Obituaries
Birdie Goldie Ratcliff
The Memorial service for Mrs. Birdie Goldie Ratcliff will be 2pm Saturday, April 16, at Riverwood Family in Brookhaven, MS, with burial to follow
in Concord Baptist Church Cemetery, McCall Creek, MS. Visitation will be from Noon until the time of service.
Birdie Goldie Blaise Ratcliff, 92, resident of Natchez and Brookhaven, MS, went home to be with Jesus on Saturday April 9, 2022. She passed away
in her beloved Home Seekers Paradise, Brookhaven, MS.
Birdie was born July 2, 1929, to Ernest Joseph Blaise and Lou Vella Stevens Blaise in Brookhaven. She graduated from Brookhaven High where she was
proud to be a baton twirling majorette for the BHS Panthers. After graduating she worked at Stahl-Urban where she met her sweetheart,
“Tom” Thomas Rankin Ratcliff. They married August 16, 1950. The newlyweds resided in Brookhaven and later moved to Natchez.
They had four children, two boys and two girls. Birdie was a homemaker, cook, AVON Lady, sold Sarah Coventry jewelry, loved to sew and garden.
Her passions where being her children’s school room mother, chaperone, ACCS Rebelette sponser, worked with the Children’s Home in Natchez,
Yard Sale Queen, but most of all she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. A member of Morgantown Baptist Church.
Birdie is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two sisters, Elise Blaise Kuhn and Betty Joan Blaise Strawbridge and one son in law Kenneth Muenlenfeld.
She is survived by two brothers and their wives, Ernest Joseph Blaise and Leonora of Camarillo, CA and Robert Earl Blaise and Opal of Brookhaven, MS; sons,
Thomas Rankin Ratcliff, JR and Ernest Joseph Ratcliff of Natchez, MS; daughters, Linda Sue Ratcliff Muehlenfeld of Auburn, AL and Lou Ann Ratcliff Wall and
husband, Joey, of Brookhaven; eight grandchildren: Emily Muehlenfeld Hill and husband, Cody, of Auburn, AL, Matt Muehlenfeld of Baton Rouge, LA,
Melissa Muehlenfeld Jarrell and husband, Casey, of Peachtree City, GA, Mitch Muehlenfeld and wife, Carli, of LaGrange, GA, Laurie Wall Winge and husband, Matt,
of Gillsburg, MS, Joel Wall of Gillsburg, MS, Laney Wall of New Orleans, LA, and Lindey Wall of Brookhaven, MS; and nine great grandchildren: Garren,
Parker, Kaleigh, Layla, Blaise, Paxton, Piper, Jaxton and Rhett. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Daniel "Keith" Clay Jent
Memorial gathering 1-3 p.m., Saturday, April 23, Riverwood Family
Daniel “Keith” Clay Jent, 30, of Brookhaven was born in Richmond, Indiana on August 21, 1991.
Keith enjoyed fishing, football, singing and was a proud uncle, brother, son, and grandson. He will be missed by all that loved him.
Preceding him in death was his father, Hebert Jent Jr.; his papaw, Ron Turner, grandpa, Gordon Wooten, Sr; cousin, Curtis Gunnell and nephew, Samuel Wooten.
Those left to cherish his memory are mother, Jennifer Stokes (Grady), father, Sam Wooten (Laura); grandmother, Bonnie Turner; brothers, Trae Wooten (Taylor), and Herbie Jent; sisters, Alayna Wooten (Payton), Loren Wooten Moody (Bryce), and Mindy Jent; nephews, Daylan Fields, Drue Wooten, Wyatt Wooten, and a host of other nieces and nephews; step siblings, Naomi Stokes, Jacob Stokes, Chance Lacking, Jayden Lacking, Kai Cartwright, Patrick Murphy, Quinton Murphy, Robert Georges III, Talyn Geis, and Matthew Geis. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
He is also survived by special aunt, Yolanda Hutchison (Terrill), Shayla Martin, and Bradley Roberts.
Services are incomplete at this time.
