Obituaries
Jessie Leroy McPhail
Memorial service for Jessie Leroy McPhail will be 11 a.m., Saturday, June 15, at Topeka Baptist Church. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Jessie Leroy McPhail, 68, of Jayess, MS, died June 9, 2024, in Forest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, MS. He was born in Jefferson Davis, MS June 25, 1955, to Leroy McPhail and Rita Mae Delancey McPhail.
Mr. McPhail was a loving husband, father and grandfather, he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a very caring person, helping anyone in need. His hobbies included writing poetry, playing billiards, drawing, and working outdoors. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Debbie McPhail; parents; daughter, Brandi Ulmer; and sisters, Jean Norris and Patsy Schoenfeld.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Tara Dyess, Dametaris Pyle, and Jessica McPhail; brothers, Keith McPhail, Jimmy McPhail; sister, Faye McPhail Jackson; and five grandchildren, Taylor Barrett, Kaitie Rose Barrett, Hunter Barrett, Logan Parkman, and Lyla Frye. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Wanda Kaye Speights Daley
Services for Ms. Wanda Kaye Speights Daley from Monticello are at 2:00 pm Monday, June 10, 2024, at New Life Church in Monticello, with visitation from 11:00 until the time of service.
The burial will be at Oakvale Baptist Church Cemetery in Oakvale. Bro. Jay Thompson will officiate the services with Riverwood Family Funeral Services in charge of arrangements.
Ms. Wanda Kaye Speights Daley, 68, passed away on June 6, 2024, at Southwest Medical Center of McComb.
She was born March 6, 1956, in Jackson, Mississippi to Horace Jr. and Lavon Speights.
Ms. Wanda was called mama, granny, Aunt Kaykay, a loyal friend, and a faithful follower of Christ. She will be remembered as a talented pianist, great cook, attentive listener, and for all the phone calls. She loved her church family at New Life. She loved keeping up with friends and family. She loved others no matter what and she prayed for everyone every day. Her faith moved mountains! Despite any struggle she had on earth she had hope through salvation in Jesus. Her joyful smile will be missed.
Those preceding her in death are her parents, Horace (Junior) and Ilyss Speights, and Lavon and Bill Griffis; and Brother James Carol (Slick) Speights and Sister, Janice Ann Davis, grand-daughter, Maci Lynn Mason.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children; Angela Kaye Jordan (Gary), Terri Lynn Daley, Justin Daley (Katie) all of Monticello, Grandchildren, Jayla Mason, Brandon Jordan (Lisha), Karlie Jordan, Rose Mason, Maci Daley, Molly Sue Mason, Micah Daley, Magnolia Daley, Madilyn Daley, Maddox (kk) Daley, Great-Grand, Lizzy Channell, Shelbi Channell, Bella Goodman, Eli Goodman; Brothers, Ricky Speights (Debbie) of Hattiesburg, and Thomas Griffis of Forest, LA; Sister, Theresa Brantley (Perry) of Forest, LA.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to New Life Church Building Fund, 1093 F E Sellers Hwy, Monticello, MS 39654.
Christopher Lee Reed
Christopher Lee Reed, 33, of Monticello, passed away on June 5, 2024.
He was born on September 14, 1990, to the late Marty Herbert Reed and Jackie Wynett Herrington Reed.
Christopher loved to have a good time. He loved to cook and eat good food.
One of his favorite pastimes was riding the river. He could never sit still for long, he was always moving, always on the go. And he always made people laugh, he wanted to see others smiling and having a good time.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marty and Jackie, and grandparents, Joann and Larry Haines.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Blake Reed, Landon Ledet, and Jacie Durr; brother, Peyton Bennett and sisters Christina Walker and Sabrina Reed.
And grandmother, Delma Varner, and many loving aunts uncles, and cousins.
He will be missed by all who loved him.
Johnny Wayne Dillon
Services for Mr. Johnny Wayne Dillon from Meadville are at 11:00 am Friday, June 7, 2024, at Riverwood Family with visitation from 10:00 until the time of service.
The burial will be at Midway Cemetery in Meadville.
Mr. Johnny Wayne Dillon, 68, passed away on June 4, 2024, at Meadville Convalescent Home.
