On the hot, summer day, of August 15, 1946, a little boy named James Ronny Smith entered this world. He was joyously welcomed by his parents, Oddee and Mabel Smith, his big sister, Glenda, and big brother, Paul. “Little brother”, Joel joined him when Ronny was nine.

Growing up on Macedonia Church Road with neighboring boys and girls, Ronny’s young life was an idyllic one of attending Sunday School, preaching, revivals, RA’s, and even “feeding the preacher”, as his mother habitually did. Whether riding bikes, playing baseball on the homemade field in the pasture (there was always a “slew” of kids in “Mabel’s yard”), or slipping off with a group of boys to swim in the “prohibited” muddy pond, Ronny’s growing up years were typical of life in the rural South during the peaceful, slow years of the 1950’s.

Beginning school at Loyd Star, Ronny had no idea of the grace gifts that God would pour out on him during those twelve years - gifts that included strong, Christian teachers and coaches, life-long friends, and in class with him a little shy, first-grade girl, named Carolyn Calcote, who would later become his wife of 53 years. God continued with special blessings for Ronny. One was the athletic ability to play basketball, which culminated in being the point guard on the 1963 Loyd Star state champion basketball team. The blessings continued to abound as Ronny attended Co-Lin, where he left his legacy as academic high honors, as class favorite, and as Mr. Co-Lin. Playing for coach Alton Ricks, he became the all-time record holder for assists as point guard on the Wolves’ Basketball Team.

After marrying the “little first-grade girl”, he continued his education at University of Southern Mississippi, graduating with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. After a brief four-year coaching career, Ronny returned to the family business at Oddee Smith and Sons Construction Company. It was during this time that Ronny and Carolyn’s wonderful grace gifts were again sent by the hand of God. Their son, Jereme Calcote Smith, arrived in 1975, and their daughter, Autumn Carol Smith, arrived in 1979.

After a few years, Ronny was led to pursue the office of Lincoln County Chancery Clerk. Successfully elected in 1979, he served for 20 years. Having considered the 20-year service as a special gift from God, he retired in 2000 and rejoined the family business. Ronny was blessed to work for 19 years with his brothers, Paul and Joel, his son, Jereme, and son-in-law, Chris. Other special blessings came at this time in the form of grandchildren, Taylor, Blake, Riley, and Jake.

During these years, Ronny enjoyed serving on Bank of Brookhaven Board, in various positions with Co-Lin Athletic Alumni, and as president of the Loyd Star Foundation. In 2001 he was inducted into the Co-Lin Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ronny continued his years of service at Macedonia Baptist Church as Deacon Sunday School teacher, and as a member of the Finance Committee. He continued actively servicing until just a few months before he retired to go to heaven on Tuesday, August 13. There Ronny will reside eternally serving Jesus, his Lord, and awaiting Carolyn and his family to join him.

Ronny is preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Fred and Winnie Calcote; brothers-in-law, Dale Calcote, Fred Calcote, Jr., Stanley Calcote, and Kent Calcote.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are, his wife, Carolyn Calcote Smith; son, Jereme Smith (Beth); daughter, Autumn Thornton (Chris); brothers, Joel Smith (Cindy), Paul Smith (Connie); sister, Glenda Hart (Gerald); four grandchildren, Taylor and Jake Smith, Blake and Riley Thornton. He is also survived by his special cousin, Scott Smith (Marcia); sisters-in-law, Evelyn Case (Charlie), Ruth Calcote, Betty Calcote, Mary Ellen Kimble; and brother-in-law, Calvin Calcote (Shirley).

Celebration of Ronny’s life and celebration of God’s work in that life will begin at 4 p.m., Friday, August 16, for the family. It will continue at 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. for friends to visit with family.

The funeral will be 11 a.m., Saturday, August 17, preceded by visitation at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the service begins.

Services for Mrs. Hilda Faye Goodson Myers of Bude are 10:00 am Thursday, August 15, 2019

at Bude First Baptist Church with burial at Midway  Cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 14 from 5:00-8:00 pm at Riverwood Family Funeral Service.

She will also lie in state from 9:00 am until time of service at the church on Thursday.

Mrs. Hilda Faye Goodson Myers, 72, went to be with her Lord on August 12, 2019 at her residence.

She was born on November 8, 1946 to the late Edgar Goodson and Edith Bonds Goodson.

