Obituaries
Dorothy Mae Knight
The funeral service for Dorothy Mae Knight will be 11 a.m., Thursday, September 28, at Holly Springs Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mrs. Knight, 84, of Brookhaven, MS, passed away September 25, 2023, at Haven Hall Nursing Home. She was born in Anguilla, MS, September 9, 1939, to Raliegh Mann Hudnall and Easter Chandler Hudnall. Mrs. Knight loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also took great care of all the family. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, James Knight; brothers, Bobby Hudnall, James Hudnall, and Billy Hudnall; and one grandson, Dustin Parks.
She is survived by her children, Deborah Girod (James), Donna Hutchinson (Eddie), James Knight (Tammy), and Dianne Lawhorn; sister, Betty Monnin; eight grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and a host of other loving family members and friends.
William Thomas "Billy" Buford
The funeral service for William Thomas "Billy" Buford will be Noon Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Riverwood Family with interment in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Buford, 83, of Brookhaven, died September 25, 2023, at his residence. He was born in Lexington, MS, August 15, 1940. He worked as a Financial Advisor with IDS/American Express Financial Services.
Billy was a fine Christian man, well respected by the community, loved God, loved his family, and loved his church. He was a graduate of Mississippi State University. He served on MS State Board of the Department of Mental Health 15 years, life deacon at First Baptist Church, Brookhaven, Charter Member of American Express Presidents Advisory Council, member of American Express Hall of Fame, over 30-year member of Brookhaven Noon Lions Club, past president Brookhaven Woodworking Club, Mississippi Forestry Association member. He was an avid hunter, tree farmer, enjoyed wood working, fishing and traveling. His greatest joy was his family, two children, three grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital, 2500 N State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, or First Baptist Church Brookhaven, Building Fund, 200 E Monticello St Brookhaven, MS 39601.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years and 18 days, Betty Jo Buford; his parents, Thomas Owen & Irnie Mae Buford; brother, Tommy Buford, sister-in-law, Janie Buford; and sister-in-laws, Hester Pitts, and Carolyn Johnson.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Rachel Britt and Hubert Buford (Darla); brothers, Guy Buford (Paula) and Lauch Buford; three grandchildren, Courtney Holder (Josh), Hunter Love (Jacob), Cameron Buford; and four great grandchildren, Brooklyn Holder, Lane Holder, Emma Love, and Ava Love. He is also survived by long time family friend, Delois McClelland and his beloved dog, Molly.
Bertha Alyeen Smith Callender
Bertha “Alyeen” Smith Callender went home peacefully, following a lengthy illness, on September 22, 2023
She was born in Lincoln County Mississippi on November 16, 1929, to Leon Smith and Bertha Norton Smith.
She was a loving wife, mother, and “Mawmaw” to many. She was a member of Stuart Heights Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of nearly fifty years, Robert Monroe Callender, her sisters Univa Smith, Hollice Douglas; her brothers, Clarence, Robert Edward “R.E.,” Vernon, Woodrow, Rudolph, and Elva Smith.
She is survived by her sister Pauline Burns of Bogue Chitto, MS; daughter Patricia Callender Olcsvary and her husband Duane, granddaughters Amanda Olcsvary Bentley and her husband Ray, Monica Olcsvary Davenport and her husband Jonathan; five great granddaughters Alexia and Autumn Reagan, Krysalee Olcsvary, and Scarlett and Elizabeth “Ellie” Bentley; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements to be made shortly.
Linda Gale Williams
Linda Gale Williams, 65, of Monticello, MS, died September 21, 2023. She was born in Monticello March 16, 1958, to Julian Roy Calcote and Agnes Marie Smith Calcote. She was a cook at Penn’s Restaurant.
Linda liked cooking and gardening.
She is preceded in death by her husband, John “Johnny” Williams; her parents; and her brother, Johnny Boyd.
She is survived by her children, Julie Sivils and Brandon Sivils and two grandchildren, Trevor Malone and Auna Sivils.
A Memorial service will be held at a later date.
Chester King Burnham, Jr.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, for Mr. Chester King Burnham, 93, of Brookhaven, Miss. He died Sept. 19 at The Orchard Retirement Home in Ridgeland.
Mr. Burnham was born and raised in Jackson, where his parents operated auto parts supply businesses on South State Street and Hwy. 49 North. He was a graduate of Central High School, Class of 1948, and the University of Mississippi where he also served in the ROTC during the Korean War. After college he worked for Dumas Milner at automobile dealerships in New Orleans before purchasing the Ulmer Chevrolet dealership in Brookhaven in 1955. He later acquired the local Oldsmobile dealership and operated the combined Chevrolet-Oldsmobile dealership in Brookhaven until 1969 when he leased the dealership to James Magee. Shortly afterward he returned home to Jackson and operated a Kenworth Truck dealership for several years. In recent years he divided his time between Jackson and Brookhaven. He was a faithful supporter of all athletic programs at the University of Mississippi.
