April Michelle Smith, 45, of Wesson, MS, died October 8, 2023, at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb, MS. She was born in Brookhaven April 20, 1978, to Sherman Leroy Smith and Frances Elaine Daniel Smith.

She is survived by three children, Tristen Toby Dillon, Kaylen Smith, and Alexis Michell Blackwell; her parents; brothers, Mark Smith and Carey Banks, Jr.; sisters, Patti Boyte and Alecia Smith; four grandchildren, MaKiya, Kaiser, Kingston, and Alaiyah; and by friends, Rebecca Moll, Kayla Haas, and Kellye Sicks. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers you may make memorials to Gideon’s International, PO Box 1106, Brookhaven, MS 39602.

The funeral service for James Gilbert Pickering will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, October 11, at Lucien Baptist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, October 10^th, at Riverwood and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of service at Lucien Baptist Church.

Mr. Pickering, 96, of Lucien, died October 7, 2023, at his residence. He was born February 14, 1927, to Judd E. Pickering and Rhoda Smith Pickering. He retired from Natchez Paper Mill where he worked in the machine maintenance department.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Davis and son-in-law, Roy Davis.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 75 years, Jewell Pickering; children, Sandy Smith, Ronnie Pickering, Brenda Simmons and husband, Lamar, and Debbie Barfoot; brother, Gene Pickering; eight grandchildren, Brad Davis, Mandy Smith, Lane Pickering, Jamie Barfoot, Dusty Davis, Brandi Jenkins, Ronnie Pickering, Jr., and Evan Pickering; nine great grandchildren and a host of other loving family members and friends.

There will be a reception for family and friends immediately following the service.

The funeral service for Martha Avants will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, October 10, at Riverwood with burial in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Monday night, at Riverwood and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of service Tuesday.

Mrs. Martha Avants, 60, of Bogue Chitto, died October 6, 2023, at her residence. She was born October 11, 1962, to Bennie Hall, Sr. and Mildred Louise Moak Hall. She was a loving wife and mother and enjoyed every moment spent with her daughter, watching her grow up. Mrs. Martha was full of life and laughter; she never met a stranger. She loved to garden, and every morning was spent sitting on her porch, drinking coffee, and enjoying the work she took such great pleasure in. She also liked going fishing with her husband, Roger.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Earnest Avants; her parents; brothers, Quincy Hall, John Neal Hall, Weames Hall, Prentiss Hall, Larry Hall, John Henry Hall, Bennie Hall, Jr.; sisters, Bennie Lou Blakeney, Earline Carlisle, Margaret Williams, Tillithia Hall Moak, Mamie Pat Jennings, and Nancy Peyreagne.

She is survived by her husband of 18 years, Roger Avants; daughter, Melissa Avants; stepchildren, Joey Avants, Bryan Dale Avants, and Chasity Avants; brothers, John Hugh Mathis and Jimbo Hall; sisters, Essie Ann McCaa, Rita Hall, Gloria Mercier, and Hattie Morris. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends as well as her sweet dog, Nylah.

The funeral service for Angela Gail Blackwell will be 11 a.m., Monday, October 9, at Heucks Retreat Baptist Church. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.

Mrs. Blackwell, 65, of Brookhaven, died October 5, 2023, at her residence, with her children by her side. She was born August 29, 1958, to John William Norton and Hilda Rae Coon Norton. She was a registered dietitian for 27 years with the Lawrence County Hospital. She was a member of Heucks Retreat Baptist Church but also loved attending Pleasant Grove Church at every opportunity. She was a master gardener who loved working in her flower beds. She was also a member of the Camellia Society. Her favorite pastime was spending time with all five of her grandkids.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ward Blackwell, and her parents.

Those who remain to cherish her memory are her children, Jessica Jordan and husband, Landon, Sawyer Smith and wife, Kori, and Cain Blackwell; brother, Dale Norton and wife, Debbie; sister, Linda Booth and husband, Paul, and sister-in-law, Sheila Blackwell; five grandchildren, Alli Rae Jordan, Colton Jordan, Hannah Smith, John Daniel Smith, and Luke Smith. She is also survived by her best friends, Janie Reeves, Wendy Smith, Charlotte Martin, and Sherry Britt, as well as other loving family members and friends.

A special thank you to  Sherry Britt and Hospice Ministries for their loving care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heucks Retreat Youth Department, 2167 Heucks Retreat Road NE, Brookhaven, MS 39601