Mrs. Hilda enjoyed fishing, shopping and especially spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parent; husband, William Myers; sister, Onnie Longmire, and step-brother, Jimmy Lofton.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Leroy Loflin and Justin Gauthier; daughter, Shanna F. Arnold;

brother, Phillip Goodson and sister, Jo Schneyer. She is also survived by her 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Services for Mr. Wade Ellis Hall from Brookhaven are 10:00 am, Thursday, August 15, 2019,

at Riverwood Family Funeral Service with interment at Gum Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

Visitation is Wednesday, August 14, 2019, from 5:00-8:00 pm also at Riverwood Family.

Mr. Wade Ellis Hall, 44 passed away on August 12, 2019, at University of Mississippi Medical Center.

He was born on March 16, 1975, to Phil Dexter Hall and Sandra Kay Hall. He worked as a Millwright

and was a member of Gum Grove Baptist Church.

Wade loved fishing, hunting and spending time with his family, friends and especially his grandchildren.

He had a big kind heart and was always so generous to so many, along with having a soft spot for animals.

Preceding him in death were his father; grandparents, Maxie and Ella Hall, Fred Emfinger, Preston Morse, and Gus Jr. and Elaine Laird.

Those left to cherish his memory are his parents, Sandra K. Hall, the late Phil Dexter Hall and wife Cindy;

son, Mason Elias Hall; daughter, Alisanne Bailey Hall; brother, Todd D. Hall; and sisters, Melissa Jordan and Misty Newman and husband, Billy.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Raymond Hall and Raylen Reed; Lavada Morse “Mamaw Vada” and many aunts, uncles and nieces and nephews.

Funeral service for CPT Michael Joe Burns, Jr. PA-C (retired) will be 11 a.m., Friday, August 16, 2019,

at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m., Friday until the time of the service.

CPT Burns, passed from this life August 10, 2019, in Smyth County Hospital, Virginia. He was born in Brookhaven, Mississippi

November 19, 1970, to Michael Joe Burns, Sr., and Dona Granberry Burns. He worked in the medical field as a Physician Assistant

and served his country in the United States Army before retiring. CPT Burns was in active duty twice in Iraq. While serving in

the military he was awarded many honors and medals including the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal,

Combat Medical Badge (6), Army Achievement Medal (2), Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal (2),

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon

and Overseas Service Ribbon (5). He enjoyed fishing in his free time and was a collector of guns. Another favorite pastime was

driving up White Top Mountain, collecting stickers. He was an avid outdoorsman but spending time with his family was his greatest joy.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents Earl H. Burns, Sr, Annie Ruth Burns, and Lee R. Granberry.

He is survived by his wife, Amanda Susan Burns; parents; son, Michael “Joe” Burns, III, of Abingdon, VA; daughters,

Kara Martin (Jared), Maddie Burns, and Allie Pennington (Levi), all of Clarksville, TN, Frances Burns of Hastings, MI,

Kiersten Vossen, Lizzy Vossen, and Emma Creal, all of Abington, VA, and; brother, Craig Burns; three grandchildren,

Liam Mac Sorley, and Paisley and Ella Martin; and a host of cousins and other loving family members and friends.

Memorials may be made to Freedom Alliance, Development Office

22570 Markey Court, Suite 240, Dulles, Virginia 20166.

Patricia Ann Hardy

55, of Wesson passed away August 10, 2019 at Copiah County Medical Center.

There will be no service at this time.

Services for Mrs. Evelyn L. Burris of McCall Creek are 1:00 pm Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at Riverwood Family Funeral Service with burial at Concord Cemetery in Franklin County.

Visitation from 5:00-8:00 pm, Monday August 12, at Riverwood Family.

Mrs. Evelyn L. Burris, 81, went to be with her Lord on August 9, 2019 at her residence. She was born on July 17, 1938 in Terry, LA.

to the late Henry and Katie Maye LaCour, of Oak Grove, LA.

Mrs. Evelyn retired as a nurse from Earl K. Long Medical Center in Baton Rouge, LA., She formerly resided in Baton Rouge, LA.,

Central LA., Pride, LA., and a resident of McCall Creek, MS.

She loved listening to her husband, Russ play and sing and enjoyed fishing, hunting, walking in the woods, writing, reading, sewing and photography.

