Obituaries
Ronna Cupstid
Ronna Cupstid, 59, of Jayess, MS, died September 29, 2024, at her daughter’s residence. She was born May 15, 1965, to Purvis and Lena Cupstid. She was a loving mother to her children, and a very special “mimi” to her beautiful grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time with her babies, tending her garden and feeding her birds and squirrels. She was a woman of faith. Ronna found great peace in reading the Word of God and sharing that Word with family and friends. One of her favorite scriptures is, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
Ronna is preceded in death by her father, Purvis Cupstid.
She is survived by her mother, Lena Cupstid; children, La’Kala Rushing (Clint), Jami Ready, and Jessica Parkman (Justin); brother, Scott Cupstid; sister, Ronda Cupstid; seven grandchildren, Kaleeonna Rushing, Jalynn rushing, Wyatt Rushing, Hoot Parkman, Lyndee Earnest, Ian Parkman, and Olivia Parkman. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends, including, Sharon Pulis, Joe Kay and Angela Dunaway.
The Cupstid family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Gulfport Memorial Hospital for their gracious and loving care during her illness.
Patricia Gail Dawson
Services for Patricia Gail Dawson of Meadville are at 10:30 am, Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Riverwood Family with burial at Roseland Cemetery in Gloster. Visitation is 5:00-8:00 pm Friday, October 4 at Riverwood.
Patricia Gail Dawson,72, passed away on September 29, 2024. She was born in McComb MS., on February 25, 1952, to the late Mann Dawson and Mary Nettie Dawson.
Preceding her in death were her parents; Alpha Lyenett Sharpe, Agnes Faye Wilson, Maurice Eugene Dawson, Edith Lynelle Wills, Larry Lionel Dawson, and Elenor Dawson.
Those left to cherish her memory are her brothers Raymond Dawson, Bobby Wayne Dawson, Joey Mark Dawson, Stanley Dawson (Diane) and Gaylon Dawson (Debi), and sister, Patsy Dawson Towles (Ray) along with a great host of Noonies, great Noonies and great-great Noonies. She will be missed by all who loved her.
The family would like to thank the staff of Compassus-Meadville Convalescent Home and exceptional caregiver Pat Swilley “GiGi”
Stacy Lavell Morgan
The funeral service for Stacy Lavell Morgan will be 11 a.m., Saturday, October 5, at Kilmichael Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mr. Morgan, 55, of Winona, died September 28, 2024, at his residence. He was born in Winona February 21, 1969, to Marvell Morgan and Dorthy Juanita Lollar Morgan. He was a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator.
Mr. Morgan worked at Countrybrook Living Center in Brookhaven, where he served as administrator and later marketing director. He was a four-time member of the Sava Senior Care CEO roundtable. He was a member of the Brookhaven Lincoln Country Rotary Club, where he was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow and a member of the Mississippi State University Bulldog Club, where he was a Leo Seal, Jr. Society Member and Eugene Butler Fellow in the legacy of leadership.
He is preceded in death by his father, Marvell Morgan.
He is survived by his mother, Juanita Morgan; sisters, Juanda Swanson (Phillip) and Debbie Stafford (Jeff); nephews and nieces, Phil Swanson, Morgan Swanson, Erika Bennett (Coty), Rex Bingham, Mary Morgan (Blake) Presley, Ty, Eliza, Nora Bennett, Gus & Gidd Swanson, Eden Presley; and two special friends, Carolyn Welch and Courtney Bennett.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Winona Christian School, 1014 S. Applegate, Winona, MS 38967.
John Wesley Graves
John Wesley Graves, 77, of McComb, MS, passed away on September 11, 2024. Born on November 25, 1946, John led a life marked by love of his family, service to his country, and commitment to his faith.
After graduating from Brookhaven High School in 1964, John enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served with distinction during the Vietnam War. He was one of only three Radiomen out of 150 men selected to the Navy Admiral Flagship staff, with deployments that took him to the Middle East and around the Horn of Africa.
