Obituaries
Mildred L. Smith Browning
Funeral Services for Mildred L. Smith Browning, of Brookhaven,
will be held Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Riverwood Family Funeral Service.
Visitation to be held Wednesday, March 6, 2019 from 5:00-8:00 pm at Riverwood.
Burial at Sylvarena Baptist Church Cemetery in Wesson, Mississippi.
Rev. Glen Mullins, Rev. Anthony Yarborough and Rev. Thad Owens will officiate services.
On Monday, March 4, 2019, surrounded by those she loved most,
Mildred Browning peacefully slip away to her heavenly home. She was 83.
Born on March 23, 1935, to John W. and Luty Jane Lupo Smith,
she grew up in the town of Wesson, Mississippi. She was a member of Pearlhaven Baptist Church in Brookhaven.
Mildred, known to most as Mama or Nanny, loved with her whole heart.
There was nothing she enjoyed more than spending time with her family and friends.
She worked at Dude’s Hot Biscuits for 38 years, right up until the day before she became ill.
Her customers became friends. Her friends were her family.
Preceding her in death are her parents; brothers, Lee, Edd, Richard, Vernon and John W. Smith;
her sisters, Gladys and Alma Smith and Eva Sanders.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Kathy Dunn and husband, Les;
Belinda “Dinki” Davis and husband, Jimmy; and Angie Hux and husband, Donald.
Her grandchildren, who were her whole heart, Samantha Mahloch and husband, David,
Jamie Davis and wife, Courtney, Bradley Smith, Allison Smith and Caleb Smith;
great-granddaughters, Cassidy Belle Davis and Clara Ruth Davis.
She is also survived by her best friend and sister-in-law, Charlene Smith; special family members,
niece, Linda Thompson; great niece, Lesa Dooley and husband, Jason and their daughters, Alyssa and Ann-Kaitlyn;
and niece, Rena Rippy.
Pallbearers are Jason Dooley, Randy Pickett, Donnie Nevels, James Schilling, Doyle Rushing and Charles Greenlee.
Honorary Pallbearers are her grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Elizabeth "Betsy" Murphey Ranson
The funeral service for Ms. Elizabeth “Betsy” Murphey Ranson will be 10 a.m.,
Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at Riverwood Family Funeral Service, with interment at
Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., Monday
evening, March 4, at Riverwood.
Ms. Betsy Ranson, 76, of Brookhaven, passed from this life on March 2, 2019, at
King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven, MS. She was born on November 17, 1942,
in Memphis, TN to the late Roder Trigg and Francis Murphey.
Ms. Betsy worked in the Retail industry and was a beloved staff member of
Brookhaven Animal Hospital and a member of Beauregard United Methodist Church.
Proverbs 31:13 describes a woman “who willingly works with her hands.” She spent
her down time quilting but also enjoyed dog training. She was a Master Gardener and
treasured her time outdoors, but her passion was her family. She was a loving mother
and grandmother and will be missed by her children and grandchildren who loved her without end.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her aunt, Ernest Coulon Trigg.
Those left here to cherish her memory are, her daughters, Elizabeth Ranson Stodghill and
husband, Steven, and Jennifer Ranson Allen and husband, Mark; four grandchildren,
Murphey and Bailey Stodghill and Currie and Lea Allen, and many other loving family
members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rescue Tails located at
Brookhaven Animal Hospital, 1210 Hwy 51 N, Brookhaven, MS 39603.
Ronnie Ezell
Services for Mr. Ronnie Louis Ezell will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at 2:00pm
at Riverwood Family with interment in Sarepta Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Monday, March 4, 2019, from 5:00-9:00pm also at Riverwood Family.
Ronnie Louis Ezell, 67, of Bogue Chitto, passed from this life on March 1, 2019, at his home.
He was born on January 23, 1952, to Robert Willie Ezell and Katherine Laird Ezell Thompson.
Mr. Ezell was an Army Veteran of the Vietnam War and was a member of the Moose Lodge,
specifically active in running Bingo and helping with the Special Olympics.
Preceding him in death were his parents; bothers, Paul David Ezell, Eugene Ezell and Mike Ezell.
Those left to cherish his memory is his wife of 44 years, Vicky Ann Smith Ezell; son, James David Ezell
and daughter, Dawn Sellars along with two grandchildren, Michael Larue Sellars and Eric Sellars.
He is also survived by sisters, Nancy Case and Evelyn Buitt; brothers-in-law,
Robert Buitt, Ronnie Smith, Keith Smith and Darrell Lee Smith and wife Sandra.
