April Dawn Nowell, 49, of Monticello, MS, died January 22, 2025, in Brookhaven, MS. She was born in Pearl, MS, November 3, 1976, to John Henry Nowell and Joann Wade.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Benjamin Henry Nowell.

Those left to cherish her memory are her partner of 7 years, Charlene Lawrence, her niece, Alexis Nowell, and her best friend, Kristi Laiche.

Brenda Gail Strittman Whittington (Bean), 73, was born February 16, 1951, to James Rufus and Mildred Burkhalter Strittman. Mrs. Whittington went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 21, 2025, at Lakeview Hospital in Covington, LA. Visitation will be January 24, 2025, at New Prospect Baptist Church. Funeral service is at 11:00 a.m., January 25, 2025, at New Prospect Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery.

She was a homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her children and her grandchildren, any meal she did not have to prepare, and thrift store shopping. She was a member of New Prospect Baptist Church in Brookhaven, MS.

Preceding her in death are her parents; one sister, Mary Jane Strittman Norwood; nephew, Shane Wesley Strittman; uncle, Jessie N. Burkhalter; aunt, Elsie Reeves; and cousins, Nancy Jane Reeves, Henry A. Reeves, and Annie Marie Norris.

Survivors are her husband of 55 years, Keith “Pete” Whittington; three children, Jamie Whittington and wife, Lane, of Meadville; Ellie Whittington of Brookhaven; Marc Whittington and wife Jennifer of Brookhaven; four grandchildren Devan Kent and husband, Brandon, of Bogue Chitto, Raney Whittington, Haley Whittington, and Calan Whittington; four great grandchildren, Braceigh Ann Case, Brooks Kent, Ellis Kent, and Campbell Kent; brother, Jesse Strittman and wife, Mary Nell of Tylertown; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Visitation will be Friday evening at New Prospect Baptist church in Brookhaven, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and will continue Saturday morning at the church from 10:00 a.m. until funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Nathan Case will officiate. Burial will be at New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery.

Riverwood Family Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers will be Jamie Whittington, Jimmy Case, Reuben Watts, John Hart, Mike Boyd, and Bill Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Patrick Brown, Larry Allred, Bro. Glen Mullins, and Mike Cupit.

Flowers are appreciated and welcomed. The family asks that donations be made in Mrs. Whittington’s name to the youth ministry of New Prospect Baptist Church, 691 Highway 84 West, Brookhaven, MS, 39601.

The funeral service for Charles Edwin McCall will be 11 a.m. Friday, January 24^th, at Riverwood Family with burial in Wrights Bethesda Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, January 23, at Riverwood and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Mr. McCall, 82, of McCall Creek, died January 16, 2025, at King’s Daughters Medical Center surrounded by his family. He was born in Tennessee on August 4, 1942, to Edwin McCall and Helon I. Raiford.

Mr. McCall was a graduate of Franklin County High School, Copiah Lincoln Community College, and Delta State University. While at Co-Lin, he played the trombone in the Show Band. He was a member of the Men’s Ensemble and the Wesley Foundation. He attended Delta State University where he was a member of the band and received a bachelor’s degree in music education. He started his career as Band Director at Tylertown High School, and later served as band director at Hazlehurst and Charleston High Schools. Mr. McCall worked for Chevron Corporation until his retirement. Charles sang in multiple gospel quartets including The Revelators and Southern Praise Gospel Quartet. He continued his love for music by assisting with the Franklin County High School band, Wesson Grammar School Red Knight Band, Lipsey Middle School Band, and any other schools that requested his help. He was a member of the Ole Brook Wind Symphony, continuing to play his trombone.

On October 11, 2014, the Band and Colette Chapter of the Co-Lin Alumni Association inducted Charles McCall into the Hall of Fame. Mr. McCall was instrumental in organizing the Co-Lin Band and Colette alumni chapter serving as the first president and with his leadership, the chapter became one of the most active alumni organizations at Co-Lin. Even at 82 years of age he continued to teach in the Workforce Education Division at Southwest Mississippi Community College.

Over his lifetime he always offered and volunteered to help others but would never ask for help for himself, continuing to show his love and compassion for life and for others.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Brenda S. McCall; mother, Helon McCall; father, Edwin McCall; sister, Nancy McCall Reed; son, Timothy A. Kluge; and daughter Melissa L. Nance.

Survivors include his children, Tina Lynn Moak and husband, Paul Anthony Moak,  William Gregory Kluge, Melanie Nadine Kluge, Scot Chance Kluge and wife, Regan Kluge; and Shannon Sue Prather; ten grandchildren, Delaney Grantham, Taylor DeSilvey, Chance Kluge, Savannah Brock, Skylar Kluge, Swayze Holland, Jared Wilson, Stoner Parker, Joseph Wilson, and Jordan Kluge; three great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.

A memorial gathering will be held for Randy Ray Peets from 9-11 am, Monday January 20th, at Riverwood Family with burial to follow in Riverwood Memorial Park.

Mr. Peets, 76, of Brookhaven, died January 14, 2025, at University Medical Center in Jackson. He was born in Brookhaven on January 21, 1948, to Albert Ray and Anna Ruth Peets. After graduating from Wesson High School, he served in the United States Army in the Green Beret Reserve. He married his sweetheart Judith Ann, and they shared 49 years together before her death in 2020. He was a faithful husband and loving father and grandfather. Randy worked for James Vardaman Timber Consultant, International Paper Company, and retired from Home Hardware. He was an avid outdoorsman, who loved hunting and fishing.

He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Judith Ann Peets and his parents.

Mr. Peets is survived by his sons, Jefrey Peets and Ryan Peets; brother, Gary Peets; two grandchildren, Taylor Peets and Leighanna Peets; and by one great grandchild, Riverlynn Anne Peets