Effie Benita (Leviner) Higginbotham was born in Bennettsville, South Carolina on November 18, 1935, to the late Troy L. Leviner and Beulah Horne Leviner. The legacy she created influenced many people during her 87 years on earth and gained her the reputation of being “an angel sent from heaven.”

​Throughout her life, Mrs. Effie always left an impression on any and every one that she met. Whether it was through her job as secretary in the Lincoln County School District, her role as a preacher’s wife, or simply as a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Mrs. Effie made sure that those around her experienced selfless love. She treated everyone as a close family member, and if that was not enough, her homemade biscuits made her quite popular within her community. She, along with her husband, Rev. Floyd Higginbotham, served others with unwavering faith and love, and those qualities are what made her life a legacy to remember.

​She is preceded in death by her parents, grandson Timothy Johnsey; sisters Mary White and Odessa Son; and brother, Edward “Butch” Liles.

​Those who are left to cherish her memory are her husband of 69 years, Floyd Higginbotham; children, Sam Higginbotham (Shirley), Tim Higginbotham (Wanda), Benita Johnsey(Tommy), and Beth Wicker; sister, Vernie Elliot; 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. She also leaves a host of other loving family members and the many friendships created throughout her ministry.

​Friends and family are invited to attend visitation at Riverwood Family Funeral Services in Brookhaven, MS, on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. Her celebration of life will be Thursday, September 7, 2023, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m., with her burial at the church cemetery afterwards.

A Memorial Services for Carrie Lee "Snookie" Winborne are 2:00 pm, Thursday, September 7, 2023, at Riverwood Family.

Snookie, 67, passed from this life after a lengthy battle with cancer, at her home surrounded by family on September 2, 2023.

She was born May 3,1956 in Minot, North Dakota, but lived most of her life in Bogue Chitto, MS. Her parents were Marjorie Beeson Lemery and Harold Ray Beeson.

Snookie was an exceptional homemaker, a devoted wife, caring friend and a wonderful mother; not only to her own children but also any neighborhood kids that needed somewhere to go or someone to talk to.

She was lovingly known as their momma Snook.

Snookie loved all animals but was particularly fond of German Shepherds. She raised and trained many companions throughout her teenage years and her adult life, until Cancer would no longer allow her to do so. Many knew her because of her beautiful and well-behaved shepherds. 

Preceding her in death were her parents; her sister, Robin Simmons; and her granddaughter.

Shyla Carrie Lee.

Those left to cherish her memory are her best friend and loving husband, Mike;

her son Richard Booth and family; her daughters, Hiedi Nevels and family, and Cindy Lee and family. Snookie had seven grandchildren and one great grandson.

She is also survived by her sisters, Lori Thames, Lyn Foster, and Rachel McQuade

and her brother, Billy Beeson. As well as a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends; also, her fur babies, Lizzy, Abby, and Brutus,

She also considered many of her doctors and nurses her family.

Snookie Was given the opportunity to ring The Bell three times and now she is ringing it a fourth time with Jesus.

In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Batson Children's Hospital at UMMC. 

The funeral service for Veta Grace Smith Covington will be 10 a.m., Friday, September 1, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Union Church Cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Thursday, August 31, at Riverwood, and will resume from 9 a.m. Friday until the time of service.

Mrs. Covington died August 28, 2023, at her home in Union Church, she was 86 years of age. She was born in Brookhaven, MS, December 3, 1936, to John Butler Smith, Sr., and Wessie Katherine Smith. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and lived to even see a generation of great grandchildren.

Mrs. Covington was elected “Miss Loyd Star” in 1955. She was a beautiful lady from the inside out, unselfish, and very devoted to her family and friends. She worked with Bell South, Southwest Livestock, and King’s Daughters. Her favorite pastime was gardening, she enjoyed tending to her vegetables and flowers. She also liked fishing, but watching the children and grandchildren play sports was her greatest enjoyment. She was an avid Brookhaven Academy supporter. Mrs. Covington was a member of Union Church Baptist Church and will be greatly missed by her faith family as well as all who loved her.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Charles Smith, Larry Smith, John B. Smith, Jr. and Carol P. Smith.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, William Henry “Billy” Covington; children, Dwayne Covington (Sharon), Kendall Covington (Jennifer), Cliff Covington (Angela), and Gary Covington (Lisa); brother, Mike Smith; sisters, Valerie Hill and Bonita Sue Bullock; eight grandchildren, Casey Covington, Cody Covington, Steven Covington, Caleb Covington, Anna Grace Covington, Allison Covington, Kensy Covington, and Jessi Covington; and six great grandchildren, Peyton Covington, Madison Covington, Mason Covington, Mitchell Covington, Kendall Covington, and Charlie Covington. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.

In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to Brookhaven Academy Building Fund,  943 Brookway Boulevard Ext NW, Brookhaven, MS 39601.

Obituary Document

The funeral service for James Gerald Mercier will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 30, at Riverwood Family. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, August 29, at Riverwood, and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday.

Mr. Mercier, 77, of Bogue Chitto, died August 27, 2023, at his residence. He was born in Lincoln County November 1, 1945, to Herbert Mercier and Alma Fuller Mercier.

Mr. Mercier was employed in the oil industry, working as a supervisor. He also loved working outdoors, as well as spending time hunting and fishing. His greatest pleasure was found in being with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Fred Mercier, Howard Mercier Sr., and Lowery Mercier; sister, Dorothy Davis; granddaughter, Erika Townsend; great grandson, Fisher Martin; and brother by heart, Jackie Hanshew.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Gloria Mercier; children, Chellie Hannah (Randy), Christi Cox (Harley), Scott Williams (Caroline), Shawn Mercier (Rhiannon), Chad Townsend (Jennifer), Blake Williams (Candie), and Chancey Williams; 25 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; niece, Patricia Porter and Auston and Mikaylan Easterling, who are more like his own children. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.