The funeral service for Tommy Marcus Givens will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, January 2, at Bethel Baptist Church in Monticello, with burial in the church cemetery. There will be a time of visitation, Monday evening, January 1, from 5-8 p.m., at Bethel and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday.

Mr. Givens, 71, of Monticello, died December 29, 2023, at his residence. He was born in Monticello March 8, 1952, to Marcus and Audine Givens.

Mr. Givens was retired from the construction business and spent his days enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. He often liked to hunt, fish, and do woodworking projects, but also enjoyed just sitting on the porch, drinking a cup of coffee, and watching his friends and neighbors pass by. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and he was able to enjoy seven great grandchildren as well. He will be missed by all who loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jimmy Givens.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 50 years, Shirley Ann Givens; children, Michelle Watts (Hugh), and Luke Givens (Bonita); brother, Debo Givens; sisters, Kay Alexander and Cathy Killingsworth; seven grandchildren, Shelby Russell (Ben), Stetson Langley (Ashlyn), Marcey Brown (Marshall), Megan Lang (Brennan), Saydie Nations (Brantley), Sara Watts, Brittany Lott (Brent); eight great grandchildren, Everleigh, Keegan, Karson, Huston, Auston, Cayden, Marshall Paul, and Carson, and expecting in 2024, Mayleigh and Waylon; he is also survived by other loving family members and friends;  Kandi Tanksley and sons, Karter, Wylder, and Kooper, and Eden and Eli Vaughn.

Funeral service for Barbara Ann Whisenant Lambert will be Noon, Monday, January 1, 2024, at Pleasant Grove Methodist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Mrs. Lambert, 86, of Monticello, MS, died December 29, 2023, at Lawrence County Nursing Center in Monticello. She was born in Winona, MS, October 18, 1937, to Percy Whisenant and Eliza Ann Nolan Whisenant. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Mrs. Lambert worked for many years from her home.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Peggy Calder; sisters, Dorothy Adair and Francine Chambers; and brother, Thomas Whisenant.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Laverne Lambert; children, John Lambert (Linda), Tony Lambert (Alesa); four grandchildren, Tony Lambert II, Craig Lambert, Mindy Shirley, and Landon Lambert (Brittany); two devoted nieces, Becky Boysen and Debbie Martin. She is also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends.

Edward Lowery Lambert of Jayess, was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather during his incredible 94 years of life. He passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve, the evening of December 24th, 2023, in the home he shared with his granddaughter and her family in Dothan, Alabama.   

Ed was born on February 25th, 1929, to Leon and Dena Lambert in Jayess, Mississippi. He was born the youngest of seven siblings, then later became a brother again to three younger siblings. After spending some time enlisted in the army, he came home to marry his sweetheart Helen, in October of 1949. They had one daughter, JoLynn, in 1952, then from 1986, also raised their granddaughter, Lauren. He spent the majority of his career working as a skilled pipeline welder on various locations across the country. After retiring from the Pipeliner's Union, he continued to work in and around Jayess as an independent welder and bulldozer/backhoe operator, helped run the Jayess Topeka Tilton Water Association, and raised and farmed cattle.  

Never being one to sit still, even in his late elderly years he kept himself busy puttering around the farm and shop working on his equipment. In his mid-eighties, he stunned doctors and medical staff upon admission to the hospital with the story of how he came to have a fractured pelvis and ribs. Not from a fall, as may have been easily assumed, but from being crushed by the bushhog he was working under. His recovery was quick, and before long, he was back at it. In 2016, when his first great-grandchild came along, he excitedly spoke of, "making a dozer operator out of that boy."  

Often described as a man of few words, when he did have something to say, we listened. Each and every night before laying down to sleep, he sat on the edge of the bed and read his Bible, then said a prayer. He took immense joy in contributing to the construction and raising of the new Calvary church in the early 1990's. Pastor and Sister Bowling, and the church family were very dear to him. In August of this year, even though his memory was failing him, a surprise visit from the Bowlings lit up his face with warmth and joy.

Ed is survived by his daughter JoLynn Parr (Robert), his granddaughter Lauren Lynch (Dax), his great-grandsons Gentry and Truitt, and his siblings Margie (Renfroe), Arlie, and James. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dena and Leon, his stepmother Louise, his siblings Gay Lavern (Rhinehardt), Cassie (Ainsworth), Plezzie Lee, Juanita (Holcomb), Earlene (Nettles), and Hayward, and his dearly loved wife Helen.   

Services will be held at Calvary UPC in Jayess. Visitation will take place Tuesday evening, January 2nd, from 5:00-8:00 PM, and the funeral service at 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 3rd, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM.   

Graveside service for Mary Diane Harris will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 27, in Pleasant Grove Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Harris, 81, of Brookhaven, passed away December 25, 2023, at her residence. She was born in Brookhaven October 24, 1942, to Willie Eugene Keene and Nonnee Rushing Keene. Mrs. Harris worked for many years with Bell South and Check Exchange of Mississippi. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Alfred Harris; her parents; son, Glenn Duane Bracey; and brothers, Larry Keene and Dudley Keene.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Donna Smith (David), Kevin Bracey (Felisha), and Cynthia Bracey (Duane); brothers, Donald Keene (Hannah) and Martin Keene (Debbie), and sister-in-law, Sylvia Keene; five grandchildren, Jessica Vanier (Colby), Elena Smith, Lauryn Bracey, Parker Bracey (Lexi), Taylor Bracey; two great grandchildren, Merrick & Atlas Vanier; step grandchildren, Keelie Piner, Justin Piner (Ashley) and their children. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.