Obituaries
Christopher Corey Rials
Services for Christopher Corey Rials of Wesson are 11:00 am Thursday, March 14, 2019
at Riverwood Family. With burial at Bogue Chitto Cemetery.
Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 pm on Wednesday March 13, at Riverwood.
Christopher Corey Rials, 33, passed away March 9, 2019 at his residence.
He was born on June 3, 1985. He was an Iron Worker and served in the Army National Guard.
Preceding him in death are his paternal grandfather, Eric “Hercules” Rials;
maternal grandfather, Percy Marsh; father-in-law, Rodney Chemin and sister-in-law, Paige Chemin.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Cocoa Chemin Rials; father, Ricky Eric Rials and wife Kim;
mother, Rebecca Ann Marsh Rawls and husband, Eric;
sons, Joseph Franklin, Jeremy Gill and Lawson Tillman; brothers, Eric Rials and wife, Jessica,
and Nathan and Jonathan Rawls; sister, Brittany Rials; paternal grandmother, Lenora Rials;
maternal grandmother, Dorothy Marsh; nephews, Bryce Tillman, Lawson Chemin, Jack Parker, Rush Parker;
nieces, Neleigh Tillman, Lainei Grace Norton, Kalyn Chemin, Morgan Chemin, Mayson, Ashlyn, Lilly-Mae,
and Dixie Rials; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. mother-in-law, Cheryl Waters
and father-in-law, Greg Waters. He is also survived by sister- in-law, Andrea and husband Shane Parker, sister-in-law, Amanda and husband Lyle.
Billy Joe Alexander
Services for Mr. Billy Joe Alexander are 2:00 pm Tuesday, March 12, 2019
at Calvary United Pentecostal Church with burial at Roberts Memorial Cemetery.
Visitation is from 5:00-9:00 pm Monday, March 11 at Calvary.
Visitation will resume at 12:00 until time of service on Tuesday.
Mr. Billy Joe Alexander, 81, died Saturday, March 9, 2019 at his home in Jayess, MS, following a lengthy illness.
He was born on December 9, 1937, in Jayess, MS, to Clyde C. Alexander and Luna Belle Roberts Alexander.
As a young boy, his family moved to Baton Rouge, LA. He graduated from Baton Rouge High School in 1957
and attended the First Pentecostal Church of Baton Rouge. It was there that he met his wife, Juanita Mizell,
and they married in 1959. After moving to Jayess they were members of Calvary United Pentecostal Church.
Billy had a passion for genealogy and enjoyed researching his own family tree, as well as the family history of others.
He spent many hours accumulating information, visiting gravesites and libraries, and talking to others
in order to pursue this favored hobby. He was a member of the Walthall County Historical Society.
He enjoyed visiting with his cousins and family and helping to organize family reunions. Later in life,
he began painting and enjoyed this tremendously until failing health caused him to stop.
Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Juanita Mizell Alexander; brother, James Alexander;
sister, Lenace Alexander Dunaway.
Survivors are his son and daughter-in-law, Dean and Debbie Alexander; his grandson and wife,
Lee and Holly Alexander; four precious great grandchildren who brought much joy to his heart, Ava, Olivia, Mason, and Noah Alexander;
sister, Helen Ratcliff; sister-in-law, Ideva Alexander; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is also survived by a very special niece and nephew, Damoris “Marcie” and Bruce Davis, who gave much love and support for many years.
The family extends special thanks to his cousin, Betty Ruth Colyer, who lovingly devoted herself
to his care for over three years. Also special thanks to Rhonda, Judy, Charlie, Rosa, Toshiba, Shanne, Dorcas,
and Nicole who treated him so kindly and respectfully during his illness. Finally, the compassionate help and
professional care of the nurses, aides, and personnel of Encompass Home Health and Hospice are greatly appreciated.
Armand Raymond Creighton
Services for Mr. Armand Raymond Creighton will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at 2:00pm at Riverwood Family with interment in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be prior to the service on Tuesday from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm at Riverwood.
Armand Raymond Creighton, 88, of Brookhaven, passed from this life on March 8, 2019, at his residence. He was born on December 13, 1930 to John L. Creighton and Hilda DarkemeyerCreighton.
Mr. Creighton was a packing room supervisor with L.A. Frey & Sons. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Brookhaven and he enjoyed doing yard work and woodworking.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Frances Mary Randazzo Creighton; brother, John H. Creighton; and sister, Ara Lee.
