A memorial service for Judith Colleen Bessonette will be held Monday, June 13, at Riverwood Family at 2 p.m.

Judith Colleen Bessonette, 58, of Petal, MS, passed from this life June 7, 2022, in Pike County. She was born in Brookhaven, MS, August 10, 1963, to James D. Bessonette and June Perry Newsom.

She is preceded in death by her father and her grandparents, Malcolm and Ruth Bessonette and Jesse and Alzina Perry.

She is survived by her mother; brothers, Adam Bessonette (Sherry) and James D. Bessonette; sisters, Jo Bowman, Jacqueline Gail Bessonette, Jill Rae Brown (Mike), and Leann Perry (Danny); nieces and nephews, Ken Hobgood (Kirstyn), Tabitha Ratliff, Thor Hobgood, Sawyer Brown, Markee Langham, and several great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her lifelong friend, Dorothy Harrell.

A Graveside Memorial Service for Mrs. Rhoda Mae Sykes will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 10:00 am at Holly Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

Rhoda Mae Sykes, 89, Of Brookhaven, passed from this life on June 7, 2022. She was born on August 29, 1932, in Brookhaven to Carlie M. Givens and Lethie Hunt Givens.

Mrs. Sykes was a member of the Eastern Star for many years and served in every capacity. She enjoyed working a Garden, flowers and plants. Anytime she heard of anyone sick, she loved to visit and check on them when she was still independent.

Preceding her in death were her parents; a son, Felix “Bo” Sykes; brother, Billy Givens; sister, Carrie Lee Barton; granddaughter, Christie White and great-granddaughter, Jalynn Nicole White.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Velma Joyce Foster and Alfred Daniel Sykes and wife Shelia; brother, Carlie M. Givens, Jr. and wife Doris of Citronella, AL, and sister-in-law, Ann Givens. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kristi Morgan, Rusty Daniels, Christopher Lambright, Jeffrey Daniels, Preston Morgan, Kolton Morgan, Kassie Morgan, Michelle Bland Wood, Melissa Dunn, Wayne Sykes, Christina Sykes, Amanda Sykes and Jennifer Sykes; along with seven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral service for Mr. George William “Billy” Boyd, Jr., will be 11 a.m., Friday, June 10, at Riverwood Family, with interment in the Ramah Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, at Riverwood Family and will resume Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Mr. Boyd, 46, of McCall Creek, passed from this life June 5, 2022. He was born in Gulport, MS, December 9, 1975, to George “Bill” Boyd, Sr. and Rebecca “Becky” Norton Boyd. He graduated from Northwest Rankin High School in Brandon, MS and furthered his education by attending MSU, Hinds Community College, and Nichols State, where he received a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He worked in the oil field industry as a Chevron Product Operations Specialist for 20 years and was awaiting a transfer to Africa. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, spending time with his wife and children was a great part of his life. He also loved spending time with his niece, Bella. Billy was an avid traveler, taking vacations with his family to all parts of the world, but also enjoyed a simple camping trip and relaxing by a campfire. He was a friend to many, and a multi-talented person. He was a mechanic, an engineer, and taxidermist. Billy was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Dewey and Alice Norton and Rev. JW and Edna Earle Boyd.

Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife of 20 years, Erin Rushing Boyd; son, William Barrett Boyd; daughters, Melanie Rebekah Boyd (David Huff), and Madalyn Elizabeth Boyd; brothers, Randy Boyd, Buddy Boyd (April) and their daughter, Bella Boyd. He is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Mary Pearl Tuttle, 86, of Brookhaven, passed from this life June 5, 2022, at her residence. She was born in Bude, MS, January 6, 1936. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She would often say her “grands” kept her going. Any time you would visit her home, you left with a bag of snacks. Mary loved a sale, especially garage sales. She never met a stranger and after you spent a few moments with her you loved her. She enjoyed planting a vegetable garden and sharing the rewards of her work. Mary is also a retired Certified Nursing Assistant. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

She is preceded in death by her parents Thomas Eugene McCoy, Sr. and Pearl Elizabeth Souleret Smith; grandson, Michael Jackson; brother, Tommy McCoy; and sister, Margaret Seale.

Those who remain to cherish her memory are her husband of 18 years, Murphy Tuttle; sons, Marty Jackson and wife, Gilda, Ronnie Jackson and wife, Betty, and Keith Jackson and wife, Robin; grandchildren, Tanya & David Purdy, Zachary & Anna Jackson, Rebecca Jackson, Lily Jackson, Rachel Jackson, Anthony Lambert, Clayton Diffrient, Ryan Diffrient, Murphy Tuttle, Faye Tuttle, Joyce Hood, Jason Baudauf, Kimberly Tuttle; great grandchildren, Ryan, Ryleigh, Ryles, and Ryker Purdy, Roger, Meredith, and Beau Diffrient. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and other loving family members and friends.

HE ONLY TAKES THE BEST
God saw you getting tired, And a cure was not to be;
So he put his arms around you, And whispered, "Come to me”
With tearful eyes we watched you, And saw you pass away;
Although we loved you dearly, We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating, Hard working hands to rest,
God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.