Obituaries
Deborah Joy Griffin
The funeral service for Deborah Joy Griffin will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, June 26, at Riverwood Family with burial in Mt. Zion Church of Christ Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, June 25, at Riverwood.
Mrs. Griffin, 68, of Brookhaven, died June 22, 2024, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. She was born in New Iberia, LA, May 24, 1956, to Edgar “Buck” James and Billie Joy Laird James.
Mrs. Griffin was a loving mother, and cherished the time spent with her daughters. She graduated from West Lincoln High School in 1974, where she was voted “Miss West Lincoln”. She was a member of Mt Zion Church of Christ and was faithful in attending the ladies’ Bible Studies. Mrs. Griffin enjoyed reading and she adored her dog, “Littleman”, which she had to say goodbye to in May of 2021. Mrs. Griffin leaves behind a legacy of faith and grace, she will be missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jackie Griffin and her parents.
Those who are left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Ashley Laird (Randy) and Alisha Cook (Dennis) and a host of other loving family members and friends as well as her faith family at Mt. Zion Church of Christ.
Mark Eugene Smith, Sr.
The funeral service for Mark Eugene Smith, Sr. will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 26, at Friendship Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, June 25, at Riverwood Family and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of service at Friendship on Wednesday.
Mark Eugene Smith, Sr., of Brookhaven, MS, went to his heavenly home on Saturday, June 22, 2024, in the arms of his loving wife and children.
Mark was 64 years old, he was married to his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Patricia, for 43 years.
He had an endlessly abundant love for his wife and four children, Mandy (Michael Warren), Elaina (Lane Anders), Katie, and Mark Jr (Lennye). Mark had nine grandchildren, Mikayla Travis and husband, Canon, Kaylynn McCool and husband, Owen, Peyton Warren, Logan Anders, Cara Jarancik, Brady Anders, Kylie Jarancik and Anna Reese Smith; and one great grandchild on the way.
Mark was the definition of a great man. He was a man that you could call on for friendship and comfort. He would give of himself to help others without question.
Always known as a free spirit, Mark had a love for life, good music, and his work. He had a gift of fixing any and everything, if it was broken “call Mark”. He had a great knowledge of mechanics and did not fail to get things back up and running, even if the job seemed impossible.
His big smile and bright blue eyes will be greatly missed. We were truly one of the luckiest families to have been given the gift of being loved by his limitless, undying love. We will miss him endlessly. Until we meet again.
He is preceded in death by his loving parents, Robert Eugene Smith, Jr. and Elaine A. Smith.
He is also survived by his brother, Robert Wayne Smith and wife, Nancy; sister, Nancy Smith Campo and husband, Mark; two bonus sons, Philip Jarancik and Alton Hart; and a host of other loving family members and friends.
Peggy Lynn Smith Vince
The funeral service for Peggy Lynn Smith Vince will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 25, at Carmel Baptist Church in Monticello, MS. Visitation will begin at 6 p.m., Monday, June 24 at Carmel Baptist Church and will resume Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. Vince, 65, of Monticello, died June 21, 2024, at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was born in Monticello January 5, 1959.
Mrs. Vince worked as a cosmetologist. She was a forgiving, compassionate and nonjudgmental person. She was a proud mom of two linemen and loved her family above all other things. She had several hobbies that she enjoyed, riding Harley’s, traveling, going to the mountains, and watching hummingbirds. She also liked to tend to her yard, garden and go fishing. Mrs. Vince was on Neighborhood Watch in her community. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed baking cakes to share with friends and family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald, Vince; father, Clarence E. Smith; brothers, Carl Smith and Tommy Smith; and nephew, Bobby Manseill.
She is survived by her significant other, Rodney Blackwell; children, Josh Nations (Donna), Toby Nations (Jessica); brother, Larry Smith; sisters, Jeaner Smith Blakeney, Kathy McNeese, and Judy Burgess; eight grandchildren, Coby, Sawyer, Xan, Caleb, LeAnna, Lyza, Aiden, Kyson; three great grandchildren, Truett, Dakota, and Saige. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Plez William “Trey” Summers III
Funeral service for Plez William “Trey” Summers III will be 11 am Friday, June 21, at Riverwood Family with burial in Kees Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 am until time of service.
Summers, 57, of Bogue Chitto, died June 14,
2024, at his residence. He was born May 10, 1967,
to Plez W. Summers, Jr. and Anne Brazda
Summers.
Command Sergeant Major Plez William Summers
III “Trey” enlisted in the Mississippi Army National
Guard, January 27, 1988. Shortly after completing
Basic Training, he enrolled in ROTC at Jackson
State University where he earned his commission
in May 1990. During his time as an officer,
Summers served as an infantry officer, executive officer, and a commanding
officer in 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment, including a nearly eight-month
mission in Bosnia as the company commander of B/1-155 IN. He elected to
resign his commission, October 31, 2002, to accept an AGR training NCO position
with A/1-155 IN.
