Janice “Jan” Louise Gove, 90, died at The Aspen assisted living community in Brookhaven, Mississippi, on March 6, 2022.
Jan was a spirited, loving, generous, kind, and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and animal rescuer. Her dear husband of sixty-five years,
Edward “Ed” Gove, Jr., predeceased her by only 45 days, on January 20, 2022. They had been married in New Jersey on March 1, 1957,
and had relocated to Brookhaven later that year, where they built a home, raised five children, and eventually grew old together.
Although shouts of “Eddie! Eddie! Eddie!” could often be heard around the Gove residence, as Jan sought Ed’s help with one project or another,
it was always clear just how much they loved one another. In each other, they found the kind of lifelong love and devotion that so many people only get to see in movies.
Jan also loved her children immensely, and did her best to support them, to teach them to be good people, and she always tried to accommodate whatever interests
they had in a particular day or year — whether that meant helping them to travel abroad at early ages or allowing them to bring home an abandoned baby flying squirrel as a pet.
If Jan did her best to love and help her children, she did her best to spoil her grandchildren, even from their first days on Earth. In one case, she secretly fed her newborn grandson
a very, very, very tiny piece of a Hershey’s chocolate bar. She proudly shared this with the family — but only years later, after that grandson had grown up to be a normal adult.
Apparently it was important to her that he learn from a very early age that the world could be a wonderful place, in part because we have things like chocolate.
“My animals,” as she often called the rescue animals in her life, were the only thing Jan talked about as much as her beloved family, and that’s because saving animals was her calling.
It was a passion that animated her. Until the day she passed, she continued to say “I love my family, and I love my animals,” and throughout her life, she always enjoyed telling anyone willing to listen all about both subjects.
She enjoyed telling stories about her children and grandchildren to friends and strangers alike. In fact, she advertised her enthusiasm with an “Ask Me About My Grandkids
” front license plate on her car for many, many years. And of course, she also enjoyed telling her grandchildren endlessly fascinating stories about the
animals she had rescued or helped — stories about tracking down and feeding feral animals who evaded capture, about digging through a dumpster to find a litter of abandoned puppies,
about caring for injured wildlife, or about rushing a severely injured cat to a vet in the middle of the night. Through her stories and her example, she taught others, including her grandchildren,
to be compassionate and to stand up for the vulnerable who cannot stand up for themselves. She also taught that you should always do what is right and what is important,
even if those things are difficult, misunderstood, or heartbreaking.
It’s important to mention that “her animals” were not only the dozens of animals she personally rescued and sheltered in her home or at the family’s factory in Brookhaven, but also the thousands
of animals she helped rescue over more than thirty-five years of involvement with Brookhaven Animal Rescue League (BARL), an organization she helped to establish and grow. In addition
to their early involvement that began in the 1980s, Jan and Ed were instrumental in helping the organization secure property and build the permanent, modern building that still facilitates over a thousand adoptions a year.
Jan grew up in Millville, New Jersey, in the southern part of the state near the ocean. However, unlike her beloved grandchildren, Jan had a very difficult beginning, not unlike the animals she championed.
She was born in the northern part of New Jersey on May 9, 1931, during the Great Depression, and was abandoned at the train station in Princeton at three months old. She then spent the following
three months of her life in an orphanage, the New Jersey Children's Home in Trenton, before being adopted by a young couple grieving the recent loss of their five-year-old son to leukemia.
Her adoptive parents, Jay Herbert Jaggers and Reba Elizabeth Jaggers (Blizzard), brought her home to Millville, where “Herb,” as her father was known, had built their house years earlier.
Her parents were over the moon about Jan, and they remained enchanted with their little girl for the rest of their long lives.
As Jan would later do for countless people and animals over the course of her life, her parents made her feel loved, and they made her feel special.
They reminded her often that she had literally been chosen, and even though they were of modest means, they gave her everything they
could — both material and not — including a 1951 Chevy Deluxe Styleline sedan, a car that she kept for the rest of her life.
