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.