Obituaries
Patricia Gay Moore Steen
Ms. Patricia Gay Moore Steen, 75, of Hazlehurst passed away at her residence April 2, 2021.
She was born on October 21, 1945 to the late James W. Moore and Harrett Holmes Moore.
Ms. Steen was a longtime hairdresser in her community after attending college for cosmetology.
She enjoyed Chinese astrology, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her son, Richie and her grandchildren.
Ms. Patricia will be missed by all that knew and loved her.
Preceding her in death were her parents, son Rodney Keith Steen; brothers, James “Jimmy” Moore and Steve Moore; sister, Theresa Moore Long.
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Charles Richard “Richie” Steen; brothers, Gary Moore, Joe Moore and Kenneth Moore;
sisters, Shelia Collins, Donnis Moore and Sherry Moore. Along with her two grandchildren; Elizabeth Grace Steen and Daniel Keith Steen.
The family would like to express a special thank you to her special friend Pam Erwin.
Mitchell Edward Vaughn, Sr.
Memorial service for Mitchell Edward Vaughn, Sr. will be Tuesday, April 6, at McLaurin Height Baptist Church. Visitation is 5:30-8 p.m., Monday, April 5 and will resume Tuesday, from 11:30-12:30 p.m. before the services.
Mr. Vaughn, 72, of Pearl, finished his journey here and entered his eternal rest April 2, 2021. He began his life journey November 26, 1948, born to his parents, Julius Edward “Peck” Vaughan and Agnes Verlyn Smith Vaughan. He worked in the education field for many years, and he was a member of McLaurin Heights Baptist Church. Mr. Vaughn enjoyed the simple things in life as well, hunting and fishing, but nothing compared to the time spent with his grands and great grands. He will be greatly missed by his family and all that knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife, Paula Vaughn; son, Mitchell Vaughn, Jr. (Rhonda); daughter, Michele Summerlin (Jimbo); brothers, Tim Vaughan (Robin) and Billy Vaughn (Nancy); sister, Chris Maddox (Roger); four grandchildren, Daniele Smith (Caleb), Chelsea Smith, Sean Vaughn, Katelynn Harvey (Darieo); and great grandchildren, Arianna & Kiya Harvey, Edward Smith, and soon to arrive Eleanor.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Center for Violence Prevention, www.mscvp.org
Marguerite Williams
Funeral services for Mrs. Marguerite McDavid Williams will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday April 6, 2021, at Central Baptist Church,
with visitation starting at 9:00 a.m. at the church and interment at Easthaven Cemetery.
Mrs. Marguerite Williams, 96, of Brookhaven, went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ, on Friday April 2, 2021.
She was born on July 21, 1924, to George Dewey McDavid, Sr. and Wilmer Lewis McDavid.
Mrs. Marguerite was a devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She was a faithful member of Central Baptist Church where she served as church treasurer for many years.
She was a life long member of the Brookhaven Eastern Star. She was an employee at Hartley Gove Thermometer Plant for more than 25 years.
She was a skilled seamstress and cook and had a passion for baking, especially, cakes.
Her collection of odds and ends were little treasures each having it’s own story which she enjoyed sharing.
She loved her family unconditionally and they loved her. She was an example of God’s grace to everyone by her humbleness and kindness, even during her last weeks.
To know her was to love her. She will be greatly missed by all.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Toxie Williams; and her great-grandson; Ethan Williams
her sister, Irene M. Porter; her brothers; George McDavid, Jr. and Frank McDavid.
Those left here to cherish her memory are her son, Maxie Williams and wife Margaret (Midge) of Orange, TX.
Her daughter, Cheryl Myers and husband Gary of Brookhaven. Her grandsons; Jason Williams, James Williams (Courtney) and Adam Williams all of Texas,
her granddaughters; Ancy Rushing (Joseph) of Mendenhall and Marxy Lindsey (Judson) of Camden, AR.
Her great -grandchildren; Gunnar Rushing, Milly Rushing, Livi Rushing, Tuck Rushing, Ada Lindsey, Lincoln Williams, Landry Williams,
Brynlee Williams and Kolby Tillman and a host of family and friends.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice Ministries and their staff. Especially to her nurse, Kathy Sutton,
who will always be a part of our heart and family. We would like to thank our special caregivers; Nicole Benoit, Georgia Henderson, Bonnie Wilson, Tena Rigaud and Bonnie Turner.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the building fund of Central Baptist Church
Peggy A. Jones
Memorial gathering for Mrs. Peggy A. Jones will be 1-3 p.m., Thursday, April 1, 2021, at Riverwood Family.
Mrs. Peggy A. Jones, 78, passed away March 29, 2021, at her residence. She was born December 28, 1942,
to his parents, Loyce E. Davis and Ella B. Blass. She was a member of Jackson Street Methodist Church in Brookhaven.
She was an avid reader and she enjoyed gardening.
Mrs. Jones was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Nicole Luinstra; and brother, W.T. Davis.
