Funeral service for Mrs. Violet Allen Crosby will be Noon, Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at Riverwood Family, with burial in the Cold Springs Church of Christ Cemetery. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. Violet Allen Crosby passed from the familiar scenes of this life into the dawn of the Eternal Home of the Soul on the evening of October 23, 2022. Mrs. Crosby was born on June 9, 1940, to the late Eunice Marie Allen and Perry Hamilton Allen. She was married to the late James Edward Crosby for over 50 years. She was a loving mother to Renae Smith (David) of Brookhaven, Susan Nichols (Al) of Mendenhall and Mitch Crosby of Portland, Maine. Mrs. Crosby adored her grandchildren Christopher Sylvestri of Sterlington, LA, Rebecca Gillen (Dain) of Liberty, MS, Mason Smith (Laney) of Brookhaven, and Judson Smith (Katie) of College Station, TX. In later years, her great-grandchildren were the light of her life, Pearlie Mae Gillen, Daisy Jo Gillen and Michael Loxley Smith. Mrs. Crosby is survived by her sisters DeLeathea Foster, Lou Mertia Coulter, and Bonnie Johnson and special nieces Mary Nations Smith and Martha Williams.
Mrs. Crosby and her family resided in Vicksburg, MS for over 30 years. She worked at LeTourneau for many years then at the Health Department before retiring and moving to her hometown of Brookhaven. She leaves many dear and devoted friends from her work and church, Immanuel Baptist, in Vicksburg. Macedonia Baptist Church in Brookhaven was Mrs. Crosby’s church home throughout childhood and since moving back to Brookhaven.
There are numerous nieces and nephews that had a very special place in Mrs. Crosby’s heart. She was devoted to each and loved each one intensely. In her last remaining months, Mrs. Crosby was blessed to have a wonderful friend and caretaker in Mrs. Doris Diffrient. She loved her family and spending time with them brought great joy to her life. She will be missed by all who loved and knew her.
A Celebration of Life for Linda Gay Ray will be 3 p.m., Sunday, October 30, 2022, at Grace Life Church of Brookhaven. Visitation is from 2 p.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. Ray, 81, of Brookhaven, passed from this life, October 22, 2022, at her residence. She was born in West Monroe, LA, February 26, 1941, to Weldon W. Lewis and Ramie Campbell Lewis. In addition to being a loving wife and mother, she was a retired schoolteacher of 36 years. She was a graduate of Gloster High School where she was a member of the band, a cheerleader, and homecoming queen. She received her B.A. from Blue Mountain College, in education. After graduating from Blue Mountain, Mrs. Ray taught in several different schools, including, Crosby, Fernwood, South Pike, Saint Alphonsus, North Pike, and Pine Hills. She was a member of Galilee Baptist Church where she played piano and sang in the choir. Mrs. Ray lived in McComb until moving to Gloster to care for her mother, Ramie, until her death, and then moved to Brookhaven to be near her daughters. She made home a refuge, not only for her family, but for anyone that found themselves in need of a warm hug and a steaming cup of coffee to go along with her famous pound cake. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Catherine Lewis Aldridge; and cousin, Sandra Rose.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her husband of 56 years, Joe C. Ray; daughters, Tina Ray Robinson and husband, Scott and Teresa Ray Stovall and husband, Keith; sister, Peggy Lewis Jackson; five grandchildren, Matthew Harrell, Chad Robinson, Ramie Stovall, Isaac Stovall, and Camp Stovall. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
A graveside service for Mrs. Betty Jean Delaughter Hurst of Brookhaven is 10:30 am, Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Mrs. Betty Jean Delaughter Hurst, 90, passed away, October 21, 2022, at her home.
She was born July 14, 1932, to the late Martin and Jessie Delaughter.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Hubbard Glenn Hurst; son, Wiley Hanson Graham, and sister, Diane O’Neal.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Jay Wade Hurst and Terrell Lynn Hurst; one brother, Robert Delaughter and nieces and nephews.
She will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Services for Rebecca Ann Turner White are 12:30 pm, Friday, October 21, 2022, at Riverwood Family with visitation from 10:30 am, until the time of services. Interment will be at Bethshan Cemetery in Monticello.
