The funeral service for Judy Britt Speights will be 11 a.m., Friday, January 27, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery, in Prentiss, MS. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, January 26, at Riverwood, and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday.

Mrs. Speights, 73, of Brookhaven, passed away January 24, 2023, at St. Dominics Medical Center in Jackson, with her family by her side. She was born in Brookhaven, MS, November 5, 1949, to James Bennon Britt and Mildred Morgan Britt. 

Judy dedicated 30 years as a merchandiser for McLane Southern. She loved her work and the friends she made along the way. Judy had a passion for her flowers, and an obsession for vintage jewelry, collectables, antiques, and especially for frogs. To her, family and friends were priority above all.

It has been a privilege to have had her in my life not only as my wife, but also my best friend. I Thank God for having you in my life. Forever my love.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Larry Britt; mother and father in law, Thomas Wayne and Annie Lee Speights; and brother in law, Kerry Mark Speights.

Judy is survived by her husband of 34 years, E. Wayne Speights; children, Todd Reeves (Ruth), Joshua Speights (Helen), Sara Beth Reeves and special friend, Kim, Noah Speights (Giovanna); brothers, Don Britt (Margie) and John Britt; sisters, Susan Birdson and special friend, Jerry Morris, and Deborah Britt; seven grandchildren, Mikaila Reeves, Gage Reeves, Nora Reeves, Leo Speights, Skylar Speights, Milo Speights, and Eloise Speights. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great, great nieces and nephews and many, many friends.

The funeral service for Mr. James Willard King will be 10 a.m., Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Carmel Baptist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-9 p.m., Friday, January 27, at Carmel Baptist Church.

Mr. King, 91, of Monticello, passed away January 24, 2023. He was born in Monticello, MS, on April 21, 1931. Mr. King served his country in the United States Army and Air Force during the time of the Korean War, as Sergeant First Class. He was awarded a Korean Service Medal, a Combat Infantry Badge, a UN Service Medal, and he was also awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery during battle. After returning home, Mr. King began a career with Electrolux where he was a salesman for many years. He enjoyed being outdoors and working in his garden. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary McClain Cox King; parents, George King and Rhoda Mae King; and his youngest son, Steven King.

Mr. King is survived by his son, Don King and wife, Linda; daughter, BeLinda Gail Hudson; three grandchildren, Donnie King, Misty King, and Emily King; and one great grandson, Braxton King.

The funeral service for Acie Joseph “A.J.” Spring will be 11 a.m., Thursday, January 26, at Johnson Grove Church of Christ, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Wednesday, January 25, and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday, at Johnson Grove Church of Christ.

Mr. Spring, 76, of Smithdale, passed away January 22, 2023, in Jackson, MS. He was born in Franklin County, MS, October 1, 1946, to George Washington Spring and Gertrude Nunnery Spring.

After graduating from McComb High School, AJ played football at Southwest Junior College and Mississippi College. He worked for over 20 years with Allstate Insurance as an Agent. AJ was a member of Johnson Grove Church of Christ. He previously served as an Elder and Deacon at McComb Church of Christ, where he also taught Bible classes. An avid outdoorsman, he loved spending his free time fishing, hunting and golfing. AJ developed a grass mowing ministry which was a great passion of his. One of his greatest pastimes was watching his grandkids participate in a variety of activities. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

AJ is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Wayne Spring, Ralph Spring, and Warren Spring.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 55 ½ years, Janie Spring; children, Randy Spring and wife, Amy and Julie Spring Piper and husband, Shawn; brother, Eddie Spring and wife, Pat; sister, Frances Spring Berch; three grandchildren, Brett Spring and wife, Katie, Brady Spring, and Taylor Belle Piper. He is also survived by a host of friends and family and countless cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Johnson Grove Church of Christ Youth Group, 665 Auburn Drive SW, Bogue Chitto, MS 39629.

The funeral service for Jean A. Freeman will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, January 25, at Riverwood Family, with burial to follow in Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, January 24, at Riverwood and will resume from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday.

Mrs. Freeman, 81, of Hazlehurst, passed away January 21, 2023, at Southwest Regional Medical Center in McComb. She was born in Booneville, MS, August 17, 1941, to Lester H. Abernathy and Ruth Abernathy. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where she was honored to play the piano. She also enjoyed free time gardening, reading a good book, or watching Judge Judy on television, and watching the stars with Michael. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends as well as her faith family at Pleasant Hill.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert W. “Bob” Freeman; her parents; brother, Euclid “Jr” Anderson; sister, Doris Sumrall; and nephew, Howard Sullivan.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Deborah Costilow (Michael); son, Robert D. “Bobby” Freeman (Rhonda); and daughter, Donna Freeman; sisters, Faye Coke and Ann Coleman (Billy); four grandchildren, Courtney King, Micayla Ard, Derek Freeman, and Lexie Freeman; and three great grandchildren, Slayde King, Sylas Ard, and Robert Michael Freeman. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, PO Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142

Mr. Robert A. Gerhardt, Jr., 76, died January 14, 2023, at his residence in Magnolia, MS. He was born in New Orleans, LA, April 20, 1946, to Robert Adolph Gerhardt, Sr. and Margaret Cardella Gerhardt.

Mr. Gerhardt worked as a Field Auditor for Boh Brother’s Construction Company. Being an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed deer hunting and fishing. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mary Ann H. Gerhardt; his stepchildren, William F. “Butch” Massey (Ellie) and Margaret Ann Massey; three grandchildren and one great grandchild; sister, Gilda G. Mares (Billy); nephew, Jonathan W. Mares (Alicia) and Niece, Kristin M. Dupont (Brian). He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.

A Celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Graveside service for Mr. Andrew James Parrette will be 2:30 p.m., Monday, January 23, at Thompson Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be held from Noon until 2 p.m. prior to the service, at Little Bahala Baptist Church. 

Mr. Andrew James Parrette, known to everyone as “Dunner”, died January 17, 2023, in Columbus, MS, with his mother, father, “Butter Bean” and sister, Audra, by his side, he was 39 years of age. Dunner was born in Vicksburg, MS, April 26, 1983, to Bobby and Kathy Parrette.

He enjoyed playing video games with his brother and watching wrestling with his dad. He especially loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed talking to his little sister on the phone at night and texting her every day. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

Dunner is preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Margaret Wade, Paul and Beatrice Parrette, and James and Estelle Lowery, and many aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his parents; siblings, Audra Beall and husband, Craig “Big Boy” Beall, Anthony “Butter Bean” Parrette, Tonya Mayeaux, and Andrea Parrette; nephews, Justin Beall, Ronnie Mayeaux, and Derek Mayeaux; niece, Caitlin Mayeaux; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Mr. Charles Raymond Watts, 86 of Brookhaven, died January 14, 2023, at his residence. He was born August 26, 1936, to Zollie Watts and Anna Smith Watts. He served his country in the United States Air Force. After returning home from his service, he received an associate degree in electronics and began his lifelong career as an Electronics Repairman, specializing in television repair.  Mr. Watts enjoyed working with wood and gardening when he could. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Mr. Watts is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Brenda White; and his siblings, Russell Watts, Roland Watts, Ronnie Joe Watts, and Maxine Mitchell.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Fay Watts; children, Randy Watts, Ricky Watts, and Lisa Pruden; one brother, Bob Watts; sisters, Annie Ruth Welter, and Patty Bryant; seven grandchildren, Brandi Watts Smith, Justin Pruden, Josh Pruden, Alisha Douglas, Skye Pruden, Zollie Watts, and Caleb Watts; ten great grandchildren and a host of other family members and friends.

Graveside Service for Landry Ryan Kepper  are 3:00 pm, Thursday, January 19, 2023, at Riverwood Memorial Park with visitation from 1:00-3:00 pm at Riverwood Family.

Landry Ryan Kepper, six days old passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on January 15, 2023, at Ochsner Hospital for Children in New Orleans.

She was born January 9, 2023, to Brady Michael Kepper and Cassidy Ryan Phelan Kepper.

Preceding her in death are her maternal great grandparents, Carl Phelan, Kenneth Dunn; paternal great grandparents, Jimmie and Barbara Thornton and Barbara Kepper.

Those left to cherish her memory are her parents; grandparents, Andy and Lisa Kepper and Joel and Shania Phelan; uncles, Drew Kepper, Payton Kepper, and Carson Phelan; great grandparents, Jerry Kepper, Laverne Phelan, and Rita Turner, along with other cousins and family members.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ochsner Hospital for Children

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Memorial service for Summer Leann Prestridge will be 2 p.m., Friday, January 20, at New Hope Methodist Church.

Ms. Prestridge, 41, passed away January 13, 2023, at her residence in Wesson, MS. She was born in Delhi, LA, July 7, 1981, to Michael Clark Conn and Melanie Kay Porter Smith. She attended Copiah Lincoln Community College and then from Mississippi State University. Summer won “Ms. Wheelchair Mississippi” in 2018!

Summer knew the Lord Jesus as her Shepherd and she would radiate that truth to everyone she knew. Her radiant joy was contagious and her love for her Lord was obvious in the way she stood strong in the face of many obstacles.

She will be remembered as a kind and loving mother and friend to many, leaving a legacy of strength to those who remain to cherish her memory.

She is preceded in death by her mother and stepfather, Brian Smith.

Summer is survived by her daughters, Lexi Grace Prestridge and Adalyn Claire Prestridge; her father; sisters, Krystal Conn and Kara Conn; grandmother, Magruda Spillers; aunts, Marva Lynn Britt, Mona Shedd, and Melissa Porter; goddaughter, Emery Britt; and cousin, Eddie Britt (Gina).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making donations towards her gofundme account. The donations will be used for Summer’s favorite charities and projects, such as, Blaire E. Batson and Dance Scholarships. Please visit www.gofundme.com and search for Summer Prestridge.

Mrs. Geneva Mitchell, 79, of Tylertown, passed away January 15, 2023, at Southwest Regional Medical Center in McComb, MS. She was born December 6, 1943, to Otis Morris, Sr. and Ophelia Ethridge Morris. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and enjoyed spending time with her family. Mrs. Mitchell enjoyed working with ceramics and creating beautiful pieces. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Tommy Mitchell; daughter, Tracy Mitchell; brother, Jerry Morris; brothers-in-law, Jerry Mitchell, James Mitchell and Freddie Polk; and sister-in-law, Doris Duncan.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 63 years, Louis Mitchell; children, Terry Mitchell and wife, Sonya, Toney Mitchell, Tammy Rials and husband, Vincent, Sr.; brothers, Otis Morris and wife, Karen, Eugene Morris and wife, Karen, Larry Morris and wife, Linda, and Jake Morris and wife, Patti; sisters, Mary Polk, Ann Thornhill and husband, Ronnie, and Annette Lee; 27 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, and 5 great, great grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.