Obituaries
Lonny Lee Ray
Lonny Lee Ray was born on January 9th, 1950 to Mabel and Oscar Ray in the quaint little town of Magnolia, Mississippi.
Lonny grew up in Summit, Mississippi spending a short stint of his adolescence in Eupora before moving back to Summit.
He was the youngest of his brothers, Charles, Joe, and Larry, his twin brother, who was only minutes older.
The Ray boys, as they were known to many in the small town of Summit, left quite the impression on the community.
Lonny naturally had an inquisitive and compassionate mind. His thirst for knowledge led him to obtain a Bachelor of Sociology Degree at The University of Southern Mississippi.
After years of life and all its little lessons, Lonny found Beverly. From that moment on, his life would never be the same. Lonny married Beverly in the spring of ’86,
each having children from previous marriages, Lonny’s son, Jacob and Beverly’s daughter, Betsy. Two years later in the early spring of ’88, along came Cal.
Shortly after Cal was born, so, too, was one of the greatest accomplishments of Lonny Ray’s life, Lonny Ray Day Camp. A place, an experience that has left a
lasting impression on the hearts of all who ventured down that long gravel drive. Lonny was a kindhearted, soft-spoken man with an unwavering presence that
made coming to the camp each summer feel like coming home.
His education along with his big heart and family values are what shaped Lonny to become the “helper” he so devotedly was. Always willing to lend a helping
hand and a kind word, Lonny was the friend you never knew you needed, but were so grateful you had. He was loved so dearly, not only by the many
who crossed his path at the camp, but by the ones who knew him best, his family. His unconditional, unparalleled love for his children and his grandchildren
was that of selfless proportions. Lonny’s character is best described by this single verse: “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
A son, a brother, a husband, a father, a father-in-law, a papa, an uncle, a cousin, and a friend with a true heart of gold; That’s who Lonny Ray was and that’s who
he will always be to all who had the honor of knowing and loving him. May his legacy live on through the memories and stories told of the great Lonny Ray.
Lonny Lee Ray, 70, of Bogue Chitto, Mississippi passed from this life on the evening of Sunday, December 20th, 2020. There will be a Celebration of Life ceremony
to be announced at a later date.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Oscar and Mabel Ray.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Beverly Ray; his son, Jacob Ray and his son, Cal Ray and wife, Kayla; daughter, Betsy Smith and husband, Grady.
He is also survived by his 3 brothers, Charles Ray and wife, Carolyn, Joe Ray and wife, Gay, and Larry Ray and wife, Trisha. Along with 6 grandchildren,
Duncan and Evan Smith, Riley and Maggie Ray, and Shep and Helen Ray.
In lieu of flowers, please send to any children’s charity of your choice or to First United Methodist Church Brookhaven’s Angel Tree Fund.
Vicki Ruth Chinn
Graveside service for Ms. Vicki Ruth Chinn, of Wesson are 1:00 pm, Saturday, December 26, 2020,
at Old Crystal Springs Cemetery in Crystal Springs.
Vicki Ruth Chinn, 64, went to be with her Lord on December 21, 2020. She was born on October 5, 1956
to the late Oswald Earl Chinn and Anna Lee Kessinger.
She was a member of New Beginnings Worship Center and was retired from Walmart. Vicki loved painting,
and was in children’s ministry and worked as a homeless shelter volunteer.
Preceding her in death are her parents, brothers, Sam Chinn and Earl Chinn.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Adriana Bedwell (Robert), Joy Holmes (Jerry); brothers,
Lewis Chinn (Mary), Darrell “Fuzz” Chinn (Louise); sisters, Betty Smithey (Billy) Anita Billunas; sister-in-law,
Patsy Chinn; along with 7 grandchildren, Connor, Anna Grace, Charity, Cullen, Ava, Josiah,
and John and a host of nieces and nephews.
Greg Lamar Smith
Greg Lamar Smith, 64, of Magnolia, passed from this life
December 20, 2020. He was born October 24, 1956, to
Clyde Everette Smith and Betty Jean McKlemurry. He was self employed
and a member of East Union Baptist Church.
Mr. Smith is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Mike Smith.
He is survived by his brother, Ronnie Smith (Bambi) of Brookhaven, MS
and his sister, Cathy Andrews (Ray) of Smithdale, MS.
Rodre Le’ ion Hart
Graveside Service for Rodre Le’ ion Hart, are 2:00 pm on Monday, December 21, 2020 at Pernell Cemetery in Garden City MS.