Following his military service, he married the love of his life, Sheila. John and Sheila both pursued higher education at the University of Southern Mississippi, where John earned a bachelor's degree in counseling. While in college he and Sheila welcomed their two sons, John and Matthew. Their much-loved daughter Emily was born soon thereafter. John embarked on a career in finance and real estate, working for United Companies and Century 21. John changed vocations and worked as a subsurface surveyor for Eastman Whipstock offshore in Houma, LA, until the oilfield crashed. He moved his family back to McComb where he worked for Federated Insurance. He then came the founder and owner of Southwest Home Protection in Summit, MS for the last 18 years or his working career.
John was a devout Christian and an avid golfer, passions that he balanced with his professional endeavors and family life. He is survived by his sons, John Graves (Amber) and Matthew Graves (Tisa), his grandchildren and great grandchildren, his sister, Claudia, and nieces. John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sheila Mary Graves; daughter, Emily Marie Wicker; brother, George Graves; and mother, Charlotte Graves.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024, at the First Assembly of God church in McComb, MS, 718 Hart Rd, McComb, MS. Visitation will commence at 11:00 AM followed by the memorial service at 12:00 PM. John's life was a testament to his resilience, compassion, and devotion to those he loved and served. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Reception to be held immediately following the service.
Homer Oscar Malone III
A memorial service will be held for Homer Oscar Malone III, 2 p.m. on October 11, at Riverwood Family.
Mr. Malone, 68, of Brookhaven, died Friday, September 27, 2024, at UMC in Jackson, MS. He was born in Rosedale, MS, August 5, 1956, to Homer Oscar Malone II and Myrtle JoAnn Canady Malone. Mr. Malone enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing or just tending his yard. He also liked to ride his tractors. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Glenn Malone, Sammy Malone, and Kenneth Malone.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 34 years, Carolyn Sue Malone; children, Tim Malone (Rachael), Jennifer Malone (Steven), Melissa Ballard (Michael), Wayne Sykes (Melissa); brother, Warren Malone; sister, Lynne Sumrall (Jimmy); 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
A reception will be held after the service at Mr. Malone’s home, 470 Felps Lane, Brookhaven, MS.
Ronnie Bullock
The funeral service for Ronnie Bullock will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, October 1, at Riverwood Family with interment in Providence Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at Riverwood.
Mr. Bullock, 72, of Ruth, died Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Diversicare, with his loving wife at his side. He was born in Tylertown, MS, July 13, 1952, to James L. Bullock and Alfia Pate Bullock. Mr. Bullock was retired from Shell Oil Company.
Ronnie was a loving husband and father. He especially enjoyed and looked forward to visits from his grandson, Navy. He enjoyed being outdoors, fishing. He was also an avid Nascar Fan. Ronnie used every opportunity he had to teach about tools. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years, Sharon Price Bullock; daughters, Amanda Bullock Nason (Chad) and Amy Gerrard; three grandchildren, Dylan Henry, Benjamin Henry, and Navy Knox Nason; one great grandchild, Doss Henry; sister-in-law, Karen Stockman and a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Ronnie’s family would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to Diversicare Nursing Home, Dr. William Hay, and Jodi Sartin, NP, as well as Hospice, especially Macy Quinn and Shawn Nations, for their continued care and compassion for him.
Shirley Ann Givens
Services for Mrs. Shirley Ann Givens of Monticello are at 10:00 am, on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at Bethel Baptist Church with burial at church cemetery.
Visitation will be on Monday, September 30, 2024, at church from 5:00-8:00 pm and will resume from 9:00 am until the time of service on Tuesday.
Mrs. Shirley Ann Givens, 66, passed away at her home on September 26, 2024.
She was born on November 7, 1957, in Houston, Texas.
Mrs. Givens spent her days on the front porch, drinking coffee and watching her friends and neighbors go by. She loved cooking, having her family over for supper, and watching the kids play in the yard. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and enjoyed her nine great-grandchildren. She will be missed by all who loved her.
Preceding her in death were her parents; Jewel and Mary Moude Mullins and her husband of 50 years, Tommy Givens.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Michelle Watts (Hugh) and Luke Givens (Bonita); seven grandchildren, Shelby Russell (Ben), Stetson Langley (Ashlyn), Marcey Brown (Marshall) Megan Lang (Brennan), Saydie Nations (Brantley), Sara Watts and Brittany Lott (Brent); nine great-grandchildren, Everleigh, Keegan, Karson, Huston, Auston, Cayden, Marshall Paul, Mayleigh, Waylon and expecting Kassidy and Kohen. She is also survived by Kandi Tanksley and sons, Karter, Wylder, and Kooper, and Eden and Eli Vaughn.
