Craig Clifford Morgan
Went to his heavenly home on July 1, 2023 at the age of 50. Craig was born on April 27, 1973 to Carl Richard (Dick) and Marita Morgan. He was born with profound disabilities and was loved and cared for at his home until he was an adult. He then moved to Hudspeth Reginal Center and was a resident there until his passing.
Craig was nonverbal but had a wonderful personality, and was always smiling. He never met a stranger. He loved to go on outings and went to many local festivals, sports events, and holiday programs.
Craig was preceded in death by his father, Carl Richard (Dick) Morgan; and a sister, Lori Morgan Young.
He is survived by his mother, Marita Morgan; a niece, Morgan Young Hogue; a nephew, Austin Young.
Graveside memorial service will be November 4th at 10:00 am in Riverwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Brookhaven, Mississippi.
Marita Rae Morgan
Went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sept. 30, 2023, at age 83 after an extended illness. Marita was born January 20, 1940 in Carl Junction, Missouri to the late Clifford and Rachel (Jester) Rife. She graduated from Richmond, Indiana High School, Class of 1958 and attended Olivet Nazarene College in Kankakee, Illinois.
On December 18, 1967, Marita married the love of her life Carl R. (Dick) Morgan, who predeceased her in 2019 after 52 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Lori Morgan Young; a son, Craig Clifford Morgan; a sister, Martha Ann Phillips; and a brother, Clifford Graham Rife Jr.
She was a homemaker and an avid seamstress who loved her sewing/craft room where she worked on quilts, alterations, and home décor projects. A longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Madison, Ms. she was a member of the choir and made costumes for their productions.
Marita is survived by her two beloved grandchildren, Austin Young and Morgan Hogue (Jeremy); two sisters, Sue Chandler (Steve), Marjorie Friel; and a brother, James M. Rife (Kimiko).
Graveside memorial service will be November 4th at 10:00 am in Riverwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Brookhaven, Mississippi.
The funeral service for Clarence “Harold” Lewis will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 25, at Riverwood Family, with burial in Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, October 24, at Riverwood Family.
Mr. Lewis, 76, of Brookhaven, died October 23, 2023, at St. Dominic Medical Center in Jackson, MS. He was born in Brookhaven, February 25, 1947, to Troy W. Lewis and Leta Rae Franklin Lewis. He worked in the logging industry for many years.
Mr. Lewis was a man of integrity and leaves a legacy of faith for those who come behind him. He was a generous man, sharing anything he may grow in his garden with those around him. He was one to make friends easily and treasured every friend he made. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as planting his garden. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John “Dub” Lewis, Roy Lewis, Tommy Lewis; sisters, Geneva Lewis, Ann Foster; and brothers-in-law, Kenneth Coke, Shelton Wilkinson, and Charlie Delaune.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years, Peggy Boswell Lewis; brother, Troy E. Lewis and his wife, Charlene “Tuti”; and his sisters, Margie Coke and Reba Wilkinson. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.
A Memorial Gathering will be held for Clifton Edward Brown, Thursday, October 26th, from 5-8 p.m., at Riverwood Family.
“Brown Boy”, as he was affectionately called, died October 22, 2023, at his residence in Brookhaven. He was born August 9, 1957, to Joseph Edward Brown and Edith Lynelle Dawson Brown Wills. He was 66 years of age.
He was an oilfield worker for many years. He was a member of A.B.A.T.E, A.P.A Pool League, and Homochitto River Rat. “Brown Boy” was a true “Harley Davidson” fan and loved everything associated with Harley Davidson & Hot Rods. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jerry Dale Wills and Jamie Wills; and his nephew, Michael “Jody” Butler.
He is survived by his son, Blake Edward Brown and wife, Baily; sisters, Debbie L. Fuller, Judy G. Gibson, and Veda J. Leary; two grandchildren, Bryson E. Brown and Blakely N. Brown; and a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Bryson Brown, Gage Butler, Gladen Butler, Justin Case, Brandon Anding, Ray Bob Lambert, Mark Covington, Daniel Lofton, Randy Watts, Ethan Lofton, and Dwayne Anding.