Frances Faye Case
Graveside service for Mrs. Frances Faye Case will be 10 a.m., Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Case, 85, of Brookhaven, went to be with the Lord Jesus, April 9, 2022, from her home in Brookhaven. She was born August 4, 1936,
to Burt and Dora Mae Russell. Mrs. Case was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She will be remembered for her loving heart
and gracious spirit, at home and as a member of her church family at Ramah, where she taught Sunday School for many years. She enjoyed
her family and spent time with them as much as she could. She will be greatly missed.
Mrs. Case is preceded in death by her husband, Billy Joe Case; her parents; son, Joel Gamey Case; and sister, Pat Redd.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Billie Ann Ashley (Toby); brother, Ray Allen (Janice); sisters, Merle Smith and Vicki Trotti (Danny);
one grandson, Garrett Ashley (Joanna); and her sister-in-law, Lawanda Dixon (Pete).
A special thank you to Deann Bolton, Regenia Pappas, Deaconess Home Health, Encompass Hospice, and King’s Daughters Medical Center
for all the care they have given.
Debra Sue Hux Sills
Services for Debra Sue Hux Sills of Sontag are 10:00 am, Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Riverwood Family
with visitation from 5:00-8:00 pm, Friday, April 8, at Riverwood and burial at Fair River Baptist Church Cemetery.
Debra Sue Hux Sills, 63, went to be with her Lord on April 6, 2022. She was born on May 12, 1958, to the late B.C. Hux, Jr. and Geneva Hux.
Debbie enjoyed fishing, riding 4-wheelers at the camp and spending time with friends and family. Some of her favorite times were her trips with her sisters.
Preceding her in death were her parents; niece, Nikki (Montgomery) Hux, brothers-in-law, Johnny Roy Thompson and Buford Howell, Jr.,
and great niece and great nephew, Hallie and Jesse Smith.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Jason Scott Smith, Jeremy Conaway Sills and Dustin Sills; brothers, Ronald Joe Hux and Cletis Hux,
and sisters, Georgia Howell, Gail Thompson, Delilah Spencer, Bonnie Hux Terrell and Brenda Smith. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren,
Hannah Smith, Ezra Smith, Bradley Moore, Kaylee Sills, Braxton Sills, Tristan Sills and Melissa Sills and special friends, Ed Boyte, Sammie Smith, and Kay Smith.
James Jeffrey Beeson
A Graveside Service for Mr. James Jeffrey Beeson, of Brookhaven are 2:00 pm, Monday, April 11, 2022,
at Riverwood Memorial Park.
James Jeffrey Beeson, 60, passed away April 6, 2022. He was born August 3, 1961, to Sonny and Linda Beeson.
Jeff was a graduate of Brookhaven High School’s Class of 1980, where he played baseball and football.
He was a member of the baseball team at Mississippi College, and he also attended The University of Southern MS.
Jeff loved sports and was a big LSU fan. He enjoyed fishing and playing golf. Jeff loved his family and friends, and he will be missed by all who loved him.
Preceding him in death were his maternal grandparents, James. A. Boling and Marie Smith Boling; paternal grandparents,
Hugh Beeson and Hester Martin Beeson; Aunt Carolyn Roberts; Uncles, Shelby Smith and Greg Boling; and nephew Jansen Edward Wright.
Those left to cherish his memory are his father, Sonny Beeson and mother, Linda Boling Beeson; son, Jeffrey Austin Beeson (Mady Hudson);
daughter, Brittany Erin Beeson and fiancé Kameron Dixon; and sister, Julie Beeson Wright and husband, Jimmy.
He is also survived by four grandchildren, Carsen VanWyck, Graham VanWyck, Hollyn VanWyck, and Emmett Blouin;
along with niece Jenna Wright Dickerson and husband, Zach, nephew, Jameson Wright and wife, Karly, and great nephew, Nolan Wright and great niece, Kyndal Wright.
Reba Lanell Cotten Smith
Funeral service for Mrs. Reba Lanell Smith will be 2 p.m., Friday, April 8, 2022, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Riverwood Memorial Park.