Rebecca Ann Turner White, 67, went home to be with her Heavenly Father on October 19, 2022, at Pam Specialty Hospital in Hammond, LA. She was born November 23, 1954, in Prentiss, MS. She was the daughter of Riley Turner and Mildred King Turner. Ann graduated from Monticello High School, Class of 1973. Following graduation, she went to work in the health care as a CNA, where her caring, loving heart, shined through. She was also a cook at Henri’s Restaurant in Monticello MS. Then she came home for her family.
She married Ollie White on July 14, 1973, where they shared many memories together. They would have been married 50 years July 2023. Ann loved spending time with her family and friends. She also loved her dogs, Gracie and Essie.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Mary Lou Turner Dyess; and brothers, George Turner and Steve Turner.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Ollie White, daughters, Leann Pendergrass and husband, Michael, and Sarah Doiron; her four grandchildren, Justus Pendergrass and his fiancé’ Samantha Schilling, Skyler Doiron, (Shelby Hubbard), Starley Doiron and Carter Pendergrass. She is also survived by great grandchildren, Lillianne Hubbard, and one on the way Serenity Pendergrass; her brother, A.C. Turner and wife, Sandra; sisters, Jo Stapleton and husband, Ray, Melba Carson and husband, C.C.; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held for Mr. Jesse Howard Durham will be 2 p.m., Saturday, October 22, 2022, at Bogue Chitto Baptist Church. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the time of service. Interment will be in Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Jesse Howard Durham, 75, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life October 13, 2022, at his residence. He was born in Greenwood, MS, May 23, 1947, to James Durham and Mavis Evelyn Greene Durham. He was a loving husband, father, paw paw, uncle and brother and will be greatly missed by all who loved him. Mr. Durham sang as a member of Crossroad Boys Quartet. He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict.
He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Christie Giackino; brother, Ray Durham; and son-in-law, Roger Arnold.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 47 years, Beverly Durham; children, Jessica Arnold and Marty Durham and wife, Kim; son-in-law, Randy Giakino; sisters, Beverly Lassiter, Vicki Force, and Robbie Thompson; four grandchildren, Grace Arnold, Joshua Arnold, Matthew Arnold, and Daniel Arnold; and two great grandchildren, Lanie Busby and Jasemine Busby. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
Funeral service for Mrs. Margaret G. Burrough will be 10 a.m. Saturday, October 22, 2022, at Riverwood Family Funeral Service with interment in the Holmesville Cemetery in Pike County. Visitation is 4-7 p.m., Friday, October 21, at Riverwood.
Mrs. Burrough, 84, of Monticello, MS, passed from this life October 18, 2022. She was born December 31, 1937, to Henry S. Griffith and Carrie Neal Griffith. She worked as cashier for many years. Mrs. Burrough was a member of Faith Assembly of God in McComb, MS.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Frank Burrough; her parents; sons, Eddie Patrick Brister and Bobby Craig Burrough; five brothers and one sister; and grandson, Jacob Morgan.
She is survived by her daughter, Shirley Partain of Thomaston, GA, Lisa Eldridge of McComb, MS, and Annette Linderman (Wayne) of Monticello, MS; 12 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. She is also survived by her adopted daughter, Judy King, of Monticello, MS.
Funeral service for Lena Kelly Wactor will be 2 p.m., Thursday, October 20, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Bogue Chitto Cemetery. Visitation is from Noon until time of service on Thursday.
Mrs. Wactor, 99, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life October 15, 2022. She was born in Raleigh, MS August 15, 1923. She worked for Bell South before beginning her own business, Chic-N-Fish. She was a devoted caregiver for her son Jack Wactor, Jr. She loved to cook and work with ceramics. Mrs. Wactor will be greatly missed by her family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Wactor and her son, Jack Lee Wactor, Jr.
She is survived by her daughter, Amy Hart, three grandchildren, Courtney Speetjen, Austin Hart, Haylee Hart, and two great grandchildren, Taylor Swanson and Logan Swanson. She is also survived by special friends, Mary Moak, Betty Moak, Doris Lyons, Tammy Crosby, and Linda Cook as well as caregivers, Helen Richardson and Joseph Tubs.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Aspen for their expert care of Mrs. Wactor.