Robert Edward Renner
The funeral service for Robert Edward Renner will be 11 a.m., Saturday, September 28, at Riverwood Family with burial in Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Renner, 80, of Brookhaven, died Thursday, September 26, 2024, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. He was born in Lima, OH, September 28, 1943. He worked for many years as Supervisor at Hartley Gove Sons thermometer plant.
Mr. Renner was a loving husband and a caring father. One of his favorite things to do was playing guitar and singing Elvis’s songs with his grandkids. He also enjoyed the outdoors, fishing with his sons. As a mechanic, he was faithful keeping the family vehicles in working order. Mr. Renner was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church where he was a faithful helper in the children’s Sunday School department. He served his country in the United States Army National Guard. Born in Ohio, he remained a fan of Ohio State, and he enjoyed watching them as well as the New Orleans Saints play football.
He is preceded in death by his parents Wilbur and Eleanor Renner; and sister, Connie Ricker.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 58 years, Carmela Sue Renner; children, Steven Renner (Jennifer), Larinda Barnett (Allen), and Anthony Renner; sister, Karen Schindler (Ronnie) and brother-in-law, George Ricker; seven grandchildren, Beau Renner, Melanie Renner, Britany Leggett (Tyler), Allayna Barnett, Carleah Barnett, Jesse Hall, and Joey Hall.
The Renner family would like to express their gratitude to Renee’ Thompson for her care and compassion for Mr. Robert Renner during his illness.
Tywana Nell Nettles Boyd
A memorial service for Tywana Nell Nettles Boyd will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, September 28th, at Antioch Baptist Church, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.
Mrs. Boyd, 70, of Brookhaven, died Monday, September 23, 2024, at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, MS. She was born in Brookhaven, September 10, 1954, to Victor Nettles and Jesse Marie Smith Nettles. Mrs. Boyd was a loving wife, mother, Meme and Aunt. She also cared very deeply for her pets. Her favorite pastimes were thrifting and making all kinds of crafts. Mrs. Boyd will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her mother and father-in-law, L.V. Boyd and Idell Boyd; daughter, Trista Lynn Boyd; and sisters, Frances Ann Howell and Elois Busby.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, William Lavon Boyd; children, Christopher Boyd (Anita) and Joshua Boyd (Ashley); brother, Sonny Nettles; sister, Audrey Berry; three grandchildren, William Boyd, Kimberly Smith, and Ryleigh Smith. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends, and her fur babies, Moe, Peanut, and Ralph.
The Boyd family wishes to extend a heartfelt appreciation to Forrest General Hospital for their care and compassion to Mrs. Boyd while in their care.
In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the Animal Rescue League, 501 Northpark Drive, Brookhaven, MS, 39601 or Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216
Celia Scott McSweyn
Friends may gather to celebrate the life of Celia Scott McSweyn from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., Thursday evening, September 26th, at Riverwood Family.
Mrs. McSweyn, 78, of Wesson, died September 23rd, 2024, at her residence. She was born March 8, 1946, to Bracy Scott and Willie Ruth Scott. Mrs. McSweyn taught Sunday School at Pearson Baptist Church for 15 years. She was a member of Pearl Public Schools Board of Education for 4 years where she served as President for one year. She may have been best known for being the owner of Porches Restaurant in Wesson for 25 years. Everyone who entered Porches was treated as family. Her kindness and excellent hostess skills was much appreciated by each one who shared a meal at Porches. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her.
Mrs. McSweyn is preceded in death by her parents.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 58 years, Allen McSweyn; sons, Trey McSweyn, Chris McSweyn (Tonya); brother, Pat Scott (Sandy); sister, Sybil Russum; two grandchildren, Carrie McSweyn and Katie McSweyn; and by a host of other loving family members and friends.
The McSweyn family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the 4th floor and the ICU nurses at Southwest Regional Medical Center for taking such exquisite care of Mrs. McSweyn during her time with them.
