Obituaries
Jean Avent Dunn
Graveside Service for Jean Avent Dunn of Brookhaven are 10:30 am, Monday, July 24, 2023, at New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery with visitation at Riverwood from 9:00 until the time of service.
Jean Avent Dunn passed away July 20, 2023. Jean was born September 28, 1931, in Drew, MS, the youngest of three children to John and Ethel Avent.
During treatment for Polio as a child, she developed a love for reading that she carried with her until the end of her life.
She started a career as a lab technician in Brookhaven shortly after finishing high school, working in both hospitals and clinics. She loved being a part of the medical community and remained interested in medicine and healthcare all her life.
Jean married James Gerald Dunn in 1951 and together they had two children and shared 62 years of marriage.
As an oil field wife, Jean moved with her family many times before she and Gerald retired back to Brookhaven, MS. She served as a women’s Sunday School teacher for Central Baptist Church for many years and was an active member of Eastern Star.
She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers, husband James Gerald Dunn and son, Charles Dunn.
She is survived by her daughter, Jerry Dunn Floyd (Allen), of Mendenhall; two granddaughters, Jana Johns (Brad), Allison Winstead (Shey); and four great grandchildren, Josh, Justin, Elyzabeth and Reagan, all of Mendenhall.
She will be missed by all who loved her.
Robert Earl Blaise
The funeral service for Mr. Robert Earl Blaise will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 22 at Johnson Grove Church of Christ with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-7 p.m., Friday, July 21, at Riverwood Family and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at Johnson Grove.
Robert Earl Blaise of Brookhaven, Mississippi, entered into the presence of Jesus on July 17, 2023, at the age of 88 years. He was born October 15, 1934, to Ernest Joseph Blaise and LouVella Stevens Blaise. He lived a long life of integrity devoted to caring for those around him.
Robert Earl graduated from Brookhaven High School, Class of 1953. He attended Copiah-Lincoln Junior College and received his bachelor’s degree from Mississippi Southern College in Hattiesburg. He taught social studies and coached football and basketball in both Mississippi and Florida. Still affectionately known as “Coach” to his students, Robert Earl impacted the lives of many students both in the classroom and on the playing field. He also served his country in the Mississippi National Guard.
Robert Earl loved Jesus with his whole heart and was active in the local church. He was a member at Johnson Grove Church of Christ in Bogue Chitto and, when living in Florida, served as an elder for many years at South 14th Street Church of Christ in Leesburg.
Robert Earl married the love of his life, Opal, on June 3rd, 1958, and they were together for 65 years. They have four children, nine grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. His proudest title was Papa. He was a devoted grandfather and great grandfather, beloved by all.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Ernest Blaise, and three sisters, Elise Kuhn, Birdie Ratcliff, and Betty Strawbridge.
Survivors are his wife, Opal Redd Blaise of Brookhaven, daughter Karen Braden (David) of Brookhaven, sons Bob Blaise (Marva) of The Villages, Florida, Bruce Blaise (Teri) of Starkville, MS, Mike Blaise (Sheryl) of Leesburg, Florida, nine grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Johnson Grove youth group, 669 Auburn Drive SW, Bogue Chitto, MS 39629, or the Berean Children’s Home, 1180 Berea Tr. S.E, Bogue Chitto, MS 39629.
Special thanks to the many caregivers over the past two years.
Hazel Lorene Goforth Dean
The funeral service for Mrs. Hazel Lorene Goforth Dean will be 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 18, at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Ellisville, MS. Visitation is from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the service. A burial service will follow at 3 p.m. in Riverwood Memorial Park in Brookhaven, MS.
Mrs. Dean, 89, of Ellisville, Mississippi, passed into glory to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 16, 2023. She was born in Newton County, Mississippi June 26, 1934, to Daisy and Marvin Goforth.
She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, as well as working in the assembly line at the Potter Company in Wesson, Mississippi for many years. She was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Ellisville, Mississippi, where she made many friends. She was a woman of integrity and was well loved and respected by all who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Erwin Dean; her parents; son, Marcus Joel Dean; and sister, Aylene Conn.
She is survived by her son, Stephen L. Dean; daughter, Debbie Dean White; daughter-in-law, Tania M. Dean; six grandchildren, Jeffery White, Emily White Sparkman, Meghan Dean, Rebecca Dean, Kimberly Dean, Nathaniel Dean; and two great grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
Lewis Henry Mazer, Jr.
The funeral service for Lewis Henry Mazer, Jr. will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 19, at Riverwood Family with burial Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, July 18, at Riverwood.
Mr. Mazer, Jr., 86, of Brookhaven, passed away July 16, 2023, at his residence. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida March 5, 1936, to Lewis Henry Mazer, Sr. and Vera Byrne Mazer. He was a Millwright with Georgia Pacific Paper Mill.