She is survived by her husband, John L. Jones; son, Brian E. Jones; brother Don Davis; three grandchildren,
Shelby Luninstra, Kelly Lunistra, and Marcy Lunistra; and one great grand daughter, Daisy Nicole Lunistra, as well as other loving family members and friends.
Shirley Yvonne Case Lewis Cupit
A private Memorial service has been held to honor the life of Mrs. Shirley Cupit.
Shirley Yvonne Case Lewis Cupit, 92, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life March 28, 2021.
She was born June 21, 1928, to her parents, Rufus Pat Case and Ida Ella Ferguson.
She was woman of character and strength. Mrs. Cupit was self employed and owner of a Dairy Farm.
She was a member of Wellman Baptist Church. Her favorite thing in life was to spend time
with all of her grandchildren. She also enjoyed reading, bingo, traveling and playing cards.
She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, D.A. Lewis and J.B. Cupit and one grandson, Tom Burt;
six brothers and two sisters.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Judy Burt, Linda Souther, Patsy Cowart, and Toni Alvey;
her sister, Carolyn Carpenter; eight grandchildren, Jim Burt, Michelle Douglas, Brandi Evans, Chris Cowart,
Josh Cowart, James Alvey, David Alvey, and Adam Alvey; 20 great grandchildren, and 11 great, great grandchildren
Jeff Ray
Funeral service for Jeff Ray will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at Riverwood Family.
Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Jeff was born December 12, 1957, to Preston Allen Luther “A.L.” Ray and Etta Pearl Smith Ray in
Brookhaven, Ms. He passed at the age of 63, on March 26, 2021, in Wesson, MS while at home.
Jeff was a graduate of Copiah Lincoln High School in 1975 and Copiah Lincoln Junior College in
1977. He went on to obtain his Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of
Southern Mississippi in 1981, and later his Master of Science in Management from Belhaven University
in 2006. He was employed as a Social Worker with Van Winkle Home Health, the Department of
Human Services in Brookhaven, Ms and Jackson, Ms, King’s Daughters Medical Center, and
retired from the Mississippi Adolescent Center as Director of Risk Management in 2012 after 27 years with the state.
Jeff was a very talented drummer. He began his journey with music with his first band, “The Rejects”,
at the age of 15. He went on to play in various bands, Pluto Bandito, Elbert Shiver, and Cry Wolf to
name a few, making lifelong friends and an impact on everyone he met. He was also a member of the
drum line at Copiah Lincoln High School, Copiah Lincoln Junior College, Mississippi State, and the
University of Southern Mississippi. Although music was a lifelong enjoyment, his pride and joy were
his children and grandchildren. He never missed an event no matter how small, or far away. He led in
life with great support and wisdom that will not soon be forgotten. His love for teaching his
grandchildren to fish or the discussion of his latest book will be greatly missed. He was the most
amazing father and grandfather we could have asked for.
He was survived by his brother, Michael Ray (Sandra); sons, Zachary “Zack” Felix Ray, and
Preston Loranzy Ray; daughter, Dorothy Claire Ray McManus (Jared); grandsons, Jayden Ray, Landon Ray,
and Brian Ray; granddaughters, Isabelle Ray and Scarlette McManus; and mother of his children Ruthie Catt Stewart.
Proceeded in death by his parents, A.L. Ray and Etta Pearl Ray; and brother, Preston Ray.
Ervin Deen Brister
Funeral service for Mr. Ervin Deen Brister will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at Powells Grove Pentecostal Church
with interment at the church cemetery. Visitation is from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service.
Ervin Deen Brister, 90, passed away in his home on March 27, 2021.
Born April 13, 1930, he grew up in Jayess with a large family and was spoiled by his three older sisters. He served
as a marine in the Korean Conflict, where he sustained injuries at Bunker Hill. When he returned home in 1953,
he married his sweetheart, Loretta.
Before becoming disabled by his war injuries, Ervin Deen worked as a farmer. No one could leave his house
without taking home a mess of greens or a watermelon. He also raised cows and kept hunting dogs. After he
was no longer able to see well enough to hunt, he still took his dogs out and ran them. He could identify each
dog by its bark. Even in his last days, he could recount the name of every dog he had owned and describe
what kind of hunter it was. He told and retold the story of an old dog that could climb trees to catch squirrels.
Until his health kept him home, he attended Powell's Grove Pentecostal Church, where he sat on the front pew.
Everyone could hear him pray. He believed in praying without ceasing and prayed even before he took a sip of
water or had a bowl of ice cream. He began his mealtime prayers with "Kind, wonderful Jesus, dear Lord and
Savior" and, after enough protest from his granddaughters, ended with, "Bless the hands that prepared it."
Ervin Deen was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Loretta Barnett Brister; his son, Don Brister;
an infant son; his parents, Connie and Sarah Brister; his brothers, Purvis Brister and Clayton Brister; and
three sisters, Azemer Coon, Joyce Honea, and Jimmie Brister. He is survived by two sisters, Connie Mae Clark
and Izettie Carney; his daughter, Debbie (Alan) Moody; his daughter-in-law, Gwen Rayburn; grandchildren
April King Davis, Amber King (Sihya), Adam Brister, Anthony King, Connie Brister Boyd, and West Brister
(Ashdon); great-grandchildren, Emma Siler, Grayson Davis, Ethan King, Corbyn Pekins, Guydon Brister,
Isabella Brister, and Sophia Brister; and his long-time caregivers, Betty Colyer and Shanne Cupstid.