Rodre Le’ ion Hart was born on December 13, 2020. He died on December 14, 2020 at University Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
Preceding him in death were his great grandmothers, Murel Lee Thomas and Idella Gibson and great grandfather, Mose Perkins Sr.
Those left to cherish his memory are his parents, Rodrick Kendale Hart Sr and Raylin Janee Denise Gibson; brother, Rodrick Kendale Hart, Jr.;
grandmothers, Sheilita Thomas, Schemann Jackson, Rachel Gibson, and Loretta Sander; and grandfather, Jerry Jackson and Rafus Gibson (Kierra),
Godmother, Takiesha Stampley; aunt, Fredreuna Shivers, uncle, Raphael Shivers, great aunts, Annie Mae Chatman, Isephire Morgan,
Lauree Hutchins, Joyce King, Julie Mae Smith, Collie Gibson, Jacqueline Mitchell, and Sharon Hunt; great uncles, Arthur Thomas, James Thomas
and special aunts, Kimeyarus Clark , Domonicka Gaylor, Greg Gibson, and Keith Hunt.
James Estus Keys
The funeral service for James Estus Keys will be 11 a.m., Friday, December 18, 2020,
at Zion Hill Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
Mr. Keys, 81, of Wesson, MS, passed from this life on December 16, 2020, at his home surrounded by loved ones. He was born May 13, 1939,
to John Austin Keys and Anna Estelle Moore Keys.
Jimmy was a skilled craftsman; though he preferred to be called a carpenter, just like Jesus. He founded The Carpenter Shop in Wesson
and continued to work there until right before his death. He loved to worship the Lord through music. In the early days, he enjoyed singing
with cousins and family in a little group called the Zionlighters. He taught himself to play guitar and piano and still played until the last couple of months.
He had fun collecting over/under shotguns and pearl handle knives. Occasionally, he could be found quail hunting and pheasant hunting with friends and a few good dogs.
On warm days, you could catch a glimpse of him tooling around town on his Harley.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Ann Keys; parents, Austin and Estelle Keys; brothers, Howard Keys, Carl Ray Keys; sisters, Grace “Sis” Sandifer and Elsie Elkins.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his very special friend, Barbara Ann Ashley; daughters, Diane Keys and Sandy Keys Scott; sister, Melba Crane;
four grandchildren, Mandy, Logan, Austin, and Peyton; and four great-grandchildren, Spencer, Miles, Heloise, and Autumn.
Roy Lee Pickering
The funeral service for Mr. Roy Lee Pickering will be 1 p.m., Friday, December 18, 2020, at Solid Rock Pentecostal Church
with burial at Newell Cemetery. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Friday.
Mr. Pickering, 95, of Wesson, MS, passed from this life on December 16, 2020. He was born December 2, 1925, to his parents,
Johnny Grafton Pickering and Mary Carleen Britt Pickering. He served his country in the United States Marines during WWII,
Mr. Pickering served at Guam, Saipan, the landing of Okinawa, and the occupation of China. At Okinawa, his ship, the USS Hinsdale,
was hit by a Kamikaze. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign War. He was also a life member of the 6th Marine Division
Association 1st Provision, Marine Brigade “Life Member”, and The Elite Most Distinguished 22nd Marine’s Association.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Minnie Marie Davis Pickering; parents; son, Roy Lynnes Pickering;
brothers, James Emmitt Pickering and John Howard Pickering.
He is survived by his children, Garry Marlon Pickering (Rosemary) and Theresa Ann Pickering Williams (Dempsey);
four grandchildren, Rebecca Gerae’ Pickering Fuller (John), Garry LaRon Pickering (Cindy), Talita Michelle Williams (Michael),
Dempsey LaDale Williams (Kristen); nine great-grandchildren, Joshua “J.M.” Fuller, Logan T. Fuller, Garrin H. Fuller,
Cassady E. Pickering, Zachary G. Pickering, Ronin S. Ruble, Madison L. Williams, Jaxson D. Williams,
Laurie Jayne Williams; and two great, great-grandchildren, Ryder G. Fuller and Adeline K. Fuller.
The family would like to honor Mr. Pickering’s pastor, Rev, and Mrs. Jerry Sullivan as well as long time family friends, Rev. and Mrs. Glyn Hilton.