Jan’s parents taught her the importance of family, and she had many aunts, uncles, and cousins with whom she celebrated and shared so much of her life.
Her parents were also the ones who taught her to love, protect, and care for animals, which became her lifelong calling. Her childhood home always had
several animals living in it at any one time — among others were several cocker spaniels, parakeets, and a white lab rat her father had rescued from the hospital lab where he worked part-time.
Jan attended Millville High School, where she was popular and served as class officer. She was also very active in West Side United Methodist Church in Millville.
Growing up, she spent her summers in Ocean City, New Jersey, a nearby tourist destination and summer community where her father had built a small house near the beach.
Throughout her life, she enjoyed returning to New Jersey. She continued to love the beach and boardwalk in Ocean City and some of its staples:
Mac & Manco’s Pizza, Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer, and Johnson’s Popcorn. She continued to love spending time at the beach in general, and was able to do
so regularly with a condo that she and Ed owned for many years in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. While she enjoyed staying in touch with friends and family,
she remained particularly close to her two childhood best friends. She also remained a devout Christian throughout the rest of her life and was a member of
Faith Presbyterian Church in Brookhaven for over six decades. Although she never had formal lessons, she was a skilled pianist who could play by
ear and who taught herself to read music by practicing hymns.
Janice “Jan” Louise Gove was predeceased by her husband of 65 years: Edward “Ed” Gove, Jr. She is survived by her five children and their spouses:
David Jay Gove, Dianne Gove Bein (Kent), Bruce Robert Gove, Brian Scott Gove (Cecille), and Kimberly Ann Gove Rials (Ricky); and her six grandchildren
and their spouses: Madison Nicole Gove, Robert Byram Gove, Jonathan Gove Pittman (Angelique), David Thomas Pittman (Cayla), Lindsey Russell Bein,
and Philip Russell Bein. The family is eternally grateful to Mary Ann Lewis for her devoted loving care and support of Ed and Jan over the past several years.
They would also like to thank the staff of The Aspen of Brookhaven for their love and support over the last few years.
Jan is to be interred at Riverwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Brookhaven in a private family service. The family hopes to hold a celebration
of life memorial service in the future, as the pandemic allows, but it has not been scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League (www.BARL.net/donate) or Faith Presbyterian Church.
Funeral service for Tammy Angela Hall will be 11 a.m., Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Riverwood Family,
with interment in East Lincoln Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 9,
at Riverwood and will resume on Thursday at 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Ms. Hall, 53, of Brookhaven, passed from this life March 7, 2022, at her residence. She was born in Monticello, MS,
April 11, 1968. She worked for the Dunaway’s at Super Jack as a cook.
She is preceded in death by her father, Howard Hall and her mother and father-in-law, Jack and Ila Cox.
Survivors include her husband of 28 years, Adam Cox; sons, James Patrick Johns and wife Shirley, Harley Cox and wife,
Christi, and Justin Subbe and wife, Kourtney; daughters, Misti Robinson and husband, Alan, Alicia Johns, and Whitney Cox;
brothers, Justin Hall, Johnny Hall, and Michael Permenter; sisters, Debi Hall, Sherry Sayne and husband, Rob; her mother,
Dianne Permenter; 14 grandchildren, Alonnah robinson, Alexis Robinson, Paxtyn Bessenette, Bentley Johns, Brooke Johns, Jack Cox,
Rileigh Cox, Andrew Cox, Taylor Cox, Conner Gunnell, Paisley Gunnell, Justin Subbe, Jr., Maddie Subbe, and Claire Subbe;
and her stepmother, Martha Hall.
Services for Mr. Michael Dale Miller, Sr. will be 2 p.m., Friday, March 11, 2022, at Friendship Baptist Church in Amite, LA with
interment in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Michael Dale Miller, Sr. 65 of Jayess, passed away on March 1, 2022, in Dyer, Indiana.
He was born on February 10, 1957, to the late Vernon Miller and Betty Jo Husser Miller.
