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 4^th 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 26^th, 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.