Summers’ first assignment as an enlisted Soldier was serving as Company Master
Gunner in Company A, 1-155th CAB. Quickly rising through the ranks and
promoting to Sergeant First Class in May 2004, he served as the unit readiness
NCO for A/1-155 IN for a few months before deploying as a platoon sergeant in
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from August 21, 2004, through January 20,
2006. Summers served as 1st battalion’s master gunner from November 2006,
until March 2015. Promoted to Master Sergeant in February 2008, he deployed
again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and served as the First Sergeant of
Company D, 1-155 IN while deployed.
Upon returning from his second combat deployment to Iraq, Summers continued
his time as a master gunner in 1-155th, before becoming the operations NCO for
the MSARNG at Joint Force Headquarters, March 18, 2015. He continued serving
at JFH as a training NCO, operations/exercise training NCO, and training NCOIC
until his promotion to Sergeant Major in November 2018, becoming the
Operations Sergeant Major for 66th Troop Command.
In October 2019, Summers was selected to lead 1-155th IN as the Command
Sergeant Major until May 2021 when he moved to north Mississippi to serve as
the 155th ABCT Operations Sergeant Major. In less than two short years, he was
appointed as the Command Sergeant Major of Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training
Center, January 18, 2023.
His military education includes Basic Training, Infantry Officers Basic Course,
Infantryman Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Bradley Master
Gunner Course (Honor Graduate), Range Operations Course, Level II Range
Safety Course, and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy.
A 1986 graduate of Brookhaven High School, Summers earned a football
scholarship to play for the Choctaws of Mississippi College in Clinton. He was a
member of the 1989 Division II National Champion Football Team and graduated
in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education with a minor in
Criminal Justice.
CSM Summers’ awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with 1
bronze oak leaf, Meritorious Service Medal with 1 bronze oak leaf, Army
Commendation Medal with a 4 bronze oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct
Medal with 3 knot device, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal,
National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary
Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with 1 campaign star, Global War on Terrorism
Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hourglass and
mobilization device, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 5,
Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 3, Army
Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, NATO Medal, Mississippi
Magnolia Medal with a 2 bronze oak leaf cluster, Mississippi Medal of Efficiency,
Mississippi War Medal with 1 bronze star, Mississippi Emergency Service Medal,
Mississippi Longevity Medal with a 4 bronze oak leaf cluster, Navy Unit
Commendation, Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit
Commendation, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Master Gunner
Badge, and the Order of St. Maurice.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 23 years, Amy Summers;
children, Alex Jordan Nations, Amy Josephine Summers, and Annabelle Leigh
Summers; and his sister, Stephanie Hargett.
Helen Juanita "Nita" Allbritton
A graveside service will be held for Helen Juanita “Nita” Allbritton, 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 19th in Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Allbritton was born November 28, 1933, to William and Ethel McDonald. She completed her journey on earth and entered eternal life to be with her Lord and Savior on June 17th, 2024, she was 90 years of age.
Mrs. Allbritton worked for many years at Lofton’s Department Store and was also the owner of Shirley Slipper Shop. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and was blessed to have welcomed 8 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild into the family before her homegoing. She was a member of Ramah Baptist Church and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She leaves a legacy of faith and love.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Archie Allbritton; her parents; sisters, Mildred Smith and Gwendolyn Floyd; and brother, Huey McDonald.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Paula Albritton (Barney) and Lindy Carver; brother, Jerry McDonald; grandchildren, Jason Albritton(Jonna), Jeremy Albritton (Shellie), Jill Johnson (Allen), Skye Allbritton, Logan King (Stephanie), Abby Carver, Blake Carver (Sara), Britt Carver (Camille); great grandchildren, Dawson Albritton, Alli Grace Albritton, Jax Albritton, Crews Albritton, Gabe Carver, Jaidynn Adams, Adalyn Adams, Juliana Adams, Archie Adams, Jonas Johnson, Blake Albritton, Evan Albritton, Zoey King, Kali Herring, Conner Rakes, Emma Rakes, and Emerson Carver; and great, great, grandchild, Kasen Ferrell. She is also survived by a host of loving family members and friends as well as her faith family at Ramah.
Patty L. Smith
The funeral service for Patty L. Smith will be 1 p.m. at Damascus Baptist Church, Thursday, June 20, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. Smith, 87, of Brookhaven, died June 15, 2024. She was born September 11, 1936, to F.T. “Pete” Stroud and Callie Wilson Stroud.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Larry Smith; her parents; sister, Shelby Jean Waldon; two grandsons, Jacob Smith and Christopher Smith; and daughter-in-law, Martha Furr Smith.
