Visitation for friends and family will be held from 5p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday August 6, 2019 at
Riverwood Family Funeral Service in Brookhaven, Mississippi. The funeral will be Wednesday August 7, 2019
at 10am followed by burial at Wesson Cemetery in Wesson, Mississippi with Brothers Larry Mizell,
Field Thigpen and Tommy Varnado officiating. Pallbearers will include Chance Granger, Thomas Hayth,
Scott Knight, Buster Jacks, Pat Granger and Darren Ezell.
James Howard Granger passed away at the age of 79 on August 4, 2019. He was a man who touched the
lives of many, as a father, brother, husband, pawpaw, uncle and friend. He leaves behind a world that
is a better place because of his life and legacy. He died at St. Tammany Hospital in Covington, Louisiana
after a lengthy battle with cancer. Although the disease robbed him of his memory slowly over the
last several months, God was gracious to only take away his ability to communicate in the last few weeks.
He never lost his sense of humor.
James was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi on August 19, 1939, to Wright and Velma Granger. He attended
school and played football in Georgetown, Mississippi. He served in the Mississippi Army National Guard
as a medic for 8 years where he then met the love of his life, Peggy Pannell, and they married on October 9, 1959.
They were married for almost 60 years when he passed away with numerous health issues. He worked tirelessly
delivering bread for Hart’s Bread and Holsum Bread companies for over 38 years and then sold peanuts after he
retired. He always loved children, sports, and never wanted to sit down. He was known for his love for hunting
and fishing. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, kindness, generosity and his devotion to God. He
was a long-time member of Memorial Baptist Church in Bogalusa Louisiana.
James is survived by his wife, Peggy Granger, daughter, Edna Kay Granger, and two sons, Tim (Bonnie) Granger
and Tony (Trina) Granger. He is also survived by his grandsons Chance Granger, Thomas Hayth, and Scott (Christal) Knight
and his granddaughter, Gracie Granger and his great-grandchildren Cade Knight and Trenton Knight. Other survivors
include his three siblings, Judy Farmer Clary, Michael (Ruth) Granger, and Lanny Granger. Additionally, he is survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wright and Velma Granger, sisters Dell Walker, Geraldine McCardle and brother, Alvin Granger.
Honorary pallbearers include, Kenny Crawford, Jewel Brumfield, Cade Knight, Trenton Knight, McWayne Harvey, Jessie Sumrall, Steven Sumrall and Dustin Sumrall.
Funeral service for Mr. Lynn “Cowboy” H. Butler will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 7, 2019, at
Harmony Baptist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5p.m.
until 8 p.m., Tuesday, August 6, at Riverwood Family and will resume Wednesday at the church
from 10 a.m. until time of service.
Cowboy, 73, of Monticello, passed from this life August 5, 2019, at his residence in Monticello.
He was born July 29, 1946, to the late George Butler and Audelle Butler. He was employed as a
Boilermaker and a deacon at Harmony Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte Smith Butler and his parents.
He is survived by his sons, Jeff Butler and Eric Bulter and wife Krysten; brother, Pete Butler
and wife Jayedean; sister, Linda West and husband, Charles; and by five grandchildren,
Michael, Gracie, Aynslee, Brody, and Rustin.
Malford (M.T.) Twain Byrd, aged 89, of Wesson, Mississippi, passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2019. He is survived by his son, Michael Byrd, daughter, Debra Reineke, grandchildren, Cristen Walley, Timothy Byrd, Patrick Byrd, Caroline Gutierrez and 10 great-grandchildren. Family members will receive friends in the Suite of Riverwood Family in Brookhaven, MS on Monday, August 5th, from 12:00-2:00pm. Funeral services will follow at 2:00pm.
Born in Copiah County Mississippi, M.T. attended Wesson High School and Copiah Lincoln Junior College and later attended Tulane University in New Orleans. He was married to Louise Ashley Byrd, his wife of 65 years. He went to work for the Illinois Central Railroad and moved to New Orleans in 1954. In 1974 he retired from the railroad and went to work for the Federal Railroad Administration as an inspector of railroads. He worked for the FRA until his final retirement January 1, 1994 upon which they returned to Wesson, MS.
M.T. was a faithful member of the Methodist Church serving as Sunday school teacher for many years and many different positions on the Board of the church. He became a member of Brookhaven First United Methodist Church in June 2009 where he was a regular member until his illness.
M.T. was an active member of J. M. Wesson Lodge #317 for 65+ years serving as their secretary for several years and also Master of the Lodge.
