Obituaries
April Michelle Smith
April Michelle Smith, 45, of Wesson, MS, died October 8, 2023, at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb, MS. She was born in Brookhaven April 20, 1978, to Sherman Leroy Smith and Frances Elaine Daniel Smith.
She is survived by three children, Tristen Toby Dillon, Kaylen Smith, and Alexis Michell Blackwell; her parents; brothers, Mark Smith and Carey Banks, Jr.; sisters, Patti Boyte and Alecia Smith; four grandchildren, MaKiya, Kaiser, Kingston, and Alaiyah; and by friends, Rebecca Moll, Kayla Haas, and Kellye Sicks. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers you may make memorials to Gideon’s International, PO Box 1106, Brookhaven, MS 39602.
James Gilbert Pickering
The funeral service for James Gilbert Pickering will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, October 11, at Lucien Baptist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, October 10th, at Riverwood and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of service at Lucien Baptist Church.
Mr. Pickering, 96, of Lucien, died October 7, 2023, at his residence. He was born February 14, 1927, to Judd E. Pickering and Rhoda Smith Pickering. He retired from Natchez Paper Mill where he worked in the machine maintenance department.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Davis and son-in-law, Roy Davis.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 75 years, Jewell Pickering; children, Sandy Smith, Ronnie Pickering, Brenda Simmons and husband, Lamar, and Debbie Barfoot; brother, Gene Pickering; eight grandchildren, Brad Davis, Mandy Smith, Lane Pickering, Jamie Barfoot, Dusty Davis, Brandi Jenkins, Ronnie Pickering, Jr., and Evan Pickering; nine great grandchildren and a host of other loving family members and friends.
There will be a reception for family and friends immediately following the service.
Martha Avants
The funeral service for Martha Avants will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, October 10, at Riverwood with burial in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Monday night, at Riverwood and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of service Tuesday.
Mrs. Martha Avants, 60, of Bogue Chitto, died October 6, 2023, at her residence. She was born October 11, 1962, to Bennie Hall, Sr. and Mildred Louise Moak Hall. She was a loving wife and mother and enjoyed every moment spent with her daughter, watching her grow up. Mrs. Martha was full of life and laughter; she never met a stranger. She loved to garden, and every morning was spent sitting on her porch, drinking coffee, and enjoying the work she took such great pleasure in. She also liked going fishing with her husband, Roger.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Earnest Avants; her parents; brothers, Quincy Hall, John Neal Hall, Weames Hall, Prentiss Hall, Larry Hall, John Henry Hall, Bennie Hall, Jr.; sisters, Bennie Lou Blakeney, Earline Carlisle, Margaret Williams, Tillithia Hall Moak, Mamie Pat Jennings, and Nancy Peyreagne.
She is survived by her husband of 18 years, Roger Avants; daughter, Melissa Avants; stepchildren, Joey Avants, Bryan Dale Avants, and Chasity Avants; brothers, John Hugh Mathis and Jimbo Hall; sisters, Essie Ann McCaa, Rita Hall, Gloria Mercier, and Hattie Morris. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends as well as her sweet dog, Nylah.
Angela Gail Blackwell
The funeral service for Angela Gail Blackwell will be 11 a.m., Monday, October 9, at Heucks Retreat Baptist Church. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mrs. Blackwell, 65, of Brookhaven, died October 5, 2023, at her residence, with her children by her side. She was born August 29, 1958, to John William Norton and Hilda Rae Coon Norton. She was a registered dietitian for 27 years with the Lawrence County Hospital. She was a member of Heucks Retreat Baptist Church but also loved attending Pleasant Grove Church at every opportunity. She was a master gardener who loved working in her flower beds. She was also a member of the Camellia Society. Her favorite pastime was spending time with all five of her grandkids.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Ward Blackwell, and her parents.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her children, Jessica Jordan and husband, Landon, Sawyer Smith and wife, Kori, and Cain Blackwell; brother, Dale Norton and wife, Debbie; sister, Linda Booth and husband, Paul, and sister-in-law, Sheila Blackwell; five grandchildren, Alli Rae Jordan, Colton Jordan, Hannah Smith, John Daniel Smith, and Luke Smith. She is also survived by her best friends, Janie Reeves, Wendy Smith, Charlotte Martin, and Sherry Britt, as well as other loving family members and friends.
A special thank you to Sherry Britt and Hospice Ministries for their loving care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heucks Retreat Youth Department, 2167 Heucks Retreat Road NE, Brookhaven, MS 39601
Shelley Ann Summers
Graveside Service for Shelley Ann Summers of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm, Monday, October 9, 2023 at Union Baptist Church Cemetery.
Shelley Ann Summers, 68, passed away October 4, 2023.
She was born February 4, 1955, to the late Carl Clayton Summers and Margaret Francis Summers.
Shelley was a graduate of Brookhaven High School, Copiah Lincoln Jr. College and The University of Southern MS. She is a member of Pearlhaven Baptist Church. She owned The Book Exchange for years in downtown Brookhaven and was a substitute teacher for Brookhaven Public School System. She enjoyed going to festivals and flea markets and was a collector of many different items.
Preceding her in death were her parents.
She is survived by her sister, Susan Summers of Crystal Springs; niece, Lacy Davis Johnson and husband, John of North Carolina; nephew, Logan Howard of North Carolina; great nieces, Jalyn and Lylah Johnson and great nephews, Eli and Evan Johnson.
She will be dearly missed by all that loved her.
Alton Keith Allred
The funeral service for Alton Keith Allred will be 2 p.m., Saturday, October 7, at Riverwood Family with burial in the Stewart Cemetery in Bogue Chitto. Visitation is from Noon until the time of the service.
