Memorial service for Duchess Deane Smith will be 11 a.m., Saturday, October 21, at Riverwood Family. Visitation is from 10 until the time of the service.

Ms. Smith, 59, of Brookhaven, died October 15, 2023, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. She was born in Brookhaven April 23, 1964, to Donald Clyde Smith and Beverly Stokes Smith. She worked in the medical field as a Licensed Practical nurse.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and grandparents, Sue Smith, Clyde Smith, Grace Geren, Curtis Ray Stokes.

She is survived by her children, DJ Branning (Kristen), Jeremy Branning (Jessie), and Ashley Smith (Kason); brother, Mitchell Smith, sister, Stephanie Case (Shane); three grandchildren, Noah Branning, Lucy Smith, Theo Smith; her boyfriend, James Caston, and other loving family members and friends.

The funeral service for Louise Lanell Moak Pickett will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, October 17, at Mt. Gilead Primitive Baptist Church, with burial in Ebenezer Methodist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Monday, October 16, at Riverwood, and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of service at Mt. Gilead.

Mrs. Pickett, 85, of McCall Creek, passed away October 13, 2023, at her residence.  She was born August 23, 1938, to Robert E. Moak and Juanita Moak. She was a member of Mt. Gilead Primitive Baptist Church. Mrs. Lanell was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, she will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

She is preceded in death by  her parents; son, Michael Pickett; daughter, Nancy Pickett; brother, Wayne Moak; and grandsons, Nathan Pickett and William Pickett.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 64 years, James Thomas “Tom” Pickett; daughters, Wanda Poole (David) and Stephanie Carithers (Jerry); brother, Delton Moak (Patricia); grandchildren, Jeremy Pickett, Amanda Mims (Matt), Abigail Holmes (Chris), Matthew Touchstone (Katie), Tiffany Smith (Hunter); and Jacob Carithers; great grandchildren, Jonathan Pickett, Autumn Pickett, Harleigh Pruski, Paisley Smith, Bennett Touchstone, and Snow Allen. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.

Funeral service for Wayne Ray Bowman will be 2:30 p.m., Friday, October 13^th, at Riverwood Family, with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service.

Mr. Bowman, 76, of Brookhaven, died October 10, 2023, at UMMC, in Jackson, MS. He was born in Manila, AR, to Otis and Mildred (Crawford) Bowman. He was retired from Wal Mart where he was employed as a Wal Mart Truck Driver with 30 years of service and 3 million Safe Miles. Wayne was a loving husband, father and grandfather, he was a good friend and an all-around good man. He enjoyed fishing and playing cards in his spare time. His favorite thing to do was spend time with his family, especially holidays, and with his extended family, the Cade’s. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Bill Bowman, Charles Bowman, Don Bowman, Steve Bowman, and Gary Bowman; and his sisters, Peggy Brooks and Shirley Sammons.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Ruth Bowman; children, Michael Bowman (Crystal) and Jimmy Bowman; brothers-in-law, Harold Turpin (Mary) and Bobby Turpin (Karen); sisters-in-law, Georgia Lawrence, Jean Zaino (Joe), Peggy Perry (Gary), Teresa McCall, Tina Poe (Lewis), Fran Bowman and Carolyn Bowman.; four grandchildren, two great grandchildren; and special friend, JoAnn White.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

The funeral service for Richard Dunbar Smith will be held 10 a.m., Friday, October 13, at St. Francis of Assisi, with burial in Rosehill Cemetery, with a reception to follow burial in the Parish Hall. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, October 12, at Riverwood Family.

Richard Dunbar Smith, dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend - passed away in his sleep at home in Brookhaven, MS on October 10th. He was 75 years old.

Richard was born to Earl and Virginia Lee Smith on November 17,1947. He graduated from Brookhaven High School in 1965.  In high school he met his future wife, Claudia, and was married for 55 years. He is most well known to friends as “Pro” for being the PGA Professional and Head Professional at Brookhaven Country Club. He also had a long career in phone service including opening his own business, The Connection Source, LLC, which led to him to being nicknamed “The Phone Man.”

Richard was blessed with a large and loving family. He married his wife, Claudia, in 1968.  They had three wonderful girls and seven grandchildren that brought him so much joy and happiness.

He loved playing golf, hunting (especially duck hunting), fishing, his dogs, having fun with friends, listening to music, Mississippi State University and making people laugh.  

Being Tops, as his grandchildren knew him, came naturally to Richard. His grandkids loved his side by side rides, his willingness to share whatever he had and giving advice.

The family would like to thank Hospice Ministries, Inc. for their wonderful care.

Richard is survived by his wife, Claudia Graves Smith; their children Natalie (Brad Lawson), Julie (Tim Basel) and Melissa (Nick Coleman), seven grandchildren, Will Lawson, Jackson Lawson and Anna Caroline Lawson; Elizabeth Basel and Carter Basel; Luke Coleman and Price Coleman; and his brother, Michael Smith. He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Virginia Lee Smith.


In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.