Obituaries
Dempsey Joe Hayes
The funeral service for Mr. Dempsey Joe Hayes will be 3 p.m., Wednesday, September 4, at Riverwood Family, with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Hayes, 78, of Brookhaven, died August 30, 2024, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven. He was born March 24, 1946, to Rufus Joseph W. Hayes and Mattie Pearl Givens Hayes.
Mr. Hayes was retired from Oddee Smith & Sons Construction where he worked as Foreman. He enjoyed gardening and spending time with his family. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Dempsey Joe Hayes, Jr.; and sisters, Nita “Mickey” Russell and Barbara Munn.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 58 years, Delilah Hayes; children, Kimberly McCoy (Doug) and Karen Gilham (Tom); brother, Edward Hayes; sister, Nell Baham; seven grandchildren, Kaitlyn Biddle, Kristen Crane, Thomas Gilham, Bradley McCoy, Joe Garrett Gilham, Kathryn McCoy, Brooke Allen; and six great grandchildren, Simon Biddle, Shawn Biddle, Ellie Crane, Tommy Gilham, Jack Crane, Soren Biddle. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
The Hayes family would like to extend a special thank you to King’s Daughters Medical Center Emergency Room for their exquisite care of Mr. Hayes during his stay with them.
Magaline Allen Townsend
The funeral service for Mrs. Magaline Allen Townsend will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at Riverwood Family with burial in Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service at Riverwood. Dr. Garland Boyd and Rev. Nathan Case will officiate. Pallbearers are Seth Allen, Drake Allen, Webb Britt, Casey Britt, Jody Britt, and Jerry Freeman.
Mrs. Magaline Allen Townsend, aged 97, went to be with her Lord on August 31, 2024. She was born on October 21, 1926, in Lincoln County, Mississippi, the daughter of Wiley and Lela Allen. Magaline spent her childhood in the Old Red Star Community and graduated from Loyd Star High School in 1944. Soon after, she married her husband, Wadie D Townsend, on April 20, 1957. Magaline and Wadie D were married for 59 years until his death in 2016.
Magaline was a lifelong member of Macedonia Baptist Church, where she served as Sunday School Secretary in Mrs. Paula Walker’s class for many years. She worked at Potter’s Company and Stahl Urban before becoming a full-time mother to her beloved son, Wade Dwayne Townsend. Magaline enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She especially enjoyed sharing Friday night meals, usually fried chicken, with Almon and Jean Brister. Magaline adored her family and affectionately called them, “her people.” She enjoyed watching “The Days of Our Lives,” eating anything sweet (especially Hershey’s Kisses), and spending time with her only granddaughter, Allie Claire Townsend Piazza, who she adored.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Yvonne Britt, and husband, Wilmer; brother, Martell Allen, and wife, Elaine; and husband, Wadie D Townsend, all of Brookhaven, Mississippi.
She is survived by her son, Wade Dwayne Townsend, and wife Cindy; granddaughter, Allie Claire Townsend Piazza, and husband Jacob; and nieces Jeanene Newell, and husband Prentiss, and Kathy Evans, and husband David, all of Brookhaven, Mississippi.
Magaline’s last years were spent at Diversicare of Brookhaven where she made many friends. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Diversicare, especially Ashley Newell, and Sherry Sellers.
Betty Lou Allen Davis
Ms. Betty Lou Allen Davis, 87, of Monticello, MS, died September 1, 2024, at her residence. She was born in Gary, IN, May 5, 1937, to Arthur and Arbie Allen. She was retired from Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS, where she worked in Nursing Administration. She was a member of North Riverside Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Peggy Derrington.
Ms. Davis is survived by her children, Sherry Runnels (Ray), Cheryl Snavely, Brad Davis (Julie), and Kevin Davis (Laurie); brother, Joe Risner (Phyllis); a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Deaconess Hospice for their care and compassion for Ms. Davis.
Jerry Lucious Reid, Sr.
