The funeral service for Benjamin Grayson Hodges will be 2 p.m., Thursday, October 12, at Riverwood Family with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from Noon until the time of service.

Mr. Hodges, 19, of Brookhaven, died October 8, 2023, at UMMC, as a result of an automobile accident. He was surrounded by his loving family. Grayson was born December 3, 2003, in Natchez, MS, to Ben and Amanda Hodges. He graduated from Loyd Star Attendance Center and was employed by Comfort Zone Heating and Cooling. Grayson attended Heucks Retreat Baptist Church. He was a great brother and uncle.

In his death, Grayson gave the gift of life to four people and sight to four others. Although his life was short on earth, he lived it to the fullest.

He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family and friends.

Grayson is preceded in death by his grandmother, Deborah Mizell.

He is survived by his parents, Amanda Hodges, Ben Hodges, and step mom, Christy Hodges; paternal grandparents, Gene and Ruth Hodges, maternal grandparents, Glen and Debbie Mizell ; brothers, Josh Hodges (Justice) and Reid Hodges, Cody Jensen, Chase Murphy, and Caiden Murphy; aunt and uncle, Sherri and Brad Hodges; nephew, Noah Hodges; nieces, Harper and Ella Hodges; and a host of great aunts, great uncles, and cousins, as well as his great grandmother.

A special thanks to Dr. Rainey and all the SICU nurses.

In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to Home of Grace, 14200 Jericho Rd, Vancleave, MS 39565 or MS Organ Recovery Agency, 4400 Lakeland Dr, Flowood, MS 39232.

April Michelle Smith, 45, of Wesson, MS, died October 8, 2023, at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb, MS. She was born in Brookhaven April 20, 1978, to Sherman Leroy Smith and Frances Elaine Daniel Smith.

She is survived by three children, Tristen Toby Dillon, Kaylen Smith, and Alexis Michell Blackwell; her parents; brothers, Mark Smith and Carey Banks, Jr.; sisters, Patti Boyte and Alecia Smith; four grandchildren, MaKiya, Kaiser, Kingston, and Alaiyah; and by friends, Rebecca Moll, Kayla Haas, and Kellye Sicks. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers you may make memorials to Gideon’s International, PO Box 1106, Brookhaven, MS 39602.

The funeral service for James Gilbert Pickering will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, October 11, at Lucien Baptist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, October 10^th, at Riverwood and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of service at Lucien Baptist Church.

Mr. Pickering, 96, of Lucien, died October 7, 2023, at his residence. He was born February 14, 1927, to Judd E. Pickering and Rhoda Smith Pickering. He retired from Natchez Paper Mill where he worked in the machine maintenance department.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Davis and son-in-law, Roy Davis.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 75 years, Jewell Pickering; children, Sandy Smith, Ronnie Pickering, Brenda Simmons and husband, Lamar, and Debbie Barfoot; brother, Gene Pickering; eight grandchildren, Brad Davis, Mandy Smith, Lane Pickering, Jamie Barfoot, Dusty Davis, Brandi Jenkins, Ronnie Pickering, Jr., and Evan Pickering; nine great grandchildren and a host of other loving family members and friends.

There will be a reception for family and friends immediately following the service.

The funeral service for Martha Avants will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, October 10, at Riverwood with burial in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Monday night, at Riverwood and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of service Tuesday.

Mrs. Martha Avants, 60, of Bogue Chitto, died October 6, 2023, at her residence. She was born October 11, 1962, to Bennie Hall, Sr. and Mildred Louise Moak Hall. She was a loving wife and mother and enjoyed every moment spent with her daughter, watching her grow up. Mrs. Martha was full of life and laughter; she never met a stranger. She loved to garden, and every morning was spent sitting on her porch, drinking coffee, and enjoying the work she took such great pleasure in. She also liked going fishing with her husband, Roger.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Earnest Avants; her parents; brothers, Quincy Hall, John Neal Hall, Weames Hall, Prentiss Hall, Larry Hall, John Henry Hall, Bennie Hall, Jr.; sisters, Bennie Lou Blakeney, Earline Carlisle, Margaret Williams, Tillithia Hall Moak, Mamie Pat Jennings, and Nancy Peyreagne.

She is survived by her husband of 18 years, Roger Avants; daughter, Melissa Avants; stepchildren, Joey Avants, Bryan Dale Avants, and Chasity Avants; brothers, John Hugh Mathis and Jimbo Hall; sisters, Essie Ann McCaa, Rita Hall, Gloria Mercier, and Hattie Morris. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends as well as her sweet dog, Nylah.