The funeral service for Jerry Dean Rutland will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 31, at Divide Methodist Protestant Church with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-9 p.m., Tuesday, May 30, at Divide and will resume Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Mr. Rutland, 77, of Monticello, died May 26, 2023, at his residence. He was born November 24, 1945, to Jesse Vodie Rutland and Eula Smith Rutland. He was employed in the oilfield and as a logger. Mr. Rutland was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and treasured his family above all things. He has been blessed to see three generations born and each one holds a unique place in his heart. He enjoyed fixing stuff, following him around doing his fixing stuff was his faithful companion, Booger. Mr. Rutland enjoyed simple things like sitting on a bucket visiting with Bro. Ladon and hunting with his sons, grandsons and favorite nephew, Robert. He taught his family that faith was important, and God was the source of all blessings. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten by those who loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Jessie Mae Rutland, Grace Conerly, and Julia Conerly; brothers, Clifford Rutland, Lester Rutland, Charles Ray Rutland, and Calvin Rutland.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Maxine Rutland; children, Ricky Rutland (Debbie), Will Rutland (Jessica), Eddie Wayne Rutland (Jennifer), Joy Reid (Scott), Daniel Rutland (Nikki); sisters, Louise Strong and Lura Lee Caul; brother, Buddy Rutland; ten grandchildren, Kimberly, Cody, Casey, Jacob, Chaney, Camille, Blake, Blair, Sophia, and Caleb; and ten great grands, Peyton, Madison, Mason, Mitchell, Hadley, Jaiden, Nathan, Hazel, Everly and Sidney. He is also survived by his nephew that he loved more as a brother, Robert Conerly, as well as other loving family members and friends.

The funeral service for Melissa Annette Brister will be 1 p.m., Friday, May 26, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Union Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, May 25, at Riverwood and will resume from Noon until the time of service on Friday.

Mrs. Brister, 53, of Brookhaven, died May 23, 2023, at King’s Daughters Medical Center. She was Born October 22, 1969, to JJ Wallace, Jr. and Denise Durr Upton.

Melissa worked for Superior Welding and Fabrication in the bookkeeping and accounting department. Her life away from the busyness of work included riding the creek with family and friends as well as just taking long walks around her home to enjoy the fresh air. She also found great joy in just listening to music or singing along with her favorite songs. Her greatest enjoyment was her children. Melissa will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her father, JJ Wallace, Jr.; stepfather, Bo Upton; and father-in-law, Morris Brister; and her sister, Tina Annette Wallace.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 34 years, John “Speck” Brister; her children, Brooke Brister, John Garett Brister, Saylor Brister, and Cheyenne Brister; her mother, Denise Upton; brothers, Tony Wallace (Roslyn), J.J. Wallace III (Rhonda), and Wendell Upton and niece Angel Upton; sister, Sarah Hodges (Johnathen). She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.

A Memorial Gathering will be held for Anthony Tyler “Red Ant” Oswalt 5-8 p.m., Thursday evening, May 25, at Riverwood Family.

Mr. Oswalt, 21, of Liberty, MS died May 19, 2023. He was born June 29, 2001, to Thomas Vester Oswalt, Sr. and Paula Marie Hull Oswalt. He worked as a Lineman.

“Red Ant” enjoyed the great outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed camping and mud riding. He was a great storyteller and his stories always brought a smile to all who listened. Anthony loved his family above all things and he will be greatly missed by all.

He is preceded in death by his father and his grandparents, Carnard & Elizabeth  Oswalt and Richard E. & Claire Hampton.

He is survived by his mother; brothers, Daniel Delaney (fiancé Samantha Sampson) and Kyle Oswalt; his best friends, Tyler Allen and Jesse Haas; nephews, Gotham Jordan and Arkham Delaney; and by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and other loving family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718 Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

The funeral service for Mrs. Loretta Nix Smith will be 11 a.m., Thursday, May 25, at New Prospect Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service at New Prospect.

Mrs. Smith, 89, of Bogue Chitto, received a call, an offer that she could not refuse, for an appointment from which she will not be returning, May 22, 2023. Her work here is done, and she has already experienced a glorious reunion with family and friends that she has not seen in a long time. She is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior, home at last. Mrs. Loretta was born March 16, 1934, to Joe Nix and Gladys Shephard Nix.

Mrs. Loretta was a hero to everyone who knew her. She was a loving compassionate wife, mother, grandmother and friend and will be forever remembered for her humble and gracious spirit in all circumstances. She was an avid reader, her Bible especially. She loved her flowers and tended to them as long as she had the health to do so. Her greatest joy was family, she adored her grandbabies she was a bold witness for the love of Jesus to each one of them. As instructed through His Word, God was always first and that meant everything else would fall into its rightful place. Mrs. Loretta leaves a legacy of faith and will forever be a treasure.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Roger Smith; her parents; sons, Joey Smith and Roger Dale Smith; daughter, Kathy Whittington; four brothers; and one granddaughter, Rebecca Ann Whittington.

Those who remain to cherish her memory are her daughters, Karen Howell and husband, Hank and Lori Wright and husband, Pete; 8 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by a host of other loving family members, friends, and her faith family at New Prospect.