Those left to cherish his memory are his sister, Carol Boden of Chalmette, LA; and his special friends and care-givers, William and Nancy Moore of Brookhaven, MS.
Dorothy Lene Wallace Lambert
Funeral Services for Mrs. Dorothy Lene Wallace Lambert will be held on Friday, March 8, 2019, at
Riverwood Family Funeral Service at 2:00 p.m. There will be a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the
time of the services. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Pentecostal Cemetery.
Mrs. Dorothy, age 73 and a resident of Jayess, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.
She was born on March 30, 1945 to the late John Oliver Wallace and Veda Wallace Hall. Mrs. Dorothy
was a loving grandmother, who enjoyed shopping and spending time with her family. She was a sweet,
caring lady who will be dearly missed by all of those who knew her.
Mrs. Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Lee Lambert; parents; brothers, Harold, Huland, G.W.
and Solon Wallace; sisters, Aline Wallace, Grace Lene Wallace, and Ruby Lee Wallace.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Jerry Randall Lambert and wife Laurice and Mark Anthony Lambert;
daughters, Cathy Denise Lambert Nations and husband Scott; grandchildren, Dakota Cheyenne Lambert,
Evan Lee Lambert, Carlin Nichole Nations, and Erika Leigh Lambert.
Mildred L. Smith Browning
Funeral Services for Mildred L. Smith Browning, of Brookhaven,
will be held Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Riverwood Family Funeral Service.
Visitation to be held Wednesday, March 6, 2019 from 5:00-8:00 pm at Riverwood.
Burial at Sylvarena Baptist Church Cemetery in Wesson, Mississippi.
Rev. Glen Mullins, Rev. Anthony Yarborough and Rev. Thad Owens will officiate services.
On Monday, March 4, 2019, surrounded by those she loved most,
Mildred Browning peacefully slip away to her heavenly home. She was 83.
Born on March 23, 1935, to John W. and Luty Jane Lupo Smith,
she grew up in the town of Wesson, Mississippi. She was a member of Pearlhaven Baptist Church in Brookhaven.
Mildred, known to most as Mama or Nanny, loved with her whole heart.
There was nothing she enjoyed more than spending time with her family and friends.
She worked at Dude’s Hot Biscuits for 38 years, right up until the day before she became ill.
Her customers became friends. Her friends were her family.
Preceding her in death are her parents; brothers, Lee, Edd, Richard, Vernon and John W. Smith;
her sisters, Gladys and Alma Smith and Eva Sanders.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Kathy Dunn and husband, Les;
Belinda “Dinki” Davis and husband, Jimmy; and Angie Hux and husband, Donald.
Her grandchildren, who were her whole heart, Samantha Mahloch and husband, David,
Jamie Davis and wife, Courtney, Bradley Smith, Allison Smith and Caleb Smith;
great-granddaughters, Cassidy Belle Davis and Clara Ruth Davis.
She is also survived by her best friend and sister-in-law, Charlene Smith; special family members,
niece, Linda Thompson; great niece, Lesa Dooley and husband, Jason and their daughters, Alyssa and Ann-Kaitlyn;
and niece, Rena Rippy.
Pallbearers are Jason Dooley, Randy Pickett, Donnie Nevels, James Schilling, Doyle Rushing and Charles Greenlee.
Honorary Pallbearers are her grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Elizabeth "Betsy" Murphey Ranson
The funeral service for Ms. Elizabeth “Betsy” Murphey Ranson will be 10 a.m.,
Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at Riverwood Family Funeral Service, with interment at
Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., Monday
evening, March 4, at Riverwood.
Ms. Betsy Ranson, 76, of Brookhaven, passed from this life on March 2, 2019, at
King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven, MS. She was born on November 17, 1942,
in Memphis, TN to the late Roder Trigg and Francis Murphey.
Ms. Betsy worked in the Retail industry and was a beloved staff member of
Brookhaven Animal Hospital and a member of Beauregard United Methodist Church.
Proverbs 31:13 describes a woman “who willingly works with her hands.” She spent
her down time quilting but also enjoyed dog training. She was a Master Gardener and
treasured her time outdoors, but her passion was her family. She was a loving mother
and grandmother and will be missed by her children and grandchildren who loved her without end.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her aunt, Ernest Coulon Trigg.
Those left here to cherish her memory are, her daughters, Elizabeth Ranson Stodghill and
husband, Steven, and Jennifer Ranson Allen and husband, Mark; four grandchildren,
Murphey and Bailey Stodghill and Currie and Lea Allen, and many other loving family
members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rescue Tails located at
Brookhaven Animal Hospital, 1210 Hwy 51 N, Brookhaven, MS 39603.
