Visitation for friends and family will be held from 5p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday August 6, 2019 at

Riverwood Family Funeral Service in Brookhaven, Mississippi. The funeral will be Wednesday August 7, 2019

at 10am followed by burial at Wesson Cemetery in Wesson, Mississippi with Brothers Larry Mizell,

Field Thigpen and Tommy Varnado officiating. Pallbearers will include Chance Granger, Thomas Hayth,

Scott Knight, Buster Jacks, Pat Granger and Darren Ezell.

James Howard Granger passed away at the age of 79 on August 4, 2019. He was a man who touched the

lives of many, as a father, brother, husband, pawpaw, uncle and friend. He leaves behind a world that

is a better place because of his life and legacy. He died at St. Tammany Hospital in Covington, Louisiana

after a lengthy battle with cancer. Although the disease robbed him of his memory slowly over the

last several months, God was gracious to only take away his ability to communicate in the last few weeks.

He never lost his sense of humor. 

James was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi on August 19, 1939, to Wright and Velma Granger. He attended

school and played football in Georgetown, Mississippi. He served in the Mississippi Army National Guard

as a medic for 8 years where he then met the love of his life, Peggy Pannell, and they married on October 9, 1959.

They were married for almost 60 years when he passed away with numerous health issues. He worked tirelessly

delivering bread for Hart’s Bread and Holsum Bread companies for over 38 years and then sold peanuts after he

retired. He always loved children, sports, and never wanted to sit down. He was known for his love for hunting

and fishing. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, kindness, generosity and his devotion to God. He

was a long-time member of Memorial Baptist Church in Bogalusa Louisiana.

James is survived by his wife, Peggy Granger, daughter, Edna Kay Granger, and two sons, Tim (Bonnie) Granger

and Tony (Trina) Granger. He is also survived by his grandsons Chance Granger, Thomas Hayth, and Scott (Christal) Knight

and his granddaughter, Gracie Granger and his great-grandchildren Cade Knight and Trenton Knight. Other survivors

include his three siblings, Judy Farmer Clary, Michael (Ruth) Granger, and Lanny Granger. Additionally, he is survived by many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wright and Velma Granger, sisters Dell Walker, Geraldine McCardle and brother, Alvin Granger.

Honorary pallbearers include, Kenny Crawford, Jewel Brumfield, Cade Knight, Trenton Knight, McWayne Harvey, Jessie Sumrall, Steven Sumrall and Dustin Sumrall.

Malford (M.T.) Twain Byrd, aged 89, of Wesson, Mississippi, passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2019. He is survived by his son, Michael Byrd, daughter, Debra Reineke, grandchildren, Cristen Walley, Timothy Byrd, Patrick Byrd, Caroline Gutierrez and 10 great-grandchildren. Family members will receive friends in the Suite of Riverwood Family in Brookhaven, MS on Monday, August 5th, from 12:00-2:00pm.  Funeral services will follow at 2:00pm.

Born in Copiah County Mississippi, M.T. attended Wesson High School and Copiah Lincoln Junior College and later attended Tulane University in New Orleans. He was married to Louise Ashley Byrd, his wife of 65 years.  He went to work for the Illinois Central Railroad and moved to New Orleans in 1954.  In 1974 he retired from the railroad and went to work for the Federal Railroad Administration as an inspector of railroads.  He worked for the FRA until his final retirement January 1, 1994 upon which they returned to Wesson, MS.

M.T. was a faithful member of the Methodist Church serving as Sunday school teacher for many years and many different positions on the Board of the church.  He became a member of Brookhaven First United Methodist Church in June 2009 where he was a regular member until his illness.

M.T. was an active member of J. M. Wesson Lodge #317 for 65+ years serving as their secretary for several years and also Master of the Lodge.

He is a member of The Jackson Scottish Rite.  At the Supreme Council Session that met in Washington, D. C. on October 3, 2005 he was elected to receive the Thirty-Third Degree of Scottish Rite Freemasonry.  He was recognized for his dedication, devotion and service, not only to Scottish Rite Masonry and to Masonry in general, but to his community, family, friends, church, and career.

He was a member of the Jerusalem Shrine Temple of New Orleans, Louisiana.

M.T. was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Ashley Byrd and grand-daughter, Jennifer Walley.