Services for Mr. Jerry Lucious Reid, Sr., is 11:00 am on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at Riverwood Family with
visitation from 9:00 am until the time of service and burial at Providence Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Jerry Lucious Reid, Sr. 92, passed away on August 30, 2024, peacefully surrounded by family. He was born on July 2, 1932, to the late Saint Elmo Reid and Bertha Mae Eaton Reid of Ruth MS.
During the Korean War, Mr. Reid served his country in the United States Air Force. Jerry had a fighting spirit, an honest heart, and a silly bone for pranks. He was a man of many talents. He could build a racecar from the ground up and win many trophies from racing. He was also excellent at pool, winning many tournaments.
Welding was his profession, and it sent him on the road to provide for his family. He worked until he was 75. He spent his retirement days enjoying time with his family. He loved to boil peanuts, have a cookout, or fish fry, and grow a garden, especially tomatoes.
He spent many days teaching his grandsons how to fix anything from trucks to tractors and lawnmowers. His grandsons found their love of fishing and baseball from their grandpa.
Preceding him in death are his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Ramona and Alton Magee; brother and sister-in-law, Markette and Merle Reid; and son, Luke Reid.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 45 years, Carol Reid; children, Dianne Vire (Steve), Danny Joe Reid, Kay Kubecka (Steve), Candace Berryhill (Clint), and Lisa Brown (Robby).
He is also survived by 23 grandchildren and special great-grandchildren, Swae Sharp and Parker Sharp.
Pallbearers for Mr. Jerry's service will include Noah Sharp, Nicholas Sharp, Zachary Sharp, Clint Berryhill, Robby Brown, and Braylen Brown.
Condolences and other information are available online at www.riverwoodfamily.com.
Jean James Sullivan
Ms. Jean James Sullivan, 89, passed from this earth on August 29, 2024. She was born on January 5, 1935, to Leon and Ida Smith. She was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church and known as “Nana” to everyone.
She is preceded in death by her husbands Robert Ellis James and Lynn Sullivan; parents; brothers Jimmy, June, Gerald, Pudd, and Sam Smith; daughter Sheila James O’Quinn; and granddaughter Crystal Lynn Gooch.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters Teresa Moyer and Vicki Lynn Gooch; six grandchildren Christopher James (Skylar), Matt Gooch, Brittany Sills, Robert Gooch (Celia), Clint Gooch (Baleigh), and Adam Moyer; seven great grandchildren John Brayden James, Strider James, Christopher Madden James, Jackson James, Indiana James, Mila Gooch, and Lincoln Gooch. She will be dearly missed by all that loved her.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Zion Hill Baptist Church in Wesson, Ms.
Rod Anthony Pellegrin
A memorial service will be held to honor the memory of Rod Anthony Pellegrin at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, August 29, at Riverwood Family.
Mr. Pellegrin, 61, of Brookhaven, died Sunday, August 25, 2024, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. He was born in Houma, LA, July 2, 1963, to Ronald Joseph Pellegrin and Beverly Sittig Pellegrin.
He was a 1982 graduate of Enterprise High School and worked as a Supervisor for Capstone.
He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers-in-law, Glenn Hodges and Ted Messenger.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Rhonda Pellegrin; daughter, Candice Pellegrin Strange and husband, Ryan; brother-in-law Greg Hodges and wife, Susie; sister, Jackie Byrd; sisters-in-law, Kami Burage and Debra Messenger; two grandchildren, Drake Strange and Amberlynn Strange; and a host of nieces, nephews and other loving family members and friends.
Ronald Harold Polk
A memorial service for Ronald Harold Polk will be 11 a.m., Thursday, August 29, at Riverwood Family. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
Mr. Polk, 76, of Brookhaven, died August 25, 2024. He was born in Columbia, MS on June 5, 1948, to Robert William Polk and Myrtle Robinson Polk. He retired from the position of Security Guard in Monticello, MS. He served his country in the United States Air Force.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Mr. Polk is survived by his children, Steven Polk (Candi), Amanda Polk, and Brian Polk; brothers, Robert Earl Polk and Gerald Polk (Fran); seven grandchildren, Carly Waldrop (Tanner), Brayden Polk, Nathan Polk, Gabby Polk, Kaitlin Polk, Grayson Burlingame, and Hudson Burlingame; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
Mary Ann Jordan Allen
The funeral service for Mary Ann Jordan Allen will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 28, at Harmony Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from Noon until the time of service.