Mr. Mazer was loving husband, father and grandfather and a member of Cold Springs Church of Christ. He was a man of great faith and a true “fisher of men”. Mr. Mazer loved his family and his faith family, but sharing his faith in Jesus Christ with others was the greatest passion of his life. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Bonnie Lou Eubanks; daughter, Dorothy Jane Lambright; and daughter-in-law, Tina Mazer.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, JoAnn Mazer; his children, Lewis Mazer III (Denise Hulsey), Lynne Rowell (Lester), Keith Mazer, Wayne Mazer (Peggy), and Lenita Mazer; sister, Lucy Ann Mazer; 14 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and 3 great, great grands. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Judes Children’s Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.
Jae'Briya Chleo Naricisse LeFlore
A Memorial service for Jae’Briya Chleo Naricisse LeFlore of Brookhaven are 10:00 am, Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Riverwood Family
Jae’Briya Chleo Naricisse LeFlore, 23, passed away July 4, 2023, at UMMC in Jackson.
She was born November 17, 1999, in Detroit Michigan.
Ms LeFlore loved being a mother, daughter and sister. Fought a strong fight for eight years against heart disease, even when all odds were against her., but most of all she loved and touched a lot of people with that beautiful smile and would brighten up any room she entered. She was a fighter. She came into this world fighting and left here fighting and was able to give the gift of life by donating her kidneys, saving two lives before she left this world. She will be missed by all that loved her.
Preceding her in death were her father, Henry LeFlore and son, Jer’Monte Kelly.
Those left to cherish her memory are her mother, LaToya Motley; son, Jai’Ayden Kelly; her partner, Jermone Kelly; brothers, Jai Riq Motley, MonToya Motley, Micah LeFlore, Henry Leflore, Jr, Hank LeFlore, Adonis Pittman, and sisters, Khalika Burten and LaTonya Johnson; along with her grandmother, Euriana McCray; grandfather, Don Reed; great grandparents, Evelyn and Henry Rawls, aunts, Kristian McCray and Latisha Shepard, and a boat load of uncles, aunts and cousins.
Howard Justin Hall
Graveside service for Howard Justin Hall will be 2:00 pm, Friday, July 14, at Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Hall, 43, of Brookhaven, died June 23, 2023, at his residence. He was born in Brookhaven MS., March 18, 1980, to Howard Hall and Martha Deborah White Hall.
Justin worked as a manager at Wilson’s Auto. He was a dedicated employee there for 15 years. He enjoyed cars, going to car shows, auctions, and everything that involved a car lot. The car lot was his favorite place to be. He also loved to be outdoors and spent time grilling for his family and friends. Justin was a people person, his favorite thing to do was to make others laugh. He also enjoyed annoying his loving sister, Debi. He always tried to look his best and will be remembered and loved for being very CREATIVE and EXTRA.
Justin will be greatly missed by those who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his father, Howard Hall and sister, Tammy Hall.
He is survived by his mother, Martha Hall Ferguson, and his sister, Debi Hall Dunaway. He is also survived by his special friend, Candice Jones, and her daughter, Erica Jones. Justin loved Erica as his own daughter, and she loved him as well, they shared a special bond, and Donny Wilson, his lifelong best friend, father figure, role model and mentor, as well as other loving family member and friends.
Randy Glenn Pepper
The funeral service for Randy Glenn Pepper will be 11 a.m., Friday, July 14, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, July 13, at Riverwood Family and will resume Friday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of service at Pleasant Grove.
Randy stepped into the glory of heaven on July 11, 2023. He was born November 2, 1954, to Marlon Alvin Pepper and Bonnie T. Pepper, and was given 68 years to live, work, and witness, and he will be greatly missed by all those whom he touched.
Mr. Pepper was the owner and operator of Randy Pepper Mill Works.
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…the Lord upholds him with His hand.” Psalm 37: 23-24 describes Randy perfectly. He was a good man, and he was a loving husband, he adored his wife, Jill, of 49 years and cared for her compassionately and graciously. He was a loving daddy, pawpaw and father-in-law and loved his friends as well as his faith family at Pleasant Grove, but his deepest love was for his Lord. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke it was meaningful. Randy was a faithful member and deacon of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and was honored to serve the Lord there and in the community.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Don Pepper; mother-in-law, Eva Nations; sisters-in-law, Joe Ann Pepper, Peggy Pepper, and Barbara Pepper; special nephew, Jody Pepper; and great grandchild, Jacob Tyler Wallace.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Cynthia Jill Pepper; children, Heather Wallace (Darron) and Hope Smith (Toby); brothers, Roger Pepper, Tim Pepper (Renee), Terry Pepper (Judy); brother-in-law, Dudley Nations (Susan); sisters-in-law, Jackie McCullough (Reggie) and Lisa Jackson (Jimmy); six grandchildren, Trace Wallace (Shyann), Marla Price (Cameron), Nealie Smith, Cole Wallace (Hannah), Ashley Wallace, Ali Wallace; nine great grands, Thorne, Raephe, Bayleigh, Jordyn, Aubreigh, Mackenzie, Lyla, and Kohen, and his pride & joy, Mallie Sue Price. He is also survived by his father-in-law, Curtis Nations, as well as other loving family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blair E. Batson, 2500 N. State St. Jackson, MS 39216; Burn Foundation of America 3614 J. Dewey Gray Circle Building C Augusta, GA 30909; or a charity of your choice.
