The funeral service for William Thomas "Billy" Buford will be Noon Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Riverwood Family with interment in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Mr. Buford, 83, of Brookhaven, died September 25, 2023, at his residence. He was born in Lexington, MS, August 15, 1940. He worked as a Financial Advisor with IDS/American Express Financial Services.

Billy was a fine Christian man, well respected by the community, loved God, loved his family, and loved his church. He was a graduate of Mississippi State University. He served on MS State Board of the Department of Mental Health 15 years, life deacon at First Baptist Church, Brookhaven, Charter Member of American Express Presidents Advisory Council, member of American Express Hall of Fame, over 30-year member of Brookhaven Noon Lions Club, past president Brookhaven Woodworking Club, Mississippi Forestry Association member. He was an avid hunter, tree farmer, enjoyed wood working, fishing and traveling. His greatest joy was his family, two children, three grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital, 2500 N State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, or First Baptist Church Brookhaven, Building Fund, 200 E Monticello St Brookhaven, MS 39601.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years and 18 days, Betty Jo Buford; his parents, Thomas Owen & Irnie Mae Buford; brother, Tommy Buford, sister-in-law, Janie Buford; and sister-in-laws, Hester Pitts, and Carolyn Johnson.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Rachel Britt and Hubert Buford (Darla); brothers, Guy Buford (Paula) and Lauch Buford; three grandchildren, Courtney Holder (Josh), Hunter Love (Jacob), Cameron Buford; and four great grandchildren, Brooklyn Holder, Lane Holder, Emma Love, and Ava Love. He is also survived by long time family friend, Delois McClelland and his beloved dog, Molly.

Incomplete

Bertha “Alyeen” Smith Callender went home peacefully, following a lengthy illness, on September 22, 2023

She was born in Lincoln County Mississippi on November 16, 1929, to Leon Smith and Bertha Norton Smith.

She was a loving wife, mother, and “Mawmaw” to many.  She was a member of Stuart Heights Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of nearly fifty years, Robert Monroe Callender, her sisters Univa Smith, Hollice Douglas; her brothers, Clarence, Robert Edward “R.E.,” Vernon, Woodrow, Rudolph, and Elva Smith.

She is survived by her sister Pauline Burns of Bogue Chitto, MS; daughter Patricia Callender Olcsvary and her husband Duane, granddaughters Amanda Olcsvary Bentley and her husband Ray, Monica Olcsvary Davenport and her husband Jonathan; five great granddaughters Alexia and Autumn Reagan, Krysalee Olcsvary, and Scarlett and Elizabeth “Ellie” Bentley; and many nieces and nephews. 

Funeral arrangements to be made shortly.

Linda Gale Williams, 65, of Monticello, MS, died September 21, 2023. She was born in Monticello March 16, 1958, to Julian Roy Calcote and Agnes Marie Smith Calcote. She was a cook at Penn’s Restaurant.

Linda liked cooking and gardening.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John “Johnny” Williams; her parents; and her brother, Johnny Boyd.

She is survived by her children, Julie Sivils and Brandon Sivils and two grandchildren, Trevor Malone and Auna Sivils.

A Memorial service will be held at a later date.