She is survived by her sons, Terry D. “Bubba” Smith, Steve Smith (Lisa), and Mitchell Smith (Cindy); and daughter, Sharon Kay Allen (Dennis); four grandchildren, Donnie Allen (Tori), Josh Allen, Brody Smith, Holli Migues (Zane); and five great-grandchildren, Mac Migues, Riley Brooke Migues, Mia Smith, Micah Smith, and James William Allen.
Rev. Reese Eugene Kyzar
The funeral for Reverend Reese Eugene Kyzar will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19th at Riverwood Family with burial in the Rosehill Cemetery. Friends and family are welcome to come from Noon until the time of the service on Wednesday for a time of visitation.
Rev. Kyzar was born in Lincoln County, MS, February 22, 1927, to Felix Henry Kyzar and Mary Hughes Kyzar. He served his country in the United States Navy during the WWII era.
After returning from the war, Rev. Kyzar surrendered into the gospel ministry and served the Lord Jesus over 70 years in diverse places. On June 16, 2024, Rev. Kyzar’s faith, that he preached about and believed in so faithfully, became sight as he entered eternal life with the Savior he loved so. He was 97 years of age.
Psalm 37:23 tells us “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Rev. Kyzar was a delight to the Lord and to the many he served over the years. He will be remembered and cherished by those who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Ollie Grice Kyzar; his parents; brother, Luther Elmo Kyzar; and sister, Ruby Lee Kyzar Allen.
He is survived by the many friends he has made along his journey as well as a host of distant family.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the MS Baptist Foundation, PO Box 530 Jackson, MS 39205.
Clara Louise Ezell Jackson
Services for Mrs. Clara Louise Ezell Jackson of Brookhaven are at 11:00 am, Monday, June 17, 2024, at Riverwood Family with visitation from 9:30 am until the time of the service. Burial will be at New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Clara Louise Ezell Jackson, 97, passed away on June 12, 2024, at her residence.
She was born on December 13, 1926, to the late Henry and Addie Ezell.
Clara enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren, cooking, gardening, flowers, and reading. She also enjoyed playing the piano and harmonica.
Preceding her in death were her husband, A.C. Jackson, parents; grandson, Brad Porter, and 12 brothers and sisters.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Brenda Williams and her husband, David, Charlotte Porter, Bryant Jackson, Jackie Jackson, and Teddy Jackson and wife Jennifer, brother, Charlie Ezell and sister, Rose Forrest.
She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.
She will be missed by all who loved her.
Clara Margaret Brooks Dampier
Memorial graveside service for Clara Margaret Dampier will be 10 a.m., Saturday, July 13, at Monticello City Cemetery.
Clara Margaret Brooks Dampier was born on May 24, 1953, in Brookhaven, MS, to James Woodrow “Jimmy” Brooks and Nancy Merle Blackwell Brooks.
Margaret was a graduate of the Monticello Red Devils and pursued a career in Cosmetology. She was a licensed cosmetologist for over five decades. Margaret was passionate about her career and most of her clientele became more like her family. Margaret had the pleasure of working beside many talented ladies throughout her career and each held a special place in her heart.
She was an avid reader but also enjoyed watching her grandchildren play sports. Margaret was a gracious and loving family person. She found great joy in everything she did, and always with a beautiful smile.
Margaret wed the love of her life, Virgil Hoyt Dampier, on July 27, 1979. The two built a beautiful life together over 45 years on the banks of Halls Creek and raised two beautiful daughters, Randi Dampier Criswell and Robbi Dampier Gordon.
Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, Jimmy and Nancy Brooks; in-laws, Jerry and Bonnie Dampier; and a host of family and friends.
Margaret is survived by her husband, Hoyt, of 45 years; daughters, Randi Criswell (Toby) of Monticello, MS and Robbi Gordon (Andrew) of Ruth, MS; grandchildren, Lillee and Jon-Ross Criswell, Brownlee and Brooks Gordon, and Molleigh Evans; and a host of other family and friends.
Margaret loved her family dearly, but she loved the Lord more. She was ready to go to her Heavenly Home, and oh what a reunion that was!
Carl Eugene Morgan
A memorial service will be held for Carl Eugene Morgan, 11 a.m., Saturday June 15, at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Mr. Morgan, 66, of Bogue Chitto, died May 27, 2024. He was born in McComb, MS, August 22, 1958, to Edzel Eugene Morgan and Gloria Faye Moak Morgan.
Gene was an elder in the Brookhaven Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He kept very busy in his theocratic duties and preaching the “Good News of Jesus Christ”. Several years ago, he began experiencing health issues and in January 2024, was confined to a hospital bed.
Many thanks to the friends for the calls, visits, prayers, and gifts of love. Also, appreciation is expressed to his nurses, Heidi Cain, Jasmine and Drew.
Brother Gene Morgan was a living example of 2 Corinthians 4:16. He will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 27 years, Rose Mary Dickerson Morgan; children, Austin Morgan (Brittany), Lauren Stegall (Keith); six grandchildren; and his spiritual brother and loving friend, J.D. Lyons.