Laura B. Taylor
The funeral service for Laura B. Taylor will be 3 p.m., Wednesday, July 12, at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Hazlehurst, MS, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the time of the service at Shady Grove.
Mrs. Taylor, 95, of Hazlehurst, passed away July 10, 2023, at Pine Crest Guest Home in Hazlehurst. She was born in Warren Township, MI, May 27, 1928, to Edward Bassel and Laura St. Lawrence Bassel. She worked for many years as a Factory Supervisor but her most favorite thing to do was to create lovely dishes and share with her family and the friends in her community. Mrs. Taylor loved her faith family at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Hazlehurst, where she had been a member over 70 years. Though she was on many different committees, her greatest joy was found in teaching and caring for the children in the nursery department.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Ray Taylor, Sr.; her parents; son, Ray Taylor, Jr.; brother, Joseph Schloff; sisters, Bernadette Julien, Mildred Colton, and Leigh Horais; sister-in-law, Dorothy Bassel; and nephew, Michael Bassel
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Diana T. Banes (Larry), Eddie Taylor (Peggy), and daughter-in-law, Connie Taylor; brother, Roy Bassel; five grandchildren, Michael Banes (Amanda), Chris Taylor (Cate), Joey Taylor (Christy), Timothy Taylor (Tess), and Stacey Davis (Kevin); and 11 great grandchildren, Jeb, Jackson, and Jaren Banes, Justice Taylor, Carley Taylor, Caden Ruple, Ryan Verdecchia, Anna Verdecchia, Allie Taylor, Autumn Taylor, Emily Davis, and Jacob Davis. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Charlotte Anding and husband, Jerry as well as other loving family members and friends.
The family wishes to thank all of the employees of Pine Crest Guest Home for the care given to Mrs. Taylor. We also thank Dr. Randy Hankins for his many years of care.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Shady Grove Baptist Church or the charity of your choice.
Delsie Ray Smith
The funeral service for Delsie Ray Smith was 1 p.m., Monday, July 10, at Pentecostal of Miss-Lou in Ferriday, LA, with burial in Myrtle Memorial Cemetery in Winnsboro, LA.
Mr. Smith, 87, of Summit, died July 6, 2023, at his daughter’s residence. He was born in Gilbert, LA November 26, 1935, to John Horace Smith and Lodelia McMorris Smith. He worked for many years with Diamond International, Stahlmans & Stines as a machinery mechanic, before retiring and spending time at home. He served his country in the United States Army. Mr. Smith enjoyed fishing and planting a garden every season. His greatest joy was to read the Word of God, hiding it in his heart and living it through his life. He was a loving family man and cherished the wife, family and children God gave him. He was blessed to have welcomed grandchildren and great grandchildren as well; he will be greatly missed by his family and friends and his faith family at the Pentecostal of Miss Lou Church.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife, JoAnn Winborne Smith; his parents; brothers, James Smith, Raymond Smith, John Smith, Cleve Smith, and Alfred Smith; and his sisters, Leora Boyett, Irene Robinson, and Bobbye Wilson.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Donna Foster (Rodney) and Roy Smith (Annette); four grandchildren, Tyler Foster (Aimee), Chase Foster (Katelyn), Roy Smith Jr., and Dillon Smith; and four great grands, Kaden Foster, Skylar Foster, Kynleigh Foster, and Ellie Kae Smith as well as other loving family members and friends.
The family would like to say thank you to St Luke Home Health Hospice, who went above and beyond their duty to care for our loved one. We appreciate all you have done.
Jo Ann Case Wonsey
Visitation for Mrs. Jo Ann Case Wonsey of Monticello are 5:00-8:00 pm, Monday, July 10, 2023, at Riverwood Family. There will be no services.
Mrs. Jo Ann Case Wonsey, 72, passed away July 7, 2023, at her home.
She was born October 11, 1950, to the late Maxie F. Case and Nannie Lois Jones Case. Mrs. Wonsey was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She enjoyed crafting, painting and taking care of her ducks and other animals.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Jimmy T. Wonsey (Yankee); brothers, Dennis Wayne Case and Maxie F. (Bobo) Case, Jr.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Tabatha Ferguson (Kristy) and John Felix King (Angela), brother Billy Case (Theresa) and sisters, Lynn Burnaman and Kathy Case Pellerin; along with nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She will be missed by all that loved her.
Memorials can be made to your local Animal Rescue League.
