Visitation for Mrs. Elisa June Newsom is 5:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, July 15, 2024, at Riverwood Family.

Mrs. Elisa June Newsom 80 passed away July 8, 2024, at her home in Brookhaven.

She was born on June 17, 1944, to the late Jesse and Alzina Perry.

June loved family time, cooking, watching game shows and westerns. Her life revolved around her family. She loved butterflies.

Preceding her in death are her parents; daughter, Judith “Judi” Colleen Bessonette, Brother, Marvin Perry, and brother-in-law, Rickey Bessonette.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Jo Bessonette Bowman, Jacqueline Gail Bessonette, and Jill Brown, and husband, Mike, and her brother, L.J. Perry; and sisters, Evora Cromier and Roiann Bessonette. She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Ken Hobgood, Tabitha Ratliff, Thor Hobgood, Sawyer Brown, and Markee Langham, and seven great-grandchildren, Ariana Diggs, Aubrianna Diggs, Kinley Hobgood, Ainsley Diggs, Kortlyn Hobgood, Hadleigh Brown and Easton Rippy. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.

Donald Ray Harrigill passed from this life on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at his home after a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 84. He was a long-time resident of Brookhaven, and a well-known local businessman, entrepreneur, and active community leader for many decades.

Don was born on October 6, 1939, in Natchez, Mississippi to Donald Bernard Harrigill and Gertrude Ray Harrigill, the firstborn of their five children. He graduated from Brookhaven High School in 1957 and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Millsaps College in 1961.

Don had a long and varied professional career. Following his graduation from Millsaps, he worked at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, on several projects for NASA including the Saturn V which was part of the original Apollo 11 mission that placed the first man on the moon. Following the completion of this project, Don returned to Brookhaven and began a series of entrepreneurial endeavors. He purchased two companies, Harrigill Postal Service and OK Welding Company, both started by his father, D.B. Harrigill. He expanded his focus by founding Harrigill Trucking Company as well as Harrigill Refuse Service and eventually became the owner of Hartman-Henderson (Harrigill) Funeral Home in downtown Brookhaven. Over the course of his career, he was able to provide many jobs for others and benefit the local community through his efforts. He was a member of First United Methodist Church where he served as the Chairman of the Board for many years, he was a Freemason, and involved in various civic organizations such as the Kiwanis Club and the Shriners, as well as a long-time member of the Chamber of Commerce where he was honored with the Soap Box Award for bringing new industry to Brookhaven. 

Because of the breadth of his work and community involvement, many people came to know him and he was a joy to know and a cherished member of his family known as Grandaddy, Papi, and Lindo to those who loved and knew him best.  

Don is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Muriel Harrigill Dale of Florence. His survivors include his wife Hilda and his daughter Shelley Harrigill Barron and her husband Chad, of Brookhaven, as well as his three children with his first wife Susan Coats Harrigill, Alana Leigh Harrigill of Ridgeland, Keith Martin Harrigill and his wife, Elena, of Birmingham, Alabama, and Ray Fulton Harrigill and his wife, Monica, of Madison. Additionally, Don is survived by his brothers Alan Howard Harrigill and Bernard Harrigill of Brandon, and by his sister, Julia Harrigill Goodyear of Savannah, Tennessee, along with his four beloved grandchildren: Tori Harrigill, Max Harrigill, Graham Llivina and Ginger Llivina.  

Visitation will be at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church from 9:00-11:00 AM on Saturday, July 13, 2024, located at 227 East Cherokee Street, Brookhaven, Mississippi. A memorial service will be held at the church at 11:00 AM, followed by interment at Riverwood Memorial Park. 

The funeral service for Myrtle Pina Haley Ritchie will be 11 a.m., Friday, July 12, at Heucks Retreat Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, July 11, at Riverwood and will resume at 10 a.m. Friday at Heucks Retreat until the time of service.

Mrs. Ritchie, 85, of Brookhaven, died Monday, July 8, at her residence. She was born July 8, 1939, to Harlan Haley and Bertile Smith Haley.

Mrs. Pina was a loving and gracious lady who loved her family and took very special care of them. She had many different hobbies, cooking, canning, sewing and quilting. She liked gardening vegetables and flowers. She also enjoyed playing “Skip-Bo” cards with her special friends and family. Mrs. Pina was a lifelong member of Heucks Retreat Baptist Church where she taught Missions Friends and Sunbeams in years past. She was also a member of Heucks Heartbeats and a former member of WMU. She was a gifted pianist and used her talent to serve the Lord through music at Heucks Retreat as well as singing in the choir. Mrs. Pina graduated high school from Heucks School and enjoyed a quiet life in the community she loved. Mrs. Pina was employed for many years with Bellsouth Telephone Company. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Joel Kenlock Haley.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, JeWayne Ritchie (Angela), Robin Ritchie (Melissa), and Michelle Douglas (Joey); six grandchildren, Mollie Goldman (Blake), Mackenzie Ritchie (Gabe), Taralyn Beeson (Brandon), Owen Douglas (Julianna), Dawson Douglas, Caleb Ritchie (Abby); and four great grandchildren, Kash Goldman, Tripp Goldman, Kaya Beeson, Camdyn Beeson and one more on the way. She is also survived by special friends, Barbara Douglas, Janett McCarstle, and Doris Gill as well as niece, Marjo Westmorland and nephew, Gordon Haley.

The funeral service for Hilda Ray Givens Floyd will be 2 p.m., Friday, July 12, at Riverwood Family with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from Noon until the time of service.

Mrs. Floyd, 79, of Brookhaven, died July 7, 2024, at Haven Hall Nursing Home. She was born October 16, 1944, to Cliff Givens and Helen Shaheen.

Mrs. Floyd was a hard working successful and well-known businesswoman. In the early 70’s she owned and operated Kitty Haven Daycare. She and her husband, Eddie, purchased The Half Shell Restaurant in 1974. This was a thriving and well-respected business up until they embarked on another chapter in 1996, when Mrs. Floyd and Eddie bought The Oak Tree Restaurant. The Oak Tree was another successful venture with many loyal customers. Chances are, if you ate at the Oak Tree, you had a conversation with Hilda Ray. She did like to talk. Hilda Ray was also known to be somewhat of a prankster. Most people that knew her would agree. Mrs. Floyd sold the Oak Tree and retired in 2008. After retiring, she traveled extensively and eventually bought a R. V. She loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. She will be missed.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Floyd; her parents; brother, Jessie Earl Givens, Sr.; and sister, Carolyn Richardson.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Troy Floyd (Sage) of Wesson, MS, Eddie Floyd, Jr. of West Monroe, LA; daughters, Cristi Montgomery (Mike) of Union, MS, Terry Hedgepeth of McComb, MS, Missy Freeman (Mark) of Brookhaven, MS; sisters, Linda Oliver (Earl) of McComb, MS, Darlene Allen (DeLynn) of Brookhaven, Lisa Givens of Madison, MS; sister-in-law, June Givens of Brookhaven, MS; and brother-in-law, Bobby Richardson of Bogue Chitto, MS. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, Cody, Caden & Cayman Rane LeMieux, Megan Dove (Tyler), Ryan & Alex Montgomery, Raiden Floyd (Shelby), Carly Nicholson (Brayden), Wyatt, Will & John Wesley Floyd, Kelsey Hedgepeth, Amanda Bessonette, Meagan Walker, Steven Bessonette (Brieann), and Jacob Floyd; 9 great grandchildren; and honorary daughter, Thelma Gayten. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.