Obituaries
Martha Jo Walker
Services for Mrs. Martha Jo Walker of Brookhaven are 11:00 am, Monday, September 12, 2022, at Riverwood Family with visitation from 9:00 am until time of the service. Interment at Fair River Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Martha Jo Walker, 79, passed away September 7, 2022, at her residence.
She was born on December 16, 1942, in Pensacola, FL.
Martha Jo was a longtime member of Fair River Baptist Church. She loved being a part of the annual Baptist Children’s Village Christmas event, Christmas was her favorite time of the year. Spending time with her family is what she cherished the most. She loved to laugh, had a beautiful smile and you could always find her and Allie (her dog), who she loved more than anyone, watching Hallmark together and of course eating a sweet treat or two. She also loved fishing with her beloved husband.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Earl and Nettie Thomas; husband, Thomas Walker; son, Vince Walker; and brother and wife, Ray and Darlene Thomas.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Chris and Kim Walker; George and Tonya Walker; and daughter, Lynn and Ronnie Watson; her brother, Billy and Debra Thomas; she is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Michael and Elizabeth Walker, Ashley Fly, Zach and Kelsey Watson, Katie and Scott Harrison, Graham and Emily Watson, Kristen Walker, Tyler and Becca Wilcoxson, Dalton and Karlee Wilcoxson, Arizona and Zach Phillips, and Robin and Garrett Greer and 10 great grandchildren, Mikayla Walker, Maddie Walker, Walker Fly, Parker Watson, Mila Watson, Max Watson, Louis Harrison, Gabbi Storey, Willa Cate Greer and Baylor Phillips. She will be missed by all that loved her.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fair River Baptist Church.
Sybil S. Smith
Graveside service for Mrs. Sybil S. Smith will be 2 p.m., Saturday, September 10, in the Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery in Copiah County, MS. Visitation is from Noon until 1 p.m. at Riverwood Family.
Mrs. Smith, 98, of Farmersville, TX, passed from this life September 3, 2022. She was born in McFerrin, AR, October 5, 1923, to Virgil Lee Stevens and Mollie Bayes Stevens. She was a graduate of Copiah Lincoln Community College and worked as Executive Secretary for Hydrometals Inc. before returning to Mississippi and working at Copiah Lincoln Community College until retiring.
She is preceded in death by her husband, J. Leon Smith, Jr.; sisters, Sue Smith and husband, Harold F. Smith Sr., and Patricia Lollar Maraman and husband, Cliff Lollar.
She is survived by her daughter, Patti Benton; three grandchildren, Stevie Benton and wife, Sara, Matt Benton and wife, Mindy, and Billie Benton; three great grandchildren, Sebastian Taylor Benton, Sophia Benton, and Skyler Benton. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Jean Sullivan; nieces, Sheri Baker, Gina McCray and husband, Rodney, Vicki Gooch and Teresa Moyer; nephews, Harold Smith and wife, Joy, Robert Smith, and Chip Lollar and wife, Cindy; great nephews, Jay Hollier, Chris Smith, and Jason Smith; great nieces, Brittney Hittle, Chelsea McCray, Macey Franklin, and Tabitha McCray, as well as other loving family members and friends.
JoAnn Moak Rials
Funeral service for JoAnn Moak Rials will be 11 a.m., Friday, September 9, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Bethel Temple Cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Thursday, September 8, at Riverwood and will resume Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. Rials, 72, of Brookhaven, passed from this life September 5, 2022, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. She was born in Brookhaven, December 3, 1949, to Andy Moak and Laura Jane Sykes Moak.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a compassionate woman and truly enjoyed making sure all were fed. She worked at Enterprise Attendance Center in the Food Service. She was an anchor for her family and will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
Mrs. Rials is preceded in death by her husband, Billy Joe Rials; her parents; sister, Alberta Douglas; brothers, Buddy Moak, Paul Moak, David Moak, and Glenn Moak; daughter-in-law, Rhonda Rials; and son-in-law, Bobby Caraway.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Missy Carraway, Johnny Rials, and Sandra Rials (Raymond); sisters, Clara Reid, Neomia Boyte, and Cathy Martin; seven grandchildren, Britney Rials (Wayne), Magean Saucier (Tyler), Jake Rials (Abby), Andy Florey, Madison Rials Thurman (Jacob), Zack Florey (Katelyn), and Sawyer Rials; seven great grandchildren, Conor Murphy, Lawson Eberhart, Raelynn Saucier, Adalynn Eberhart, Ty Saucier, Lyla Florey, and Aaron Florey. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Bonnie Boyte, brother-in-law, Nick Rials (Diane) and other loving family members and friends.