He was born on December 1, 1955, to the late Johnny Harrison Dillon and Dorothy Jackson Dillon.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kim Cupit, and sister Joyce Gilbert.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 29 years, Paula Dillon; children, Matt Dillon, Heath Oglesby, and Jonathan Myers; ten grandchildren, Neal Oglesby, Machell Oglesby, Shane Oglesby, Annah Oglesby, Emily Delozier, Tyler Cupit, Ian Dillon, Macy Dillon, Charlie, Meredith Myers, and three great-grandchildren, Benji Huxleigh and Kaiser.
He will be missed by all who loved him.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Tunnels for Towers
Condolences and other information are available online at www.riverwoodfamily.com.
Doris Aline Thompson Granberry
The funeral service for Doris Aline Thompson Granberry will be Noon on Saturday, June 8, at Riverwood Family with burial in Wesson Cemetery. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at Riverwood.
Mrs. Granberry, 101, of Bogue Chitto, completed her journey here and entered her eternal home, Sunday, June 2, 2024, at Silver Cross Nursing Center in Brookhaven. She was born April 16, 1923, to Lee Thompson and Maggie Case Thompson. She was a compassionate, loving, and caring wife, mother and grandmother. Family was of the greatest importance to her. She was also employed with the Potter Company in Wesson and Ruth’s Fashion in Wesson.
Mrs. Granberry accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at an early age and became a member of Sylverina Baptist Church in Wesson, where she attended until she married her husband, Lee Granberry, September 26, 1941. She then became a member of the Methodist Church and served alongside her husband, of whom she was married 53 years until his death.
She loved the Lord and made sure her family always attended church. She loved to sing and was a member of the choirs at Decell Methodist Church in Wesson, Lone Star Methodist Church in Prentiss, and Jackson Street Methodist Church in Brookhaven. She was devoted to the Lord’s Church, whichever one she attended.
She loved to bake and cook for her family and would set her table a week in advance, excited to serve others. Mrs. Granberry was a gracious hostess and never allowed her guests to go without.
She is preceded in death by her husband; sisters, Maxine T. April and Sybil T. Hayman; and two grandsons, Taylor McInnis Granberry and Michael Joe Burns, Jr.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her children, Dennis L. Granberry (Erin) of Hattiesburg, MS, Dona Allyson Burns (Joe) of Bogue Chitto, MS, and Brad Granberry of Gulf Shores, AL; grandsons, Craig Burns of Bogue Chitto, MS, Jace Granberry (Maygan) of Madison, MS, Josh Granberry also of Madison, MS, Lee Granberry (Kaitlin) of Sumrall, MS, and Eric Granberry of New Orleans, LA; 11 great grandchildren, four great, great grandchildren; and a host of other loving family members and friends she has met over the years, who will greatly miss her.
The family would like to thank the staff and workers of Silver Cross Nursing Home and Arden Hospice who provided excellent care for Mrs. Granberry. She was never treated with anything less than respect and value.
Roger Max Neal
Services for Mr. Roger Max Neal of Monticello are at 3:00 pm, Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Pleasant Grove Church with visitation from 1:00 until the time of service and burial at the church cemetery.
Mr. Roger Max Neal, 79, passed away on June 4, 2024, at his residence. He was born on June 27, 1944, to the late Walter Max Neal and Gladys King Neal.
Mr. Neal was retired from AT&T. He loved tending to his cows on his farm and watching all his grandchildren.
Preceding him in death are his parents; sister, Cheryl McGrew, and nephew Scotty Sanders.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years, Fannie Lou Neal; children, Jody Neal (Susan), Tina Kirkland (Wayne), Robin Lambert (Chad), and Kenny Neal (Pam); sister, Rita Wallace; along with his 10 grandchildren, Raylea Lambert, Kayla Oakes, Joseph Neal, Justin Neal, Cheyenne Waldrop, Alyssa Brister,
Trey Kirkland, Maddux Kirkland, Anna Dunaway, Angela Neal, and his eight great-grandchildren.
Johnny Gerald Davis, Sr.
A memorial service will be held for Johnny Gerald Davis, Sr. on Sunday, June 9, at Pleasant Grove Church in Lawrence County, MS, at 3 p.m. Visitation is from 2 p.m. until the time of the service.
Mr. Davis, 93, of Brookhaven, passed away peacefully at his home in Brookhaven, Thursday, May 30, 2024. He was born June 26, 1930, to James Chersterfield Davis, Sr. and Annie Lura Beeson Davis. He was an Engineer, in the clothing industry, for Haspel Brothers.