Mr. Allred, 67, of Bogue Chitto, died October 4, 2023, at his residence. He was born in Brookhaven, October 6, 1955, to Alton Allred and Edith Rae Smith Allred.
Mr. Allred was the retired owner of AA Tubing Testers. He was a member of First Baptist of Brookhaven and a member of Milton West Sunday School Class.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Steve Allred; father-in-law, Cleveland Smith, and mother-in-law, Ethel Smith.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Dale Smith Allred; children, Ben Allred (Amy) of Brookhaven, and Sally Beth McCullough of Tupelo; sisters, Sue Godbold (Don) and Becky McDavid (Mike) both of Brookhaven, and Clara Ann Coggins of Columbus. He is also survived by seven grandchildren as well as other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Brookhaven Building Fund, 200 E. Monticello St. Brookhaven, MS 39601.
Betty Sue Smith
Ms. Betty Sue Smith, 85, of Brookhaven, died October 1, 2023, at her residence. She was born in Samantha, AL, June 14, 1938, to Thomas Cole Sellers and Ann Catherine Bobo Sellers.
Betty drove and delivered cars for Sullivan Ford for 28 years before she retired. She loved spending time with her family. Riding the grands around the yard on the golf cart was her past time favorite. She loved flowers and working in her flower beds and yard. She loved the outdoors.
Her life was full of love, she enjoyed all the time in the world with her family. Family was important to her. She also liked watching Alabama Crimson Tide Football. She was a lifelong “Bama” Fan.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her former husband, R.D. Stewart, Sr; son, R.D. “Donald” Stewart, Jr.; two granddaughters, Christina Ann Furr and Brandi Leann Runnels; one great grandson, David Joe “D.J.” Martin, Jr.; and four brothers.
She is survived by her children, Debbie Lofton (Kenny) of Summit, Tina Martin (Joe), Becky S. Magee, and William C. “Billy” Stewart (Ruthie), all of Brookhaven; brother, Terry Alan “T.R.” Sellers and sister, Edna Ann Sanford both of Tuscaloosa, AL. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Kim Bercegeay (Brian), Stephanie Costilow, David Martin (Casey), Catie Jackson (Garrett), Donald Magee, Zack Ray, Preston Ray, and Claire McManus (Jared); 20 great grandchildren and 5 great, great grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
You may make donations to the American Heart Association or Shriners for Kids, aicardisyndromefoundation.org/donate, to support children like her great granddaughter.
We would like to thank all the nurses, aides, and employees of Hospice Ministries for their loving care of Betty (she was known to everyone as “Nanny”)
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Dorothy Irene White
The funeral service for Dorothy Irene White will be 11 a.m., Friday, October 6, at Pleasant Grove Community Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. White, 74, of Brookhaven, died October 3, 2023, at her residence. She was born August 22, 1949. She was the Office Manager for J.C. Penney’s for many years.
Mrs. White was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, she was an ever-present pillar of strength for her children and grandchildren. She was instrumental in the growth and development of them all. She loved to prepare delicious meals for her family and to spend time playing games with her grandkids. Her favorite hobby was reading, and she also enjoyed going to the salon and getting her hair fixed.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Ronnie White; her parents, Frances & Gene Smith, and R.E. Townsend; and her brother, Mike Townsend.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Lance & Hollie White, Clint & Patty White, and Kristie & Will Cohen; seven grandchildren, Haley & Chase Crane, Wesley & Bridget White, Zack DeLaughter, Travis DeLaughter, Lainey DeLaughter, Ethan White, Benjamin White, Jesse Cohen and Bill Cohen.
The family would like to express a special thank you to Heidi Cain and Jamaria James, her nurses who took such wonderful care of her during her illness.
Wanzie June Reynolds
A Memorial gathering & service will be held for Wanzie June Reynolds from 4-6 p.m., Thursday, October 5, at Topeka Baptist Church.
Mrs. Reynolds, 84, of Jayess, MS, passed away September 30, 2023, at her residence. She was born in Jayess, January 15, 1939, to Chester Arthur Griffith and Luena Gertrude Hogan Griffith. She worked for many years driving children to and from school. She was a true outdoors lover, spending time gardening or just being surrounded by nature. She also liked to crochet. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Mrs. Reynolds is preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Aubrey, James, Walter, Melba, Loretta, Jean, Peggy, and Eunice; children, Richard Reynolds, Debra McPhail; and grandchild, Blaine Reynolds.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Eddie Plez Reynolds, Sr.; children, Eddie Reynolds, Jr. and Raymond Reynolds; 12 grandchildren, Jason Reynolds, John Reynolds, Jared Reynolds, Josh Howell, Zachary Reynolds, Megan Reynolds, Seth Reynolds, Jessica McPhail, Heidi Jones, Beth Wallace, Tara Dyess and Dametaris Pyle; and 17 great grandchildren as well as other loving family members and friends.
Jack Picklesimer
The funeral service for Jack Picklesimer will be 2 p.m., Thursday, October 5, at Riverwood Family, with burial in Brister’s Cemetery in Bogue Chitto. Visitation is from Noon until the time of the service at Riverwood.
Mr. Picklesimer, 84, of Bogue Chitto, died September 29, 2023, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven. He was born in Murphy, NC, April 13, 1939, to Claude Joseph Picklesimer and Helen Hickey Picklesimer. He served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, he was a retired Master Sergeant.
He is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers and two sisters.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 32 years, Ann Picklesimer; children, Tracey Majewski (Andy), Joanne Adams, and Lori Denson; one sister, Katherine Owings; five grandchildren, Dustin Denson, Chantell Adams, Nick Yancey, Sophie Majewski, and Reid Majewski. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, 322 8th 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001.