Mr. Burnham is preceded in death by his parents, Chester King Burnham and Freda Johnson Burnham Laughlin, and his stepfather, John A. Laughlin.
The noon memorial service and visitation (11 a.m. until time of service) will be held at Riverwood Family Funeral Service in Brookhaven. Visitation and burial will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson at 3 p.m.
Marilyn Abadie
Our precious mother, Marilyn Abadie, passed away on September 16, 2023, after a courageous battle of lung and bone cancer. Marilyn was born in New Orleans, LA on July 12, 1948, and graduated from Dominican High School.
Marilyn devoted her life to her two children Jason Cook and Nicol Jameson.
As a mother she was generous and kind with a loving heart.
Marilyn loved being called, "Grammy," by her grandchildren, Caitlyn Wash, Dylan Smith Jameson and Anthony Cook.
She is survived by one sister, Sandra Libby.
Marilyn was a real estate agent in McComb Mississippi where she had lived for 15yrs. Her true love was spending time with family and caring for her dog and cats.
Marilyn will be greatly missed, and I know that the angels have welcomed her home - The Blessing Already Are -
Her services will be announced as a celebration of life to family and loved ones in the upcoming months.
Donna Mashell Etheridge
Donna Mashell Etheridge, 49, died September 17, 2023, at her residence in Brookhaven, MS. She was born in Houston, TX, November 23, 1973, to Donald James Cook and Dawauna “Dee” Harris. She was employed with the Mississippi Department of Health.
Mrs. Etheridge is survived by her husband of 22 years, Scott Etheridge; children, Colton Etheridge, Cylie Etheridge, and R.J. Smith (Christina); sister, Heather Brown; six grandchildren, Colin Ludeau, Adalyn Ludeau, Kasin Smith, Gage Smith, Ansley Ludeau, and Lyric Ludeau; uncle and aunt, James and Janette Huff as well as other loving family members and friends.
No services are scheduled at this time.
Jerry Ralph Smith
Funeral service for Jerry Ralph Smith will be 11:00 am, Tuesday, September 19, at First United Methodist Church with visitation from 10:00 until the time of service. Burial at Rosehill Cemetery.
Jerry, 82, of Brookhaven, MS, passed away September 13, 2023, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. He was born in Brookhaven, January 31, 1941, to Clemmie Adcock Smith and Velma Beatrice Beck Smith.
Mr. Smith graduated from Brookhaven High School in 1959 and the University of Southern Mississippi, with a degree in math. He is retired from Packard Electric/Delphi. He was a member of First United Methodist Church where he enjoyed volunteering for the ministry of Blessings in a Backpack and delivering Thanksgiving meals. Jerry enjoyed being a member of and working with the Gideon and DeMolay organizations. He received the General Motors Award for Excellence in Community Activities. He was also an avid fisherman and member of the Lincoln County BASS Association. Jerry was gifted at and passionate about woodworking. His greatest treasure was his family and spending time with them.
Mr. Smith is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Betty Boyte, Linda Pippin and brother-in-law, Richard Pippin; brother, Maurice Smith and sister-in-law, Maxie Smith; his father-in-law, Jack Piper, Sr; mother-in-law, Mildred Price; brother-in-law, Jack Piper, Jr. and sister-in-law, Shirley Piper.
Cherishing his memory are his wife of 60 years, Kathleen Piper Smith; children, Laura Smith Hill (Alton) and Stacia Smith Owen; sisters, Andy Smith Wright (Charles), Shelia Smith Ard, Gale Smith Fisher (Paul); sister-law, Lucinda Smith, four grandchildren, Piper and Jackson Hill, Bishop and Harper Owen and many nieces, nephews and family members.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church for Blessings in a Backpack or the card ministry, PO box 358, Brookhaven, MS 39601.
Jereline Bailey Smith
Services for Mrs. Jereline Bailey Smith of Brookhaven are Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 10:00 am at Riverwood Family with burial at New Salem Church of Christ Cemetery.
Visitation from 5:00-8:00 pm on Monday, September 18, at Riverwood.
Mrs. Jereline Bailey Smith, 88, passed away September 16, 2023. She was born May 25, 1935, to the late Earnest Bailey and Ruby Lee Hayes Bailey.
Mrs. Smith was a devoted mother, sister, and grandmother. She will be dearly missed by all that loved her.
Preceding her in death were her parents; spouse, Charlie Lee Smith; grandson, Jeremy Smith; and sisters, Ernestine Smith and Betty Jo Norton.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Charlie Lee Smith, Buddy Smith and Steve Smith; sister, Alvie Smith; four grandchildren, LaDonna Carollo, Kirk Smith, Ashley Smith, and Shay Smith; along with four great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.
