Obituaries
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.
Carol Gay Allen Cobb
The funeral service for Carol Gay Allen Cobb will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, September 12, at Macedonia Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Monday, September 11, at Riverwood Family and will resume Tuesday from 10 until the time of the service at Macedonia.
Mrs. Cobb, 84, of Brookhaven, passed from this life and into her everlasting life with Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior, Thursday, September 7, 2023. She was born in Brookhaven April 22, 1939, to Amel and Lizzie (Allgood) Allen. A beautiful lady with a kind and gentle heart, Mrs. Cobb loved her husband, Carlton, with whom she has been reunited, and has experienced the peace and healing she prayed to have for so long. Although we are heartbroken, we are assured of her destination and will greatly miss her presence.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Carlton Cobb; her parents; brother, Earl Allen and niece, Sandra Stewart.
She is survived by her sister, Judy Ashley and one niece, Cindy A. Smith; one nephew, Scott Ashley; as well as other loving family members, friends, her caregivers and her faith family at Macedonia Baptist Church, where she was a longstanding member.
Joan Smith Anding
The funeral service for Joan Smith Anding will be 11 a.m., Saturday, September 9, at New Prospect Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. Saturday until the time of the service.
Mrs. Anding was born in Brookhaven April 19, 1935, to Dewey V. Smith and Lois Laird Smith. She was a resident of Brookhaven for 88 years until the time she was called away to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, September 7, 2023. Mrs. Anding was a faithful and loving wife to Mr. Hewitt for 72 years, and she was a lovely mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a gracious southern lady and a devoted Christian, serving with her faith family at New Prospect for many years. Her favorite hobby was working with ceramics. Mrs. Joan will be greatly missed by those who loved her, and she will leave a legacy of faith and integrity to all those who come behind her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Evelyn Smith; and brothers, Earl Smith and Dub Smith.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, James Hewitt Anding; children, Cathey Smith (Ronnie) and Dale Anding (Vivian); four grandchildren, Ryan Smith (Lacey), Ashley O’Quinn (Bill), Cassie Veazey (Steve), Allyson Hamilton (Chris); ten great grandchildren, Tess Holley, Coy Fontenot, Parker Holley, Jackson Smith, Caleb Fontenot, Jase Smith, Emry Hamilton, Raylan Hamilton, Waylon Veazey, and Calvin Veazey. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Lynn S. Richardson
The family of Homer Lee Richardson, Jr. and Lynn S. Richardson would like to invite friends and family to a celebration of life service to be held 11 a.m., Tuesday, October 10, at 1545 Friendship Lane NW, Brookhaven, MS. Following the service there will be a memorial gathering at Friendship Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.
Effie B. Higginbotham
Effie Benita (Leviner) Higginbotham was born in Bennettsville, South Carolina on November 18, 1935, to the late Troy L. Leviner and Beulah Horne Leviner. The legacy she created influenced many people during her 87 years on earth and gained her the reputation of being “an angel sent from heaven.”
Throughout her life, Mrs. Effie always left an impression on any and every one that she met. Whether it was through her job as secretary in the Lincoln County School District, her role as a preacher’s wife, or simply as a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Mrs. Effie made sure that those around her experienced selfless love. She treated everyone as a close family member, and if that was not enough, her homemade biscuits made her quite popular within her community. She, along with her husband, Rev. Floyd Higginbotham, served others with unwavering faith and love, and those qualities are what made her life a legacy to remember.
She is preceded in death by her parents, grandson Timothy Johnsey; sisters Mary White and Odessa Son; and brother, Edward “Butch” Liles.
Those who are left to cherish her memory are her husband of 69 years, Floyd Higginbotham; children, Sam Higginbotham (Shirley), Tim Higginbotham (Wanda), Benita Johnsey(Tommy), and Beth Wicker; sister, Vernie Elliot; 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. She also leaves a host of other loving family members and the many friendships created throughout her ministry.
Friends and family are invited to attend visitation at Riverwood Family Funeral Services in Brookhaven, MS, on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. Her celebration of life will be Thursday, September 7, 2023, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m., with her burial at the church cemetery afterwards.
Carrie Lee "Snookie" Winborne
A Memorial Services for Carrie Lee "Snookie" Winborne are 2:00 pm, Thursday, September 7, 2023, at Riverwood Family.