Sally Denman Johnson
Sally Denman Johnson, a long-time Magnolia, Mississippi resident who was loved by her family and friends, died on August 25, 2022, shortly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Sally’s funeral will take place at The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Magnolia, Mississippi, on Saturday, September 10th at 2:00 PM. There will be a visitation ahead of the service beginning at 1:00 PM.
Sally was born on September 27th, 1934, in McComb, Mississippi, to Dorothy Stanton Denman and William T Denman Jr. Growing up in Fernwood and then McComb she loved music, dancing, theater, and reading. Even at a young age she spent hours immersed in books and her imagination. With the exception of teaching swimming at the Fernwood Country Club as a teenager, Sally was significantly lacking in athletic prowess, but what she lacked in athleticism was more than made up for with a bright mind and a quick sense of humor.
After graduating McComb High School, Sally attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas where she met her future husband John W Johnson.
Sally and John wed in 1955 at the Episcopal Church of the Mediator in McComb and moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where their daughters were born. However, the cold winters made their return southward a welcome one.
Sally, John, and the girls moved to Alabama where Sally would go on to earn a master’s degree from the University of South Alabama. Throughout their years in Mobile, Sally was an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church and taught at “The Episcopal School” (St. Luke’s) and St. Paul’s School. Many of Sally’s longest and dearest friendships were formed during her time in Mobile, as was her love of gardening, and the ability to throw an impromptu party.
When they moved from Mobile to Mississippi Sally taught from 1984 - 1993 at McComb High School (the school from which she had graduated). She was an excellent English teacher, respected by her peers and infamous among her students for being unable to complete the reading of certain poems without choking up. In retirement she was often asked to participate in literature readings for the Pike County Arts Council.
Sally was a devoted Episcopalian her entire life. She loved the liturgy, hymns, and traditions of the church. For the remainder of her life, Sally was a dedicated member of The Episcopal Parish of the Mediator-Redeemer. She was a member of the choir and served on the vestry and altar guild. Sally was an avid and omnivorous reader and a perpetual learner. For decades she and John attended the Sewanee Summer Seminar in Sewanee, Tennessee at the University of the South. It was a highlight of their year.
A former member of the Flower Lovers Club and the Magnolia Beautification Project, Sally delighted in gardening and the natural world. She knew the names of a myriad of plants, common and Latin.
She also loved to travel, especially with her daughters and granddaughters. Sally preferred to abdicate all responsibilities of navigation or driving. On at least one occasion, this included allowing youthful drivers the opportunity to hone their skills on small mountain roads while she immersed herself in a book in the back seat.
Sally had a gift for enjoying life. She was largely unburdened by the smaller details of life (i.e., expiration dates on food, passports, passwords) but delighted in experiences both grand and mundane. She could wax eloquent over handmade Belgian truffles and still savor her stash of Little Debbie Zebra Cakes. She could be moved by a Shakespeare sonnet and tickled with a bawdy limerick.
She was a mentor to many. She could be counted on to recommend a good book, share a recipe, and listen to your troubles, providing apt insights. Sally was a source of wisdom and wit. Many influenced her spiritual and intellectual life including her mother, Al-Anon, C.S. Lewis, Richard Rohr, and Ken Wilber to name a few. These influences led to an interest in mystical and contemplative thought and eventually to her helping form a centering prayer group at the Parish of Mediator-Redeemer.
Despite being a stickler for proper grammar and a timely thank you note, Sally was non-judgmental and accepted all ideas, people, and cheap wine. Her genuine interest in others and warmth drew many to her. Over the last decade, a group formed around Sally and her family. The group would meet weekly for “Friday Night Wine Time.” Friday nights at Sally's were a safe space for low class wine and high class conversation. She cherished her Friday nights, and all those around her were fortunate to share her infectious laugh and irreverent wit, and to witness her last lesson: how to live well and how to die well.
Preceding her in death were her parents and husband. Surviving to argue over the details of the family stories, throw out random lines of poetry, correct grammar, and putter in a garden are her three daughters, Melissa Johnson, Joanna Mason (Chip), Elizabeth Woodall (Bennie) and her brother, William T. “Rusty” Denman, III.
She is also survived by six granddaughters, Margaret Long Gutermuth (Randy); Laura Long Moore (Jeremy); Lucy Mason; Sarah Mason Howorth (Alban); Ruth Woodall Zarzaur (Gregory); Kate Woodall Gibbs (Jordan); and seven great-grandchildren: Georgia Gutermuth; Josie Moore; Liza, Jude, and Evie Zarzaur; and Nora and Jonah Gibbs.
The family wants to express our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Luke Lampton for his care, friendship, and compassion. Sally thought the world of him and treasured his wisdom, humor, and intelligence. It is not often that you can discuss literature during your checkup. We also want to thank Magnolia Clinic, Beacham Memorial Hospital, and Compassus Hospice Care for their kindness and help to all of us in her final days.
In lieu of flowers, open your mind, heart, and a good book. Any charitable donations can be made to The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer or the charity of your choice.
“…Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
- “The Summer Day,” by Mary Oliver
Horace Edwin Golmon
Funeral service for Mr. Horace Edwin Golmon will be 10 a.m., Friday, September 2, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, September 1, at Riverwood.
Mr. Golmon, 80, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life August 30, at his residence. He was born June 21, 1942, to Davis Horace Golmon and Clara Virginia Allen Golmon.
Well known to many in Lincoln County as the “AC Man”, Horace was a long-time employee of Ratliff Sheet Metal before operating his own business, Golmon Heating and Cooling. He enjoyed spending time with friends, and family, and collecting all things antique, especially antique tools. Mr. Golmon was a member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church and a friend to everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty C. Golmon; his parents; and one sister-in-law, Ellen C. Martin.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his daughter, Georgia L. Golmon; brothers, Thomas Golmon and wife, Sue, Kenneth Golmon and wife, Nina; and sister, Sandra Smith and husband, Ronald. He is also survived by brother-in-law, Bobby Martin; sister-in-law, Nancy Buckels and husband, Willie; nephews, Jimmy Martin, Buck Martin, Josh Buckels, David Golmon, Jason Golmon; and nieces, Dehna Maxie and Jessica Langley, as well as other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, you may send memorials to Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, or to a charity of your choice.
Rita Rutland
Funeral service for Rita Fay Rutland will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, August 23, at Calvary United Pentecostal Church, with burial in the Rutland Family Cemetery. Visitation is from noon until the time of service.
Mrs. Rutland, 62, of Ruth, passed from this life August 20, 2022. She was born in Tylertown, MS, July 21, 1960, to Hollis Pate Lambert and Alma Adams Lambert Greer. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed embroidery and traveling, but her favorite way to spend time was with her family. She was a member of Calvary United Pentecostal Church.
Mrs. Rutland is preceded in death by her husband, John Patrick “Pat” Rutland; daughter, Melody Nicole Travis; grandson, Austin Allen Travis; parents; Hollis and Alma Lambert; and brother, Henry Pate Lambert.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Devin Rutland and Kevin Rutland; daughter, Tiffany Rushing (Jesse); sisters, Sandra Rutland (Braxton), Robyn Polk (Allen); 11 grandchildren, Nikki Martin (Cody), Alana Howard (Jeff), Dustin Travis; Danielle Buckley (Lucas), Hunter Callendar (Macie), Hannah Rayborn (Cody), Harley Rutland, Patrick Rutland, Hollis Rutland, Hazlee Rutland, Piper Rutland; five great grandchildren, and other loving family members, Phillip, Mary, Macie, and Marlee Moore and Ellis Howell.
Joyce Elaine James
Funeral service for Mrs. Joyce Elaine James will be 2 p.m., Friday, September 2, 2022, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Easthaven Cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Thursday, September 1, at Riverwood and will resume on Friday from 1 p.m. until the time of service.
Mrs. James, 81, of Brookhaven, passed from this life August 29, 2022, at her residence. She was born in Lincoln County February 11, 1941, to James Melton Johnson and Eva Ernestine Johnson.
