The funeral service for James Ralph Smith will be 11 a.m., Friday, April 19, at Riverwood Family with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Mr. Smith, 99, of Brookhaven, passed away April 12, 2024. He was born March 23, 1925, to James Elbert Smith and Elsie Mae Robbins Smith.

Ralph grew up in Monticello, MS.  His father died in the late 1930’s, so young Ralph had to work several jobs to help support the family. He graduated from Monticello High School where he excelled in the band playing his cornet. After high school he joined the Navy and served state-side during the latter years of WWII.

 After leaving the navy, Ralph entered watchmaking school in Kansas City, MO, where he met the love of his life, Betty Jean Sears.  They married in August 1949 and moved to Brookhaven, MS where he started his life-long career at Smith Jewelry.  Ralph loved serving the public and getting to know his customers.  If not behind the sales counter, you would probably find him at the jewelry workbench or at Janie’s Pastry Shop.  At home he was seen by many working in his yard and flower beds.

 Ralph loved his family deeply and was very proud of his children and grandchildren and all their accomplishments.  He became known as “Pa” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren who he thought were “mighty fine.”  He also loved the Brookhaven community, especially his church family at the Brookway church of Christ.

 He was a long-time member of Brookway church of Christ, serving for many years as a deacon. Ralph owned Smith Jewelry House of Diamonds for over 50 years. He was an AGS Registered Jeweler and a Certified Gemologist. He served as president of the Mississippi Retail Jewelers Association and was named 1986 Jeweler of the Year.

 He was an FAA flight instructor, an aerobatics judge, and a Civil Air Patrol Captain. He was an avid fisherman and gardener.

 He is preceded in death by his parents, James Elbert Smith and Elsie Mae Robbins Smith;

sisters, Kate Smith Riley, Nell Smith Taylor Eley; brothers, Elbert Ned Smith (infant), Jerry Ike Smith

 He is survived by his wife of 74 years,  Betty Jean Sears Smith; children,  Linda Smith Magee (husband Danny Magee) of Brandon, MS, Elbert “Bert” Claude Smith of Denver, CO,  Judy Ann Smith Matula (husband Michael Matula) of Austin, TX; and sister,  Sarah Smith Jones of Pensacola, FL; four grandchildren,  Carrie Leanne Magee McMillen (husband Chris McMillen) of Starkville, MS, Christopher Landon Magee (wife Nikki Hooton Magee) of Starkville, MS, Cameron James Magee (wife Haley Butler Magee) of Gluckstadt, MS, and

Grayson Camille Matula of Austin, TX; Four great grandchildren, Luke and Julianne Magee and Paxton and Mallory McMillen all of Starkville, MS.

 He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

 The family would like to extend a special thanks to devoted caregivers Charlotte Allen and Candi McLendon.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice in memory of James Ralph Smith.

Services for Mrs. Anna Ruth Peets of Wesson are at 1:00 pm, Monday, April 15, 2024, at Decell Memorial United Methodist Church with visitation from 11:00 until the time of the service and burial at the Wesson Cemetery.

Mrs. Anna Ruth Peets, 96, passed away on April 13, 2024, at Halo Haven Assisted Living. She was born on July 19, 1927, to the late Albert Sidney Allen and Gladys Marie Chandler Allen.

She was a longtime member of the Garden Club. She loved gardening in her yard and took great pride in that. She always had a big vegetable garden and loved canning and putting up vegetables. What she loved the most was entertaining her family from different states and taking care of her immediate family. She was also a gifted quilt maker and crocheted beautifully.  She adored her pets.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Albert Ray Peets, Jr.; brothers, Bernice Allen, and Ed Allen and daughter-in-law, Judy Peets.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Randy Ray Peets and Gary Allen Peets, Sr. and wife Peggy and her brother, Alvin Allen.

Along with four grandchildren, Allen Peets and wife Melissa, Derek Peets and wife Kim, Jefrey Peets and Ryan Peets; seven great-grandchildren, Dylan Peets, Kaden Peets, Miller, Cooper and Tanner Williams, Taylor Peets, and Leighanna Peets, and one great-great-granddaughter, Riverlynn Peets. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.

The family would like to thank the wonderful, caring, and loving staff at Halo Havens Assisted Living Center where she has lived for the past two years, Jaci, Monica, Brooke, Keely, Connie, Tonnicka, Michelle, Loretta, Stephanie and Kristen. Thanks to Enhabit Hospice and her nurse Nick. To her caregivers, Shirley and Elsie.

Memorials can be made to Decell Memorial United Methodist Church, Wesson City Cemetery, or BARL.

Services for Mr. Michael Howard Owens of Brookhaven are at 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Harmony Baptist Church with visitation from 11:00 am until the time of service. Burial will be at Fair River Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mr. Michael Howard Owens, 69, passed away on April 9, 2024, at the University Medical Center. He was born August 18, 1954, to the late Robert Howard Owens and Helen Boots Owens.

When he graduated from high school, he went to work offshore with his dad for the summer to save money for law school, but the summer ended, and he stayed for over 35 years. He loved his job and worked his way to the top. He was a member of Harmony Baptist Church and was proud of his work in the church. He studied late into Saturday nights to prepare for Sundays. It was important to him that his family knew God. He was an avid Harley Davidson fan. After retirement and finishing cancer treatment, he enjoyed riding his bikes. Yet, his greatest passion was his family.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his grandparents, Bert &Edith Dickerson, Raymond & Maude Owens, and son-in-law, John Franklin Branton.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Lisa Owens; children, Dusty Owens (Heather) Judd Owens (Jennie), Jasmine Branton, Devin Owens (Hayley) Caleb Owens, and Austin Runnels (Andrew); brother, Stanley Owens and sister Susan Davis (Atley), along with 14 grandchildren, Ty Branton, Kennedy Branton, Jackson Owens, Cameron Owens, Cayden Owens, Carter Owens, Myles Owens, Raegan Owens, Ryleigh Owens, Gannon Owens, Maevi Owens, Benson Owens, Saige Owens, Wyatt Runnels and 2 great-grandchildren, Brenna Branton, and Emerson Branton. He will be missed by all who loved him.

Services for Mr. Jeremy Dewayne Pickett of Ruth are at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Ebenezer Methodist Church in McCall Creek. Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 pm, Monday, April 15, at Riverwood Family and will resume from 1:00 until the time of service on Tuesday at church.

Burial will be at Ebenezer Methodist Church Cemetery.

Jeremy passed away on April 11, 2024, in Natchez, MS.

He was born on March 2, 1982. He enjoyed fishing and riding motorcycles. He loved to cook, garden, work on cars, and go to car shows.

He is preceded in death by his father, James “Mike” Pickett; brothers, William Prickett and Nathan Pickett; nephew, Jonathan Grammer; grandfather, Bob Clark and grandmothers, Dean Clark and LaNelle Pickett.

Those left to cherish his memory are his mother, Anita Pickett, and girlfriend, Carla Dunn, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends.