The funeral service for Robert Leon Burris will be Noon, Saturday, December 23, at Ebenezer Methodist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Mr. Burris, 81, passed away December 18, 2023, at UMMC in Jackson, MS. He was born in McCall Creek, MS, September 24, 1942, to Leon and Gladys (Arnold) Burris. Mr. Burris served his country in the United States Army National Guard.

Mr. Burris was a true outdoorsman, enjoying the many simpler things in life. Hunting and fishing were a source of pleasure for him, especially being able to teach his children and grandchildren how to fish. He was also a tractor enthusiast and enjoyed bush hogging. He was a great community leader and treasured the times he could help any of his neighbors and friends. He was a faithful husband, father, and grandfather, and he will be greatly missed by those who loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Bobbie Nell Holland.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 27 years, Janet Burris; his former wife of 30 years, Brenda Burris; his children, Tony Burris, Rebecca Vasilenko, and Teresa Chiles; sister, Carolyn White; four grandchildren, Kimberly, Cassie, Tony, and Summer and two great grandchildren, Abbigale and Conner. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.

Flowers may be sent to Ebenezer Methodist Church in McCall Creek, or, on behalf of Robert L. Burris, to The Alzheimer’s Research Foundation,  207 W Jackson St 2nd Fl Ste 1, Ridgeland, MS 39157.

Mr. Glenn Everette Smith, 74 of Jackson, passed away November 20, 2023, at UMMC in Jackson. He was born January 13, 1949, in Natchez, Mississippi, to the late John Everette Smith and Lois Davis Smith. Mr. Smith was a Respiratory Therapist.

Mr. Smith is survived by his sons, John Hall Smith and wife, Daniela, Jay Everette Smith and wife, Jessica, and four grandchildren: Izzie Smith, Jackson Smith, J.J. Smith, and Jacob Smith, all of Dana Point, California, and his sister, Barbara Hickman and husband Bill.

Glenn was known for sharing his Christian faith and offering a kind word and supportive spirit with anyone he met. His memory and positive influence will be cherished by those who knew him.

Services for Mrs. JoAnn Moak Thames of Brookhaven are 11:30 am, Saturday, December 16, 2023, at First Baptist Church Brookhaven with visitation from 9:30 until the time of service and burial at Rosehill Cemetery.

Mrs. JoAnn Moak Thames, 91, passed away December 11, 2023. She was born May 13, 1932, to the late Theodore R. Moak and Erma Mae Canoy.

Mrs. Thames was a lifetime member of the Gideon Auxiliary, Owner/operator of Flower Time Florist and Antiques, Owner/operator of Playtime Daycare and Owner of the Wedding Chapel. She was retired from South Central Bell and employed by KDMC for 22 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church.

Preceding her in death were her parents; son, David Hartley Thames; brother, Teddy Moak; and sisters, Peggy Seago and Norma Hart.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 71 years, Robert “Gene” Thames; brother, Roger Moak (Geraldine) and sister, Joyce Allred (Danny Ray).

She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members, and

special friends, Trey and Cathy Oldham and Walker and Courtney Franck.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

P.O. Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis TN 38148-0142

The funeral service for John Austin Bowden, Jr. will be 2:30 p.m., Saturday, December 16, at Riverwood Family, with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 1:30 p.m. until the time of service.

John A Bowden Jr. passed from this life December 7, 2023, at the age of 96. 

He was born September 8, 1927.  He enlisted in the United States Navy Reserves September 1, 1944, just a few days short of being 17. 

He proudly served his country and retired a Master Chief (E-9) after 24 years of service. He was a decorated veteran of WWII, Korean War and the Vietnam War. 

He worked for the Social Security Administration in Jackson and transferred to the Brookhaven office in the summer of 1975. 

Upon his retirement from the SSA, he enjoyed his leisure time grooming his yard, planting his garden and auctioneering as well as woodworking and trips to the Great Smokey Mountains. 

He was a man known by multiple names, "John", "Daddy", "Pappy", "Poppa John" and "Uncle Buddy" and will be missed by many. 

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, his first wife, Mary Bowden, his son, John Bowden III, his sister Joyce Oakes and brother Harold Bowden. 

His survivors are his wife, Rose Carolyn Bowden; his daughters Lee Moore (Carroll), Terry Collura (Don),Wanda Melton (Carlos),

Son, Stevie Yoas (Lee Laurie), 10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  

The family would like to especially thank Aston Court in McComb and all their employees for adopting him and his wife, Kaiki, into their compassionate and loving family and 

also extend a special thank you to COMPASSUS of McComb.