Visitation is from Noon until the time of service on Friday.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed.” Proverbs 31: 25-28a
Mrs. Reba Lanell Cotten Smith was welcomed joyfully to her Heavenly home April 5, 2022 at the age of 93. She was born in McCall Creek, MS on April 17, 1928,
to Thomas Bluit Cotten and Colonia Octavia Lofton. She was a graduate of West Lincoln High School. She later met and married the love of her life, Hewitt Smith,
upon his return from serving in World War II.
Mrs. Smith loved gardening and flowers, music, needlework, fishing, collecting Madame Alexander dolls and spending time with her family. Throughout her life,
she and her husband traveled extensively around the world with friends. Brimming with kindness and hospitality, she never met a stranger, always willing to stop
and talk to anyone who may need a word of encouragement. Her greatest joy was her grand and great-grandchildren who knew her best as their beloved Mema.
Sunday lunches of roast and rice with gravy were a given. She also treasured and enjoyed her Sunday School class and church, but, above all, she loved her Savior,
Jesus Christ, passing on a tremendous legacy of faith.
We want to lovingly thank her precious caregivers, Ruthie and Martha, and the entire staff of The Grove in Columbia, MS.
Preceding her in death were her parents along with 12 siblings; husband, Warren Hewitt Smith and son, Warren Hewitt Smith, Jr.
She has a large family to cherish her memory including her daughter, Belinda Smith Stamps and husband David; son, Oscar Alan Smith and wife, Cindy;
brother-in-law, Bill J. Smith; sister-in-law, Mrs. Dee Cotten Heuvel; eight grandchildren, Paige Lammey (David), Cammie Mashburn (Robert), Jourdan Bullock (Josh),
Nick Smith (Bethany), Andrew Malone, Jessica Malone, Bianca Branch (Scott), and Randy Smith; along with 11 great-grandchildren, Jacob Lammey, Ella Grace Lammey,
Nicholas Lammey, Kinley Mashburn, Jax Mashburn, Luke Stogner, Oscar Ray Smith, Lila Spring, Andrew Culver, Noah Smith, and Patience Smith.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First Baptist Church of Brookhaven or a charity of your choice.
Louis Edward Givens
Funeral service for Mr. Louis Edward Givens will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 8, at Powell’s Grove United Pentecostal Church,
with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 4 -8 p.m., Thursday, April 7, at Powell’s Grove and will resume at 10 a.m. until
the time of service on Friday.
Mr. Givens, 87, passed from this life April 5, 2022, at his residence in Jayess. He was born in Brookhaven February 18, 1935,
to Wash and Madie Givens. He was a cattle farmer and took great care in providing for his family. Mr. Givens was a member
of Powell’s Grove United Pentecostal Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Duddy, Walter, Cliff, and Morris Givens; sisters, Mattie, Maude, Daisy, and Marie;
granddaughter, Brianna Givens; his in-laws, Fred and Lillie Mae Lambert; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Marvin and Walene Lambert.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 65 years, Voncile Lambert Givens; sons, Michael Givens (Ann), Mitchell Givens (Kelley)
all of Jayess, MS, and Byron Givens (Kim) of Monticello, MS; daughter, Sandra Givens Hux (Paul) of Jayess, MS; five grandchildren,
Paula Hux Curry (Robby)of Herriman, UT, Luke Hux (Katie) of Jayess, MS, Gene Hux (Cathy) of Jonesboro, AR, Natalie Givens Williams (Larry) of Petal, MS,
and Darren Givens (Hope) of Flowood, MS. Mr. Givens also leaves behind a legacy through his 23 great grandchildren, Parker and
MacKenzie Smith, Rylan, Ayden, Tripp, and Bria Curry, Noah, Emily, Caleb, Alivia, Sadie, and Greyson Hux, Addison, Emma, and
Kennedy Hux, Drew, Drake, Malaina, Daylin, and Daxtyn Williams, and Gavin, Alexis and Lillian Givens; as well as other loving family
members and friends.
Frank Daniel Anderson
Mr. Frank Daniel Anderson, 71, of Wesson, died April 3, 2022, at his residence. He was born in Gilbert, Louisiana, December 29, 1950, to John Westle Anderson and Bobbie Roberta Anderson.