Vivian Rushing
Services for Ms. Vivian Rushing of Wesson are 10:00 am Monday, March 4, 2019 at Riverwood Family.
Visitation 5:00-8:00 pm Sunday, March 3, at Riverwood.
Ms. Vivian Rushing, 76, passed away February 28, 2019 at Merit Health in Jackson.
She was born on January 29, 1943 to the late Jessie James and Velma Rushing.
She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend, and will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Preceding her in death are her parents; brother, T.H. Rushing: and sisters, Bobbie Rushing and Margie Rushing.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Jesse Rushing and Tiffany and Stacy Rushing;
daughter, Judy Lee and husband Frank; brothers, James Lee Rushing, Mike Rushing, Julius Rushing;
sisters, Diane Rushing and Elaine Rushing.
She is also survived by grandchildren, Sabrina Teasley, Annie and Matthew Baltazar, Rachel and Daniel Brewer,
Tonya and Ryan Lott, Danielle Callendar and Hunter Callendar and great-grandson, Isaac Higgins.
Sue Ford Moak
Services for Mrs. Sue Ford Moak of Brookhaven are 3:30 pm Sunday, March 3, 2019 at Riverwood Family Funeral Service.
Visitation is Saturday, March 2 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Riverwood Family.
Sue Ford Moak was born on September 14, 1930, to Thelma Reeves Ford and James Franklin Ford in Bude, Mississippi.
A move to Norfield followed her early childhood years in Bude. Sue graduated from Brookhaven High School
and then attended Whitworth College and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi.
She married the love of her life, Tom Moak, on June 12, 1949.
Their 64 year marriage showed all those who knew them a picture of a couple completely devoted to one another.
Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Tom, and her young daughter, Susan.
She is survived by her son, Frank, and wife, Terri, and her daughter, Sarah Pruet, and husband, Ron.
She is also survived by grandchildren and their spouses, Emily and David Reeves, Tripp and Morgan Pruet,
Elizabeth Moak, Andrew and Casey Pruet, and Amanda Moak.
A recent joy is the addition of great-grandchildren Claire and John Reeves and Quinn Pruet.
Sue educated many children over a 30-year teaching career at Bogue Chitto School, Brookhaven High School,
Alexander High School, and Lipsey Junior High. She always loved books and talked often about how she prayed that
she would not lose her ability to read. God granted that request. Her love of the written word contributed to her
being perfectly suited to teach English and serve as a librarian.
She enjoyed travel and was so thankful when they visited places she had only read about before.
Sue and Tom loved their home and made it a place of welcome for family and friends.
The “joy of the hunt” in finding furnishings that needed her meticulous restoration skill was a source of happiness.
Sue passionately loved First Baptist Church. Sue taught Sunday School for many years,
and her longest teaching commitment was to the oldest women in the church.
She loved and cared for that class with service and care that saw her being the hands and feet of Jesus.
During the last four years when Sue was unable to attend church, she and Frank watched the broadcast of the service almost every Sunday.
Sue is a glorious example of a life well lived. “Well done, thy good and faithful servant. . . .Enter thou into the joy of the Lord.” Matthew 25:21.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church Brookhaven Building Fund.
Bonnie Holland Byrd
Bonnie Erle Holland Byrd, 85, of Meadville, MS, died February 26, 2019 in Jackson at University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Visitation will be held at the McNeely Road Church of God in Natchez on Friday, March 1st from 5-8pm and Saturday, March 2nd from 1-2pm.
The funeral will begin at 2PM followed by interment at the Byrd’s Chapel Cemetery in Meadville, MS.
Riverwood Family Funeral Services of Brookhaven is assisting the family with the Revs. Brian Monehan and Kelcie Messer Henderson officiating.
Pallbearers are David Byrd, Daniel Byrd, Charles Stroup, Michael Messer, Frank Holland and Luke Brumfield. In lieu of flowers,
charitable contributions may be made to the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home at 800-654-1622 (http://smch.org/donate), or to a charity of your choice.
Bonnie was born January 14, 1934 and leaves behind a loving husband of 67 years, John Lloyd Byrd,
three sons, Bill and Linda Byrd of Shreveport, La, Bob and Susan Byrd of Hope Mills, NC, Ken and Debbie Byrd of Fort Worth, TX
and seven grandchildren: Ashley Thibodeaux, Danielle and Stephen Kozikowski, Michelle And Corey Snyder,
Arielle and Cody Hughes, Zack Byrd, David and Katherine Byrd and Daniel and Katherine Byrd.