Mrs. Allen, 64, of Brookhaven, died August 25, 2024, at her residence. She was born in Brookhaven on December 19, 1959, to Elmer Lee Jordan and Bonita Ellen Delong Jordan.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Elmer Lee Allen and Helen Lanelle Allen.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her husband of 23 years, Johnny Lee Allen; children, Jennifer Ann Smith, Lucus Leon Williams, Jordan Lea Pope, John Pope, Scott Allen, Stacey Allen, Penny Allen; brother, Jimmie Jordan; sister, Teresa Mae Griffey; 11 grandchildren, Branden Britt, John Rowdy Pope, Eliza Jane Pope, Jolea Rose Pope, Laura Williams, Lundyn Nations, Lauren Allen Guthrie, Sarah Allen, Julia Robinson, Griffin Wilson, Chesney Allen Wright; and two great grandchildren, Liam Guthrie and Brynleigh Cooley.
Megan Daniell Busby
Funeral service for Megan Daniell Busby will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, August 28, at Riverwood Family with burial in Mt Zion Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, August 27, at Riverwood and will resume from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday.
Megan was born December 9, 1985, in Hazlehurst, MS, to Hugh Daniel Watson and Kaylon Stephens Watson. She completed her journey here on earth Saturday, August 24, 2024, she was 38 years of age.
Megan was a stay-at-home mom who loved her family beyond measure. She enjoyed life with Brian and their children and gave her all to assure them of her love. She liked to make jewelry and enjoyed singing to her favorite tunes. She also spent time outdoors, fishing or attending car shows. Megan was a great cook and baker; she enjoyed providing dishes for her family. Megan is gone too soon and will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her son, Austen Watson; grandparents, Ruby and Lin Stephens and Nancy and DB Watson; and brother, Daniel “D-Watt” Watson.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 7 years, Brian Busby; her parents; children, Annah Nieburg, Ashtyn Nieburg, Aydin Watson, Braden Busby, and Noah Busby; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bruce and Bonnie Terrell; and father-in-law, Henry Busby; and brothers-in-law, Stuart Busby (Joanna), Justin Busby (Rene). She is also survived by a host of other loving family members and friends.
Judy Elaine Burgess
The funeral service for Judy Elaine Burgess will be Noon, Tuesday, August 27, at New Hope Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-9 p.m., Monday, August 26, at New Hope and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday.
Mrs. Burgess, of Monticello, was born on August 23, 1949, to W.B. Thompson and Betty Jean Malone Thompson. She completed her journey here and celebrated her birthday in the presence of Jesus, leaving this world on August 23, 2024. Judy was married to her husband, Ronnie for 54 years, and would meet him for lunch almost every day. She cherished her family, spending time with her precious grandchildren was the delight of her life. She also enjoyed going to lunch with her best girlfriends. She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and served in many different areas. Judy liked to spend time outdoors, picking blueberries, and fishing. She also liked watching the humming birds when they would come to visit. She was a faithful wife and loving mother, grandmother and friend and will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents and one granddaughter, Morgan Bonson.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Ronnie Burgess; children, Gayle Galey (Cliff), Amy Boyles, and Lisa Bonson (David); brother, Curley Thompson (Doris); 14 grandchildren, Samantha Berryhill, Breanna Boyles, Will Boyles, Jessica Ursrey, Emily Boyles, Megan Galey, Jason Galey, Josh Galey, Caleb Bonson, Daniel Bonson, Sarah Bonson, Karley Bonson, and Cassie Bonson, Matt Bonson; 16 great grandchildren and a host of other loving family members and friends as well as her faith family at New Hope.