He worked as a Boiler Maker and was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He enjoyed spending time outside, raising, training, and running Beagles with his friends. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Mr. Anderson is preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, and one brother.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Billie Anderson; daughter, Shonnye Joe Anderson Falvey and husband, Leslie; brother, John Anderson; sister, Bobbie Jean Anderson; two grandchildren, Shoncye Delaughter and husband, Nick, and Daniel Falvey; and one great grandchild, Ty Delaughter. He also leaves behind other loving family members and friends.
Charles Alan Monroe
Memorial service for Charles Alan Monroe will be Noon, Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Riverwood Family. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Monroe, 75, of Bogue Chitto, passed away March 31, 2022, at his home. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, August 23, 1946, to Edgar Allen Monroe and Ellowene Wallace Monroe. He served his country in the United States Air Force before coming home to begin his career and family. Mr. Monroe retired from Delphi Industries. He loved the outdoors, taking great effort with his lawn and enjoying barbecuing for friends and family. He like to relive the good ole days listening to music from the 50’s and 60’s.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are, his daughter, Eleanor Monroe; sister, Sandra Assink; his friend, Doug Hammond; brother-in-law, Terry Assink; and nephews, Michael and Will Assink.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a veteran charity of your choice or the American Cancer Society PO Box 22718 Oklahoma City, OK 73123
Charlene Rice Elliott
Services for Charlene Rice Elliott are 11:00 am, Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at Faith Presbyterian Church
with a private burial at Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm, Monday, April 4 at Riverwood Family.
Destined for her eternal home, Charlene Rice Elliott departed this life on a beautiful spring morning, April 1, 2022.
In her final days, she was surrounded by those she loved most: her family and dear friends. She did not suffer. Instead,
she was sustained by and through the memories of a life well lived, the life-long bonds formed with family and friends,
and, most importantly, her reassurance, conviction, and faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Charlene was born to loving parents Maley Vernon Rice and Lydia Lucille Woodward Rice in Memphis, TN on October 19, 1934.
At death, she was 87 years old. Having moved to Jackson, MS, she graduated from Central High School in 1952
and enrolled at the University of Mississippi, in Oxford, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education. At Ole Miss,
she pledged and was a member of her beloved Chi Omega fraternity and maintained a passion for its’ ideals, principles,
and symbols throughout her life. Also, while in Oxford she met, fell in love with, and married her life-long partner James (“Jim”) William Elliott, Jr.,
who survives her in death.
Following Jim’s graduation from law school, they eventually settled in Brookhaven, MS where Charlene spent much of her adult life.
She began her career teaching grammar at Loyd Star Attendance Center before focusing her time and attention on her ultimate life’s
work of being a wife, mother, grandmother, and a great-grandmother.
Charlene was preceded in death by her mother and father and daughter Hattie Rose Elliott. In addition to Jim, she is survived by her daughters
Meg Nordberg (Richard) and Amanda Warren (Brooks); grandchildren Elliott Warren (Molly), Lydia McLaughlin (Glenn), Maley Nordberg,
John Nordberg, and Sarah Rice Halbert (Keaton); and great-grandchildren Anne Warren and Ellie James McLaughlin.
Charlene spent her life serving others. In Brookhaven, and elsewhere, she was active in many clubs and civic organizations.
She was a woman of strong faith and devoted a significant portion of her time towards developing, stewarding, and furthering the mission
of Faith Presbyterian Church in Brookhaven. She was a voracious reader which no doubt contributed to her keen wit and sense of humor
she maintained throughout her life. Always the teacher, she was known for gifting books to family and friends with lengthy and thoughtful
inscriptions as well as consistent, hand-written correspondence long after the days of e-mail became the norm.
Charlene’s greatest joys in life were found through her church, her family, and her friends. She was blessed with a faith that sustained her,
a husband and family that loved and adored her, and the greatest friends she could ask for. She will certainly be missed, but her legacy
will live on forever in the hearts and minds of the countless people who were lucky to know her.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to Faith Presbyterian Church mission fund.
The family also expresses appreciation to her caregiver, Charlotte Allen, for her love and support.