She is also survived by her sisters Opal Messer of Natchez, MS, Brenda Williams of Meadville, MS
and sister-in-law, Ruth Holland of Natchez, MS. She leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and close special friends,
Benny and Betty Gorum. She is preceded in death by her parents, Monroe and Gertrude Holland,
brothers, Paul Holland, Arliss and Artie Holland, Bernard and Jo Riece Holland,
and sisters, Lillian and William Pittman, Itasca and Randall Brumfield, and Clara and Lester Browning.
Bonnie had various jobs throughout her life: keypunch operator, bookkeeping, sales clerk at a dress shop, country furniture store,
outlet store, and was undercover security at a department store and could easily detect shoplifters.
Bonnie was a servant. She served her family by keeping them grounded while her husband served our country for 20 years in the US Air force.
She always made sure her three boys were loved, fed, clean and well dressed.
She served as a taxi driver delivering her boys to Cub Scout and Boy Scout activities,
piano lessons, swim lessons, sporting events, youth camp, etc. She was a caregiver,
opening her home during Hurricanes Camille and Katrina, providing meals and a dry bed to people less fortunate.
She also hosted a new pastor and their family for three months while they waited for a home.
Bonnie served her country: She was a Red Cross Volunteer during the 1960's, was an active member of the USAF Officer's Wives Club,
and the American Legion Auxiliary. Bonnie faithfully served Franklin County District 5 as their Election Commissioner from 2000-2008.
Bonnie served her Lord and Savior. She was a faithful member of the Church of God for over seventy years,
playing the piano at church for many years and instilled her love for music in her children and grandchildren;
she prepared countless chicken dinners, peanut brittle, taught Sunday School and served on various church committees.
She showed her children how to “trust in the good Lord”. Her faith in God carried her through Rheumatoid Arthritis, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma,
breast cancer and colon cancer, and numerous health issues throughout her 85 years.
Bonnie loved to cook, sew, knit, garden, work puzzles and arrange flowers. She took classes in cake decorating,
flower arranging, reupholstery and computers. She studied at numerous colleges as she traveled with her husband’s military career.
She owned her own ceramic shop and loved to collect teapots, crosses, little shoes, etc. But more than any of this, she loved to shop.
Debra June Blackwell
Services for Mrs. Debra June Blackwell of Monticello are 10:00 am Saturday, March 2, 2019
at Divide Memorial Methodist Protestant Church with burial at Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation is from 5:00-9:00 pm Friday, March 1, at Divide Memorial Methodist Protestant Church.
Debra June Blackwell, 60, went to be with her Lord on February 27, 2019 at her residence.
She was born on April 16, 1958 to the late Clarence Glen Whitlow and June Marie Whitlow.
She was a Cosmetologist and a member of Divide Memorial Methodist Protestant Church.
She will be missed by all that loved and knew her.
Preceding her in death are her parents; brother, Thomas Whitlow; and sister-in-law, Debbie Whitlow.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Rodney Blackwell; daughter, Amy VanVuren;
brothers, Clarence G. Whitlow and John A. Whitlow. She is also survived by
4 grandchildren, Veronica VanVuren, Vanessa VanVuren, Thomas Whitlow and James Whitlow;
son-in-law, David VanVuren, sisters-in-law, Pam Whitlow and Margaret Whitlow;
nephews, Jason Whitlow, Steven Whitlow and Charlie Whitlow and niece, Ashley Whitlow.
Bernice Wilson
Funeral services for Bernice Quinn Wilson of Brookhaven are 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 28, 2019, at
Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in Monticello with burial in the church cemetery immediately
following the service. Riverwood Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
The Rev. Stanley Lobin will officiate.
Visitation will be held from 5 until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27 at the funeral home and at the
church on Thursday, February 28 from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Bernice, 90, was born in the Harmony community on October 5, 1928, to James Luther Quinn and
Alberta Leola Mason Quinn. She was a lifelong member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church and
worked with the food pantry and various other ministries. She was a founding member of the Pleasant Grove Community Crafters.
She worked for many years at the Stahl-Urban Company in Brookhaven and was retired from the
Fred’s department store in downtown Brookhaven.
Bernice married Tommy Jerry Wilson from the nearby East Lincoln community on Aug. 7, 1944,
and the couple celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary shortly before Jerry’s death in June 2016.
The couple had three children, Tommy Jr., Mickey and Roger.
She is preceded in death by Jerry, her parents and her siblings, Lt. Col. James Quinn, Lanell Krogstad,
Ruth Bessonnette, Margaret Griffith, Bennie Jo McGuffie and an unnamed infant brother.