Graveside service for Ms. Merle Allen Smith will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, October 24, at New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery. Bro. Nathan Case will officiate. Pallbearers will be Layke Smith, Kyle Moak, Toby Ashley, Justin Cline, Daniel Allen, and Rusty Cline.
Ms. Smith, 73, of Brookhaven, died October 20, 2023, at her residence. She was born September 19, 1950, to Versie Allen and Dora Mae Russell Allen. She retired from AT&T after 31 years of service. She was known to everyone in Brookhaven as “the Telephone Lady”.
Merle enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and football. She was secretary of CWA for many years. She was a loving mom and grandmother and enjoyed spending time with her two grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
Ms. Smith is preceded in death by her parents and her two sisters, Pat Redd and Faye Case.
She is survived by her daughter, Leanne Smith; brother, Ray Allen (Janice); sister, Vicki Trotti (Danny); grandchildren, Layke Smith (Brandi) and Kaycee Brooke Thomas (Damion); and five great grandchildren, Tyler Pack, Maddi Smith, Scylar Smith, Addison Ratcliff, and London Ratcliff. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation, 7460 Warren Pkwy Suite 150, Frisco, TX 75034; or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation , 4550 Montgomery Ave., Suite 1100 N
Bethesda, MD 20814.
Services for Mr. Bradley Alton Tillotson of Bogue Chitto are 11:00 am, Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at Riverwood Family with visitation from 5:00-8:00 pm, Monday, October 23, at Riverwood and burial at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Bradley Alton Tillotson, 52, passed away October 18, 2023. He was born November 6, 1970. He was a lifelong member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.
Brad was an active member of the “Wednesday Friends” at the Pike County Library. He was also a member of the ARC of Southwest MS. His favorite event of the year was Camp Sunshine. Brad dearly loved spending time with his friends at these events. Brad had an avid love for trains, firemen and fire trucks, policemen and police cars. He made many wonderful friends throughout his life in these areas. He was also known as “The Train Man” by his friends in the community.
He is preceded in death by his father, Alton Ray Tillotson, maternal grandparents, Burney and Lunell Smith; paternal grandparents, Grady and Katie Tillotson and numerous aunts and uncles.
Those left to cherish his memory are his mother, Linda Sue Tillotson Hiley; sister, Dee Dee Prather and husband Scotty; niece Magen Sojourner and husband, Matt, and great niece, Mattie Brooke Sojourner and great nephew, Maddox Sojourner. He is also survived by his adoring aunt, Betty Carol Rushing, aunt Sandra Diamond and husband, Jimmy, aunt Terry Lynn Watkins; special cousin, Pam Smith Case and husband, Dennis and a host of other family and friends that loved him.
A Graveside Service for Mr. James Louis Francis, Jr. of Sontag will be 1:00 pm, Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Nola Baptist Church Cemetery.
There will be no visitation.
Mr. James Louis Francis, Jr., 77, passed away October 18, 2023, at his home.
He was born November 8, 1945, to the late James Louis Francis Sr. and Geraldine Miller Francis.
Mr. Francis was a member of Nola Baptist Church. Jimmy placed his faith in Jesus as his Lord & Savior at the age of 15 at a revival service at First Baptist Church Brookhaven. He met the love of his life; Phyllis Foster on a Wednesday and they got married 5 days later at the courthouse in Orange, Texas. Jimmy worked as a welder out of Boilermaker’s Local 582. He loved to fish on the river with his wife and sons, collecting old coins and bottles. The Lord blessed him with the most amazing memories that he retained right up until his death. He loved to share memories of his life with his children and grandchildren and will be remembered as the very best storyteller by those who loved him most.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and great grandson, Foster Ryan Durr.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 49 years, Phyllis Foster Francis; children, Angie Francis McLendon (David), James Louis Francis III (Holly), Logan Francis (Jessica) John Mark Francis (Caleigh); brother, Charles Francis; sister Brenda Francis; along with 14 grandchildren, David Lane McLendon, Marlee Francis Freeman, Ally Marie Francis Durr, Matthew Price McLendon, Maycee James Francis, Ben Jamison McLendon, Mary Taylor Francis, Kailey Francis Bass, Emmy Francis, Caroline McLendon, Meredith Francis, Phisher Francis, Finn Francis and Forrest Francis; and nine great grandchildren, Peyton McLendon, Tolton McLendon, Kynslee Bass, Bentley McLendon, Foster Durr, Logan McLendon, Ridge Durr, Raeley McLendon, and Vaeda Freeman.