He was a Sherriff’s Deputy for Tangipahoa Parish.
Michael loved football and was an avid LSU and Saints fan. He also enjoyed fishing.
Preceding him in death were his parents; twin sister, Marilyn Gale and brother, Vernon Charles Miller.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of ten years, Theresa Miller; sons, Brody miller, Zachary Miller, Joshua Miller and
Steven Miller; daughters, Kristi Miller Rushing and Chloey Gale Miller; stepson, Chris Fuller: sisters, Deloris Gill, Judy King, and Debbie Gill.
He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, including Dalton Wall, Kevin Rushing, Justin Rushing, Brayden Rushing, Randall Rushing, Jr.,
Kastyn Fuller, Kinsley Fuller and numerous great-grandchildren, including,
Grayson Wayne Rushing, Kaiden Michael Rushing and Olivia Mason Wall, and his beloved chihuahua, Honey.
He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.
Funeral service for Mrs. Linda King Dunnaway will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
Linda King Dunnaway departed this life and went to her eternal home on Sunday, March 6, 2022. She was at home surrounded by her loving family. Linda was a tender-hearted woman of strong Christian faith and a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.
Linda was born to Fern and Eugene King on December 11, 1948, in Louisville, Mississippi where she grew up, graduating from Louisville High School in 1966. She graduated with honors from the University of Southern Mississippi, majoring in Music Education. Linda was a member of Kappa Delta sorority, and it was while she was at Southern that she met the love of her life, Danny Dunnaway. They married on June 26, 1971 and had been happily married for over 50 years at the time of her death.
After their marriage, Linda and Danny lived in Columbia, MS where Linda was the choral director for Columbia High School. After their move to West Point, Linda taught kindergarten at First Baptist Church, and she held the same position after their move to Brookhaven in 1983. In subsequent years she was pianist for Eclipse at Brookhaven High School and Mississippi School of Arts and was youth director for 10 years at Abundant Life Church. Linda was a member of The Assembly in Brookhaven where she had served as pianist.
An active member of the North Mississippi Emmaus Community, Linda loved serving wherever she was needed and was often the pianist. She was scheduled to be a lay director in September of this year, and she eagerly anticipated serving in that capacity!
One of Linda’s great loves was going to Honduras with Baptist Medical Dental Mission International, a mission that had held a special place in her heart since she began these trips in 2010. She was a part of the Rose-Woods team and considered all of her team members family. Linda’s heart’s desire was to serve her Lord quietly and without notice. She truly exemplified the Proverbs 31 woman in every way and was beloved by everyone who knew her.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, and her son, David Eugene Dunnaway. She is survived by her husband, Danny M. Dunnaway and her son Andrew (Dru) King Dunnaway of Boynton Beach, FL; her grandchildren, Nola and Baxter of Silver Spring, MD; her sister Peggy (Moe) Yarbrough of Louisville and her sister-in-law Donna Walker of Columbia.
If you would like to donate in her memory, please consider giving to the Brookhaven Gideon Camp. Gideon’s International, P O Box 1106, Brookhaven, MS 39602.
Cremation graveside service
10:00am Thursday at New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery
Mr. Kenneth William Dunn, 77, of Brookhaven, passed from this life March 2, 2022, at Hospice Center in Ridgeland, MS.
He was born in Brookhaven, September 25, 1945, to Billy and Jewell Dunn. Kenneth lived in Brookhaven all his life and was a graduate of Brookhaven High School.
He retired from Grand Gulf as an Insulator with the Local 114 Union and then worked for Chemstar in Brookhaven. Kenneth really enjoyed working in his yard,
a fresh mowed, clean yard was very important to him. He enjoyed taking the time to go camping and fishing, but his family was his greatest treasure.
He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, as well as a true friend. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
Mr. Dunn was a member of New Prospect Baptist Church.
Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Peggy Sue Dunn; stepson, Tim Rose; and brother-in-law, Ricky Marbury.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are, his wife of 34 years, Linda S. Marbury Dunn; son, Matt Miller (Mandy); daughters, Sherry Cain,
Kim Lamar (Stephen), Shania Phelan (Joel), Kandi Hennington (George); step-daughter Denise Thompson (Ralph Smith)
14 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends, and special friend, Dean Lofton.
Services for Mr. Jackie Ray Wilkinson, of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm, Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at Riverwood Family with burial at Bethel Community Church.
Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 pm on Tuesday, March 8, at Riverwood.
Mr. Jackie Wilkinson, 68, went to be with his Lord on March 4, 2022. He was born on January 7, 1954, to the late, John Murray “J.M.” Wilkinson and Alyne Boling Wilkinson.
Jackie was a member of Bethel Community Church and was the owner of Wilkinson Upholstery for over 45 years.
He loved to watch New York Yankee Baseball, anything Mississippi State, fishing in Mississippi River with his son and grandson. But most of all, anything to do with his family.
He loved spending time with them especially his grandchildren, attending every activity they had.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Aleane Wallace Wilkinson; daughter, Niki Wilkinson Love; parents; and his mother & father-in-law, William and Mary Wallace.
Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Jackie Wilkinson Jr. and wife, Dana; daughter, Melissa Patt and husband, James; sister, Sheila Mason and husband, Paul;
brothers-in-law, Calvin Wallace and wife, Kathy, Paul Wallace and wife, Sounnia, Ray Wallace and wife, Paulette, Roy Wallace and wife, Susan; sisters-in-laws,
Irene Calcote, Elizabeth Franklin, Mary Ann Richie and husband, John, and Myrtle Cartwright and husband, Paul.
He is also survived by five grandchildren, Kayla Wilkinson, Austin Patt and wife, Kara, Kolby Wilkinson, Mary Ellen Patt and Coleman Love;
and expecting a great grandchild in October; along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends, and his beloved Australian Shephard Yogi Berra Wilkinson.
He will be dearly missed by all that loved and knew him.
Judy Smith Townsend, born November 12, 1953, in Brookhaven, MS, left her home on earth and met her Savior, Jesus, in her heavenly home on March 3, 2022.
After graduating from Brookhaven High School, Judy married and began her much loved life as wife to Philip, and mother to daughters, Beth Townsend Smith (Jereme) of Brookhaven, Lori Willis (Kenny) of Pensacola, and son, Josh Townsend (Kathy) of Brookhaven.
Judy was always busy caring for her children, being present at their important events and various activities. She did the same with her grandchildren. When health issues forced a change in her independence, Judy found care and support by living with her devoted daughter, Beth, and her son-in-law, Jereme, and grands, Taylor and Jake.
Judy loved her friends. She expressed gratitude for the ladies who called, texted, and dropped by to see her. Among these were the friends she had met in Sunday School at Macedonia. In recent days, she had expressed thankfulness for all these friends, and for family, her care team, and sitters, and for all her church family.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Omie Smith; sister, Rosemary Case; and her brother, Percy Ray Smith (Mary Louise).
Those left to remember her are her children, grandchildren, Taylor Smith, Jake Smith, Barrett Willis, Rowe Willis, Cara Willis, Grace Willis, Augustus Townsend, and Elsieann Townsend as well as many friends.
A memorial service will be 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, at Macedonia Baptist Church.
Services for Mrs. Elrita P. Naquin, of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm Tuesday, March 8, 2022,
at Riverwood Family with visitation from 1:00 until the time of the service.
Mrs. Elrita P. Naquin, 83 went to be with her Lord on March 4, 2022.
She was born on December 5, 1938, to the late Felton Lapeyrouse and Leontine Bourg Lapeyrouse.