He is a member of The Jackson Scottish Rite. At the Supreme Council Session that met in Washington, D. C. on October 3, 2005 he was elected to receive the Thirty-Third Degree of Scottish Rite Freemasonry. He was recognized for his dedication, devotion and service, not only to Scottish Rite Masonry and to Masonry in general, but to his community, family, friends, church, and career.
He was a member of the Jerusalem Shrine Temple of New Orleans, Louisiana.
M.T. was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Ashley Byrd and grand-daughter, Jennifer Walley.
Services will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Bethel Baptist Church in Copiah County with interment to follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, Hazlehurst, MS or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Riverwood Family in Brookhaven, MS.
Zelda Monelle “Nell” Hall Carlisle, 92, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. She was born the daughter of Mae Virgie (Jones) and William Hamilton Hall on April 3, 1927, in Lawrence County, MS. Nell was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Herbert Earl “Buddy” Carlisle; her sister, Agnes Harvey; her two brothers, Buddy Hall and Robert Hall; grandson, James Christopher Carlisle, and son-in-law, Paul McElveen. She leaves behind her four children, Charlotte C. McElveen, of Chattanooga, TN, Janice C. Shows (Robert), of Madison, MS, James E. “Jim” Carlisle (Joan), of Crystal Springs, MS, and William Timothy “Tim” Carlisle (Angie), of Brookhaven, MS; her granddaughters, Virginia Shows Britt (Steve), Suzanne Shows Duckworth (Matt), Alisha Carlisle Murphy (Louis), Hope Carlisle Greer (Chris); grandsons, Shane McElveen (David Keller), Keith McElveen (Katherine), and Andy Carlisle; 7 great-grandchildren, Andy McElveen, Austin McElveen, Haley McElveen, Jackson Britt, Paxton Murphy, Isabella McElveen, and Greyson Murphy; and a host of extended family and friends. Nell was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, of Hazlehurst, Mississippi and held a variety of occupations throughout her life, but the most important one was caring for her husband and children. She attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College School of Cosmetology and enjoyed that for a time, but could always be found in the kitchen where she loved baking cakes and pies and cooking a good old-fashioned country meal for the ones she loved most. Nell always had an impeccable appearance and will always be remembered for her timeless beauty inside and out. She will be greatly missed by many and will forever leave an impression in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
A memorial service will be held at Riverwood Family Funeral Service in Brookhaven, MS on Friday, August 2, 2019.
Visitation hours will be from 4:00 – 6:00pm with a service held in the funeral home chapel at 6:00pm.
The eulogy will be performed by Bro Rodney Jones, her pastor from Oakdale Baptist Church in Brandon, MS.
Robin was born on January 16, 1958 in Minot, North Dakota but lived most of her life in Brookhaven, MS.
Her family includes her mother, Marjorie Beeson Lemery (deceased), and her father, Harold R. Beeson; five siblings,
Rachel McQuade, Snookie Winborne, Lori Thames, Lyn Foster and William Beeson; three children, Amy King, Anthony Nations
and Ronnie Pickering; two step-children, Dana DeCosta-Peiler and Brent Simmons, and eight grandchildren.
Robin is also survived by her husband, Rondal Simmons, whom she happily married on March 11, 2012 in Brandon, Mississippi.
Robin worked for the Mississippi school system for 25 years, retiring in the summer of 2013. After retiring,
she and Rondal moved to the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. She was an avid outdoor person and enjoyed hiking and backpacking.
Prior to her and Rondal getting married they hiked 40+ miles of the Appalachian Trail in the Smoky Mountain National Park
(and still got married!). Robin also enjoyed motorcycle riding, bass fishing, swimming, boating and running.
She really enjoyed cooking and entertaining family and friends. She was an accomplished fourth-degree black belt in Isshinryu
Karate and ran her own Dojo in Brookhaven, MS for nine years.
Robin and Rondal recently joined the Appalachian Bear Rescue in Townsend, TN as volunteers.
Robin enjoyed riding the back roads and loved seeing bears in the wild.
Rondal respectfully asks that in lieu of flowers,
please honor her memory by donating to this cause at https://appalachianbearrescue.org/.
Funeral service for Mrs. Rachel White will be 11 a.m., Friday, August 2, 2019, at Calvary United Pentecostal Church, with interment at Powell’s Grove Church Cemetery. Visitation is 5 p.m.-until Thursday, August 1, at Calvary.