Graveside service for Margaret Ann Hickman Van Norman will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, October 19, in Riverwood Memorial Park.
Mrs. Van Norman, 73, of Brookhaven, passed from this life October 16, 2022. She was born in Brookhaven, MS, January 7, 1949, to John Virgil Hickman Jr. and Floye Lorene Jones.
She was a loving mother, wife, and grandmother. She loved traveling across the United States going to flea markets. She also enjoyed putting jigsaw puzzles together. She worked for Blue Bell Ice Cream before retiring, putting out that delicious ice cream everyone loves. She also loved her cats.
Mrs. Van Norman is preceded in death by her mother, Floye McLelland (Bernard); dad, John Virgil Hickman, Jr.; her husband, Claude Wayne VanNorman; and brother, John “Buster” Hickman.
Those left to cherish her memory are her only child, Chauncey Wayne Van Norman and wife, Nicole; granddaughters, Haley Van Norman and Breanna “Bree” Van Norman; sister-in-law, Lynn Davis and husband, Iddo; brother-in-law Robert “Bob” Van Norman and wife, Rita; and a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Mrs. Van Norman’s family would like to personally thank the Beehive Personal Care Home and all their loving staff as well as her personal sitter, Mattie. We greatly appreciate all that you did.
Graveside service for Mr. Don E. Bailey will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, October 19, 2022, in the Arlington Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Bailey, 66, of Summit, MS, passed from this life, October 14, 2022 at his residence in Summit. He was born in Brookhaven, MS, February 24, 1956, to Wiley Jackson Bailey and Nola Mae Adams Bailey. He was employed with Cornwell Well Services.
He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Laken Michelle Bailey Kennedy; and his brother, David Bailey.
He is survived by his daughter, Tiffany Diane Bowman and husband, Randy; sisters, Louise Davis and Erma Posey; three grandchildren, Bailey Smith, Sierra Bowman, and Carter Bowman; and one great granddaughter, McKenna Smith. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Services for Dr. Kent Como Kyzar of Ruth are 2:00 pm, Monday, October 17, 2022, at Riverwood with visitation from 12:00 until the time of service.
Interment will follow at Topisaw Baptist Church Cemetery.
Dr. Kent Kyzar, 69, passed away on October 14, 2022. He was born on May 6, 1953, in Brookhaven, to the late Issac Delton (I.D.) Kyzar, Jr. & Helen Smith Kyzar.
Dr. Kent Kyzar was a family medical specialist in Tylertown, MS and had 38 years of experience in the medical field. He was affiliated with Walthall County Hospital. He cherished his relationship with his patients and co-workers through the years.
During his years of practice, his patients referred to him as a kind, caring, and compassionate physician. His colleagues said he was skillful in the science of medical practice and understood the art of medicine dealing with each patient.
He loved to fish in his younger years. He had a love for music, enjoyed playing the guitar and interacting with his friends in the Vinyl Chambers Group. Some referred to him as a ZZ Doc.
He was a Mason in good standing with the Topisaw Lodge 413.
His children made him proud with their accomplishments, and he loved them dearly.
Ever the brilliant man, he mastered several languages, including Japanese and German and enjoyed traveling to Japan with his children to explore their culture and cuisine.
He graduated from Brookhaven Academy, later attending Millsaps College and Mississippi State University. He later studied at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and acquired a Doctorate of Medicine in 1984, moving to Macon, Georgia for his residency. He moved to Yazoo City, MS soon afterwards, working in the private practice for several years, and moved back to Brookhaven to raise his children and worked at several health clinics in the area.
Dr. Kent is survived by his son, Michael Kent Kyzar; daughter: Kelly Jo Kyzar and sister, Penny Hodges and husband Kevin; along with one niece and nephew; and one great niece and two great nephews and beloved cousins.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to an angel Donna Marie for caring for Kent during his final days and to his cousin Marco whom Kent saw as a brother. He dearly loved his family, friends, co-workers, and his little dog Tesla.