Obituaries
Peggy Howell Strahan
Peggy Howell Strahan, 79, passed from this life on February 6, 2024, very peacefully at Camellia Estates in McComb. Peggy was born October 10, 1944, to Buel and Mildred Summers Howell.
She was an avid reader, and what a better place to work than the library. She was there 16 years and she loved all the staff and patrons.
Preceding her in death were her parents.
Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 37 years, Bill Strahan; daughter, Jennifer Barron Welch (Arnie); grandchildren, Krissy Barker, Shelly Barker and Heather Smith (John), she has a new great granddaughter, Lilly Nobles; and step sons, Spencer Strahan (Janie) and Lance Strahan (Lori).
She is also survived by her sisters, Virginia Pope (Wallace) and Charlotte Martin (Orville), with a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, whom she loved.
No arrangements have been made at this time.
Emma Joyce Harris
Services for Mrs. Emma Joyce Harris of Wesson are 10:00 am, Saturday, February 10, 2024, at Little Bahala Baptist Church with burial at the church cemetery.
The visitation will be 5:00-8:00 pm, Friday, February 9, at the church.
Mrs. Emma Joyce Harris, 71, passed away February 7, 2024, at her home.
She was born August 9, 1952, to the late Elon Martin and Lavelle Hester Martin.
Mrs. Harris was a member of Little Bahala Baptist Church.
She worked as a caregiver and loved caring for her family and loved ones.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Thomas Harris and son Thomas W. Harris, Jr.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Eddie Harris and wife, Alishia, Priscilla Nations, and Kevin Harris and wife, Christy. She is also survived by her sisters, Patsy Chinn and Shirley Roberts; six grandchildren, Ashleigh Jones, and husband, Hershel, Parker Harris, Brodie Harris, Chastity Rutland, and husband, Seth, C.J. Moore and Langston Harris; five great grandchildren and a host of family and friends.
She will be dearly missed by all that loved her.
Claude Ellis Lewis
The funeral service for Claude Ellis Lewis will be 11 a.m., Friday, February 9, at Riverwood Family with burial to follow in Hamburg, MS. Visitation is from 9-11 a.m. at Riverwood Family Funeral Service 76 Highway 51 S, Bogue Chitto, MS 39629.
Mr. Lewis, 87, born May 15, 1936, under the care of Gentiva Hospice, passed into his eternal home on February 6, 2024, at his home, the home he loved, with his extended family at Boswell.
Claude loved family gatherings, going to eat fish with family and spending time with his special friend, Shannon Smith.
He was welcomed to his heavenly home by his parents, George W. Lewis and Hermie Martin Lewis; brothers, Norman Rae (Kenny), J. G. (Jay), Arthur Lee Lewis; sisters, Blanche L. Smith, Hermie Lewis, and Margie L. Curtis.
Survivors include Claude’s sister-in-law, Bobbie Lewis; brother-in-law, Tapper Curtis; special friend, Shannon Smith; many nieces, nephews, and great plus great, great nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be, Buddy Davis, Paul Smith, Max Davis, Christian Huffman, Jalen Huffman, and Ed Crawford, honorary pallbearers will be Jason Smith, James Huffman and the workers and his friends at Boswell.
Reverend Randy Davis will be officiating.
Linda Ellen Abrams Powers
The funeral service for Linda Ellen Abrams Powers will be 11 a.m., Friday, February 9, at Heucks Retreat Baptist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service at Heucks Retreat.
Mrs. Powers, 79, of Brookhaven, died February 6, 2024, at her residence. She was born in Columbus, MS, July 14, 1944, to James and Ellen Abrams.
Linda loved donating her time to her church, Heucks Retreat Baptist Church, where she was very involved in all the various activities provided there. She enjoyed assembling jigsaw puzzles and playing a variety of other games. She never missed a sporting event that her sons were involved in throughout their lives. Linda enjoyed getting to watch her grandkids play ball, cheer, and compete in beauty pageants. She truly loved her family. In later years she would enjoy traveling, shopping, and going out to eat with her special friends. She will be greatly missed by all her friends and her family, who will treasure every memory made.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Keith Abrams.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her husband of 60 years, Julian Porter “Pete” Powers; sons, Chris Powers (Tonya) and Scott Powers; three grandchildren, Emily Phillips (Coltin), Brittani Russell, Curtis Phillips (Hannah); and seven great grandchildren, Annaliese Phillips, Brantley Phillips, Brooke-Lynn Russell, Baylee Russell, Bentleigh Russell, Rhett Phillips, and Sawyer Phillips. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Earline Abrams and a host of other loving family members and her faith family at Heucks Retreat.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heucks Retreat Baptist Church Debt Relief fund or the Obeschmidt playground fund.
Teddy Ray Messenger
Mr. Teddy Ray Messenger, 81, of Brookhaven, died Monday, February 5, 2024, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven. He was born September 6, 1942, to Edgar Lee Messenger and LaVona Wald Messenger.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Debra Denise Messenger; children, Cole Granger, Donna Nimo, Debra L. Fleming, Mike Messenger; brother, Sammy Messenger; sister, LaVona L. York; and his mother-in-law, Lona Mae Rushing, as well as many other loving family members and friends.
Janice Irene Wallace Calcote
The funeral service for Janice Irene Wallace Calcote will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 7, at Riverwood with burial in Bethel Community Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mrs. Calcote, 80, of Brookhaven, passed away in the early hours of Monday morning, February 5, 2024, at her daughter Sonya’s home in Ruth, surrounded by her loving family. Irene was born on February 8, 1943, to William C. (Brown) and Mary Coleman Wallace.