Joycelyn Sketchler Fonseca
Joycelyn Sketchler Fonseca, age 94, passed away after a brief illness at King’s Daughters Hospital in
Brookhaven, Mississippi. She was a native of Algiers, Louisiana, a long time resident of
Des Allemands, LA and Brookhaven, MS. She was most recently, a resident of Haven Hall Healthcare
Center in Brookhaven.
She was a woman of many talents, including sewing, cooking, gardening, photography and art.
She loved caring for Abby dog. She was a member of the Camelia Society of Brookhaven.
Some of her work history included working for South Central Bell and was a restaurateur. Her wonderful
recipes, we will always cherish. She treasured her family, surrounding herself with paintings, portraits,
and pictures and held them close to her heart. She was full of compassionate for strays, be it people or animals.
She was a devoted member of St. Assisi Catholic Church in Brookhaven.
She is survived by sons, Raymond Fonseca, Jr. (Georgine), and Stephen Fonseca (Connie),
grandmother of Mark Fonseca (Ingrid), Michael Fonseca, Matthew Fonseca (Kristen) ,
Monica Breaux, (Kerry), Bart Fonseca, Carol Rasmussen (Nick) , Megan Fonseca Wallace,
great grandchildren, Victoria Kimball (Jason), Michell Harris (Mark), Joel Fonseca,
Saidee Fonseca, Evan Dempster, Matthew Fonseca (Allie), Gabriel Fonseca (Courtney), Dylan Lewis,
Halie Page, Alyssa Fonseca, Zachary Breaux, Laken Breaux, Joseph Wallace, Aurora Pearl Wallace and
Abby Grace Rasmussen great, great grandchildren, Ayden Kimball, Avah Kimball, Lorelai Kimball,
Sebastian Kimball, and Rye Fonseca. She will be remembered and greatly missed by all.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Joseph Sktechler and Mathilde Hargis Sketchler,
husband, Raymond Fonseca Sr., brother, Charles Sketchler, sisters, Emily Ballay, Yvonne Foucha,
Leila Forrest, Isabell Bulot and Marie Babineaux.
Wesley Fredrick Kent
Graveside service for Mr. Wesley Fredrick Kent will be 11 a.m., Friday, March 26, 2021, at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Rev. Greg Warnock will officiate.
Mr. Kent, 94, of Brookhaven, slipped into the arms of Jesus March 24, 2021. He was born in Bude, MS January 30, 1927
to his parents, Hubert Leroy Kent and Mollie Ann Sullivan Kent. He served his country in the United States Navy,
a part of that “greatest generation”, during WWII. He was a graduate of MSU and USM, as well as attended
Copiah Lincoln Community College and Southwest Community College. Mr. Kent was the owner of Kent Realty
after retiring as the District Director of MS Farmers Home Association and he served on the Board of
The Natural Conservation Service (NRCS) for many years. He was also a longtime volunteer with the
Salvation Army, not only serving as a “bell ringer” but also coordinating other volunteers during the Christmas season.
Mr. Kent exemplified integrity and faithfulness, serving God, family and country. He was a Life Deacon at
First Baptist Church Brookhaven where he also taught Sunday School and he was a member of Brookhaven Exchange Club.
Mr. Kent enjoyed gardening, hunting, tree farming and just spending quality time with his family. He will be greatly
missed by his wife of 67 years as well as all his family and friends.
Mr. Kent was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Edwena Kent Price and Juanita Kent Wallace; and brothers,
Wayne Kent and Barnett Kent.
He is survived by his precious wife, Ida Louise King Kent; son, Wesley Allen Kent and wife, Wanda; daughter,
Pamela Louise Kent Matthews and husband, Greg; brother, Kenneth Allen Kent; two grandchildren, Colby Allen Kent and wife,
Erica and Mollie Ann Matthews. He is also survived by his extended family and friends.
The family requests that you take precautions for the visitation and practice social distancing.
Helen Suzanne Allen Rester
Funeral services for Helen Suzanne Allen Rester will be Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at 1 p.m. at
Macedonia Baptist Church. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 24, from 12 p.m.-1 p.m. at
Macedonia Baptist Church with burial at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Rester, 55, was born March 11, 1966, in Memphis, TN, to William Clinton and Peggy Sue Allen.
She went to be with her Lord on March 19, 2021, at her residence.
She is preceded in death by her son, Hunter Brooks Rester.
She was a former dispatcher of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Lincoln County, Madison County
and Franklin County Sheriff’s Departments. She was also a member of Macedonia Baptist Church.
She is survived by her parents; son, William Casey Rester and wife, Mackenzie Marie Rester; brother,
William Bradley Allen; four grandchildren, Ember Marie Rester, Michaella Marie Rester,
Hermione Grace Brooks Rester, and Luna Belle Rester.