Bobby Glenn Smith
Services for Mr. Bobby Glenn Smith will be held on Monday, December 21, 2020, at 2:00 pm at Riverwood Family
with interment at Gum Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1:00 until service time.
Bobby Glenn Smith, 79, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life on December 15, 2020, at his residence.
He was born on May 10, 1941, to James and Evelyn Smith.
Mr. Smith was a welder for Smith Machine Welding and a member of Gum Grove Baptist Church.
Preceding him in death were his parent and one brother, James Carroll Smith
Those left to cherish his memory is his wife, Delores Smith; daughter, Donita Cooper; sisters, Jane Leary and Betty Faye Sanders
along with 2 grandchildren, Afton Carter, and husband, Shannon and Blake Adams, and his fiance, Alexis Wall. and Blake Adams.
He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Austin Evans,
Nathan Evans, Ryleigh Jane Adams, Ronnie Drake Adams, Eden Adams, Blake Carter, and Rylea Carter.
Linda Ruth Lott Grammer
Services for Mrs. Linda Ruth Lott Grammer of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm Thursday, December 17, 2020,
at Macedonia Baptist Church with visitation from 12:30 until the time of the service. Burial will be at the church cemetery.
Mrs. Linda Ruth Lott Grammer, 73, went to be with her Lord on December 15, 2020, at her home.
She was born on August 5, 1947, to the late George Austin Lott Sr and Lottie Ruth Wade Lott.
Mrs. Grammer was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church and was retired as Electronic Manager at Walmart.
She enjoyed softball, bowling, fishing, hunting, and crossword puzzles but most of all she loved her grandchildren
and great-grandchildren and spending time with them.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, James Ray (JR) Grammer; and brother, George Austin Lott, Jr.
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Scottie Grammer, and wife, Rhonda, and daughter, Dawn Pickett;
along with 5 grandchildren, Stephanie Grammer, Brittany Grammer, Autumn Pickett, Bradley Grammer,
Johnathan Grammer, and step-grandchildren, Zackery Montgomery, Jacob Clark, Brayden Clark,
and great-grandson, Chase White. Jr., and a host of nieces and nephews.
Michael Edward Barry
Graveside Services for Mr. Michael Edward Barry of Brookhaven, are 11:00 am Saturday, December 19, 2020, at Riverwood Family Memorial Park.
Mr. Michael Edward Barry, 47, passed away on December 15, 2020, at Baptist Hospital.
He was born on November 22, 1973. He was a member of Little Bahalia Baptist Church and was retired as a Registered Nurse.
Michael liked traveling, seeing different states, and enjoyed baseball, especially the Red Sox. He will be missed by all that loved and knew him.
Preceding him in death were his father, William Porter Barry, sister, Teresa Kennedy, grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. E.B. Lofton, and Mr. & Mrs. A.P. Barry.
Those left to cherish his memory are his mother, Frances Ann Martin; brother, Lee Barry (Andrea); along with a host of nephews,
Cameron Barry (Leah), Ryan (Jordan) Kennedy, Christopher Kennedy, Brayden Mabry; nieces, Allyson Barry, Lauren Mabry
and great-nephew, John Preston Kennedy, and great-nieces, Josie Kennedy and Emersyn Ann Barry and numerous cousins and other relatives.
A special caregiver and friend, Sandra Scarbough.
Floyd James “F.J.” Ratcliff
Graveside service for Mr. Floyd James “F.J.” Ratcliff, of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm,
Wednesday, December 16, 2020, at Mt. Olive Church of Christ Cemetery.
Mr. Floyd James “F.J.” Ratcliff, 84, went to be with his Lord on December 11, 2020
at King’s Daughters Medical Center. He was born on September 10, 1936 to the late
Alex Ratcliff and Lula Dickey Ratcliff.
He served his country in the United States Air Force and was a member of Mt Zion
Church of Christ and of Jaycees. Mr. Ratcliff was retired as Supervisor for Armstrong Tire.
He will be missed by all that loved and knew him.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Liz Ratcliff; parents; sisters, Helen Ratcliff Allred,
Dorothy Mae Ratcliff Dixon; brothers, Andrew Monroe (A.M.) Ratcliff, and Alex (Junior) Ratcliff.
Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Brad Ratcliff and wife, Jan Bullock Ratcliff;
2 grandchildren, Samuel Ratcliff and wife, Brette, Susanna Ratcliff and fiancé Jesse Hedgepeth,
and great-granddaughter, Ruby June Ratcliff.
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