daughter Taralyn Beeson, son-in-law Brandon Beeson and two grandchildren Camdyn and Kaya Beeson. And many family and friends that she touched throughout her life.
John Melvin Case
A Graveside Service for Mr. John Melvin Case of Brookhaven are 10:30 am, Friday, November 11, 2022, at New Salem Church of Christ Cemetery, with visitation from 9:00-10:00 am at Riverwood.
Mr. John Melvin Case, 76, passed away November 7, 2022, at Haven Hall Nursing Home in Brookhaven. He was born September 26, 1946, to the late Willie Cleveland Case and Winnie Smith Case.
Preceding him in death were his parents; first wife, Renee Case and Second wife, Betty Joyce Case; his brother Dalton Case and sister, Betty Joyce Smith.
Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Ray Joe Case and wife, Brandi; daughters, Kasey Bouquet and husband, Adam, and Michele Case; and sister, Ruth Hodges. He is also survived by six grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all that loved him.
A special thank you from the family to Haven Hall Nursing Staff and Kindred Hospice.
Lena Ruth McFall Guthrie
Funeral service for Lena Ruth McFall Guthrie will be 1 p.m., Wednesday, November 9, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Stewart Cemetery in Brookhaven. Visitation is from 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, November 8, at Riverwood and will resume Wednesday from Noon until the time of service.
Ms. Guthrie, 63, of Ferriday, passed away November 6, 2022. She was born September 2, 1959, to Marvin Jacob McFall and Alice Geraldine Buitt McFall. She worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Ms. Guthrie had many different hobbies including sewing, crocheting, and all kinds of crafts. She also exhibited a love of music and displayed that talent through playing guitar as well as piano. She was a wonderful grandmother; her grandkids were the most precious part of her life. She also had much love for her great nephews. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Gary Guthrie, Jr. (Christina “Woogie” Guthrie; brother, Jack McFall (Rachael); sister, Letha Taylor (Wayne Smith); three grandchildren, Zachary Guthrie, Zoey Guthrie, Zayden Guthrie; nieces, Destiny Butts (Randall), Jessica Davis (John), Amanda Faulkner (Ashley) and Haley Gustafson (Cory); great nephews, Kaiser Edens, Riley Butts, Carson Butts, Dean Edwards; and sister/cousin, Lisa Gentry (Jerry). She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Sarah Nell Underwood (Gill)
Sarah Nell Underwood (Gill) passed away on November 7, 2022, as a result of lung cancer. She died peacefully, with her loving family at her side. She was born on February 17, 1960, in Memphis TN, and grew up in Frenchman’s Bayou AR. Sarah was raised in a hard-working delta family. As a child, she chopped cotton, worked the garden, and tended the farm animals. She graduated from Rivercrest High School in 1978. She then attended her beloved University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS, and graduated with a degree in business administration in 1982 She was a member of the Ole Miss Choir and one of the original members of the Ole Miss Concert Singers. She married Don Underwood in 1984 and they moved to his hometown of Brookhaven MS. Sarah quickly became involved in the community. She was best known for her beautiful soprano voice. She led the soprano section of the First United Methodist Church for almost 40 years and shared her beautiful voice at innumerable weddings, funerals, and other social functions. Sarah shined when she sang. She was an active member of the Brookhaven Little Theatre, both starring in and directing many shows, as well as serving on their board of directors. Sarah was also the recipient of the prestigious BLT John Landress Award. Sarah worked for the Mississippi Division of Medicaid for more than 30 years. Through the years, she humbly helped the most vulnerable in our community. She retired from her regional manager position in June of 2022. Sarah loved all her family and friends, and she loved her community, but none owned her heart, like her only child, her dear son Stone Underwood. Never has there been a more faithful mother. She was often seen sporting a Stone tote bag at football games, wearing a Stone football jersey, and she put up a Stone Christmas tree yearly, decorated with all his childhood ornaments. May all mothers endeavor to love like Sarah loved Stone. Sarah is survived by her husband, Don Underwood, son, Stone Underwood, daughter-in-law, Devon Kelly Underwood, sister, Polly Gill, sister, Trudy Gill, brother, Gus Daniel (Danny) Gill, and sister-in-law, Tammy Underwood Torrey. She is proceeded in death by her parents, Charlene Laverne Cothern Gill and Gus Daniel Gill, grandparents, George Gus GIll and Florence Stone Gill, and her brother-in-law, Jimmy Torrey.
Visitation is Wednesday, November 9th, from 5:00-8:00 pm at Riverwood Family Funeral Service, Brookhaven, MS, and Thursday, November 10th, 9:30-10:30 am, at First United Methodist Church, Brookhaven, MS, followed by the funeral service at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Riverwood Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Sarah G. Underwood Athletic Fund at Copiah-Lincoln Community College or to Brookhaven Animal Rescue League (BARL)