She was a homemaker. She loved to dance, and she loved her family and will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Preceding her in death were her parents; sons, Alton Pellegrin and Ronnie Pellegrin, Sr. and granddaughter, Candance Pellegrin.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Martin Naquin of 20 years; sons, Curlynn and wife, Chantelle; Caleb Reilly (Amanda);
daughters, Elvina Pellegrin (Donald), Cynthia Crochet (Ernie), Linda Pellegrin, Patsy Ayer (Doug), Vivan Neil (Dean), Lisa Pellegrin,
along with 23 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
Carroll Aaron Watts went to be with the Lord on March 2, 2022, at the age of 95. Visitation will be Friday, March 4th, 2022, from 5:00 P.M.- 8:00 P.M.
and Saturday, March 5th, 2022, from 9:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. at Riverwood Family. Funeral services and burial will be Saturday, 11:00 A.M.,
at Friendship Baptist Church, 1502 Friendship Lane N.W., Brookhaven, MS, 39601.
Carroll was born in Lincoln County, Brookhaven, MS on October 3, 1926, to Harvey Watts and Gracie Case Watts. He attended Beaver Creek
school until consolidation with Loyd Star where he graduated in 1945. Carroll served in Japan in the U.S. Army and returned to attend Whitworth College
receiving an Associate of Arts Degree in Business.
Carroll began his career in 1947 with Kelley Coppedge, Inc., an oilfield construction company headquartered in Ft. Worth, Texas.
He was District Superintendent for the Brookhaven District and later was promoted to Vice President of the company from where he retired after 52 years of service.
Carroll was a lifelong member of Friendship Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School and served as a deacon and treasurer for over 50 years.
He also served as Treasurer of the Lincoln County Baptist Association.
Preceding him in death were his parents and his wife of 67 years, Beryl Beatrice (B.B.) Allred Watts.
He is survived by his daughters Beverly Ann Watts and Nancy Watts Sivils (Robert); his grandchildren Watts Coney and Gracie Sivils, all of Brookhaven.
He was a faithful servant to God, his church and his community, and will be greatly missed by all those who loved and knew him.
Graveside Services for Mrs. Peggy Joyce Case Smith of Brookhaven are 2:30 pm, Saturday, March 5, 2022,
at New Salem Church of Christ with visitation at Riverwood Family from 12:00 until 2:00 pm.
Peggy Joyce Case Smith was born November 29, 1936, in Lincoln County to Bennie Louis Case and Clara Smith Case.
She passed from this life on Thursday, March 3, 2022. She was a resident of Lincoln County.
Peggy married the love of her life, Kelmer R. Smith, Sr. on November 16, 1958. They were married 63 years.
To this union three children were born. Kelmer Ray Smith, Jr., Brenda Lynn Smith and Brigitte Smith.
Peggy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt. She was loved by all who knew her.
Peggy was a talented seamstress, excellent cook and avid reader.
Peggy was a faithful member of the Church of Christ and was a fine example of a Godly Christian woman.
Peggy entertained and fed many preachers and church members through
the years. She was famous for her fried okra and egg custard pies.
Peggy loved the church, and she loved the Lord. Peggy was truly a Proverbs 31 Woman.
Preceding her in death were her parents; grandchild, Baby Moore; sister, Linda C. Hilton; brother-in-laws,
Jackie Lea and Jerry Knotts; sister-in-laws, Bonnie Smith and Lillie Mae Smith; brother, Frank Olsovsky;
nephews, Bill Hilton, Mark Hilton, great nephews, Justin Porter, and Colby Dylan Smith, and great niece, Brittany Watts Pirch.
Those left to cherish her memory are husband, Kelmer R. Smith Sr.; beloved children, Kelmer R. Smith, Jr. (Jackie),
daughters, Brenda Smith Moore (Chad) and Brigitte Smith Allen (Terry); sister, Francille Matassa, brother, Jim Case (Kathy);
grandchildren, Trey Smith, Amanda Smith, Austin Smith (Candace), Chad Davis Moore, Jr., Shelbie Allen and Savanna Allen;
great grandchildren, Makayla Smith and Channing Odom and a host of nieces and nephews. Peggy will be missed by all that loved her and knew her.
A special thanks to Deaconess Hospice special caregivers, David Thames, Dana Hester, Jacie King and Alex Harper.