There will be a Memorial Gathering Friday, October 20th, at Riverwood Family to honor the life of Glen Allen Gorenflo. Friends and family are welcome from 5-7 p.m.
Mr. Gorenflo, 80, of Wesson, died October 17, 2023, at Trend Health and Rehab of Brookhaven. He was born in Bogalusa, LA, November 6, 1942, to Charles Gill Gorenflo and Juanita Grice Gorenflo.
Mr. Gorenflo served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed playing cards and doing mechanic work on chain saws. He cherished his family, and he will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Ralph Gorenflo and Charles Gorenflo.
He is survived by his son, Freddy Gorenflo and wife, Rita and Glen D. Gorenflo; sister, Joann Gorenflo Cain; two grandchildren, Lauren Williams and Zackary Jackson; and two great grandchildren, as well as a host of other loving family members and friends.
Graveside service for Ronald Jay Hartgraves will be 10 a.m., Saturday, October 21, at Beauregard Cemetery in Wesson, MS.
Mr. Hartgraves, 86, of Wesson, died October 18, 2023, at his residence. He was born in Pella, Iowa, November 22, 1936, to Vernon Hartgraves and Mildred Bowers Hartgraves.
Ronald grew up in Ottumwa, Iowa. His parents moved to Brookhaven when the Jacobson Lawnmower plant was moved to MS. He graduated from Brookhaven High School where he was a tuba player in the band. He went on to Mississippi State University and graduated from Mississippi College. His friends in Mississippi called him “farmer” because of his connection to Iowa.
He met his wife, Anna Storey in 1965 and they were married in March of 1966. Their daughter, Sharon, was born on Christmas Day that year. Before retirement, he was employed at Potter Company in Wesson as a quality control manager. Ronald was an Elder at Wesson Presbyterian Church. He was also a member of the American Legion Drane/Prine Post in Wesson.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 57 years, Anna Storey Hartgraves; his daughter, Sharon Hartgraves Speights and husband Joseph Scott Speights; two grandchildren, Laura Speights Tarver and husband, Jacob, Anna Speights Traxler and husband, Ryan; one great grandchild, Jaxson Hayes Traxler; and a special caregiver, Theresa Barlow, as well as other loving family members and friends.
The funeral service for Melba Joyce Crane will be at 2 p.m., Friday, October 20, at Union Hall Baptist Church, with burial in Strong Hope Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, Oct 19th, at Riverwood Family, and will resume from 1 p.m. until the time of service at Union Hall on Friday.
Mrs. Crane, 86, of Brookhaven, died October 17, 2023, at her home. She was born in Wesson, MS, June 22, 1937, to John Austin Keys and Anna Estelle Keys. She owned and operated her own business for 48 years and loved visiting with her customers. She was always interested in what they had to say, and she was always ready to listen. She enjoyed playing organ for her church and did so for more than 30 years. She played until a month ago. Mrs. Crane found watching football a great source of entertainment while enjoying the company of her beloved K-9 companions, Princess, Sergeant, Annie, and Milo. She will be greatly missed by her family and the many friends she made through the years.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Glen Crane; her parents; two sons, Ricky Crane and Larry Crane; three brothers and two sisters, Howard, “Sis” Grace, Jimmy, Elsie, Carl Ray.
She is survived by her children, Calvin Crane and wife, Kathy, Bruce Crane and wife, Candy, and Misti Crane; five grandchildren, Brandon Russell, Jarrad Ashley and wife, Brittany, Taylor Berry and husband, Nathan, Leslie White and husband, Chris, and Shelbie Crane; and eight great grandchildren, Zoey Ashley, Zada Ashley, Zane Ashley, Flynn Berry, Collins Berry, Noah White, Spencer White, and Lucas White. She is also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital, 2500 N State Street, Jackson, MS 39216.
Union Hall Baptist Church Address is 1242 Nola Rd NE, Brookhaven, MS 39601.