Preceding her in death were her parents; siblings, Elizabeth Sanders, Estelle Carter, Eloise Welch, Mary Rando, Omega Smith and brother, Joseph Pierre LaCour.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Russell W. Burris of McCall Creek; daughters, Tanya Adams Mizell and husband, Ronnie of Pride, LA.,

Terrie LaCour Carroll and husband, Robert of Clinton, LA., Kim Burris Lofton and husband Jay, of McCall Creek, MS.;

sons, Russell Burris, Jr, and wife Sharman, of McCall Creek, MS., Barry Burris and wife, Trish, of McCall Creek, MS.,

Todd Burris of Vidalia, LA., and David Kinchen, of Metarie, LA.; sisters, Lillie Armstrong, of Houma, LA.,

Darlene Lemons and husband, Bobby of Goodwill, LA.; sisters-in-law, Ann Cagele and husband Jim, and Jeanette LaCour, of Galvez, LA.,

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Brittany McCoy Stanga and husband, Adam and children,

Sophia Claire and Colette Paige of Denham Springs, LA., Rachel Eloise, Elizabeth Grace, Sarah Faye and Rebekah Hope Carroll, of Clinton, LA.,

Brady Mizell Pendergras and husband, Nathan and children Kaylee and Mia of Central LA., Jeremy Mizell and wife, Tonya and children,

John, Patricia, Madeline, Ryan, Rhett, Francesca, and Junior, Necole Burris Thompson and husband, Josh and children, Matthew, Morgan

and Melanie, Megan Burris Watts and husband, Eric and children, Haley, Landon and Austin, Miranda Burris Decrane and husband,

Jason and children, Taylor, Chase, Addison, Harper, Megan, Melanie, Christin, Hunter and Jase, Erica Burris Harrison and husband, Edward

and children, Scott, Penelope and Jayden, Kristin Burris Stewart and husband, Chad and son, Damon.

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.

Funeral service for Mr. Lynn “Cowboy” H. Butler will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 7, 2019, at

Harmony Baptist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5p.m.

until 8 p.m., Tuesday, August 6, at Riverwood Family and will resume Wednesday at the church

from 10 a.m. until time of service.

Cowboy, 73, of Monticello, passed from this life August 5, 2019, at his residence in Monticello.

He was born July 29, 1946, to the late George Butler and Audelle Butler. He was employed as a

Boilermaker and a deacon at Harmony Baptist Church.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte Smith Butler and his parents.

He is survived by his sons, Jeff Butler and Eric Bulter and wife Krysten; brother, Pete Butler

and wife Jayedean; sister, Linda West and husband, Charles; and by five grandchildren,

Michael, Gracie, Aynslee, Brody, and Rustin.

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.

Services will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Bethel Baptist Church in Copiah County with interment to follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, Hazlehurst, MS or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Riverwood Family in Brookhaven, MS.

Zelda Monelle “Nell” Hall Carlisle, 92, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. She was born the daughter of Mae Virgie (Jones) and William Hamilton Hall on April 3, 1927, in Lawrence County, MS. Nell was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Herbert Earl “Buddy” Carlisle; her sister, Agnes Harvey; her two brothers, Buddy Hall and Robert Hall; grandson, James Christopher Carlisle, and son-in-law, Paul McElveen. She leaves behind her four children, Charlotte C. McElveen, of Chattanooga, TN, Janice C. Shows (Robert), of Madison, MS, James E. “Jim” Carlisle (Joan), of Crystal Springs, MS, and William Timothy “Tim” Carlisle (Angie), of Brookhaven, MS; her granddaughters, Virginia Shows Britt (Steve), Suzanne Shows Duckworth (Matt), Alisha Carlisle Murphy (Louis), Hope Carlisle Greer (Chris); grandsons, Shane McElveen (David Keller), Keith McElveen (Katherine), and Andy Carlisle; 7 great-grandchildren, Andy McElveen, Austin McElveen, Haley McElveen, Jackson Britt, Paxton Murphy, Isabella McElveen, and Greyson Murphy; and a host of extended family and friends. Nell was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, of Hazlehurst, Mississippi and held a variety of occupations throughout her life, but the most important one was caring for her husband and children. She attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College School of Cosmetology and enjoyed that for a time, but could always be found in the kitchen where she loved baking cakes and pies and cooking a good old-fashioned country meal for the ones she loved most. Nell always had an impeccable appearance and will always be remembered for her timeless beauty inside and out. She will be greatly missed by many and will forever leave an impression in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.