She was a wonderful example of the Proverbs 31 Woman, “She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” Proverbs 31:27. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved the Lord and enjoyed being busy in activities with her faith family. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Tommy James; son, Darrell James; her parents; grandparents, Allen Walter and Etta Jane Martin Boyte, Edward and Evie Hemphill Johnson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Brooks and Stella James; and sister, Lydia Faye Rowells.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her daughters, Darlene Patterson and husband, Michael, Dana Wilkinson and husband, Jackie Jr.; brother, Don Johnson and wife, Ann; sister, Norma Griffith; five grandchildren, Chad Sanford (Colette), April Rippy (Dustin), Chasity Bourn (Blake), Kayla Wilkinson, Kolby Wilkinson; and seven great grandchildren, Taylor Cosper (Elton), Piker Ratliff, Maggie Sanford, Abby Rippy, Caleigh Bourn, Celsey Bourn, Jacob Sanford, Karly Jo Rippy, Seth Rippy; also, two sisters-in-law, Ann Russell and Nancy James. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Lenox Earl “Lynn” Wactor
Services for Mr. Lenox Earl “Lynn” Wactor of Meadville are 11:00 am, Saturday, August 27, 2022, at Elmo Baptist Church with visitation from 5:00-8:00 pm on Friday August 26 at the church and will resume from 9:00 am until the time of service on Saturday.
Burial will be at Midway Cemetery in Meadville.
Mr. Lenox Earl “Lynn” Wactor, 73, passed away August 23, 2022, at Franklin County Memorial Hospital.
He was born October 9, 1948, to the late Ray Earl Wactor and Catherine Myers Wactor.
Mr. Wactor was a member of Elmo Baptist Church.
He worked for Franklin County Solid Waste as an Enforcement Officer.
His hobbies were raising cattle, riding horses, deer hunting and attending livestock auctions.
Preceding him in death were his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 46 years, Debra Goodson Wactor; daughter, Ashley Yelverton and husband, Lee and two grandchildren, Austin Cupit, Adriana Yelverton, (Kody Moak), and great grandson, Stetson Moak.
He will be dearly missed by all that loved him.
Infant Saylor Mae Hall
Private Graveside will be held at Riverwood Memorial Park.
Saylor Mae Hall will be cherished and forever held close in our hearts. She leaves behind her parents, Bobby and Emily Warren Hall;
one sister, Avery Ann Hall; and two brothers, Garrison Hall and Finn Hall; and her grandparents, JoAnn Hall, Virginia Warren, and Calvin Warren.
Truly “there is no footprint too small that it does not leave an imprint on our hearts.”
Betty McMullen Harrington
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 17, at 11:00 am with visitation from 10:00 am until the time of service.
Ms. Betty McMullen Harrington, 81, of Brookhaven, MS passed away peacefully on August 18, 2022, after several years of struggling with symptoms from dementia.
Betty Marie McMullen was born on April 25, 1941, in Brookhaven and lived much of her life here. Her family settled into a comfortable home in Brookhaven at the start of the 1940’s and the family kept the beloved home for nearly eighty years. Betty is now the last of the McMullen family to have recently lived in Brookhaven.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Carolyn Jeannette Jackson McMullen, William Lucas McMullen, and Ann Allred McMullen; her husband, James P. Harrington, Jr., her daughter, Rebekah Harrigill Barrett; her brother; Bobby G. Allred; and her great-nephew, Beauregard Jackson “Beau” Branyan. Survivors include her grandson, Cody Bruce Barrett, Jr.; her siblings, Claudia McMullen Burnett, Sylvia Allred Adamson, William L. McMullen, Jr., and G. Wayne Allred and his wife, Sylvia Smith Allred; and sixteen nieces and nephews; sixteen great-nieces and great-nephews; and eight great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
After graduating from Brookhaven High School, Betty attended Agnes Scott College and graduated from Millsaps College. She soon got married and moved with her spouse several times before settling in Jackson, MS, where her daughter, Rebekah, was born in 1970. She began a very accomplished career with South Central Bell and AT&T, after having helped to plan their merger.
Most of Betty’s professional career was spent advancing through progressively more responsible positions at South Central Bell and AT&T until reaching a position of Group Manager over hundreds of staff. She was responsible for developing and executing business and personal policies. But her heart most enjoyed the staff training, mentoring, and coaching activities that were parts of her responsibilities. She won numerous recognitions and awards for individual performance and excellence, as well as a Boss of the Year commendation. She concluded a very accomplished professional life when she retired to Brookhaven.