Mr. Davis was a lifelong member of Pleasant Grove Church where he faithfully served the Lord through Sunday School and other ministry opportunities. He was a member of the Masons and Shriners.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Manon Davis and Jay Davis; and his sisters, Lavon Sills, Margie White, Fannie Chesser, and Audel Davis.
Those left to cherish the memory and legacy he leaves are his wife of 60 years, Betty Sue Holmes Davis; children, Jerry Davis (Cheryl), Mark Davis (Kathy), Charles Hobgood (Anna), Twyla Smith (Jeff), and John Davis, Jr.; sisters, Annie Rushing and Elaine Cude; five grandchildren, Jennifer, Kristen, Brittany, Kandace, and Austin; and 13 great grandchildren, Swayze, Cooper, Blaine, Ellie Anders, Addison, Wyatt, Ella, Emma, Samuel, August, Fletcher, Clara, and Baby Rawls. He is also survived by other loving family members, and friends as well as his faith family at Pleasant Grove.
Christine Valentine Allen
A graveside service for Christine Valentine Allen will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 3, in New Sight Cemetery, Brookhaven, MS.
Mrs. Allen, 90, of Wesson, MS, passed away May 29, 2024. She was born in Dermott, Arkansas, August 5, 1933, to John Wesley Valentine and Louanna Scarlett Valentine. She worked for many years as a custom seamstress.
She is preceded by her husband, Donald Ray Allen; her parents; and her son, Donald Ray Allen, Jr.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Phyllis Allen Lundy and Scarlett Allen; daughter-in-law, Charlotte Allen; five grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and eight great, great grandchildren. She is also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends.
Margaret Godbold McGee
Margaret Godbold McGee, 73, of Wesson, Mississippi, and Oxford, Mississippi, passed away after a long and brave battle with cancer on May 28, 2024, in Oxford, Mississippi.
She was born on October 25, 1950, to Hazel Cloy Godbold and Horace Gilmore Godbold, Jr., and grew up in Franklin County, Mississippi. Margaret attended Franklin County Schools before studying elementary education at Copiah-Lincoln Community College and then later at Mississippi College, graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mississippi College. She taught in Lincoln County and Copiah County schools throughout her career of over twenty-five years in education.
Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, and she is survived by her husband of fifty-two years, Carl Anthony “Tony” McGee; her daughter Rebecca McGee Jolly of Oxford along with Rebecca’s husband, Robert, and two beloved grandsons, Winston Godbold Jolly and Willis McGee “Mac” Jolly; and her brother, Horace Gilmore “Buddy” Godbold, III and his family.
The family will have a private burial service at Wright’s Bethesda United Methodist Church in McCall Creek on Monday, June 3rd. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Margaret’s memory can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by visiting: https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html
Janet Sisco Lupo
The funeral service for Janet Sisco Lupo, native of Brookhaven, will be 11 a.m., Saturday, June 1, at New Sight Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Friday, May 31, at Riverwood Family and will resume from 10 until the time of service at New Sight, Saturday morning.
Mrs. Lupo, 87, of Florence, MS, entered her eternal life May 27, 2024, from her home in Florence. She was born July 21, 1936, to Elmer Clay Sisco and Audrey Lee Temple Sisco. She was a seamstress for 20 years at Stahl Urban and then on the assembly line in Production for 25 years at Delphi Packard. Mrs. Janet was an exquisite example of a Christ follower and loved Him above all others. She was a generous lady and always considered others more than herself. She was known as “Nanny” to her grandchildren and leaves behind a legacy of faith and grace. Mama enjoyed the beauty of flowers and shared all kinds of plants with her family so that everyone could have flowers. She will be greatly missed by her friends and family.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Carl Lupo; her parents; brothers, Carroll Sisco and Barney Sisco; sisters, Helen Rawls, Gloria Schreck; and son-in-law, Hal Irwin.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her children, Cathy Sue Lupo Wooten (Johnnie), Rhonda Lynette Lupo Wilson (Kirk), Misti Lupo Edmondson (Mike); brothers, Hollis Sisco (Cora) and Willie Sisco (Virginia); sisters, Shirley Calcote (Calvin), Patsy Fillebaum, Joyce Brown, Lexine Friedman, and Judy Wall (Bill); six grandchildren, Amy (Bubby), Matthew (Brandy), Emily (JJ), Bradley, Logan (Rebecca), Savana; eight great grandchildren, Robby, Wesley, Jared Lynn, Gracie Renee, Adalynn, Aurora Liliana, Nick, and Collin; and two great, great, grandchildren, Caleb and Ava Grace. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.