Mrs. Rachel, 62, of Jayess, passed from this life July 28, 2019 at Southwest Regional Medical Center in McComb. She was born in Tylertown, MS, October 22, 1956, to Charles Cecil Boyd and Mary Ellen Wallace Boyd. She was so much more than a homemaker, she was a loving wife, mother, Nana, and a friend to many. She will be missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her father; brothers, Wayne Boyd and Donnie Boyd; and sister, Pat White.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Steve White; mother; son, Brad White; daughters, Melissa White Montgomery, Kayla Wallace; brothers, Everette Boyd, Charles Ray Boyd, Stanley Boyd, Ronnie Boyd; sisters, Judy Boyd Hux, Evelyn Boyd; five grandchildren, Austin White, Donavin White, Cannon Wallace, Gatlin Wallace, and Rayanna Wallace. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other loving family members and friends.
Memorial service for Mr. Carl Richard Morgan will be 11 a.m., Saturday, August 3, 2019,
at First Baptist Church in Madison, Mississippi with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.
Graveside service will be 3 p.m., Saturday at Riverwood Memorial Park in Brookhaven.
Mr. Morgan, 77, of Ridgeland, passed from this life July 28, 2019.
He was born in Brookhaven April 26, 1942, to the late Carl and Sarah Ann Morgan.
He was a member of First Baptist Church, Madison. Mr. Morgan served his country
in the United States Army as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War,
where he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star.
He continued to serve other veterans by volunteering at the VA Hospital.
He was employed as a sales manager. Mr. Morgan was an avid fan of all sporting events with Mississippi State.
He was an accomplished artist and spent much of his free time painting old barn scenes.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Lori Young; and his sister, Nancy Dunaway (Dan).
Those remaining to cherish his memory are his wife, Marita Morgan; son, Craig Clifford Morgan;
sister, Catherine Griffin (James); two grandchildren, Austin Young and Morgan Young;
as well as other loving family members and friends.
Graveside Services for Mr. James “Billy” William Sasser, Jr., of Bogue Chitto are 10:00 am Tuesday, July 30, 2019
at Bogue Chitto City Cemetery with visitation from 5:00-8:00 pm Monday, July 29 at Riverwood Family.
Mr. James “Billy” William Sasser, Jr., 67, lost a long battle to cancer, surrounded by his close family on July 27, 2019 at his residence.
He was born on December 29, 1951.
He served his country in the United States Marines during the Vietnam War and was a member of the Bogue Chitto Baptist Church.
Preceding him in death were his mother, Ivy Jo Blackwell; grandfather, Vivian A Sasser “Pistol” grandmother, Dorothy Sasser;
brother, Timothy Sasser; uncles, Bobby Sasser, Paul Sasser and Ray Sasser.
Those left to cherish his memory are his father, James “Billy” W. Sasser Sr. and step-mother, Charlene Sasser;
daughters, Natalie Grimes, Amber Thomas, Ginger Sasser; brother, Michael Sasser (Sharon Sasser, Anna Windmiller, and Michael Sasser),
the late Timothy Sasser family (Kitty Sasser, Ashley Gray, and Hali Reed); sister, Rhonda Lynn Barfuss (son, Christopher Lamb).
He is also survived by his 5 grandchildren, Bryson Lambert, Kylie Grimes, Brandon Thomas, Loren Thomas and Miles Oakley McPhail;
aunt Dorothy Milling, the friends and family of Amite County Poles and Piling and a special thank you to the staff of Hospice Compassus.
The V.A. Staff, Jennifer Frost, nurses, Jill and Buddy,
The DME Medical Supplies staff and Bogue Chitto Baptist Church.
Funeral service for Mr. Samuel Edward Oldham, Jr. will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 31, 2019,
at First United Methodist Church, with interment at Riverwood Memorial Park.
There will be a time of visitation from 10 a.m. until time of the service.
Mr. Oldham, Jr., 77, of Brookhaven, passed from this life July 25, 2019, at his residence in Brookhaven.
He was born December 2, 1941, to Samuel Edward Oldham, Sr. and Jean Ratliff Oldham.
He was a graduate of Mississippi State with a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology
and was employed with Georgia Pacific as a Plant Superintendent until his retirement.
While at Georgia Pacific he was awarded “Papermaker of the Year”. Mr. Oldham was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Brookhaven.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Oldham, and his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Samuel Edward Oldham, III;
daughter, Lesley Oldham McCormick; brother, Scott Oldham; sister, Bettye Ware and husband Clif;
and his seven grandchildren and other loving family members and friends.