Frederick Joseph “Jerry” Rein, son of Clarence Richard Rein and Ethel Ready Rein, was born on January 25, 1931, in Meridian, MS.  He passed away at the age of 90 on February 13, 2021, in Madison, MS.   While a student at Meridian High School, Jerry held several jobs including working at First National Bank in Meridian, which began a long and enjoyable career in the banking industry.  Upon graduation from high school, Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the First Marine Division, Chief of Staff Section, during the Korean War.  As a 19-year-old, he fought in the Battle of the ChosinReservoir, an epic battle often referred to as the “Frozen Chosin” due to extreme frigid temperatures.

Upon completion of his service in the Marine Corps, Jerry returned to Meridian to marry his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Nell Young Rein, and to continue his education. While working at First National Bank in Meridian, he graduated from Meridian Junior College and completed his BS degree from State Teachers College in Livingston, AL (University of West Alabama).

In 1963, the Reins moved to Brookhaven, MS, where Jerry continued his career with Brookhaven Bank and Trust Company. Jerry took great pleasure is finding ways to help his customers achieve their financial goals.  During his career, he was responsible for a number of advancements in the local market including the introduction of main frame computer systems and ATMs.  Rein retired in 1993 as Executive Vice President ofTrustmark National Bank, the successor of Brookhaven Bank, and remained on the Advisory Board for many years.  

Rein was a graduate of the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University and completed the Commercial Bank Management program at Columbia University and the Senior Bank Officers Management program at Harvard University.  Jerry served as president of the following organizations in Brookhaven:  Junior Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Brookhaven/Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, United Fund of Lincoln County, and the Saint Francis School Board.  He also served as treasurer of the Lincoln County March of Dimes and the Lincoln County Red Cross.  He formerly served on the Zoning Committee for the City of Brookhaven and on the Bank Operations Automation Committee for the Independent Bankers Association of America (IBAA). He was also a member of the Mississippi Bankers’ Association and was recognized for 50 years of service to the industry in 2001.  Rein served two terms as Mississippi Executive Councilman on the Board of the Independent Bankers Association of America and two terms as State Director of the Louisiana-Alabama-Mississippi Automated Clearing House Association.  He served as President of the Krewe of Ceres in 1988 and was King of the Krewe in 1992.Rein was appointed in 1995 by Governor Fordice to the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Home Corporation, where he served two terms.  He was a member and past treasurer of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

While he had many accomplishments, Jerry’s pride and joy was his family.  He eagerly followed their activities and supported them in every way imaginable.   Jerry’s deep love, concern and wise counsel will remain an inspiration.  Jerry is survived by his son, F. Joseph “Joey” Rein, Jr., daughter-in-law Alice Watkins Rein, and grandsons William Joseph Rein and Richard Watkins Rein. Preceding him in death were his parents, Clarence and Ethel Rein, brothers Clarence Richard “Dick” Rein, Jr., and John Ready Rein, and his dear wife of 46 years, Nell Young Rein.

The family expresses their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the staff of Saint Catherine’s Village and Kindred Hospice for the compassionate care provided to Jerry.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 1092, Jackson, MS  39201, or King’s Daughters Medical Foundation, P. O. Box 3285, Brookhaven, MS 39603, or a charity of your choice.  The family will hold a private service at a later date.

Funeral service for Donald Laron “Ronnie” Rutland will be 2 p.m. Sunday,

February 14, 2021 at Calvary Pentecostal Church with burial in the church cemetery.

Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, February 13, at Calvary.

Mr. Donald Laron “Ronnie” Rutland, 59, of Jayess, passed from this life and entered

eternity February 12, 2021. He began his walk here on earth March 15, 1961, born to

John Thomas “Buck” Rutland and Sarah Evon Dunaway. He was employed as a

heavy equipment operator in the construction business. He was a member of Calvary Pentecostal Church.

Mr. Rutland is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Joe “PeeWee” Rutland and

John Patrick “Pat” Rutland; and sister, Birdie Mae Temple.

Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Jonathan Rutland of Jayess; daughters,

Laronda Boyd (Richie) of Jayess, MS, Lanita Blaylock (Craig) of Caledonia, MS; brothers,

Wendell Rutland (Sue), Braxton “Shorty” Rutland (Sandra), and Thomas “Tommy” Rutland (Cathy);

sisters, Barbara Janette Perry, Bonnie Phillips, and Glenda Marberry. He is also survived by ten grandchildren,

Cohen Boyd, Trenton Boyd, Declan Boyd, Dawson Boyd, Maddox Blaylock, Jaylen Blaylock, Khloe Blaylock,

Chapel Blaylock, Haven Rutland, and Honor Rutland, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Graveside service for Nellie Rie Dodd will be 11 a.m., Monday, February 15, at

Mt Olive Church of Christ Cemetery. Visitation is 10 a.m. at Riverwood Family.

Ms. Dodd, 76, passed from this life February 9, 2021. She was born February 8, 1945,

to Marley Burnell Bowman, Sr. and Gertrude Linton Bowman.

She worked over 20 years at Sanderson Farms and retired from there. She was busy even

after her retirement by caring for her family and enjoying her hobbies which included

gardening and collecting Navajo Indian relics. Ms. Dodd was always known as a

kind and gentle soul. She was a loving mother, sister, and aunt. She will be greatly

missed by all who loved her.

She is preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Coraline Bowman Davis.

Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Michael Dodd; brother, Marley Bowman, Jr.;

and sister, Mary Lee Smith, as well as other loving family members and friends.

Phillip Stephen Myers of Brookhaven, MS, passed away peacefully on February 9th 2021 of complications from

Covid-19. He was preceded in death by his mother, Martha Pendergrass Myers and his father, Phillip Jacob Myers.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Hanks Myers, his daughter, Stephanie Leanne Myers-Boone, his sister, Martha

Phillis Myers-Thompson as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family, and his chihuahua pack: Bella, Chico

and Brown Chico. 

Steve recently retired after almost 60 years working in the waterworks industry in the Southeastern U.S. Many

considered him to be "The King" of the business because there wasn't a pipe, valve, fitting, manhole ring or storm

drain that he didn't know the specifications of or a serial number he didn't have memorized. He enjoyed taking his

customers deep sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and hunting in Hill Country, Texas. 

Steve met Nancy when he pulled the blue GTO he had named "Bernadette" up alongside her while she was

walking down the street in Brookhaven, MS. He asked where he could smoke a cigarette without the Whitworth College

faculty seeing. She felt sorry for him and accompanied him to a local park. Over the years, they left Mississippi,

lived all over the South, but eventually returned to Brookhaven where they first met. 

He was happiest when he was fixing something whether it be a classic automobile, furniture or a lawnmower he

found in a junk pile somewhere. He was a handyman of the highest order. Everyone who knew him was aware

there was a right way, a wrong way, and the Myers way, which was the best way. He enjoyed wearing his

signature guayabera shirts while repairing things because there were four pockets: one for the small notebook

and pen he carried everywhere and the rest for tools.

He owned many classic cars over the years including a Maserati and a Jaguar. His favorite was a red 1972 Datsun 240z he

named "Gertrude" who he meticulously restored to greatness and eventually allowed his daughter to drive even

though he thought she always shifted it into second gear too soon. 

Steve had an affinity for chihuahuas, especially the ugly ones no one else wanted and even owned multiple three-legged dogs.

He was a lover of Heinz ketchup and dark chocolates. He still played 8-tracks and vinyl on vintage stereo equipment.

He was a Doors fan of the highest order. He also believed Mississippi State Edam cheese was an appropriate Christmas

gift for all. Sometimes on a Saturday night after a cookout, he would go outside and bray like an ogre at the moon. 

A celebration of his life will be held later this spring at his little cabin in Felixville when Covid-19 wanes and the weather

brightens. In the meantime, start a home improvement project in his honor, but remember it will take three times as long,

cost twice as much, and at least three trips to Home Depot will be involved. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to send a donation

to The Tunnel to Towers Foundation or at least be bothered to change the lightbulbs in the house whenever they burn out.