Survivors include her children, Tommy Wilson Jr. of Vicksburg, Mickey (Marilyn) Wilson of B
rookhaven and Roger (Judy) Wilson of Brookhaven; her grandchildren, Scott Wilson of Vicksburg,
Doug (Stephanie) Wilson of Vicksburg, Richie (Toni) Wilson of Wesson, Kristie (Jim) Burt of Brookhaven,
JoBeth (Lance) Thompson of Brookhaven, Jake (Jennifer) Wilson of Jasper, Ala., Elizabeth (John) McDaniel
of Brookhaven and Joshua Wilson of Hattiesburg; 19 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren;
a special niece, Carolyn (Jimmy) Lambert; and many nephews, nieces and friends.
Pallbearers will be Scott Wilson, Doug Wilson, Richie Wilson, Lance Thompson, Jim Burt, Jake Wilson,
Joshua Wilson, and Brandon Wilson. Honorary pallbearers will be Brooks Burt, Blake Thompson,
Zachary Thompson, John McDaniel, and Kyle Burt.
The family rejoices in the knowledge that Bernice and Jerry are reunited in Heaven, where
there is no pain and only ever-lasting happiness and praise for our Savior.
Geneva Ferguson
Arrangements for Mrs. Geneva Ferguson are as follows, Viewing Wednesday, February 27th 5:-6:30 Riverwood Family Funeral Service
in Brookhaven MS. Saturday March 2nd 3:00 Funeral services will be held at the Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home Chapel
in Trussville AL, viewing from 1:00-3:00.
Geneva Ferguson, 86, born July 15, 1933 in Margaret, AL, died February 20, 2019. She was a long-time
resident of Birmingham, AL residing most of her adult life in East Lake. In recent years she lived at
Highland Lake in Oneonta, AL. Geneva loved life to the fullest and loved family more than anything.
She was known for her pleasant disposition; the eternal optimist. She was generous and possessed the
gift of hospitality. Frequently her home was opened for guest with her table spread; where food was
served along with hugs and laughter. Although she had numerous interests and hobbies, playing cards
was her favorite past time. Young and old alike affectionately called her “Maw Maw.” Geneva was one
of the few surviving charter members of the Roebuck Seventh-day Adventist Church where she served in
various areas of responsibility including head deaconess, Sabbath school superintendent, head greeter, and
children’s ministries leader. Geneva had the reputation of being one that could get things done. Known as
the “Tupperware lady,” she was employed as a unit manager for over 30 years and conducted Tupperware
parties in thousands of homes throughout the Birmingham area. Geneva was the eleventh of 12 children born
to Sam and Jessie Carruba and was the last surviving child of their household. Sam, an Italian immigrant, was
a farmer and worked in the Margaret coal mines. Geneva’s husband of 57 years, Ray Ferguson, preceded her
in death in 2003. She is survived by one son, Charles (Sharon) Ferguson of Hendersonville, NC, along and
two daughters, Claudia (Tony) Gilmer of Birmingham and Carla (Dean) Snider of Brookhaven, MS; five grandchildren,
Charles’ two sons Adam and Carson and Sharon’s daughter Heather Buck, and Carla’s two children, son,
Jason and daughter Kelli; and three great-grandchildren Eli (Adam’s son), Madison (Heather’s daughter) and
Tanner (Heather’s son). Geneva also is survived by a multitude of nieces and nephews.
David Wayne Moak
Funeral services for Mr. David Wayne Moak will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 27, 2019, with
interment at Riverwood Memorial Park. There will be a visitation time from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 26,
at Riverwood, and will resume on Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.
Mr. David Wayne Moak, 67, of Brookhaven, passed from this life on February 23, 2019. He was born on
August 17, 1951, in Vicksburg, MS, to Andy and Laura Jane Moak. He worked as a house mover, but he
did everything to the best of his ability. David was treasured as a husband, father and grandpa, his
family were his greatest blessings. Those who love him will forever feel his absence.
Preceding him in death are his parents; three brothers, Buddy Moak, Paul Moak and Glen Moak;
and one sister, Alberta Douglas.
He is survived by his wife, Georgia Moak; daughters, Stacy Stewart and husband Howard, Jr. and
Sandy Smith and husband Adam; sisters, Neomia Boyte, Clara Reid, Jo Ann Rials and Cathy Martin;
seven grandchildren, Andrew Franklin, Derrick Stewart, Brant Smith, Jacob Stewart, Jesse Stewart,
Sawyer Smith, and Sadie Smith. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.