Snookie, 67, passed from this life after a lengthy battle with cancer, at her home surrounded by family on September 2, 2023.
She was born May 3,1956 in Minot, North Dakota, but lived most of her life in Bogue Chitto, MS. Her parents were Marjorie Beeson Lemery and Harold Ray Beeson.
Snookie was an exceptional homemaker, a devoted wife, caring friend and a wonderful mother; not only to her own children but also any neighborhood kids that needed somewhere to go or someone to talk to.
She was lovingly known as their momma Snook.
Snookie loved all animals but was particularly fond of German Shepherds. She raised and trained many companions throughout her teenage years and her adult life, until Cancer would no longer allow her to do so. Many knew her because of her beautiful and well-behaved shepherds.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her sister, Robin Simmons; and her granddaughter.
Shyla Carrie Lee.
Those left to cherish her memory are her best friend and loving husband, Mike;
her son Richard Booth and family; her daughters, Hiedi Nevels and family, and Cindy Lee and family. Snookie had seven grandchildren and one great grandson.
She is also survived by her sisters, Lori Thames, Lyn Foster, and Rachel McQuade
and her brother, Billy Beeson. As well as a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends; also, her fur babies, Lizzy, Abby, and Brutus,
She also considered many of her doctors and nurses her family.
Snookie Was given the opportunity to ring The Bell three times and now she is ringing it a fourth time with Jesus.
In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Batson Children's Hospital at UMMC.
Veta Grace Smith Covington
The funeral service for Veta Grace Smith Covington will be 10 a.m., Friday, September 1, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Union Church Cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Thursday, August 31, at Riverwood, and will resume from 9 a.m. Friday until the time of service.
Mrs. Covington died August 28, 2023, at her home in Union Church, she was 86 years of age. She was born in Brookhaven, MS, December 3, 1936, to John Butler Smith, Sr., and Wessie Katherine Smith. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and lived to even see a generation of great grandchildren.
Mrs. Covington was elected “Miss Loyd Star” in 1955. She was a beautiful lady from the inside out, unselfish, and very devoted to her family and friends. She worked with Bell South, Southwest Livestock, and King’s Daughters. Her favorite pastime was gardening, she enjoyed tending to her vegetables and flowers. She also liked fishing, but watching the children and grandchildren play sports was her greatest enjoyment. She was an avid Brookhaven Academy supporter. Mrs. Covington was a member of Union Church Baptist Church and will be greatly missed by her faith family as well as all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Charles Smith, Larry Smith, John B. Smith, Jr. and Carol P. Smith.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, William Henry “Billy” Covington; children, Dwayne Covington (Sharon), Kendall Covington (Jennifer), Cliff Covington (Angela), and Gary Covington (Lisa); brother, Mike Smith; sisters, Valerie Hill and Bonita Sue Bullock; eight grandchildren, Casey Covington, Cody Covington, Steven Covington, Caleb Covington, Anna Grace Covington, Allison Covington, Kensy Covington, and Jessi Covington; and six great grandchildren, Peyton Covington, Madison Covington, Mason Covington, Mitchell Covington, Kendall Covington, and Charlie Covington. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to Brookhaven Academy Building Fund, 943 Brookway Boulevard Ext NW, Brookhaven, MS 39601.
James Gerald Mercier
Obituary Document
The funeral service for James Gerald Mercier will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 30, at Riverwood Family. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, August 29, at Riverwood, and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday.
Mr. Mercier, 77, of Bogue Chitto, died August 27, 2023, at his residence. He was born in Lincoln County November 1, 1945, to Herbert Mercier and Alma Fuller Mercier.
Mr. Mercier was employed in the oil industry, working as a supervisor. He also loved working outdoors, as well as spending time hunting and fishing. His greatest pleasure was found in being with his family, especially his grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Fred Mercier, Howard Mercier Sr., and Lowery Mercier; sister, Dorothy Davis; granddaughter, Erika Townsend; great grandson, Fisher Martin; and brother by heart, Jackie Hanshew.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Gloria Mercier; children, Chellie Hannah (Randy), Christi Cox (Harley), Scott Williams (Caroline), Shawn Mercier (Rhiannon), Chad Townsend (Jennifer), Blake Williams (Candie), and Chancey Williams; 25 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; niece, Patricia Porter and Auston and Mikaylan Easterling, who are more like his own children. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