Upon arriving in Brookhaven, she was featured in the local paper’s “Know Your Neighbor” section. Its question-and-answer format revealed some aspects of Betty's true self. For her favorite sports team, she listed SEC football teams – not one team, but all of them were her favorite. For her favorite food, she answered boiled peanuts. For favorite music, gospel. If she had a million dollars, she’d use it to support the Lord’s ministries. For favorite hobbies, she listed computer graphics design and layout. This last favorite would allow her computer skills to be applied later in many of the ministries in which she was involved. Also, she used these skills to prepare many different family gifts of booklets, newsletters, etc.
Betty shared a full life with her daughter, family, and in various community activities after returning to Brookhaven. She felt in her soul the need to return to Brookhaven to allow more devotion to her daughter, Rebekah, and to help her nurture Cody with a loving and understanding ministry. For many alternating years, she would host a festive and lively family Thanksgiving gatherings, for her ever-growing extended family at her home in Brookhaven. Boiled peanuts, usually provided by Uncle Bobby, were eaten by members of the family before, during, and after the traditional Thanksgiving meal. The peanuts also went quite well with the Thanksgiving Day football games.
With retirement, she used her talents to engage in many volunteer activities, which generally were aligned with manifestations of her devout faith. While working with Truelight Ministries in Georgia, she developed and delivered a biblically-based curriculum on “Personal and Professional Growth Seminar” to nurture individuals in identifying and realizing their lifetime goals and objectives.
Betty’s professional experiences came in handy when she volunteered to become the parliamentarian of the Willing Hearts Circle. These volunteers assisted the Brookhaven King’s Daughters Hospital patients, staff, and community in a multitude of small-and-large ways, as well as to spiritually ministering among themselves.
Betty was a founding Board Member of About the Master's Business Ministry and volunteered at The Yard Sale Place for many years to help support those in need. She was actively involved and instrumental in organizing city-wide prayer groups, including the Brookhaven Prayer Partnership. This group offered prayers for families, churches, governments, education, and other community institutions and individuals.
Betty prepared a Bible study course titled “Unique by Design” to help individuals with self-reflection and knowledge for better contributing to the Lord’s mission. It offered helpful guidance to individuals who might be trying to understand their place on earth. She used these same lessons herself to help coordinate her own life and spiritual ministries. Coordination was also a theme in Betty’s attention to her attire. During the recent pandemic quarantines, even though she could go nowhere other than the assisted living facility, Betty continued to exhibit a sense of style by taking care with her appearance – no one was as coordinated as Betty with her clothes, accessories, and makeup.
Betty was enthusiastic about her involvement with Mission Mississippi of Brookhaven, where she could use her natural talents and learned skills to support a worthy cause and ministry. She worked with many other of her friends who were similarly inspired by the vision of the group, which was to work for unity among races and churches to increase the Gospel message throughout Mississippi in better understanding the message of Christ.
Betty was a longtime member of the Southway Baptist Church in Brookhaven, which she loved for how it worshipped and praised the Lord. She even moved to a house just across the street from its location so that she could more easily participate in its every function. She saw this as another way of coordinating her life and spiritual ministries. Betty was also a regular at the non‑denominational meetings of the Tuesday Morning Bible Study group at the Methodist Church.
As the disease that crippled Betty’s ability to communicate grew more disruptive in her life, she began to understand that she was slowly losing her own capabilities to do the things that she had always loved to do for the Lord’s purposes. She was living with the knowledge of what was happening to her. She had been so generous, accomplished, and caring with her time, energy, and talents. She had frustrations with these circumstances of her disease and prayed intensely about it. Many of her friends from different parts of her life who knew her before her disease gave her understanding with the knowledge of what Betty had been in her past, and they helped her as they could in her present. Her doctors extended extra effort in her care; banking staff provided her extra considerate and patience; caretakers attempted to fulfill her every need, even singing soothing gospels to help her feel at peace; her friends extended compassion and companionship, while not knowing if she knew who they were or what they did for her; and her family pitched in to make her as comfortable as possible.
Betty will be greatly missed but we have the assurance that she is at peace in the presence of her Precious Savior Jesus and that we will join with her again one day.
If you would like to honor Betty’s life, please consider donating to one of the charities included in the above remembrance, or give to one of your own choices, in her name.
The family thanks you for your prayers and thoughts and your important friendship and companionship to Betty. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers.