Ronnie Ezell
Services for Mr. Ronnie Louis Ezell will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at 2:00pm
at Riverwood Family with interment in Sarepta Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Monday, March 4, 2019, from 5:00-9:00pm also at Riverwood Family.
Ronnie Louis Ezell, 67, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life on March 1, 2019, at his home.
He was born on January 23, 1952, to Robert Willie Ezell and Katherine Laird Ezell Thompson.
Mr. Ezell was an Army Veteran of the Vietnam War and was a member of the Moose Lodge,
specifically active in running Bingo and helping with the Special Olympics.
Preceding him in death were his parents; bothers, Paul David Ezell, Eugene Ezell and Mike Ezell.
Those left to cherish his memory is his wife of 44 years, Vicky Ann Smith Ezell; son, James David Ezell
and daughter, Dawn Sellars along with two grandchildren, Michael Larue Sellars and Eric Sellars.
He is also survived by sisters, Nancy Case and Evelyn Buitt; brothers-in-law,
Robert Buitt, Ronnie Smith, Keith Smith and Darrell Lee Smith and wife Sandra.
Vivian Rushing
Services for Ms. Vivian Rushing of Wesson are 10:00 am Monday, March 4, 2019 at Riverwood Family.
Visitation 5:00-8:00 pm Sunday, March 3, at Riverwood.
Ms. Vivian Rushing, 76, passed away February 28, 2019 at Merit Health in Jackson.
She was born on January 29, 1943 to the late Jessie James and Velma Rushing.
She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend, and will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Preceding her in death are her parents; brother, T.H. Rushing: and sisters, Bobbie Rushing and Margie Rushing.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Jesse Rushing and Tiffany and Stacy Rushing;
daughter, Judy Lee and husband Frank; brothers, James Lee Rushing, Mike Rushing, Julius Rushing;
sisters, Diane Rushing and Elaine Rushing.
She is also survived by grandchildren, Sabrina Teasley, Annie and Matthew Baltazar, Rachel and Daniel Brewer,
Tonya and Ryan Lott, Danielle Callendar and Hunter Callendar and great-grandson, Isaac Higgins.
Sue Ford Moak
Services for Mrs. Sue Ford Moak of Brookhaven are 3:30 pm Sunday, March 3, 2019 at Riverwood Family Funeral Service.
Visitation is Saturday, March 2 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Riverwood Family.
Sue Ford Moak was born on September 14, 1930, to Thelma Reeves Ford and James Franklin Ford in Bude, Mississippi.
A move to Norfield followed her early childhood years in Bude. Sue graduated from Brookhaven High School
and then attended Whitworth College and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi.
She married the love of her life, Tom Moak, on June 12, 1949.
Their 64 year marriage showed all those who knew them a picture of a couple completely devoted to one another.
Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Tom, and her young daughter, Susan.
She is survived by her son, Frank, and wife, Terri, and her daughter, Sarah Pruet, and husband, Ron.
She is also survived by grandchildren and their spouses, Emily and David Reeves, Tripp and Morgan Pruet,
Elizabeth Moak, Andrew and Casey Pruet, and Amanda Moak.
A recent joy is the addition of great-grandchildren Claire and John Reeves and Quinn Pruet.
Sue educated many children over a 30-year teaching career at Bogue Chitto School, Brookhaven High School,
Alexander High School, and Lipsey Junior High. She always loved books and talked often about how she prayed that
she would not lose her ability to read. God granted that request. Her love of the written word contributed to her
being perfectly suited to teach English and serve as a librarian.
She enjoyed travel and was so thankful when they visited places she had only read about before.
Sue and Tom loved their home and made it a place of welcome for family and friends.
The “joy of the hunt” in finding furnishings that needed her meticulous restoration skill was a source of happiness.
Sue passionately loved First Baptist Church. Sue taught Sunday School for many years,
and her longest teaching commitment was to the oldest women in the church.
She loved and cared for that class with service and care that saw her being the hands and feet of Jesus.
During the last four years when Sue was unable to attend church, she and Frank watched the broadcast of the service almost every Sunday.
Sue is a glorious example of a life well lived. “Well done, thy good and faithful servant. . . .Enter thou into the joy of the Lord.” Matthew 25:21.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church Brookhaven Building Fund.