She was a supervisor in the food service with SHRM Oil Field, that took her to many places. She was a life member of Bethel Community Church. She graduated from West Lincoln High School. Irene enjoyed the art of quilting, but her favorite time was spent with her family, especially her daughters and her grandchildren, and her son-in-law, Alan, who was so kind and loving with her and took such wonderful care of her. She lived life to the fullest and will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Lamar Calcote; her parents; son, Kelvin Hancock; brothers, Calvin Wallace, Johnny Wallace, Sherrill Wallace, Carroll Wallace; and sisters, Joyce Wallace and Aleane Wilkinson.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Sonya Thames (Alan), of Ruth, MS, Melissa Gayle Redd (Jerry), of Central, LA; five grandchildren, Kevin Thames (Stephanie), Miki Hughes (Mitchell), TJ Smith (Mandy), Josh Coone, and Robbie Coone (Taylor); eight great grandchildren, Aubree Thames, Adaline Thames, Rylee Thames, Graham Thames, Cohen Hughes, Elijah Coone, Easton Coone, and Maely Coone; siblings, Elizabeth Franklin, Paul Wallace (Sounnia), Mary Ann Ritchie (John), Myrtle Hutcherson Cartwright (Paul), Ray Wallace (Paulette), and Roy Wallace (Susan). She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethel Community Church in memory of Irene Wallace Calcote, 2231 Goodwill Loop SW, Brookhaven, MS, 39601.
Charles Clark
The memorial service for Charles Patrick Clark is 1 p.m., Monday, February 5, at Jayess Baptist Church. Visitation is from Noon until the time of service.
Mr. Clark, 70, of Jayess, died February 1, 2024, at McComb Nursing and Rehabilitation. He was born in Brookhaven January 14, 1954, to C. P. Clark and Elner Boyd Clark. Mr. Clark was an avid motorcycle enthusiast but also enjoyed a day at the lake fishing as well. His favorite pastime was spending time with his family and friends.
Mr. Clark is preceded in death by his wife, Bernice Bullock Clark; his parents; and his son, Jeremy Clark.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his children, Edward Clark (Madison), Patrick Clark (Rachael), Chasity Clark Beal; brothers, Jerry Clark (Charolette), and Terry Clark; sister, Teresa “Sissy” Payne (Harlond), 11 grandchildren, Newt Clark, Hazi Clark, Roper Clark, McKinlee Clark, Tuff Clark (due soon), Jacob Clark, Brayden Clark, Zack Montgomery, Kaitlin Beal, Brooklyn Beal, and Colin Beal. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends, and will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
Walter Ford Fennell
Walter Ford Fennell, 75, of Hazlehurst, died February 1, 2024, at his residence. He was born November 22, 1948, to Charles Edwin Fennell and Ruth Draughn Fennell.
Mr. Fennell serviced his country in the United States Marine Corp during the Vietnam War. He is retired from Canadian National Railroad after 40 years, where he worked as an Engineer.
Mr. Fennell was a faithful servant of The Lord Jesus Christ. He was diligent in reading through the Word of God twice each year. He was an active member of Bethel Temple Pentecostal Church. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and was married to his sweetheart for 53 years. His family was his greatest accomplishment in life. He was an avid farmer and always gave the first of the crops to his neighbors and friends. He enjoyed collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia. Mr. Fennell will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ernest Fennell, Tommy Fennell, Carl Fennell; and sister, Linda Ann Broom.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Glenda Fennell; children, Todd Fennell (Alicia), Bryan Fennell (Amy), Tera Simoneaux (Ronnie); three grandchildren, Abbey Fennell, Taylor Simoneaux, and Zachary Simoneaux. He is also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends, and his faith family at Bethel Temple.
Robert Lee Pennington
The funeral service for Robert Lee Pennington will be 10 a.m., Saturday, February 3, at Calvary Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mr. Pennington, 66, of Bogue Chitto, died February 1, 2024, at his residence. He was born in Brookhaven, April 28, 1957, to Roy Pennington and Della Heart Pennington.
Robert “Sidewinder” Pennington was a truck driver and construction worker for most of his life. He loved being a volunteer firefighter for the Bogue Chitto Fire Department. What he loved most was riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles, which included being a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association and ABATE. He loved all his family and close friends. Robert never met a stranger and anyone that ever met him would never forget him. He was always seen sitting on his front porch, drinking coffee, with his trusted dogs and one cat by his side. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Tina Gregg.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 23 years, Sherryl Pennington; children, Heather Watson (Lynn), Robbie Nettles, Mildred Bates (Scott); brother, Wayne Pennington; sister, Janie Thames (John); four grandchildren, Kayleen Watson, Mataleigh Watson, Anastaszya “Hayley” Bates, Madyson Bates; and a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Noah Boyd
Noah Boyd, 77, a resident of Jayess, MS, passed away February 1, 2024, at his residence.
Graveside services will be held in McEwen Cemetery at a later date.
Noah was born April 9, 1946, in Pike Co., MS, to Clarence Boyd and Mary M. Hightower Boyd. He was of the Methodist faith. Noah never met a stranger and loved by all. Noah retired from driving a log truck. He loved to listen to bluegrass.
He is preceded in death by his parent; five brothers, Charles Boyd, J.W. Boyd, Kent Boyd, Jerry Boyd, and Larry Boyd; four sisters, Marie McCullough, Mary Ethell Alexander, Judy Walters and Francis Landry.
He is survived by his brother, Emory Boyd and a sister, Eva Mae Coon (Earnest Lee Coon); his daughters, Amy Wade and Kimberly Greer; grandson, Blake Boyd (Erin); granddaughter, Emily Rose Boyd and one great granddaughter, Blakelynn Boyd and a host of nieces and nephews.
He will be dearly missed by all that loved him.
